We want to see your family thrive.
Find resources geared to give Alameda County parents and kids the support they deserve.
NextGenStrong
Parenting essentials, handpicked for you.
Our goal is simple: we want to put practical parenting tools directly in parents' hands.
Drawing on evidence-based PPP (Positive Parenting Program) principles, NextGenStrong is a project gathering the best resources the East Bay has to offer for building healthy relationships and resilient families, all in one place.
The local organizations featured here are all vetted and highly rated, with a history of delivering real support to Alameda County families. Browse and learn below.
Courses and support for parents
Sign up for courses to add to your positive parenting skills, or find direct 1-on-1 support.
Join group workshops and classes on positive parenting, including courses specifically for fathers, foster parents, Black families, and young parents. Or call their helpline here.
This 10-week course from 4Cs of Alameda County is for parents with children ages 0-8, covering positive behavior, literacy, health, and more. Available in English and Spanish. See 4Cs' calendar of upcoming events and trainings here.
Child care and early learning
Find affordable, accessible childcare, pre-K and more to get your kids started on the right path early.
Answer 5 simple questions and get custom, local recommendations for child care that works for you. Start the survey here.
Get matched with licensed child care providers in the Tri-Valley Area and beyond, and get help paying based on your income and needs.
For 50+ years, Bananas has supported families and early educators, from child care to workshops and playgroups, helping children grow into joyful, curious, and confident learners.
First 5 offers wraparound services to ensure that every child in Alameda County — regardless of race or family income — gets a strong start in life.
We recommend taking a look at their resource library and resource list for parents and caregivers. There's no better organization out there to get connected to network of care, starting with TK and pre-K education.
Health and wellness
Set the foundation for your family’s well-being with easy, affordable access to healthcare, food assistance and more.
Get support to find medical and dental care, set up appointments, and get connected to food assistance and other social services in Alameda County.
This easy-to-use guide directs California youth and families to mental health resources — from crisis prevention, to everyday wellness, to substance use support and beyond.
Apply here for food assistance benefits through CalFresh. Or find a full list of Alameda County social services here. BenefitsCal also offers help signing up.
For teens and young adults
Adolescence isn’t easy — for kids or their caregivers. Find help navigating academic success, mentorship, mental health support, and more.
Taking a holistic approach, EOYDC pairs strategies for academic success and future employment with vital arts and wellness programming.
This Oakland org offers wraparound services to youth ages 13-24, with a focus on leadership and job readiness training. 400+ young adults find employment every year with their help.
Offering multilingual, accessible health services for over 50 years, La Clinica offers crisis and mental health support for adolescents, regardless of insurance status.
La Clinica De La Raza
Watch, listen, and read
Find articles, podcasts, and videos full of valuable parenting tips.
This NPR blog looks inside the future of learning and how we raise our kids, from broad shifts in the education landscape to practical tips for helping students succeed.
A curated video playlist from TED's award-winning conference series, featuring talks that speak to the complexities of parenthood, offering unusual insights and hard-won advice. Find the full collection here.
Find books and other media curated to help parents and teachers of kids from all backgrounds develop their sense of identity, while disrupting racism and bias.
Make sure screen time is as enriching as it is entertaining. Explore educational, interactive games and videos with characters kids love, from Arthur to Sesame Street and beyond.
PBS has a huge library of resources for parents. Get age-appropriate recs for activities and games geared to help with everything from emotions and social skills to reading, math, and creativity.
Help is just a call away.
A quick directory of phone numbers to call for help managing crises, getting connected to services and more.
Parenting Stress Helpline
1-800-829‑3777
24/7 counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to classes and therapy from Family Paths.
Crisis Support
Health, Housing & Services
Parenting
SAVE 24-Hour Crisis Hotline
(510) 794-6055
24/7, confidential support from trained advocates for those who may be experiencing domestic violence., from SAVE.
Mental & Behavioral Health Referral Line
1-800-829‑3777
Alameda County Health's ACCESS program offers crisis care and evaluation for people looking to be referred to mental health support. Call 8:30 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
988
If you or someone you know is in crisis or emotional distress, confidential support is just 3 digits away, from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Community-Based Emergency Response
Find numbers here
This list of East Bay helplines offers alternatives to calling the police for crises involving housing, domestic violence and sexual assault, mental health, youth and elders.
Alameda County Food Bank
(510) 635-3663
Need food quickly? Call the helpline above or visit foodnow.net to get connected to a source of groceries or a hot meal.
Substance Use Treatment & Referral
1-844-682-7215
Get connected to the right resources and programs to help you or a loved one on the journey to recovery. Call in to talk to a trained counselor Monday through Friday, from 8 AM- 7PM or visit here.
National Parent Helpline
1-855-4APARENT
Operated by Parents Anonymous, this line provides free, confidential emotional support to parents 24/7 via phone, text, or live chat. Available in multiple languages, with support for a range of mental health and family issues.
Help Me Grow Helpline for Babies
1-888-510-1211
No question is too big or small for this Alameda County hotline for parents of babies and small children. Wondering about what to expect? Behavior or health? Walking and talking? Help Me Grow is here to help
Who we are
NextGenStrong is an initiative led by a small team of educators, community advocates, and researchers, in partntership with the National Prevention Science Coalition (NPSC).
This site — and the project more broadly — are made possible by a grant from 3VCF and the Alameda County department of Public Health that allocates funds awarded to the state of California in settlements with opioid manufacturers. These grants fund projects geared toward mitigating the root causes of the opioid epidemic, and offering support to the communities most severely affected. Learn more here.
Reach out anytime
Have questions? Feedback? Resources you'd like us to know about or share? Reach out anytime at info@nextgenstrong.com.
We want to hear from you!
Our goal is to find the best, most relevant resources out there for Alameda County parents, and we could use your help. By taking a five-minute survey, you can help us understand how Bay Area residents like you are finding their favorite resources, media, and tips for parenting.
Results are confidential. We won't share your information with anyone else or send you spam — the survey is for research purposes only.
Take the survey here or use the QR code below.
