Parent Education Programs

Better Beginnings For Parents & Children

Provides intensive, comprehensive, and flexible clinical therapeutic services for families in the home.  Focused attention is dedicated to improving parent wellness and parent/child relationships.  With this in mind, services include individual therapy for adults and children as well as couple and family therapy.  In addition, program staff offer education on child development and effective parenting strategies.  Supportive, educational, and skill-building sessions occur on a weekly basis for adult participants. 

• Location: 1654 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse.
• Fees: No fee for therapy. Day care costs are not covered.
• Eligibility: Onondaga County residents. Families with children birth to age 5 years or pregnant women. One or both of the parents must have a history of chronic mental illness.
• Information: 315-362-7580

Family Advocacy

The Parent Aide Program provides intensive home visiting services for parents who are active with DSS and have children who are identified as at risk for or placed in foster care.  Parent Aides are professional parent educators who teach basic living and parenting skills in the home setting in addition to connecting families to various community resources and supports.  Staff also provides in-home services for families whose children are truant.  

• Location: 1654 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse.
• No fee.
• Eligibility: Referrals to the program are made through Onondaga County’s Department of Social Services
• Information: 315-475-9844 x10

Parent Child+

The Parent Child+ Program provides two years of twice-weekly home visits to under resourced families with children between the ages of 18 months - four years old. All services begin when the child is between 18 months and 3 years old. Service, books and toys are provided to the family at no cost.  

• Location: 1654 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse.
• No fee.
• Information: 315-466-4709 or 315-362-7508

Child Passenger Safety Program

This program provides car seats for infants and toddlers of income eligible families at no charge.

Application Procedure:

• Please note that there is an income eligibility requirement in order to receive a car seat.  Proof of WIC, Medicaid, or Food Stamps is required to receive a car seat.
• Applicants should contact Catholic Charities at 315-424-1800 and request to be registered for a car seat class. 
• The applicant will fill out an intake form and a Hold Harmless Agreement.
• Before receiving a car seat, the recipient will need to review a training video that explains proper installation and use of the car seat.  Recipients will also learn how to properly install, fit the child to the car seat, and learn proper usage techniques from our certified Traffic Safety Seat Technician.
• It is requested that the recipient have a vehicle present in order to physically install the car seat themselves.  If necessary, an installation vehicle can be made available.

The Child Passenger Safety Program is funded by the National Highway Safety Administration with a grant from the NYS Governor's Traffic Safety Committee. 

Incredible Years Parenting Classes

Several different classes* are offered, all are 10 weeks

• Toddler Series - parents with 1-3 year olds
• Preschool Series - parents of 4-6 year olds
• BASIC Foster Care -parents who are working on getting their children returned home from the foster care system

*Referral must come from a County permanency worker. 

Information: 315-475-9844 x17

Lullaby League

A four-week infant care class for pregnant women, partners, and families.  Case management and counseling is offered to all birth parents and their families.  Following the birth of the baby, new parents meet with the case manager in the home setting and can receive individual counseling as requested.
Information: Contact Catholic Charities at 315-362-7647