Parenting Support and Guides
This program allows families who need diapers to receive up to 150 free diapers per month, for every child in their care. Sizes include Newborn through Size 7 and Sm/Med/Large Pull-Ups.
Learn more about Diaper Assistance and Find Your Community Program
This free resource is available to all Arizona parents and caregivers, including parents-to-be, who have questions or concerns about their infant, toddler, or preschooler. Staffed by early childhood specialists, nurses, disabilities experts, literacy professionals, and mental-health counselors, the helpline provides support on sleep, feeding, child development, behavior, potty training, parenting strategies, and more. Parents can call 877-705-KIDS, speak with someone live Monday–Friday (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.), or leave a message anytime.
Strong families build strong communities. That’s why First Things First funds family resource centers across Arizona, providing parents and caregivers with free tools and resources to create stable, nurturing environments for their children. Located in various locations such as schools, churches or libraries—these centers are diverse community hubs where families can easily find support and services in one location.
Father Matters offers a broad range of parenting education and peer-support opportunities designed for both mothers and fathers. Classes such as Mother 2 Mother, Fathers Mentoring Fathers, and Strengthening Multi-Ethnic Families & Communities address different stages and dynamics of parenting. Each program includes individualized resource referrals to connect families with housing, childcare, financial literacy, and community health resources. For parenting students, these groups offer both education and social support networks that reinforce emotional resilience and academic persistence.
Perinatal Mental Health conditions are the number one complication of childbearing and affect not only the pregnant person but also other family members, including dads and partners.
PSI has Specialized Coordinators who can connect you with resources and peer support tailored to your unique situation. National Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: Call 988
Peer Mentor Program pairs individuals in need of support with a trained volunteer who has also experienced and fully recovered from a Perinatal Mood Disorder (PMD). Establishing a one-to-one connection with someone who has journeyed through a PMD offers invaluable insight, encouragement, and hope.
Join the Peer Mentor Program
Connect with a Support Volunteer
Find Local Support Groups (some are virtual)
Fresh Start offers workshops for women in healthy parenting, co-parenting and childcare best practices, as well as one-on-one support with a licensed social worker for connections with childcare, housing, food, transportation and other necessary resources.
First Things First provides free online guides to support families during pregnancy and throughout the first five years. Separate guides for pregnancy, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers offer clear information on development, routines, safety, bonding, behavior, learning, and school readiness. A health and safety guide also helps families support their child’s physical and emotional well-being through preventive care, nutrition, and safe environments.
Childcare Programs
The Department of Economic Security (DES) Child Care Administration (CCA) provides assistance to eligible families in need so they can continue education or employment while ensuring a safe and supervised environment for their children.
First Things First created Quality First to improve the quality of early learning in Arizona. More than 1,000 child care providers and preschool programs across our state participate in Quality First. All are licensed and regulated, and all are committed to quality improvement. Many programs also offer Quality First Scholarships that help low-income families afford quality early learning for their young children. Families with young children can use our search tool to look for child care and preschool programs near you that offer Quality First Scholarships. Contact each location to inquire about scholarship availability or to be added to a waitlist.
Early Head Start and Head Start are family-centered, success and early childhood education programs offered at no cost to qualifying families with children ages birth to 5 years old at more than 40 locations. Our high-quality early education program focuses on developing the physical, social, emotional, and learning skills that children need to be ready to promote into kindergarten.
Visit Maricopa County Head Start Programs
Visit Westside Head Start
Visit Southwest Human Development Head Start Programs
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is a resource hub for parents, providers, community leaders, and policymakers about anything related to child care in Arizona. Parents and families can find guidance on child care options, child development tips, and resources to support your family's journey.
The YMCA offers early learning programs for children from infancy through 5 years old, and additional programs for older children. A financial assistance application is available to make childcare affordable.
Youth/Afterschool Programs
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley offers affordable after-school and summer programs for 16,000+ young people in grades K-12. Financial assistance can also be provided at your local Club.
The YMCA offers a variety of programs for youth including after school programs, camps, and more!
Activities for You and Your Child
The Glendale Public Library offers free passes to visit museums, botanical gardens, and other cultural venues at no charge.
Please contact the Glendale Public Library to obtain your passes.
The Glendale Public Library offers backpacks & kits for children filled with tools and guides to help them learn, play and explore.
Please contact the Glendale Public Library to obtain your kits.
The Glendale Public Library offers a wide variety of age-appropriate events for families with children.
Please visit the Glendale Public Library’s event calendar for more details.
Join the Phoenix Children’s Museum on the first Friday of each month from 5pm to 9pm, when the museum opens to the public free of charge.
Learn more about the First Friday at the Phoenix Children’s Museum