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Parenting is Hard. Ask for H.E.L.P.

Addressing basic needs of families

Addressing basic needs of families

Due to COVID-19, things can feel stressful and uncertain for parents. This quick-reference document supports healthcare providers, social workers, and other professionals as they address the needs of caregivers and families.

Addressing basic needs of families
Download and print our H.E.L.P. sheet

Parenting is hard. Ask for H.E.L.P.

The acronym H.E.L.P. is a simple outline for healthcare providers, social workers, and other professionals to quickly assess the basic needs of caregivers and their families.

H. Health.

Does your family have access to food/formula? Healthcare? Mental health? Dental care? Medication?

E. Environment.

Do you and your child feel safe and secure at home?

L. Learning.

How is your child doing with online learning?

P. Parenting.

How are you coping with the stress of parenting?

H.E.L.P.ful services, hotlines, and evidence-informed resources

To address the identified needs of caregivers and their families, this information is provided as a quick reference for healthcare providers, social workers, and other professionals.

Local Health and Human Services

  • 211 Texas
    Dial 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905, 211texas.org
  • Aunt Bertha
    auntbertha.com
  • Tarrant Cares
    tarrantcares.org
  • One Safe Place
    817-916-4323
  • Help me Grow Family Resource
    844-NTX-KIDS
  • Tarrant County Deptof Human Services
    800-942-3678
  • WIC Health & Nutrition
    800-942-3678

Evidence-Informed Resources

24/7 Crisis & Support Hotlines

  • ChildhelpNational Child Abuse Hotline for caregiver support
    Call/Text: 800-422-4453 or 800-4-A-CHILD, childhelp.org
  • Texas DFPS Texas Abuse Hotlineto report child abuse
    800-252-5400, txabusehotline.org
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
    800-273-8255 (TALK), suicidepreventionlifeline.org
  • Texas Youth Helpline
    800-989-6884, Text: 512-872-5777
  • iCARECrisis Line for Mental Health & Substance Use
    800-866-2465, Text: 817-335-3022
  • Texas COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line
    833-986-1919, mhmrtc.org
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline
    800-799-7233 (SAFE), thehotline.org

Reach out for help

Sometimes the pressure can be too much. Reaching out for help is important for you and your family. The following are free help lines for different needs.

  • For confidential support when you need help with the stresses of parenting, call Child Help:
    • Call or text 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or live chat at childhelp.org
  • For help with teen specific concerns:
    • Call Texas Youth Helpline: 800-989-6884 or text 512-872-5777
  • For help with parenting tips, local resources and to learn about family fun:
  • For mental health support and crisis care, call iCARE:
    • Call or text iCARE at 817-335-3022
  • For access to services through a social service hotline:

For all other questions/updates on COVID-19, visit cdc.gov.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) toll free at 1-800-252-5400, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may also file a report using the secure TDFPS website. Reports made through this website take up to 24 hours to process. The Texas Abuse Hotline is 1-800-252-5400.

For more resources: