Literacy, health, and social-emotional development build on and reinforce each other. The St. Joseph Public Library is your one-stop-shop for early literacy resources but we can also help connect you to valuable early childhood programs, services, and resources within our community.

Below are links to some local organizations who help us to foster a supportive and enriching community for families and caregivers of young children.

AFL-CIO Help Me Hotline
Call 18003657724 to reach the Help Me Hotline
AFL-CIO’s Help Me Hotline maintains an up-to-date database of agencies providing health and human services, as well as current availability, so callers can expect a quick and accurate referral.

Referral Specialists are available around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Access the local hotline by calling (816)364-1131 or toll-free at (800)365-7724.

 
Community Action Partnership** (CAP) offers early childhood education and family support services, along with health, nutrition, social, & other services.

CAP also hosts a prenatal program for expecting mothers, serves the community through multiple Head Start locations, and offers critical assistance through housing development and energy assistance programs.

For more information about Community Action Partnership services and resources, visit capstjoe.org or call (816)233-8281.

Parentlink provides free, evidence-based support and information to Missouri families, parents, and caregivers to help them grow, thrive, and develop an effective action plan to meet their family’s needs. The Parentlink call center is free for callers and staffed with experts at 1-800-552-8522 or (573)882-7323. More information is available at parentlink.missouri.edu.

WIC** serves women, infants, & children until five years old. WIC provides access to nutrition education, health assessments, supplemental food, and referrals to other local services. Breastfeeding support and feeding assistance is also available to caregivers with young children.

For more information on WIC services, visit stjoemo.info/232/WIC or call (816)271-4723.

Parents as Teachers (PAT) offers a wealth of resources, services, and opportunities for families with pre-Kindergarten children. Virtual and/or in-person visits are provided by a parent educator who will partner with you to support and promote your child’s development through individualized activities that will prepare your child for future success in school and life.

Other services include developmental screenings and health, hearing, vision and dental checks. Annual developmental screenings can support continued growth and identify potential delays or concerns. Parents as Teachers also provides access to group connections and resource networks, further connecting you to information and services available in the community to support your family.

To register your child in Parents as Teachers services within the St. Joseph School District, visit bit.ly/PATenroll or call (816)671-4300 for more information.


Our community is fortunate to have access to not one, but TWO public library systems! The Rolling Hills Consolidated Library (RHCL) serves residents of Andrew and Buchanan counties through two library branches and a traveling bookmobile.

Offering a host of resources for all ages, RHCL provides multiple resources and services for young children and their caregivers, including: Virtual storytimes, resources for e-books & audiobooks, contactless pick-up options, and more!

For more information about Rolling Hills Consolidated Library, visit rhcl.org or call (816)232-5479.


The St. Joseph Public Library offers educational resources for parents and caregivers, virtual storytimes, and free access to virtual learning tools.  Young children and their families can join free, interactive reading programs hosted through the Beanstack app, which features challenges for young children like Storytime to Go and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. For more information about contactless services, early childhood and family resources, visit sjpl.lib.mo.us or call (816)232-4038.

The United Way Success By 6 team works to support parents in their role as a child’s first teachers. From free Raising Children with Conscious Discipline classes to United Way KinderClub at Home curriculum, Success By 6 is an amazing resource for families and caregivers with young children.

To access a variety of digital parenting guides along with more information about the programs and services available within our community, visit stjosephunitedway.org/sb6parents or call (816)364-2381.


Learn skills to make parenting easier at YWCA St. Joseph**. The YWCA offers opportunities for teens to socialize with other teen parents, receive diapers & basic infant supplies, and more. The YWCA can also help you connect with emergency housing options, crisis services, survivor services, and other programs for babies, teens, and parents.

For further information, email Healthy Teen Parents/Healthy Babies Coordinator, Noral Petroll at npetroll@ywcasj.org or call (816)273-4669.

 

**Service availability dependent upon program qualifying criteria.


Printable resource sheet: Printable Resource Sheet 2021

 

The St. Joseph Public Library’s Links to Early Literacy project is supported by funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.