Links to Reliable Health and Parenting Resources

The Internet can be a valuable source of health and parenting information. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult and time-consuming to find up-to-date information you can trust. The following sites are good places to start searching when you have health or parenting questions:

Medical Information

Parenting Information

Safety Information

Family Resource Center Library Online Catalog

Community Resources and Agencies

Other Useful Links

Guides to Internet Searching

Medical Information

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics’ Patient/Family Education Materials - easy-to-read handouts on medical conditions, procedures, first aid, medications and more – several of which have been translated into Hmong, Somali and/or Spanish

Children’s Physician Network - health information for parents, teachers, kids, and teens – including information on growth and development and emotions and behavior

MedlinePlus & MedlinePlus Espanol - links to information on over 650 conditions, diseases and wellness topics, drug information, medical encyclopedia, medical dictionaries, health news, directories of doctors, dentists, hospitals and other health organizations – compiled by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health

Healthfinder - links to carefully selected information and Web sites from over 1,500 health-related organizations – available in English and Spanish

Familydoctor.org - information from the American Academy of Family Physicians on common medical concerns – available in English and Spanish

InteliHealth - Harvard Medical School’s consumer health information, including a special section on children’s health

New York Online Access to Health (NOAH) – high-quality, carefully selected consumer health information in English and Spanish

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine - includes sections on understanding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), alerts and advisories, treatment information, and links to additional resources

SafeMedication.com - complete, easy-to-read information on more than 800 drugs from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists - including instructions on how to administer different types of medications and to how use medications safely and effectively

CureSearch – information (in English and Spanish) on specific types of childhood cancer and treatment stages, including tips on navigating the healthcare system and finding support

Genetic and Rare Conditions Site – information on genetic conditions/birth defects, national and international support organizations, genetic counselors and geneticists, and other resources – compiled by the University of Kansas Medical Center

Parenting Information

Children’s Physician Network - health information for parents, teachers, kids, and teens – including information on growth and development and emotions and behavior

“Facts for Families” from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry – concise, up-to-date information on issues that affect children, teenagers, and their families – available in English and Spanish

Minnesota Parents Know - trusted parenting information, resources, and activities to help children learn and grow from birth through high school.

Parenting Newsletters – age-specific parenting information from the University of Wisconsin, including a section on grandparents raising grandchildren – available in English and Spanish

Questions About Kids – tip sheets that provide answers to common questions about young children – available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali

Shoulder to Shoulder: Raising Teens Together – parenting tips, resources, news, research and more

Zero to Three – Science-based information and tools designed to help parents and caregivers nurture their young children’s development

Safety Information

Automotive Safety Program - information about child safety seats including videos on how to install car seats, frequently asked questions about car seats, recall information, and special needs transportation

Car Seats Made Simple - information on how to choose and install a seat, common errors, what the law requires and frequently asked questions – available in English, Spanish, Hmong, and Somali

Seat Check - listings of nationwide car seat safety inspection locations where certified inspectors provide guidance on proper child restraint use and installation. Enter your state or zip code to find a location near you

Family Resource Center Library Online Catalog

For additional reading material, search The Family Resource Center Library online catalog (select Family Resource Center in the catalog dropdown list at the top of the page).

Community Resources and Agencies

The Arc of Minnesota - programs, services, and support for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families

Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota - services and resources for parents of children with Down Syndrome including information in English and Spanish and an online newsletter

Minnesota Online Special Needs Directory - a comprehensive online guide to finding resources of all kinds for children and young people in Minnesota with disabilities and other special needs.

PACER Center - resources and programs that address special needs for all stages of childhood and all disabilities

Special Olympics Minnesota - information about year-round sports training and competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities including a calendar of events

United Way 2-1-1 “First Call for Help”/Twin Cities “Beehive” – information about health, housing, jobs, school, money, family, and community resources and support services in the Twin Cities

Other Useful Links

Angel Flight – free, non-emergency air transportation for families who need access to specialized health care services and meet specific acceptance criteria

CaringBridge – a free Internet service that helps patient families create a personalized, secure Web page to keep friends and relatives updated on their child’s condition

Children’s Medical Organizer – a secure, online personal health record that can be used to store and retrieve health information for all members of a family including health history, appointments, medication records, test results, insurance information, etc.

Family Times- parenting information plus listings for a wide variety of local resources and entertainment options for the entire family

Metro Transit – “how to ride” information including routes, schedules, and a quick trip planner for Minneapolis/St. Paul area buses and light rail

Minnesota Health Information – a “clearinghouse” of health information including resources to help consumers find information on quality and cost in health care and references on staying healthy and managing personal health conditions

Exceptional Parent – information, support, ideas, encouragement and outreach for parents and families of children with disabilities

MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network – helps parents who have a child with any disorder, medical condition, mental or emotional disorder or rare diagnosis make connections with other parents whose children have the same or a similar condition

STARBRIGHT Family Room – an online community that provides information and resources to help parents care for their seriously ill child

OneLook – online dictionaries

Guides to Internet Searching

Consumer Guidelines: DocTom's Top Tips for Online Health Searching

Staff in the Family Resource Center are also available to assist families with Internet searches.

Please Note: Information and resources provided by the Family Resource Center are intended for reference purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice or instruction. Please discuss specific concerns or questions with your health care provider(s).