Caregiver/Parent Support and Learning Opportunities
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- Child Study Center (CSC) Circle
- Family Friendly Spaces
- Hand-Me-Down Event
- National Level Resource Websites for Parents
- One-on-One Virtual Discussions
- Parenting Workshops and Support Groups
- Resources for Children with Disabilities and Their Families
- Tools to Help Choose a Child Care Program
- Tools to Help Pay for Child Care
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Resources
The Child Study Center (CSC) Circle is a supportive resource for caregivers interested in local mental health treatment, resources, and research opportunities for their families. Caregivers can join the CSC Circle by completing a brief online form to share their resource preferences and contact information. The CSC Circle team—made up of researchers across several psychology labs at Virginia Tech—will then follow up with tailored, local resources and opportunities by email. Follow the link below to sign up.
Macaroni KID is a website listing local events, organization, and attractions for families and children. Click on “Find Your Community” to find things to do in your community.
Next Door has a section on “Things to do with kids” across the state by locality. Click on the link and look up your neighborhood to find kid friendly activities.
Next Three Days lists events and activities happening throughout the New River Valley. You can search the website by location or date.
Visit Roanoke, Roanoke Parks & Rec, Visit Pulaski
Local Parks and Rec and tourism sites (like Visit Roanoke, Roanoke Parks & Rec, and Visit Pulaski) have a mix of activities and places.
Yelp and Tripadvisor
Yelp and Tripadvisor have the option of finding places that are kid-friendly by locality using specific keywords, such as "Kids Activities” and “Things to Do in Radford with Kids".
A Virginia Tech tradition, the Little Hokie™ Hand-Me-Down event brings together faculty, staff, and students who either wish to give away or to receive gently used goods for their babies and children.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting Website
Offers evidence-based information and resources to support parents in all stages of their child's development. This website’s Parent Webinars section, which webinar that provide research-supported child health and safety information and immediately usable tips and suggestions
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard
Offers resources such as reports, videos, and interactive tools, designed to inform and support healthy development during pregnancy and the earliest years.
Provides data-driven insights on child development, family well-being, education, and health.
Offers age-based reviews of movies, games, apps, and books, along with research on digital well-being and advocacy for safer online environments.
Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
Shares research-based and best-practice early intervention information with families.
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Families can find research-based resources, tips and ideas for child development, literacy, science, music, math, and more for children birth to age 8.
Find useful lunch and learn seminars on a variety of caregiving topics for different age ranges.
Offers science-backed parenting advice across all stages of child-rearing.
Has educational kids’ activities and fun games for toddlers, preschoolers and children of all ages inspired by PBS KIDS programs.
Elevates early childhood professionals, faculty, and families’ competence and confidence in early STEM learning for young children with and without disabilities.
Supports babies, toddlers, and their families so that every child has the best possible start in life.
This is a confidential, no-cost, elective opportunity to ask questions of fellow Virginia Tech colleagues about their experiences as parents while employed by the university. It is available to Virginia Tech employees from all locations.
Virtual sessions are scheduled in 30-minute blocks and specific ECEI working group members will be assigned based on their experiences and availability for office hour sessions. Employees who are expecting or currently have children are invited to participate including mothers, fathers, non-birth parents, foster, and adoptive parents. Discussion topics could include caregiving benefits, leave, financial support, work-life policies, as well as sharing resources available to parents. Office hours also allow unique and specific inquiries to be addressed.
To schedule an office hours appointment, complete a digital form by clicking on the link above and a representative will follow up with you within five business days.
NRV CARES offers courses in Parenting Young Children and Parenting Through Separation and Divorce. They also facilitate Circle of Parents, a free weekly support group that gives parents the opportunity to share in each other’s challenges and successes. Services are available to all citizens living in the Virginia counties of Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski and the City of Radford.
Women's Center's Working Parents Newsletter
The Women’s Center is keenly aware of the disproportionate impact caregiving has on women and wants to provide support to all caregivers. Visit the link above for information on resources including the Working Parents Listserv.
Working Parents at VT Facebook Group
Stay updated on Early Childhood Education Initiatives (ECEI) and join an online community of other working parents at Virginia Tech.
View a list of resources for children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers.
We have put together a list of resources for families to help choose a quality early care or school age care program that is right for you.
Virginia Tech employees and students may be eligible for one or more of these programs to assist with the cost of child care.
Please note that some providers, organizations, and programs listed here are independent and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Virginia Tech. We do not recommend, regulate, monitor, or guarantee the quality of any of the providers, organizations, or programs listed here. It is the responsibility of each family to carefully evaluate and select the option that best meets their needs. Parents are strongly encouraged to reach out, ask questions, and evaluate information before making decisions regarding their participation.