When families are supported in their homes and communities, their children can better focus and thrive in school. That’s why DC offers the following supports for families:
211
211 is an information and referral helpline for health and human services, food assistance, and housing assistance. 211 is available 24/7 to help connect you or someone you care about with quick, confidential help.
Family Success Centers
If you live in Wards 5, 7, or 8, visit one of the DC Child and Family Services Agency’s Family Success Centers to be connected to resources around parenting, workforce development, food security, mental health and more.
Learn more at cfsa.dc.gov/page/families-first-dc.
Grandparent Caregiver Program
Are you a District resident who’s raising your grandchild, greatgrandchild, great-niece, or great-nephew? You may qualify for the Grandparent Caregiver Program. For residents who are raising other kin within the District, you may qualify for the Close Relatives Caregiver Program. For those eligible, the programs provide monthly finanial assistance to help you care for the child related to and living with you. More information is available at cfsa.dc.gov/publication/program-grandparent-caregivers-program.
- You can also learn more by emailing [email protected] or by calling (202) 442-6009
DC Special Education Hub
The DC Special Education Hub helps families understand special education in the District of Columbia by connecting them with the tools, information, and support they need to make informed decisions to guide their child’s learning. Learn more at specialeducation.dc.gov.
DCPS Mental Health Website
With a goal of decreasing barriers to school success by providing students, school staff, and families with tools that promote academic and psychosocial growth and progress, DC Public Schools has launched a new website dedicated to student mental health. For mental health resources including a provider directory, events calendar, and articles on mental health, special education and parenting strategies, visit dcpsmentalhealth.org.
Department of Behavorial Health School Based Behavioral Health Program
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) operates a school-based program in public and public charter schools that offers prevention, early intervention and clinical services to youth, their families, school teachers and staff. Visit dbh.dc.gov/node/121802 to learn more about who your school’s mental health clinician is or contact Meghan Sullivan by phone at (202) 673-4307 or by email at [email protected].
The Parent and Adolescent Support Services Program (PASS)
PASS assists youth up to 17 years old who are skipping school, leaving home, violating curfew, and/or experiencing extreme family conflict. Intensive case management, Functional Family Therapy, and community-based services are used to address these behaviors and improve family relationships. Learn more by emailing [email protected] or calling (202) 698-4334.
24/7 Mental Health Hotline
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) operates a 24/7 Mental Health Hotline to provide free counseling and support to residents. Residents are encouraged to contact the Mental Health Hotline at (888) 793-4357 to talk with a trained mental health specialist if they’re feeling depressed, anxious or just not themselves. Families experiencing a mental health crisis can also contact the District’s suicide prevention and crisis services lifeline by dialing 988.
ChAMPS:
Through the Department of Behavioral Health’s (DBH) ChAMPS program (Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service), a mobile team will come to a family’s home to support and stabilize children and youth ages 6-18 facing a behavioral health crisis. Call ChAMPS at (202) 481-1440.
Healthy Teachers DC
A new virtual platform aimed at supporting educator wellness across the District of Columbia. Educators come together to discuss and find support for stressors, share strategies for supporting wellness, and engage in experiential wellness activities. Workshops are held virtually every first Wednesday of the month, with a choice of 1 pm – 1:45 pm or 4 pm – 4:45 pm. Educators can access the session by visiting bit.ly/htdc1 and using the password: HTDC.