Bay Area-wide

Caesarean birth awareness and education – The International Caesarean Awareness Network aims to prevent unnecessary caesareans through education and to provide caesarean recovery support. Chapters located in Mount Diablo (925-947-5874) and the Peninsula (650-322-4834). ican-online.org.

Childhood Matters – Nurse Rona Renner hosts Childhood Matters, a radio show for parents, on a variety of radio stations. 877-372-KIDS (5437). childhoodmatters.org.

DayOne Center – This one-stop resource for new and expectant parents offers a variety of classes covering many aspects of parenting, as well as supplies. San Francisco, 415-440-DAY1; Palo Alto, 650-322-DAY1; Walnut Creek, 925-933-DAY1. dayonecenter.com.

First 5 – Provides parenting information, services, resources and advocacy tools. San Francisco, 415-934-4849; San Mateo County, 650-372-9500; Contra Costa County, 925-771-7300; Alameda County, 510-875-2400; ccfc.ca.gov. San Jose County, 408-260-3700. first5kids.org.

Independent Adoption Center – If you’ve been thinking about adoption as a way to expand your family, the center can provide information about all stages and costs of open adoption at their monthly adoption information sessions. Reservations required. 391 Taylor Blvd., Ste. 100, Pleasant Hill. 925-827-2229. adoptionhelp.org.

Jewish Family and Children’s Services – Offers classes on understanding your child’s temperament, choosing a preschool or kindergarten and how to deal with mental illness in a family. Their Parents Place offers workshops for parents on raising children, choosing schools and other topics. Sliding fee, open to all. Offices in San Francisco, 415-449-1200; Palo Alto, 650-688-3030; San Mateo, 650-931-1800; San Rafael, 415-491-7960. jfcs.org.

La Leche League – Provides support, lending libraries, free counseling and resources about breastfeeding. Local chapters meet around the Bay Area. lllnorcal.org.

Through the Looking Glass – Provides support services for Bay Area families with children, parents or grandparents who have a disability or medical issue. 2198 Sixth St., Suite 100, Berkeley. 510-848-1112. lookingglass.org.

Peninsula

Child Care Coordinating Council of San Mateo County – offers classes, support groups and a parent resource library. 2121 So. El Camino Real, Suite A-100, San Mateo. 650-655-6770. sanmateo4cs.org.

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church – Offers a variety of programs, one of which offers support specifically for single parents. 950 Santa Cruz Ave. 650-323-8600. mppcfamily.org.

Our Second Home – Offers early childhood health, mental health, education and family support services. 725 Price St., Daly City. 650-301-3300. oursecondhome.org.

Peninsula Jewish Community Center – The early childhood education program offers classes for parents of preschool-age children. 800 Foster City Blvd., Foster City. 650-212-7522. pjcc.org.

San Francisco

Kaiser Permanente – Classes cover breastfeeding, ADHD screening, adoption, postpartum support groups and more. All classes held at 2238 Geary Blvd. 415- 833-3725. members.kaiserpermanente.org/classes.

Natural Resources – This independently-owned business offers prenatal, childbirth and new parent classes, as well as doula training. 1367 Valencia St. 415-550-2611. naturalresources-sf.com.

Contra Costa County

Contra Costa Child Care Council – Offers free parenting information, childcare referrals and resources and an alternative payment program. Its Inclusion Project in Concord helps provide training and support to families of children with special needs. Locations in Richmond, 510-758- 5439; Concord, 925-676-5442; Antioch, 925-778- 5437; Brentwood, 925-513-7900. cocokids.org.

JCC Contra Costa – Offers support to parents raising Jewish children. Also operates the PJ Library, which distributes Jewish-content books to families that are age-appropriate and help introduce Jewish culture to children. The Contra Costa JCC Gallery, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd., Walnut Creek.  925-938-7800. ccjcc.org.

Nurture Center – Provides parent education, hypno-birthing, support and products for pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting. 3399 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. 925-283-1346. nurturecenter.com.

Alameda County

BANANAS – Offers year-round, free parenting series, as well as local childcare referral and resource service and an alternative payment program. Extensive classes cover many aspects of parenting. 5232 Claremont Ave., Oakland. 510-658-7353. bananasinc.org.

Child Care Links – Offers free parenting information, childcare referrals and resources for parents and childcare providers. Offices in Pleasanton, 925-417-8733; Oakland, 510-568-0306; Fremont, 510-791-9256. childcarelinks.org.

Habitot Family Resources – Offers parents a reference library, enewsletter, Totmail and classes in child development, communication skills and effective discipline strategies. Habitot Children’s Museum, 2065 Kittredge St., Berkeley. 510-647-1111. habitot.org.

KidWise Institute – Provides books, tapes and lectures on parenting. 484 Lake Park Ave., Suite 101, Oakland. 800-300-9800. kidwiseinstitute.com.

Silicon Valley

Children’s Health Council – Provides assessment and treatment through psychiatry, psychology, neuropsychology, social work, education, behavior management, family therapy, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and art therapy. Parents and kids’ classes on Attention Deficit Disorder and autism are often scheduled, and many are FREE. 650 Clark Way, Palo Alto. 650-326-5530. 650-617-3812. chconline.org.

Eating Disorders Resource Center – Increases understanding of eating disorders and promotes early diagnosis, treatment and recovery. Support groups meet in Mountain View, Los Gatos and Morgan Hill. FREE. 2105 S Bascom Ave., Ste. 220, Campbell. 408-559-5593. info@edrcsv.org. edrcsv.org.

Bill Wilson Center – Provides parenting classes, a runaway and homeless shelter, adoption, foster care and mental health services for children and adults. 1671 The Alameda, Ste. 201, San Jose. 408-278-4915. billwilsoncenter.org.

Center for Developing Minds – Developmental and behavioral pediatricians and experts provide care for children and young adults who struggle due to behavior issues, learning difficulties, attention problems, social skill deficits, autism, developmental delays and psychological disorders. 12951 Los Gatos Blvd., Ste. 6, Los Gatos. 408-358-1853. info@devminds.com. devminds.com.

FamiliesCAN – FamiliesCAN provides the families of cancer patients with financial aid and hands-on support in managing their non-medical expenses during treatment and recovery. Features workshops on parenting kids while facing cancer. Sobrato Center, 1400 Parkmoor, San Jose. Registration required. 408-496-6336. familiescan.org.

Parents Helping Parents – A parent-led resource center offering educational programs, health-related services and support groups, playgroups and networks for children and adults with special needs. Sobrato Center, 1400 Parkmoor Ave., Ste. 100, San Jose. Classes are usually FREE. 408-727-5775. php.com.