WorkSource is pleased to present the following web resources for children, families, and child care providers:

Parents

• Child Care Aware
Provides resource information for parents on how to choose quality child care.

• Child Care Licensing
Child Care Licensing is responsible for protecting the health, safety and well-being of children in regulated child care facilities. Parents can access information concerning specific child care facilities through this site.

• MELD Parent Education and Support Programs
Non-profit, parent education agency

• National Center for Fathering
The mission of the National Center for fathering is to inspire and equip men to be better fathers.

• National Center on Fathers and Families
Founded in 1994 to expand knowledge base on father involvement and families within multiple disciplines.

• National Center on Family Relations,
612-781-9331, e-mail: ncfr3989@ncfr.org
Provides a forum for family researchers, educators and practitioners.

• National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA)
National association of agencies which provide referrals and counseling to parents seeking child care.

• National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA)
312-670-6782, e-mail: info@pta.org
PTA's goal is to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools.

• Work and Family Information Center,
212-759-0900, FAX: 212-980-7014
Clearinghouse of information concerning interrelationship between work and family issues.

Child Care Providers/Professional Development and Training for Child Care Providers

• Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition
Offers a nationally-recognized, competency-based Child Development Associate Credential. The CDA program provides training, assessment, and certification of child care professionals. Awards credentials to home-based child care providers, preschool and infant-toddler caregivers, school-age caregivers, and home visitors. Bilingual specialization is available.

• National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
Organization for family child care providers which offers accreditation for family and group providers and a variety of resources for persons offering child care services in a home environment.

• National Child Care Association
Professional trade organization for licensed, private childcare and education programs.

• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
NAEYC is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.

• National Association of Child Care Professionals (NACCP)
Mission is to strengthen the professional skill level of directors, owners, and administrators.

• National Association for Sick Child Care
Focuses on unmet need for sick child care and the obstacles that hamper the development of sick child care services.

• National Head Start Association
Private, not-for-profit organization representing the Head Start programs across the country.

• National School-age Care Alliance
Supports professionals seeking to provide quality programs for school-age children and youth.

• The Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
Focuses on a dual commitment of the professional development of teachers and the fulfillment of every child's potential.

Federal Agencies

• Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
Administers the federal low-income child care program through the Child Care Bureau.

• National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)
National clearinghouse for information on achieving quality child care service delivery systems.

State Agencies

• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS)
, Child Care Licensing Child Care Licensing is responsible for protecting the health, safety and well-being of children in regulated child care facilities. Parents can access information concerning specific child care facilities through this site.

• Texas Workforce Commission
Administers the State low-income child care programs.

Advocates/ Public Policy

• Children's Defense Fund
A private non-profit organization that aims to educate the nation about the needs of children and encourages preventive investment before they get sick or into trouble, drop out of school, or suffer family breakdown.

• Child Care Law Center
Uses legal tools to foster the development of high quality, affordable child care for every child, parent and community.