Offering Parents A Support ‘Line’

By Flavia Francesquini
Wednesday - May 26, 2010 Share

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By Flavia Francesquini, Phone Specialist
The Parent Line

When JC called The Parent Line to ask about potty training, she got more than she imagined she would. As a young mom and a newcomer to the Islands, she was struggling with the demands of raising a toddler without a support network. The Parent Line was able to offer her several suggestions as to where she could meet other moms in her area. She also was told how to apply for health insurance and a subsidy for child care. And, of course, she got a lot of information on potty training as well!

The Parent Line is a new program offered by Hawaii’s oldest and largest nonprofit, Child & Family Service. This free statewide telephone line offers an array of services that aim to benefit all local families by educating those in contact with young children and preventing child abuse.

There is no “book of rules” when it comes to parenting. Each family is made of a unique mixture of temperaments, personalities, difficulties and strengths, and The Parent Line staff understands that each caller is an individual with a distinctive dilemma.

The Parent Line can help you find play groups and parenting classes. We can refer you to social services and support groups. We also can offer confidential advice regarding behavior or developmental issues such as toilet training, school readiness, teen transitions and discipline, as well as family concerns such as deployment, divorce and blending families.

Phone specialists offer advice to callers to The Parent Line

Parent support groups are held monthly at our Ewa Beach office and are a chance for parents to obtain and exchange information and meet other families. This is a non-judgmental connection that aims simply to assist you in making educated decisions about your family.

Through funding provided by Department of Health’s Maternal Child Health Branch, we hope to promote a safe, confidential and informative network that can both inform and support our community. On Oahu, call The Parent Line at 526-1222 or toll-free from the Neighbor Islands, 1-800-816-1222. The Parent Line hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. You also can visit our Web site at www.theparentline.org.

For information on other Child & Family Service programs, call 681-3500.

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