By Teresa Mills-Faraudo
Parenting requires a good support system. Fortunately, the Bay Area has plenty of organizations that help parents and families with everything from childcare to parenting classes and workshops.
Bay Area-Wide
First 5 – Funded by cigarette tax money, this organization provides parenting information, services, resources and advocacy tools. It focuses on improving the lives of children up to the age of 5. Locations in San Francisco, San Mateo County, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County and Alameda County.
Kaiser Permanente – It has in-person and online classes for Kaiser Permanente members that cover preparing for childbirth, healthy pregnancy, breastfeeding, postpartum support and parenting.
healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/northern-california
La Leche League – Provides support, lending libraries, free counseling and resources about breastfeeding. Local chapters are around the Bay Area.
Jewish Family and Children’s Services – It has a variety of parenting classes and workshops dealing with raising children, choosing schools and more. It also has professional counselors that provide guidance and support and webinars. There are locations in San Francisco, Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma.
Support for Families – This parent-led organization provides information, education and support for families of children with special needs in the Bay Area.
832 Folsom St., #1001, San Francisco
East Bay
BANANAS – Since 1974, BANANAS has supported families with childcare referrals, parenting classes and playgroups, as well as offered resources for childcare providers.
5232 Claremont Ave. and 6818 Lion Creek Way, Oakland
Habitot Children’s Museum – Since closing its Berkeley location in 2021, it now provides hands-on exhibits and art and maker programs at a variety of locations and pop-up events as it searches for a permanent location. Check website for events and locations.
Marin
Marin Child Care Council – Provides parents with referrals for childcare in Marin County.
1600 Los Gamos Drive, #365, San Rafael
Peninsula
Our Second Home – This family resource center is dedicated to the needs of children and adults in Daly City and northern San Mateo County. It offers free and low-cost services including a subsidized morning preschool, English classes for adults, connections to health care, Cal Fresh and immigrant services, parenting classes and workshops, developmental, speech and health screenings for children, counseling and more.
725 Price St., Daly City
dcpartnership.org/programs/our-second-home
Peninsula Jewish Community Center – This center has a preschool and childcare, fitness classes, camps, youth enrichment and more.
800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City
4Cs Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County – A resource for childcare and preschool needs for families living in San Mateo County. It supports the county’s licensed childcare providers by investing in professional development and improving program quality.
330 Twin Dolphin Drive, #119, Redwood City
San Francisco
Children’s Council San Francisco – It helps connect parents with quality childcare and offers workshops and other resources for childcare providers. It also provides workshops for families.
445 Church St., San Francisco
Natural Resources – This nonprofit offers prenatal, childbirth and new parent classes, as well as doula training.
1051 Valencia St., San Francisco
San Francisco’s Department of Child, Youth and their Families – It funds programs for children and their families and provides information on San Francisco childcare, health, educational, social and recreational programs for kids.
1390 Market St., Suite 900, San Francisco
Silicon Valley
Bill Wilson Center – It offers services for children, teens, young adults and families in Santa Clara County. It has parenting classes, counseling, a shelter for runaways, support for foster children and more.
3490 The Alameda, Santa Clara
Parents Helping Parents – This nonprofit is a parent-led resource center offering educational programs, health-related services and support groups, playgroups and networks for children and adults with special needs.
1400 Parkmoor Ave., #100, San Jose
Teresa Mills-Faraudo is the editor of the Family Resource Guide.