Parent and Community Resources
Community Resource Guides
ECS4Kids’ Community Resource Guides offer localized additional resources to aid your child care search. You may also visit the United Way Agency for Information and Referral.
Additional Resources
At ECS4Kids, we partner with trusted agencies to provide parents with essential resources on child care providers, child care issues, and up-to-date information on public policy and research. Explore the resources below to find the information and support you need for your family.
Health, Financial, and Child Care Support
- Florida KidCare Health Insurance: A free health insurance program for children aged 0 to 18 years.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): A tax benefit for full- or part-time workers. For up-to-date tax info, visit the IRS website or call 1-800-829-1040.
- Child Tax Credit: Reduce your federal income tax by up to $1,000 for each qualifying child under age 17. Call 1-800-TAX-FORUM (1-800-829-3676).
- Child Care Aware: A leading voice for child care, providing resources in both English and Spanish.
- Children’s Forum: A Florida-based advocacy group that offers parent resources and addresses child care issues.
- Department of Children and Families (DCF) Licensing: Find licensed child care providers in your area.
Educational and Developmental Resources
- Babies’ Sleep Needs: Learn about healthy sleep practices for babies.
- How to Observe and Report Child Abuse: Essential resources and guidelines for reporting suspected child abuse.
- Best Practices for Reporting Suspected Abuse Online: Information on how to report and prevent child abuse.
- Find Free Summer Meals: Locate free summer meal programs in your community.
- Military Care: Resources and support for military families.
- Special Needs Resources: Access information about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Services for Floridians with Disabilities.
Free Program Resources
- Family Guide for Early Education and Child Care Options
- Selecting Summer Care for School-Age Children
- The Best We Can Be
- Parent Companion Booklets (Brought to you by the Florida Children’s Forum)
Advocacy and Public Policy
- Children’s Campaign: Stay updated on issues impacting Florida’s children.
- ChildCare.gov: A U.S. government site featuring child care policy updates, research, and a range of information for parents and providers in both English and Spanish.
Find Your Elected Officials
- Locate Federal Elected Officials
- Locate State Representatives
- Locate State Senators
