Helpful Links

Childcare Related Resources

• Access research on the importance of early childhood education at Pre-K Now, a campaign of the Pew Center on the States, http://www.preknow.org/
• Connect to the latest Kids Count Data Book and other resources provided by the Indiana Youth Institute, http://www.iyi.org/
• The National Institute for Early Education Research has research that might interest parents and other community members, http://nieer.org/
• The National Association for the Education of Young Children provides resources for parents who are seeking childcare, http://www.rightchoiceforkids.org/
• Born Learning provides lots of practical suggestions about how parents can incorporate learning into their child's everyday activities, http://www.bornlearning.org/
• Monroe County's Birth-to-Five Coalition is working to ensure young children are ready for success at school and life, http://www.monroesmartstart.org/
• Search for your licensed care options in Indiana, see a particular provider's inspection results and complaint history and access other resources for parents interested in childcare, http://www.in.gov/fssa/2552.htm
• Learn about the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers and access other resources for parents through Community Alliance and Services for Young Children (CASY), 1-800-886-3952 or http://www.casyonline.org/
• Need a childcare referral? Call 1-866-693-672 or visit http://www.childhoodconnections.org/ to access the resources provided by Childhood Connections.
• The Office of Child Care is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and administers the CCDF program, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/

Poverty and Hunger Related Resources

• The U.S. Census Bureau can provide lots of information about local and national poverty, http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/poverty.html, http://www.census.gov//did/www/saipe/county.html
• Bread for the World provides information about national and global hunger, along with legislative updates, http://www.bread.org/
• For information of poverty in Monroe County and to access the data supplement with links to lots of local statistics, check out the Service Community Assessment of Needs (SCAN), http://www.monroeunitedway.org/scan/index.htm
• The Feinstein Foundation sponsors the annual $1M Feinstein Challenge, http://www.feinsteinfoundation.org/
• The annual Homeward Bound Walk raises funds to prevent and address homelessness in Monroe County, http://homewardboundindiana.org/bloomington

Social Service and Nonprofit Resources

• Guidestar is the on-line standard for nonprofit accountability. Your free registration will allow you to check out MCUM's listing, http://www2.guidestar.org/
• 2-1-1 is your referral source for social services. Call 2-1-1 or search the online database for resources, http://www.referweb.net/A10A/
• The NonProfit Alliance for Monroe County fosters a healthy community by strengthening the nonprofit sector through communication, professional development and advocacy, http://www.npamc.org/