A Helping Hand's Jacquie Ward is a postpartum doula, providing education and support for mothers in their first weeks or months after giving birth. Certified by Doulas of North America (DONA).

The Detroit Parent Network works to improve parent involvement in education by offering workshops, practical tools, written materials, and leadership development to parents and primary caregivers of school-age children (ages four to 17) who live in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park.

Parents interested in joining the organization should fill out a membership form, found on the website, and submit it with a minimum $5 contribution. It is expected that members give at least five hours of volunteer time per year.

Elle Garfield (LMSW, RYT, LYP) offers individual, adolescent, family, and group therapy, specializing in treatment for depression, anxiety, addictions, and family/parenting issues.

Elle is a licensed clinical social worker, parenting expert, registered yoga teacher, and lifeforce yoga practitioner, and holds a certificate as an Advanced Addictions Counselor.

Assists metro Detroit families in childbirth, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and parenting.

Girls Empowered is all about helping girls of all ages feel confident, strong, and healthy. The organization offers classes and workshops that encourage self-respect, positive body image, methods of achieving good health through exercise and nutrition, and of course personal empowerment.

Sign up your daughter for Scout workshops, in-school programs, summer day camps, or for daily classes held at the Beverly Hills Club. Parenting workshops are offered as well.

Founder and president of Girls Empowered, Kimber Bishop-Yanke, presents educational workshops and motivational lectures around the United States.

HowsMyNanny.com is a nanny-reporting service: Parents purchase a license plate for their stroller, and the public is encouraged to anonymously report good or bad nanny observations. Registered parents receive emails alerting them to reports about their particular nanny.

Learning Disabilities Association of Michigan is a branch of the national, nonprofit organization; its purpose is to advance the education and general welfare of children and adults of normal or potentially normal intelligence who manifest disabilities of a perceptual, conceptual, or coordinative nature.

The resource center offers information and a video library regarding community services, school policy, laws, learning disabilities, attentional issues.

Workshops for parents of public and private school students who are experiencing problems in school are offered on a regular basis.

Lindamood-Bell specializes in developing literacy skills for those with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia, ADHD, hyperlexia, and autism.

Diagnostic evaluations and individualized treatment programs are available to address the specific needs of Lindamood-Bell students. Assorted workshops are also offered. Please call for more information.

Mocha Moms, Inc. is a national parenting support group for women of color who have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home. The group does welcome people from all backgrounds, though, and anyone who supports the mission of Mocha Moms is welcome to join.

The group is involved in community service projects and holds moms' nights out and kids' socials.

Mocha Moms has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in major magazines and newspapers, and for good reason - this is a fabulous organization.

There are two chapters in the metro Detroit area:
Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and Detroit. More chapters are coming soon.

An accessory that keeps us organized? We're so there.

The ingenuis momAgenda was created by a busy mom (is there any other kind?) who was frazzled by keeping track of her own schedule, along with her four children's appointments, lessons, playdates, and parties. Her solution is a refined day planner that provides a way to track multiple schedules with week-at-a-view spreads with rows for each child and mom, monthly views, and places for notes, dinner ideas, and other necessities. The colors range from all-business chocolate and black to vibrant lime or fuschia.

Take it everywhere, or check out the kitchen folio version for "command central".

Mommy Perks is an online savings program that "rewards" moms for shopping locally and online - buying products and services that they use on an everyday basis.

This group was founded because stay-at-home moms need support, too. This club, a nonsectarian nonprofit with chapters across the United States and the world, offers support and activities to moms at home and a chance for their kids to socialize with other kids.

Goings-on include playgroups, moms' nights out, park days, and other activities as determined by a chapter's membership. Kids are welcome at all events, and all activities (except for the monthly moms' nights out) occur during the day.

The club has a number of chapters in the metro Detroit area, including in Berkley, Canton, Lake Orion, Livonia, Plymouth, Novi, Rochester, and Waterford.

A local chapter of MOMS Club International, a nonprofit play and support group designed for at-home mothers. This chapter is open to moms in Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Clawson, and Royal Oak.

The group's activities include playgroups, moms' nights out, park days, and other activities. Kids are welcome at all events, and all activities (except for the monthly moms' nights out) occur during the day.

Mothers of Preschoolers is an international organization established to meet the needs of moms - urban, suburban, and rural moms, stay-at-home and working moms, teen, single, and married moms - with an emphasis on those with preschoolers.

MOPS is similar to MOMS Club, but with a Christian influence. Most local meetings take place in area churches.

MOPS helps moms through relationships established in the context of local groups that provide a caring atmosphere for today's mother of young children. Little ones are typically welcome at local events, or babysitting is often provided.

Affiliation with MOPS is generally done via a local group. Find a local chapter by visiting the national website.

Mothers & More is a nonprofit international organization with several metro Detroit area chapters.

The club's focus is to provide opportunities for moms to meet, support, and advocate for each other through the transitions that affect their family, work, and life.

While the national organization publishes a monthly newsletter, the real activity takes place at local chapter events, including playgroups, book clubs, Moms' Nights Out, and monthly general meetings. The first three meetings are free.

Check the website to find a chapter near you.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers a Child Safety Seat Inspection Station Locator on its website. Searches can be done by zip code or by state, and can be filtered to include only stations with Spanish-speaking technicians.

Oakland Family Services is a private, nonprofit human services organization that provides education, prevention, treatment, and support programs to Oakland County families.

A wide variety of programs are available, including those dealing with adoption and foster care service, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, school readiness, family trauma/violence, and more.

OFS runs a licensed day care in Pontiac. For four-year-old children, the organization has an early childhood development program in Clarkston, Farmington, Oxford, Pontiac, South Lyon, and Waterford.

Oakland Family Services is a private, nonprofit human services organization that provides education, prevention, treatment, and support programs to Oakland County families.

A wide variety of programs are available, including those dealing with adoption and foster care service, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, school readiness, family trauma/violence, and more.

OFS runs a licensed day care in Pontiac. For four-year-old children, the organization has an early childhood development program in Clarkston, Farmington, Oxford, Pontiac, South Lyon, and Waterford.

Oakland Family Services is a private, nonprofit human services organization that provides education, prevention, treatment, and support programs to Oakland County families.

A wide variety of programs are available, including those dealing with adoption and foster care service, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, school readiness, family trauma/violence, and more.

OFS runs a licensed day care in Pontiac. For four-year-old children, the organization has an early childhood development program in Clarkston, Farmington, Oxford, Pontiac, South Lyon, and Waterford.

Oakland Family Services is a private, nonprofit human services organization that provides education, prevention, treatment, and support programs to Oakland County families.

A wide variety of programs are available, including those dealing with adoption and foster care service, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, school readiness, family trauma/violence, and more.

OFS runs a licensed day care in Pontiac. For four-year-old children, the organization has an early childhood development program in Clarkston, Farmington, Oxford, Pontiac, South Lyon, and Waterford.

Oakland Family Services is a private, nonprofit human services organization that provides education, prevention, treatment, and support programs to Oakland County families.

A wide variety of programs are available, including those dealing with adoption and foster care service, alcohol and drug abuse treatment, mental health treatment, school readiness, family trauma/violence, and more.

OFS runs a licensed day care in Pontiac. For four-year-old children, the organization has an early childhood development program in Clarkston, Farmington, Oxford, Pontiac, South Lyon, and Waterford.

Partnership for Dads is a Michigan nonprofit organization that works with existing institutions to help fathers
become more involved parents.

There are more than 245 Ronald McDonald Houses in 26 countries, offering support and practical assistance to families with very sick children. It's a safe bet that your local chapter can always use volunteers.

Bridget Kramer (LMSW, ACSW) offers outpatient counseling for children and adolscents suffering from anxiety, depression, and behavior/school problems. Parenting support is also provided through workshops and individual sessions based on the Love and Logic Principles.

The TABS website has listings of hundreds of schools and the database is accessible at no charge. The write-ups are sketchy at best, but do typically include contact information.

Tottoos.Org creates personalized temporary tattoo-like decals called "Tottoos" for children's safety. Decals can be printed with a parent's cell phone number in case the child and parent become separated. Parents choose the personalization that gets printed on the decals, such as "If I am lost, please call (phone number)" or "To reach my parents, call (phone number)." These decals are recommended for children six and under, who may not have a parent's cell phone number memorized, who would become afraid if they were lost.

Medical Tottoos are available for people of any age to alert to conditions such as peanut or bee-sting allergy, asthma, diabetes, autism, seizure disorders, multiple food allergies, Alzheimer's, allergies to medication, and more. They are a highly visible and waterproof way to provide vital information in case of emergency, and can include emergency phone numbers and special instructions such as "use EpiPen" or "heart medication in purse."

Also available are Be Visible, Be Safe Glow Lights, created to keep kids safe after dark. They are pre-printed with the phrase "Emergency Contact Number" and you can write whatever number is appropriate at the time of use. The lights can either be worn as a necklace or attached to clothing. Use with young children to help keep an eye on them at night and have your phone number visible in case you get separated, or with older children and adults when they go out after dark to ride a bike, go camping, or even when boating or out on a hiking trip. The light glows for 12+ hours and not only adds visibility, but enables your emergency contact to be reached if you become injured or lost.

Through its programs and services for women and children, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit works to eliminate racism and empower women. The organization addresses a variety of basic, immediate needs for safety, shelter, food, and clothing, as well as longer term needs for affordable housing.

The YWCA Downriver provides quality childcare programs through its outreach programs, including before and after school, and school break and summer camps.

Summer Camps: Summer Kiddie Camps are for those 2 1/2 to 5 years old, Summer Day Camps are geared toward those in grades 1-5, and Summer Junior Counselor Camps (which includes babysitter training and CPR courses) are great for those in grades 6-9. All are located at St. John United Church of Christ in Wyandotte and Huron High School in Huron Township.

School Break Care: Grosse Ile and Wyandotte parents can take advantage of the program's offering of child care during winter and spring breaks. Latchkey is also available.

Mom & Tot and Discovery Camp: The YWCA has teamed up with the Grosse Isle Recreation Department to provide two programs: Mom & Tot is for parents and preschoolers to learn through fun play and music; for elementary school kids, Discovery Camp, held at Centennial Farm, is a five-week summer program that focuses on the study of nature and the outdoors.

For Huron Township residents, YWCA recreation programs abound. Held at various places throughout the community, there are classes for kids (cheerleading, dance, horseback riding, and karate) and adults (ballroom dance, exercise and fitness, hunter safety, scrapbooking, self-defense, yoga, and more).

Contact the YWCA Downriver Outreach program for specific locations, membership information, and camp and class fees.

Through its programs and services for women and children, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit works to eliminate racism and empower women. The organization addresses a variety of basic, immediate needs for safety, shelter, food, and clothing, as well as longer term needs for affordable housing, quality child care, and preschool.

This branch of the YWCA offers outreach programs, including afterschool care, for young people throughout Detroit, and works directly with the Cornerstone Schools and the Detroit Academy of the Arts and Sciences. Day camps are offered during summer and other school breaks.

Parties: A large banquet room and garden area are available to rent for parties or other gatherings.

Membership: Family Membership is $75/year and includes one or both parents and children. Adult Membership is $40/year, Student Membership (for ages 18-21 and in school) is $30, and Youth Membership is $20/year.

Through its programs and services for women and children, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit works to eliminate racism and empower women. The organization addresses a variety of basic, immediate needs for safety, shelter, food, and clothing, as well as longer term needs for affordable housing, quality child care, and preschool.

This branch of the YWCA offers a general fitness program, a tennis program for adults and youth, and a good number of classes for children, including basketball, dance, gymnastics, karate, and pre-teen jazz. Beginning music classes (piano, breass, woodwinds, and percussion) are also offered.

Membership: Family Membership is $110/year and includes one or both parents and children. Adult Membership is $60/year, Student Membership (for ages 18-21 and in school) is $35, and Youth Membership is $30/year.

Through its programs and services for women and children, the YWCA of Metropolitan Detroit works to eliminate racism and empower women. The organization addresses a variety of basic, immediate needs for safety, shelter, food, and clothing, as well as longer term needs for affordable housing, quality child care, and preschool.

This branch of the YWCA has a fairly large fitness center - and it's not just for women. Sign up for hatha yoga, aerobics, or pilates adult classes and afterward get a massage or facial. There is a book club and mom's club as well.

Child care services are provided Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-10am and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-12n at a cost of $4/hour. Register your three to five year old in the YWCA's preschool program, which runs five days a week. Enrollment options include half days or two or more full days.

The branch also offers day camp in the summer and during spring break for kids ages six to 10 and for middle school students ages 10 to 13. The camp program runs weekdays from 9am to 4pm. Before and after care is available for an extra fee.

Membership: Family Membership is $75/year and includes one or both parents and children. Adult Membership is $40/year, Student Membership (for ages 18-21 and in school) is $30, and Youth Membership is $20/year. Fitness center membership is additional.