Parent Resources

Parent Education and Resources

The Child Development Center at Jax State is a proud partner of TCR Child Care Corporation and Parents As Teachers (PAT). Parents as Teachers is a free, in-home parent education program that supports parents in the critical role as their child’s first and most important teacher. Parent educators partner with parents within the Child Development Center to help them understand what to expect at each stage in a child’s development and gain creative skills to support school readiness. Families within our center will have the ability to take advantage of quarterly "Family Engagement Nights" here at Jax State.

PAT is available to families throughout pregnancy until the child enters kindergarten. TCR Child Care Corporation is a Parents as Teachers "Blue Ribbon" affiliate serving families who live in Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Cullman, Dekalb, Etowah, Lawrence, Jackson, Randolph, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa and Winston counties. The contacts for the Child Development Center are Melinda Fowles, mfowles@tcrchildcare.org, and Dorthea Lawson, Dlawson@tcrchildcare.org

The Child Development Center also offers printed resources for parents in our Communication Station, located in the lobby of POD 3. Materials may be checked out for up to 2 weeks. Please remember to return materials promptly, so all parents may take advantage of these resources.

Additional digital resources may be found below:

Conscious Discipline

Parents, would you like to use the same verbiage that our teachers use when dealing with difficult behaviors? Conscious Discipline offers e-learning opportunities and podcasts on their website. For more information, visit https://consciousdiscipline.com/about/parents/

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Developmental milestones can be difficult to navigate. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has created a milestone tracker app to help ease parental anxiety. They also offer handy review sheets for milestones at CDC’s Developmental Milestones | CDC

Common diseases and childhood conditions are also listed here Information About Infants & Toddlers (Ages 0-3) | Parent Information | CDC

For positive parenting tips, visit Positive Parenting Tips | Child Development | CDC

Alabama Public Health

No one enjoys a sick little one. The Alabama Department of Public Health has provided information on communicable diseases, including symptoms to watch for and suggested treatment options, on their website: Communicable Disease Exclusion Chart for Schools & Childcare Facilities

For families that may find themselves without health insurance, the State of Alabama is trying to keep your kids covered! For information on how to apply for ALLKids, visit ALL Kids | Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH)

HealthyChildren.org

The American Academy of Pediatrics runs a great website called HealthyChildren.org. If you have questions regarding different illness and “when to keep your child home”, visit When to Keep Your Child Home From Child Care - HealthyChildren.org

For resources on Communication & Discipline, visit here Communication & Discipline - HealthyChildren.org

If you are an adoptive or foster family, there are some great articles about those sensitive and sometimes challenging family dynamics available here Adoption & Foster Care - HealthyChildren.org

PBS Kids

Struggling to find activities at home that keep your little ones entertained? PBS Kids offers an awesome “For Parents” website that allows you to link learning topics with age-appropriate activities. For more information, click here Parent Resources, Tips, and Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents

Alabama Parent Education Center

The Alabama Parent Education Center (APEC) is a non-profit 501c3, organized by parents, educators, and professionals serving families within the State of Alabama. APEC provides services and supports to assist families particularly those underserved including minority, low-income, and those with children with disabilities.

APEC provides parents with training, information, and support to help them become meaningful participants in their children’s education and lives. For more information, visit Alabama Parent Education Center – Alabama Parent Education Center

The Alabama Parent Training & Information (AL PTI) project provides information and services to Alabama families with children ages birth to twenty-six with disabilities. The program is designed to empower and enable them to work collaboratively with schools and agencies to improve services for their children.AL PTI provides free information and training to families to assist them in becoming advocates for their children with disabilities. If those services would be beneficial to your family, visit Alabama Parent Training & Information – Alabama Parent Education Center

Need help finding resources in our local community? Reach out to these great programs below:

Food & Utility Assistance    

Jacksonville Christian Outreach Center
206 Francis Street W
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265
256-435-1891 

This program provides services to meet the basic needs of the residents of the city of Jacksonville. If you have questions, please email them at jaxoutreach36265@gmail.com 

The Piedmont Benevolence Center is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to making a difference in the Piedmont Community and in the lives of the people through humanitarian relief and sustainable quality of life programs. They align energy and work on providing these compassionate services to the underprivileged in order for them to regain individual independence, dignity and respect.

Food & Clothing Pantry

Center of Concern (Anniston)
1513 Noble Street
Anniston, Alabama 36201
256-236-7793 

This pantry provides quality food and free basic clothing to families and individuals who lack the means to purchase them on their own. They are open Monday through Thursday, from 9:00am until 3:00pm. This program serves those in need in Anniston and Calhoun County.

The Gamecock Market is an initiative on Jax State's campus that serves Faculty, Staff, and Students in need. They offer a variety of free services to our campus community that include food, clothing (professional and casual), hygiene products, school supplies, and maternity needs. You can visit the Gamecock Market by appointment – simply email gamecockmarket@jsu.edu

Basic Needs Assistance

Community Enabler Developer
104 East F Street
Anniston, Alabama 36201
256-237-6144

Community Enabler Developer provides basic needs assistance to individuals and families in the Calhoun County area. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00am until 5:00pm. Individuals/families must have a referral from the Family Services Center of Calhoun County.

Interfaith Ministries (Anniston)
1431 Gurnee Avenue
Anniston, Alabama 36201
256-237-1472

This nonprofit seeks to address the needs of a variety of the community’s population. These programs are diverse, meeting needs of all community members, ranging in age, socio-economic status, as well as religious and racially diverse backgrounds. Each year they serve over 2000 individuals and families during their time of need.

Food Relief Program

Beans & Rice at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
400 Chinabee Ave SE
Jacksonville, AL 36265
256-435-9271

On the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10 am -12 pm, St. Luke’s Campus Ministry distributes beans and rice to members of the community. This ministry is sustained by generous donations from parishioners and friends. 

Jesus Is The Way, The Truth, and Life Ministries
P.O. Box 1663
Anniston, Alabama 36202
256-237-6144

This ministry provides food and basic provisions to individuals, seniors, and families who live with hunger and poverty. They are a mobile ministry that operates Monday through Friday, from 8:00am until 5:00pm. For more information, email cosbys@jitwl.org

The Soup Bowl (Anniston)
301 West 15^th Street
Annison, Alabama 36201
256-236-6794

Serving approximately 700 meals a month, the staff and volunteers at the Soup Bowl say it is a community effort to feed the hungry. The Soup Bowl serves free lunch between the hours of 11:30 am and 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. 

Low Income Energy Assistance

Community Action Agency of TCRR
1427 Wilmer Avenue
Anniston, Alabama 36201
256-237-4114

The CAATCRCC Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance to pay energy bills for heating and cooling costs.

Transportation

Kid One Transportation
3003 2nd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
1-800-543-7143

Kid One operates a fleet of 21 vehicles serving 43 counties throughout Alabama. At its inception, Kid One consisted of one man, one van, and a vision for making access to health care a reality for children in need across this state. That vision remains the cornerstone of Kid One today.