Family Resources

Resources for parents, providers, and families of children birth to 3

Welcome! We’re glad you found us. This page was designed as a one-stop shop, offering parents and caregivers a range of resources, videos, and activities designed to support the early development of children from birth to age three.

November is just around the corner, and November is recognized as Early Childhood Mental Health Awareness Month (ECMHAM) - a crucial time to highlight the importance of social and emotional development for infants and preschoolers and to support the caregivers who shape it. ECMHAM focuses on how nurturing relationships, safe environments, and consistent routines contribute to a child's secure attachment and overall well-being. By raising awareness about and celebrating the unparalleled significance of early childhood mental health, we contribute to a future where every child grows up with the emotional resilience and well-being needed to navigate life’s challenges. The Family Study Center is proud to work together with parents, providers, and community partners to reinforce positive relationships and support families as they nurture young hearts and minds, building a foundation for a healthier, happier society. 

Several years ago, the Family Study Center was among a group of community experts and advocates that worked closely with the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County on the development of JWB’s delightful “Turbo Babies” campaign. Turbo Babies offers free resources and materials designed to support healthy development of infants and toddlers, including “Turbo Tips” to help parents and caregivers rev up learning and keep the baby’s development on track - Tune In, Talk & Repeat, Take Turns, and Take Time. Take a moment to check out JWB’s interactive on the Turbo Babies website.

The Family Study Center has also been a longtime partner and strategic collaborator with “Thrive by Five”, a collective impact initiative that began in Pinellas County and in 2024 expanded to serve families throughout Tampa Bay. With backbone support from Community Foundation Tampa Bay, Thrive by Five’s community-oriented approach is on a mission to ensure all children in Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties are ready for kindergarten. Parents and caregivers can check out “TB5 Connects”, a portal that helps families find programs and resources to meet a variety of needs! Just complete a short questionnaire and TB5 will provide you with a customized list of available services to meet your young child and family’s unique needs. Another great resource is TB5’s downloadable Early Literacy Resource Guide.

Finally, we also include a variety of excellent additional resources initially collated several years ago, that include resources for helping small children cope with trauma and anxiety. However, those resources also include many terrific links and resources for parents and caregivers celebrating babies’ joy, curiosity, and thirst for exploration and fun. Please check them out!

We remain ever grateful to the parents, coparents and childcare providers who work magic in everyday moments to support babies, through both good and challenging times. We invite you to contact our Family Study Center directly at 727-873-4848 any time there are other ways we can be of assistance.

Warmly,
James McHale 
Director, and the staff of the USF St. Petersburg campus Family Study Center

---