Parent/Caregiver Resources

Difficult Conversations

Families are the first and most important teachers for their children. When there is a crisis or your child/teen is showing signs of emotional stress, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are a few subject-specific tip sheets for parents, guardians and family members to help guide the conversation.

The most important tips for parents are to stay calm, listen without judgement, believe them, and report. Lastly, when parents seek support for themselves, you are acting as a role model for your children.

FCUSD has extensive, short-term mental health supports available. Parents can make a referral for their child/teen here. We also work with Care Solace, a 24 hr/7 day-a-week navigator service, to connect students, families and staff with substance abuse and mental health treatment. You can self-refer to Care Solace through this page  or request that school staff (Counselors, Nurses, School Psychologists, Mental Health Therapists, School Social Workers) make the referral on your behalf.

World Challenges

• How to Talk About the Israel-Hamas War: Resources for Educators (Education Week)
• Talking to Children About War (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
• Helping Students in Troubling Times (American School Counselor Association)
• Handle with Care: Supporting Young People During Crises (Learning for Justice)
• Facing History & Ourselves Resources
• How to Talk to Kids about Violence, Crime and War (Commonsense Media)
• Helping Children Cope with Emergencies (CDC)

Death

• When a Loved One Dies: How to Help Your Child
• How to Talk About Death
• Death: How to Talk About it with Children

Divorce

• Kids Health: Tips for Divorcing Parents
• How to Tell Kids about Divorce: An Age by Age Guide
• How to be a Great Co-Parent

Suspected Abuse/Body Safety

• Recognizing Signs of Abuse
• Committee for Children - Talking about Abuse and Personal Safety
• RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) Tip Sheet
• Sacramento County Children's Protective Services

Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event by CDC 

 English,  Spanish

Tips for Survivors of a Disaster or Other Traumatic Event by SAMHSA:

• Talking with and Helping Children/Youth Cope - English, Spanish
• What to Expect in Personal, Family, Work, & Financial Life - English, Spanish
• Managing Stress - English, Spanish, Punjabi
• Coping with Grief after Disaster/Trauma
• Coping with Anger
• Disaster Distress Helpline: Call or Text 1-800-985-5990

Understanding Child Trauma by SAMHSA- More than two thirds of children reported at least 1 traumatic event by age 16.

Info & Resources by NCTSN:

• What is Child Trauma?
  • About Child Trauma
  • Trauma Types
  • Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event
• Community Violence:
  • Reactions and Actions in Dangerous Times
  • Coping with Grief after Community Violence

Drugs Tobacco and Alcohol Education Prevention and Support

Information for Families on Immigration Rights

 

LGBTQ+ Community Resources - Visit our Social-Emotional Learning page for resources

UC Davis Health presents the Parent-Child Care Learning Center, a free interactive online course for learning new ways to understand your child, have fun together, and manage difficult behaviors.

5 Strategies for Parents to Free the Anxious Generation: a Free Guide from the authors of Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be and The Anxious Generation.

Family Programs and Resources

How Screens Impact Learning and Wellness

• What Does Too Much Screen Time Do to Children's Brains?
• Social Media and Mental Health in Children and Teens
• Children and too much screen time - Mayo Clinic Health System

#GoodforMEdia is a youth-led, peer mentoring & education program exploring the ME in media. Using our own experiences & insights, we’re here to support healthy engagement and help you navigate the good & the bad of social media.

• The Source: Fostering Support - a program of the Sacramento Children's Home
• Sacramento County- Mental Health Access Team
• Sacramento County Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Resource List
• Apply for Medi-Cal
• Sacramento Regional Transit

After a Loved One Dies: how children grieve and how parents and other adults can support them - New York Life Foundation

When Students Grieve, How Can Educators Help? - National Education Association (NEA)

Strengthening Families

1. Social Skills Video                                     2. Play is Learning                                   3.Consistent Routines