Child Care

You may be eligible to enroll your children from 6 weeks through 4 years of age in

center-based and home-based setting child care through a program called EarlyLearn NYC.

This program supports families by providing between 8 and 10 hours of services per day,

year-round, and by providing critical support like mental health, dual language, and nutrition

services to strengthen children and families. In addition, eligible families with children ages

6 weeks to 13 years old can be issued vouchers to purchase child care from providers in

New York City.

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Click here to check the eligibility criteria for EarlyLearn NYC.

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If your family is ineligible for EarlyLearn NYC, click here to find licensed child care facilities near you.

Food Assistance

Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

SNAP (formerly known as “food stamps”) helps families and individuals supplement the

cost of their diet. This program is not available to immigrants without documentation, and

waiting periods may apply for certain immigrants with documentation.

You can still apply on behalf of your children younger than 18 years of age, even if you are ineligible.

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Click here to find a SNAP center near you.

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To apply:

• Click here to apply online

• Call the Infoline at 718-557-1399

• To have an application mailed to you, apply at one of the SNAP centers, or print out an application and drop it off at a SNAP center.

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WIC gives milk, juice, formula, and other healthy foods to low-income mothers, pregnant

women, and young children, regardless of immigration status. If you are a woman who is

pregnant, have an infant or child younger than five, or is breastfeeding, you may be eligible

for WIC.

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Click here to find a local agency providing WIC services, or call the Growing Up Healthy Hotline at (800) 522-5006

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Emergency Food Assistance Program

If you need food, there are places you can go to get food for free. Emergency food program

sites are located throughout the city. Assistance is available through food pantries, which

provide groceries you can cook at home, and community kitchens, which provide hot meals.

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To find out where and when you can get help, call the Emergency FoodLine at (866) 888-

8777. This is an automated hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can also click here for a map of locations or cal 311.

Preventative Services

Preventive services help parents and caretakers keep their children safe and well-cared for

and are provided directly through community-based providers to families and children.

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The Administration of Children’s Services and its network of social service agencies provide

preventive services in all five boroughs of New York City. Services may include family or

individual counseling to address parenting support needs, substance abuse, mental health,

issues involving domestic violence, family attachment, and trauma.

Families are linked to culturally and linguistically appropriate preventive services whenever feasible.

To locate New York City preventive services programs in your community and preferred

language, call the Prevention and Parent Helpline at (800) 342-7472, or click here.

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Family Support Services

Family Assessment Program

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The Family Assessment Program (FAP) offers information and services to help parents and

young people resolve problems such as running away, skipping school, or unruly behavior.

All families who request FAP services meet with an experienced social worker to help solve

problems by exploring different ways to cope with challenging situations. Any family can

receive assistance from the Family Assessment Program.

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Click here for more information.

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Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM in each borough, locations can be found here.

Family Resource Centers

The nine Family Resource Centers (FRCs) provide free individual and group-based family

support services, using a family and youth peer model, to parents/caregivers of children

and youth, and youth (birth to age 24) identified as having or at risk of developing emotional,

behavioral, or mental health challenges.

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FRC's provide eight core services:

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1. Emotional Support

2. Advocacy to assist in navigating child-serving systems

3. Information about mental health conditions, services and family rights

4. Referrals to appropriate services and resources

5. Skill development through educational workshops

6. Recreational Activities

7. Care Coordination

8. Respite Care

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Click here to find a center near you.

Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior that occurs between family members

and/or intimate partners to gain power and control. Domestic violence can happen to anyone.

Services are available to survivors of domestic violence throughout the five boroughs. If

someone is abusing you, help is available, regardless of your immigration status. Police officers are prohibited from asking about the immigration status of crime victims and witnesses.

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Hotlines:

• Emergency Telephone Number: 911

• New York City Domestic Violence Hotline: 311 or (800) 621-HOPE (4673)

• New York State Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline: (800) 942-6906

• Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE): (888) VINE-4-NY (846-3469)

• New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS): (800) 247-8035

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NYC Family Justice Centers

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The Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence operates the NYC Family Justice Centers,

which provide comprehensive services in one location for victims of domestic violence,

elder abuse, and sex trafficking. The Centers are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM

to 5 PM and accept walk-in clients. Services are free and confidential.

Services available at the Centers include:

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• Case Management: A case manager can advocate for your needs, discuss how to stay

safe, and connect you to services.

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• Counseling: On-site counseling is available for you and your children.

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• Legal Information: Lawyers and paralegals are available to speak with you about legal

issues such as custody, visitation, and immigration.

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• Police: Domestic Violence Prevention Officers from the NYPD can assist you in reporting a

crime and can give you information about how the police can help you stay safe.

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• Prosecution: Prosecutors for the District Attorney’s Office are located in the Center and

can answer any questions you have about the criminal justice system.

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• Children’s Room: Your children, age 3 or older, can play in the Children’s Room while

you get help.

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• Self-Sufficiency Services: Staff can help you with public benefits, budgeting, child care, and

financial safety. Staff can also connect you to job training and educational programs.

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More information and a list of participating organizations can be found here.

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