Resource Page

I designed this page to help families connect to services and resources. If you come across additional resources or have recommendations please let me know, I am continuously modifying this page.

Note to parents/guardians and youth:
Internet safety is an ongoing issue. Please be aware that while I check and update the resources regularly, I can not be responsible for the content of each website and recommend checking all data with a second resource. Guardians and parents should always check a site before suggesting it to their youth.

Web Sites by topic

Internet safety:

http://www.kidscomjr.com/games/safety/safety.html - games to assist children under 9 with internet safety
http://pbskids.org/license/ - another site specifically for younger children
http://www.netsmartz.org/netteens.htm - for youth and parents
http://www.wiredsafety.org/parent.html - good information for guardians/parents
http://www.fbi.gov/publications/pguide/pguidee.htm - FBI guide for parents/guardians
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11030746/ - Parent information
American Library Association links

Teen health:

National Institute of Health at http://www.health.nih.gov/category/ChildTeenHealth
http://kidshealth.org/teen
www.parentsmedguide.org/parentsmedguide.pdf
www.adolescenthealth.org – click on teen/family resources and then links
www.youngmenshealthsite.org
www.Beinggirl.com
www.copecaredeal.org – mental health site for teens
www.advocatesforyouth.org – site helps youth make informed decisions regarding sexual health

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) youth:

www.pflag.org – site for family, friends and GLBT individuals
http://life.familyeducation.com/teen/sexuality/36545.html - article about parental response to youth ‘coming out’
http://gayteens.about.com/od/sexuality/u/Support.html - numerous resources for parents and teens. Focus on safety of websites and supports.
http://www.lamberthouse.org/ - Seattle area support center for GLBT teens
http://www.glsenwa.org/ - The gay, lesbian and strait education network of Washington
http://www.seattlecounseling.org/ - Seattle area counseling agency specializing in the GLBT population

Adolescent development:

Parenting support and information:

www.mvparents.com – resources and tips for parents
www.parentingteens.com
www.tncp.com - communication with teen population
http://life.familyeducation.com – various topics and resources
www.cpsn.org - Changes Parent Support Network, located in the state of Washington, is a support group for parents of acting-out adolescent and post-adolescent children. The group provides strength through the combined experiences and wisdom of parents sharing common problems and solutions that have worked for others.
www.focusas.com - Focus Adolescent Services is the largest and most comprehensive Internet site of information and resources on teen and family issues to help and support families with troubled and at-risk teens.
Parentmap.com

Youth in foster care:

http://www.mockingbirdsociety.org/ - organization dedicated to improving the foster care system and assisting youth aging out of foster care
http://www.cwla.org – Child Welfare League of American has many different resources
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/agingout/resources.html - Multiple links for youth ‘aging out’ of the foster care system
http://www.nfpainc.org/ - National foster parent association
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/CA/fosterparents/index.asp - Washington State Division of Social and Health Services resource page
http://www.fpaws.org - Foster parent association of Washington State

Adoptive families:

http://www.adoptionissues.org/
http://www.nacac.org/adoptalk/talkingwithteen.html - North American counsel on adopted children
http://openadoptionsupport.com/ - information specific to open adoptions
www.adoptionreferralservice.com - Adoption Referral & Information Service works to connect families seeking adoption with the right resources, information and professionals. We also help families created through adoption to be as successful as possible. There is a great need for accuracy, quality and meaningful resources and information. These connections are made through a network of professionals and agencies that ARIS maintains and updates constantly.

Adolescent mental health:

www.teendepression.org
www.another24.com – writings of an award winning journalist and mother on the subjects of substance abuse (other topics covered as well)
www.nimh.nih.gov – National Institute of Mental Health, click on health and outreach – children and adolescents
www.aacap.org – American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

General mental health:

www.psychcentral.com - overview of all mental health issues, peer networks, medication library. The site was also named in Time.com's 50 best websites in 2008.
www.mentalhelp.net

Books

Reviving Ophelia: Saving the selves of adolescent girls by Mary Pipher
Real Boys: Rescuing out sons from the myths of boyhood by William Pollack
Surviving your adolescents: How to manage and let go of you 13 to 18 year olds by Dr Phelan (also on DVD)
Your Adolescent: Emotional, Behavioral, and Cognitive Development from Early adolescence through the teen years by David Pruitt
Why Do They Act That Way?: A survival guide to the Adolescent Brain for you and your teen by David Walsh and Nat Bennett
The Primal Teen: What the New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us about Our Kids by Barbara Strauch
Getting to Calm, Cool-headed Strategies for Parenting Tweens and Teens By Lauar S. Kastner and Jennifer Wyatt
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child By John Gottman, Ph.D.
The Mindful Brain: Reflection and Attunement in the Cultivation of Well-Being and Parenting From the Inside Out By Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
Nurturing Adoption by Deborah Gray
Attachment in Adoption by Deborah Gray
The Launching Years By Lauar S. Kastner
The Seven Year Stretch By Lauar S. Kastner
Growing a Girl by Barbara MacKoff
Raising Cain by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson
Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons
Odd Girl Speaks Out by Rachel Simmons