Parenting Support

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You can learn about support programs and resources available for people who have young children or are planning to have children.

The New York State and City Department of Health is actively monitoring nationwide infant formula shortages.

Many formulas are out of stock. In an effort to meet current demand, many stores are limiting the amount of formula customers can purchase at one time. It is important that families don't hoard formula, which will further impact the supply chain and other families in their community.

For families struggling to find the formula they need for their baby, the Department recommends the following:

Do:

  • Reach out to your health care provider for guidance.
  • Follow the formula manufacturer’s preparation and storage instructions.
  • Find a Women, Infants and Children (WIC) store that may have formula in stock.
  • Visit smaller stores and drugstores that carry formula. Call first to see if they have formula in stock.

Do not:

  • Do not make your own formula at home using recipes from the internet.
  • Do not water down formula to make it last longer
  • Do not use formula for toddlers if your baby is younger than 1 year old.
  • Do not use cow’s milk unless your baby is older than 6 months and uses regular formula.
  • Do not buy formula online from people you don't know on social media sites, online auctions, or overseas.

Learn about resources for New York families during nationwide infant formula shortages.

Get contact information for your local WIC office.

Through the City's Littlest New Yorkers initiative, parents, and those planning to become parents, can be referred to parenting support services.

These services include:

  • Nurse Family Partnership
  • Newborn Home Visiting Program 
  • Early Intervention 
  • Parent Support Groups

A parenting resource specialist will help guide parents to resources in the city that include but are not limited to:

  • Immigrant Services
  • SNAP (Food Stamps)
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program
  • Office of Child Support Services

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Parents, caregivers and other family members can get information about services and supports provided by community based organizations. These are also called prevention services (as in preventing “out of home or foster care” placement of children). The goal of prevention services is to support parents and help keep families together.

These programs can help meet critical needs, including:

  • Food, clothing, and household items
  • Strengthen family relationships
  • Address stress, health, and wellness
  • Provide referrals to supports like education, job training, immigration services, domestic violence services, and drug and alcohol recovery supports

Prevention services are free, voluntary, and available in every borough. Services are available to all families regardless of immigration status or language.  

Online

Learn more about support for families.

By Phone

English and Spanish speaking representatives are available during business hours. After hours, you will need to leave a message. 

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

You can get information about healthy parenting. 

Topics covered include how to:

  • Enjoy your child
  • Teach your child to listen
  • Discipline your child
  • Comfort your crying baby
  • Get more help

You can get a copy of this Health Bulletin in English, Spanish, or Chinese.

Online

Download the Healthy Parenting bulletin in:

By Mail

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) to request a copy.

Doulas provide non-medical support to pregnant people and their families before, during, and after childbirth.

Doulas can help you:

  • Prepare for birth and breastfeeding
  • Feel more comfortable during labor
  • Be more satisfied with your birth experience
  • Recover from childbirth
  • Bond with your baby

You may be eligible for free doula services through the Citywide Doula Initiative (CDI). The CDI is part of the New Family Home Visits Initiative.

Learn more about doula care.

Learn more about the Citywide Doula Initiative (CDI) and download resources.

Eligibility

To enroll, you must:

The program is available to families regardless of their immigration status.

Priority is given to people who:

  • Live in a shelter
  • Are in foster care or have aged out
  • Have no other labor support
  • Are giving birth for the first time or the first time in at least 10 years
  • Had a previous traumatic birth experience
  • Have a high-risk medical condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity, or diabetes

Programs

To enroll, contact a doula program directly. Each program is available only to people who live in the listed ZIP codes.

Bronx

Ancient Song Doula Services
(347) 778-3490
doula@ancientsongdoulaservices.com
ZIP codes: 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10460, 10463, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10472, 10473, 10474

Caribbean Women’s Health Association
(718) 826-2942
CWHAdoulas@cwha.org
ZIP codes: 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10460, 10463, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10472, 10473, 10474

Mama Glow Foundation
(718) 510-4015
info@mamaglow.com
ZIP codes: 10451, 10452, 10453, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10457, 10458, 10459, 10460, 10463, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10472, 10473, 10474

Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership
(212) 665-2600
info@nmppcares.org
ZIP codes: 10451, 10452, 10454, 10455, 10456

Brooklyn

Ancient Song Doula Services
(347) 778-3490
doula@ancientsongdoulaservices.com
ZIP codes: 11203, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11216, 11221, 11220, 11224, 11226, 11232, 11233, 11235, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11239

By My Side Birth Support Program
(718) 637-5231
healthystartbrooklyn@health.nyc.gov
ZIP codes: 11203, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11216, 11221, 11220, 11226, 11232, 11233, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11239

Caribbean Women’s Health Association
(718) 826-2942
CWHAdoulas@cwha.org
ZIP codes: 11203, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11216, 11221, 11220, 11224, 11226, 11232, 11233, 11235, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11239

Hope and Healing Family Center
(347) 384-1494
hhfc01@ymail.com
ZIP codes: 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11216, 11221, 11233, 11237, 11238, 11239

Mama Glow Foundation
(718) 510-4015
info@mamaglow.com
ZIP codes: 11203, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11216, 11221, 11220, 11224, 11226, 11232, 11233, 11235, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11239

Manhattan

Ancient Song Doula Services
(347) 778-3490
doula@ancientsongdoulaservices.com
Zip codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040

Caribbean Women’s Health Association
(718) 826-2942
CWHAdoulas@cwha.org
ZIP codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040

Mama Glow Foundation
(718) 510-4015
info@mamaglow.com
ZIP codes: 10002, 10003, 10009, 10013, 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040

Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership
(212) 665-2600
info@nmpcares.org
ZIP codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040

The Mothership
(646) 598-7199
doula@themothershipnyc.com
ZIP codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10032, 10033, 10034, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10040

Queens

Ancient Song Doula Services
(347) 778-3490
doula@ancientsongdoulaservices.com
ZIP codes: 11101, 11368, 11369, 11412, 11419, 11420, 11421, 11423, 11429, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694

Caribbean Women’s Health Association
(718) 826-2942
CWHAdoulas@cwha.org
ZIP codes: 11101, 11368, 11369, 11412, 11419, 11420, 11421, 11423, 11429, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694

Mama Glow Foundation
(718) 510-4015
info@mamaglow.com
ZIP codes: 11101, 11368, 11369, 11412, 11419, 11420, 11421, 11423, 11429, 11432, 11433, 11434, 11435, 11436, 11691, 11692, 11693, 11694

Staten Island

Community Health Center of Richmond
(917) 830-1200
gharris@chcrichmond.org
ZIP codes: 10301, 10303, 10304, 10310

Healthy Start Brooklyn provides education and support for:

  • Pregnancy
  • Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Breastfeeding 
  • Healthy living 

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

Doula Programs

If you live in Central or Eastern Brooklyn, you may qualify for free doula services with the By My Side Birth Support Program.

Doulas provide non-medical support to pregnant people and their families before, during, and after childbirth.

The By My Side Birth Support Program serves families in these ZIP codes:

  • 11207
  • 11208
  • 11216
  • 11221
  • 11233

Services include:

  • Home visiting for first-time pregnant women.
  • Home visiting for pregnant women or new parents up to 3 months after the birth.
  • “Sister Friend” support for pregnant women.
  • “Centering Pregnancy” group care for pregnant women.
  • Early-childhood and parent-education program for families with a child up to age 2.

If you live in other ZIP codes, you may be eligible for services through the Citywide Doula Initiative (CDI).

Learn more about free doula services in New York City.

Classes:

Healthy Start Brooklyn’s classes are open to all. 

They are held at various locations in Brownsville, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and East New York.

  • Fathers’ Group
  • Childbirth
  • Newborn care
  • Infant safety and CPR
  • Parenting skills for parents of babies or toddlers
  • Bereavement support for the loss of a pregnancy or child

Fathers can get help reconnecting with their children and developing parenting skills. 

Programs sponsored by the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) are for:

  • Young fathers, ages 16 to 24
  • Older fathers, over the age of 24
  • Ex-offenders, fathers who have served time in jail

Services include:

  • Individual and family counseling 
  • Conflict resolution training 
  • Parenting skill classes 
  • Assistance with issues of child support and arranging child visitation 
  • Peer counseling and father-to-father mentoring 
  • GED and English as Second Language classes or referrals 
  • Employment counseling and referrals 
  • College preparation

Fatherhood services sponsored by DYCD are free.

Learn more about DYCD's fatherhood initiative.

Referrals for Fathers Ages 16 to 24    

Bronx

Visiting Nurse Service of New York
389-391 East 153rd Street (between Courtlandt and Melrose Avenues)
(212) 794-9200
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM

Visiting Nurse Service of New York
489-492 East 153rd Street (between 3rd and Bergen Avenues)
(800) 675-0391
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM

Brooklyn

Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services
200 Gold Street (between BQE Eastbound Entrance to Sands Street and Concord Street)
(718) 722-6000
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM

Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services
52 Wilson Avenue (between Melrose and Jefferson Streets)
(718) 628-1905
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM

Manhattan

Union Settlement Association
1775 3rd Avenue (between East 98th and 99th Streets)
(212) 828-6000
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM

Queens

Forestdale
159-17 Hillside Avenue (between Parsons Boulevard and 160th Street)
Forest Hills
(718) 263-0740
Appointments required

Referrals for Fathers Over Age 24

Bronx

Claremont Neighborhood Centers
489 East 169th Street (between Washington and 3rd Avenues)
(718) 588-1000
Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 7 PM

Friends of Island Academy
2910-2972 Bronx Park East (between Arnow and Adee Avenues)
(718) 653-5301
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM

Brooklyn

Coalition for Hispanic Family Services
315 Wyckoff Avenue, 4th Floor (between Linden Street and Gates Avenue)
(718) 497-6090
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM

Manhattan

East Harlem Employment Services
240 East 123rd Street, 3rd Floor (between 3rd and 2nd Avenues)
(212) 360-1100
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8 PM

Fund for the City of New York / Center for Court Innovation
314 West 54th Street (between 8th and 9th Avenues)
(646) 264-1344
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 8:15 PM

Legal Information for Families Today (LIFT)
350 Broadway, Suite 400 (between Leonard and Franklin Streets)
(646) 613-9633
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 7 PM

New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
161 William Street, 9th Floor (between Ann and Beekman Streets)
(212) 233-5500
7 days a week, 9 AM to 8 PM

Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership
127 West 127th, #2C (between Lenox and 7th Avenues)
(212) 665-2600
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Queens

Forestdale
67-35 112 Street (between 67th Road and 67th Drive)
Forest Hills
(718) 263-0740
Appointments required

Forestdale
114-02 Guy Brewer Boulevard (between Linden Boulevard and 115th Avenue)
Jamaica
(718) 263-0740
Appointments required

Referrals for Ex-Offenders

Manhattan

Friends of Island Academy
330 West 38th Street, 3rd Floor (between 8th and 9th Avenues)
(212) 760-0755
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
317 Lenox Avenue, 10th Floor (between West 125th and 126th Streets)
(212) 876-5500
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM

Queens

The Fortune Society
29-76 Northern Boulevard (between 41st Avenue and 40th Road)
Long Island City
(212) 691-7554
Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 6 PM

NYC DADS helps you meet the financial and emotional responsibilities of fatherhood in positive and meaningful ways.

NYC DADS hosts free events throughout the five boroughs to help dads with limited financial resources spend quality time with their children.

Online

Learn more about NYC DADS and agencies that serve fathers and families.

By Phone

Call 311 or 212-NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) for help.

The CUNY Fatherhood Academy is a free program designed to promote responsible parenting and foster economic stability for unemployed and underemployed young fathers ages 18 to 25. The program focuses on education, employment and personal development. 

Participants take part in:

  • Parenting workshops
  • GED high school equivalency test preparation courses
  • College exploration and enrollment support services
  • Job readiness services

The program is available at 3 CUNY community college campuses:

  • Hostos Community College (Bronx) 
  • Kingsborough Community College (Brooklyn) 
  • LaGuardia Community College (Queens) 

The program offers two separate tracks occurring at two different times. You can contact the school for additional information.

Eligibility Requirements and Contact Information

All applicants must be:

  • Residents of NYC
  • 18 to 25 years old
  • A father or expectant father

To qualify for GED preparation, applicants should not already have a High School Equivalency or General Education Diploma. To qualify for the college preparation program, applicants cannot currently be enrolled in college. Applicants who already have up to 12 college credits may qualify.  

Contact the school for additional information:

  • Hostos Community College:  (718) 319-7931
  • Kingsborough Community College:  (718) 368-6523
  • LaGuardia Community College:  (718) 730-7337

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