Resources on this page were last checked against their official sources on October 26, 2026.
Each card shows its own date and source. Programs change, so check the official site before you go.
Divorce
Statewide
Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
Kansas Bar Association (KBA)
The KBA Lawyer Referral Service connects people with screened Kansas attorneys, including for family law. Submit a request through the online referral form with details of your situation, and the service routes it to an attorney in the right practice area. There is no fee for the referral itself, but the attorneys charge for their work. Requests are made online. If you have no internet access or need help filling in the online form, the page gives a phone number for help with it.
For anyone looking for a private Kansas attorney. The page asks people who need free or reduced-fee help not to submit a request. See the official site for current rules.
The Judicial Branch keeps a county-by-county list of self-help centers in courthouses and libraries, with hours, whether staff are there, what equipment is available, and phone numbers. Some centers list set days for extra help, or a phone line for the Kansas Legal Services Access to Justice Advice Line. The Self-Help Center's resources are informational and don't replace legal advice.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Free to the public. Services and hours differ by county. See the official site for current rules.
American Bar Association and Kansas volunteer attorneys
Kansas Free Legal Answers is a free online clinic where eligible Kansans can post a question about a civil legal problem and get a written answer from a volunteer Kansas attorney. Answer a few questions to see if you qualify, then create an account and post your question; you'll get an email when it has a response. Lawyers answer only through the website and don't represent you.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas residents with low household income whose question isn't about a criminal charge. You may ask up to 3 questions per year. See the official site for current rules.
The Kansas Judicial Council publishes free official court forms for divorce with and without minor children, parentage (custody and support when parents aren't married), establishing, changing and enforcing parenting time, and responding to DCF parentage and child support petitions. Some forms come in bilingual versions. Judicial Council staff can't give legal advice, recommend a course of action or help you fill out the forms.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone filing or responding in a Kansas family law case. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Legal Services gives free or low-cost civil legal advice and representation to Kansans whose income makes them eligible, including in family, housing, consumer, employment, health and public benefits cases. You must apply first, online or by phone; an intake specialist decides whether you qualify. KLS also offers free interactive legal forms, an Elder Hotline for Kansans 60 and older, and the Access to Justice Advice Line for people referred by court staff. Offices around the state each serve a group of counties.
For Kansans with low incomes who need help with a civil (non-criminal) legal problem. Eligibility is checked at intake. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Self-Help: divorce, parenting time and parentage
Kansas Judicial Branch
The Kansas Judicial Branch's virtual Self-Help Center explains divorce with or without minor children, setting up and changing parenting time, and establishing legal parentage, with step-by-step instructions and checklists. It links to the official Kansas Judicial Council forms and to child support information. The site also covers protection orders, child support, mediation and finding legal help, and links to your local district court.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone with a Kansas family law case, especially people representing themselves. The site gives information, not legal advice. See the official site for current rules.
Parenting or co-parenting classes in Kansas divorce and custody cases
Kansas Judicial Branch
Kansas law lets district courts require parents in divorce and custody cases to take a parent education class, and some judicial districts require one by local rule. The Judicial Branch's divorce-with-children checklist tells parents to attend any parenting, co-parenting or divorce class their local rules require. Ask your district court clerk or check your district's local rules for which class applies, how to sign up and any fee. Some districts' classes are listed separately in this directory.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Cost varies
Who it's for
For parents in Kansas divorce, parentage or custody cases where the local court requires or orders a class. See the official site for current rules.
Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
The 18th Judicial District's Self-Help Center, in the law library in downtown Wichita, offers family law forms and packets for divorce with or without children, parenting time and related cases. Staff can't give legal advice or recommend a course of action. Call to learn current hours.
Co-parenting classes, Wyandotte County District Court (ECT and Family Foresight)
29th Judicial District Court, Wyandotte County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
Wyandotte County District Court's Domestic Court Services offers Effective Co-Parenting Techniques (ECT), a class for parents filing new divorce or paternity actions, and Family Foresight, another co-parenting class. ECT helps parents understand how a changing family affects children, build a parenting plan and learn about child support from the Trustee's Office. Classes are held over Zoom; call Domestic Court Services to register and get materials. Domestic Court Services also handles parenting agreements and other court-ordered family services.
KIDS FIRST Parenting Workshop (Sedgwick County District Court)
Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
In Sedgwick County, both parents in a divorce involving children must attend the court's KIDS FIRST Parenting Workshop, and the court may order it in other cases where parenting is an issue. Enroll in person at the 7th-floor Family Law Clerk's Office or by mail within 10 days of filing or being notified of the case; the fee is due when you file or before you file any response. Classes meet on some Tuesday evenings at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. The petitioner's divorce won't be finalized until the workshop is done. Interpreters are provided by the court if requested when you schedule.
Required for both parties in Sedgwick County divorce cases with children; may be ordered in other parenting cases. The assigned family law judge may approve a comparable alternate class. See the official site for current rules.
Parents Forever co-parenting class (Johnson County)
Johnson County Mental Health Center
Parents Forever is the required class for parents filing new divorce or paternity actions in Johnson County. It covers how family changes affect children, how domestic violence affects children, co-parenting and conflict resolution, and self-help options in the court process. There are three levels; take the level on your court order, or Level 2 if no level is named or your order is dated before April 1, 2023. Register and pay online, or choose pay later and pay by phone. Co-parents don't have to attend the same class, and virtual sessions are offered (you must be on camera).
Child Support Services help for noncustodial parents (Kansas)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
DCF Child Support Services also works with noncustodial parents, including fathers. You can enroll to ask CSS to establish paternity or to review an existing child support order for a change. If you are not sure you are the father, CSS can schedule genetic testing for the mother, child and possible father, and the state pays for the first test. If you are served with a DCF petition or notice of action, respond promptly; if you don't, the court may set an order without you. Call to speak with a Child Support Specialist.
The KBA Lawyer Referral Service connects people with screened Kansas attorneys, including for family law. Submit a request through the online referral form with details of your situation, and the service routes it to an attorney in the right practice area. There is no fee for the referral itself, but the attorneys charge for their work. Requests are made online. If you have no internet access or need help filling in the online form, the page gives a phone number for help with it.
For anyone looking for a private Kansas attorney. The page asks people who need free or reduced-fee help not to submit a request. See the official site for current rules.
The Judicial Branch keeps a county-by-county list of self-help centers in courthouses and libraries, with hours, whether staff are there, what equipment is available, and phone numbers. Some centers list set days for extra help, or a phone line for the Kansas Legal Services Access to Justice Advice Line. The Self-Help Center's resources are informational and don't replace legal advice.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Free to the public. Services and hours differ by county. See the official site for current rules.
American Bar Association and Kansas volunteer attorneys
Kansas Free Legal Answers is a free online clinic where eligible Kansans can post a question about a civil legal problem and get a written answer from a volunteer Kansas attorney. Answer a few questions to see if you qualify, then create an account and post your question; you'll get an email when it has a response. Lawyers answer only through the website and don't represent you.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas residents with low household income whose question isn't about a criminal charge. You may ask up to 3 questions per year. See the official site for current rules.
The Kansas Judicial Council publishes free official court forms for divorce with and without minor children, parentage (custody and support when parents aren't married), establishing, changing and enforcing parenting time, and responding to DCF parentage and child support petitions. Some forms come in bilingual versions. Judicial Council staff can't give legal advice, recommend a course of action or help you fill out the forms.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone filing or responding in a Kansas family law case. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Legal Services gives free or low-cost civil legal advice and representation to Kansans whose income makes them eligible, including in family, housing, consumer, employment, health and public benefits cases. You must apply first, online or by phone; an intake specialist decides whether you qualify. KLS also offers free interactive legal forms, an Elder Hotline for Kansans 60 and older, and the Access to Justice Advice Line for people referred by court staff. Offices around the state each serve a group of counties.
For Kansans with low incomes who need help with a civil (non-criminal) legal problem. Eligibility is checked at intake. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas protection orders and the online Protection Order Portal (KSPOP)
Kansas Judicial Branch
A Kansas judge can issue a protection order to help protect someone from abuse, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking. Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders are for abuse or threats by a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, or someone you share a child with; Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault or Human Trafficking orders don't require a relationship. You can apply online from any device through the Kansas Protection Order Portal, which guides you through the forms (about an hour, and you can save and come back) and sends them to the right court. If the judge grants the order, it is emailed to you.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. SafeLine Kansas (1-888-363-2287) can help you plan for safety.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Cost varies
Who it's for
For people in Kansas experiencing abuse, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Self-Help: divorce, parenting time and parentage
Kansas Judicial Branch
The Kansas Judicial Branch's virtual Self-Help Center explains divorce with or without minor children, setting up and changing parenting time, and establishing legal parentage, with step-by-step instructions and checklists. It links to the official Kansas Judicial Council forms and to child support information. The site also covers protection orders, child support, mediation and finding legal help, and links to your local district court.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone with a Kansas family law case, especially people representing themselves. The site gives information, not legal advice. See the official site for current rules.
Parenting or co-parenting classes in Kansas divorce and custody cases
Kansas Judicial Branch
Kansas law lets district courts require parents in divorce and custody cases to take a parent education class, and some judicial districts require one by local rule. The Judicial Branch's divorce-with-children checklist tells parents to attend any parenting, co-parenting or divorce class their local rules require. Ask your district court clerk or check your district's local rules for which class applies, how to sign up and any fee. Some districts' classes are listed separately in this directory.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Cost varies
Who it's for
For parents in Kansas divorce, parentage or custody cases where the local court requires or orders a class. See the official site for current rules.
Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
The 18th Judicial District's Self-Help Center, in the law library in downtown Wichita, offers family law forms and packets for divorce with or without children, parenting time and related cases. Staff can't give legal advice or recommend a course of action. Call to learn current hours.
Co-parenting classes, Wyandotte County District Court (ECT and Family Foresight)
29th Judicial District Court, Wyandotte County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
Wyandotte County District Court's Domestic Court Services offers Effective Co-Parenting Techniques (ECT), a class for parents filing new divorce or paternity actions, and Family Foresight, another co-parenting class. ECT helps parents understand how a changing family affects children, build a parenting plan and learn about child support from the Trustee's Office. Classes are held over Zoom; call Domestic Court Services to register and get materials. Domestic Court Services also handles parenting agreements and other court-ordered family services.
Cornerstones of Care and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
Kansas FORGE Fatherhood is a free 8-week parenting and healthy relationships program for fathers and father figures 18 and older. Classes are 3-hour sessions covering healthy relationships, co-parenting and parenting skills, with group discussion, activities and a free meal; there are fathers-only and couples' groups. Each father gets a case manager who helps set goals and connect to resources, and graduates can become peer mentors. Fathers get help with child care, transportation and food costs and a completion incentive.
Where
Atchison County, Douglas County, Johnson County, Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County, Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For fathers 18 and older who live in Atchison, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth or Wyandotte County. See the official site for current rules.
KIDS FIRST Parenting Workshop (Sedgwick County District Court)
Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
In Sedgwick County, both parents in a divorce involving children must attend the court's KIDS FIRST Parenting Workshop, and the court may order it in other cases where parenting is an issue. Enroll in person at the 7th-floor Family Law Clerk's Office or by mail within 10 days of filing or being notified of the case; the fee is due when you file or before you file any response. Classes meet on some Tuesday evenings at the Sedgwick County Courthouse. The petitioner's divorce won't be finalized until the workshop is done. Interpreters are provided by the court if requested when you schedule.
Required for both parties in Sedgwick County divorce cases with children; may be ordered in other parenting cases. The assigned family law judge may approve a comparable alternate class. See the official site for current rules.
Parents Forever co-parenting class (Johnson County)
Johnson County Mental Health Center
Parents Forever is the required class for parents filing new divorce or paternity actions in Johnson County. It covers how family changes affect children, how domestic violence affects children, co-parenting and conflict resolution, and self-help options in the court process. There are three levels; take the level on your court order, or Level 2 if no level is named or your order is dated before April 1, 2023. Register and pay online, or choose pay later and pay by phone. Co-parents don't have to attend the same class, and virtual sessions are offered (you must be on camera).
Child Support Services help for noncustodial parents (Kansas)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
DCF Child Support Services also works with noncustodial parents, including fathers. You can enroll to ask CSS to establish paternity or to review an existing child support order for a change. If you are not sure you are the father, CSS can schedule genetic testing for the mother, child and possible father, and the state pays for the first test. If you are served with a DCF petition or notice of action, respond promptly; if you don't, the court may set an order without you. Call to speak with a Child Support Specialist.
The KBA Lawyer Referral Service connects people with screened Kansas attorneys, including for family law. Submit a request through the online referral form with details of your situation, and the service routes it to an attorney in the right practice area. There is no fee for the referral itself, but the attorneys charge for their work. Requests are made online. If you have no internet access or need help filling in the online form, the page gives a phone number for help with it.
For anyone looking for a private Kansas attorney. The page asks people who need free or reduced-fee help not to submit a request. See the official site for current rules.
DCF Child Support Services helps families establish paternity, set up and change child support and medical support orders, and collect support, at no cost. Families on TANF, Food Assistance, Child Care Assistance, foster care or medical benefits are served automatically, and any family can apply regardless of income. Apply online in about 30 minutes, with no office visit, or call the Kansas Child Support Contact Center for help applying or about an existing case. In-person or virtual meetings can be scheduled by phone.
Any parent or person seeking to establish or change a paternity and/or child support order may apply. A separate application is needed for each child who has a different father. See the official site for current rules.
American Bar Association and Kansas volunteer attorneys
Kansas Free Legal Answers is a free online clinic where eligible Kansans can post a question about a civil legal problem and get a written answer from a volunteer Kansas attorney. Answer a few questions to see if you qualify, then create an account and post your question; you'll get an email when it has a response. Lawyers answer only through the website and don't represent you.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas residents with low household income whose question isn't about a criminal charge. You may ask up to 3 questions per year. See the official site for current rules.
The Kansas Judicial Council publishes free official court forms for divorce with and without minor children, parentage (custody and support when parents aren't married), establishing, changing and enforcing parenting time, and responding to DCF parentage and child support petitions. Some forms come in bilingual versions. Judicial Council staff can't give legal advice, recommend a course of action or help you fill out the forms.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone filing or responding in a Kansas family law case. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Legal Services gives free or low-cost civil legal advice and representation to Kansans whose income makes them eligible, including in family, housing, consumer, employment, health and public benefits cases. You must apply first, online or by phone; an intake specialist decides whether you qualify. KLS also offers free interactive legal forms, an Elder Hotline for Kansans 60 and older, and the Access to Justice Advice Line for people referred by court staff. Offices around the state each serve a group of counties.
For Kansans with low incomes who need help with a civil (non-criminal) legal problem. Eligibility is checked at intake. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Self-Help: divorce, parenting time and parentage
Kansas Judicial Branch
The Kansas Judicial Branch's virtual Self-Help Center explains divorce with or without minor children, setting up and changing parenting time, and establishing legal parentage, with step-by-step instructions and checklists. It links to the official Kansas Judicial Council forms and to child support information. The site also covers protection orders, child support, mediation and finding legal help, and links to your local district court.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For anyone with a Kansas family law case, especially people representing themselves. The site gives information, not legal advice. See the official site for current rules.
Eighteenth Judicial District Court, Sedgwick County (Kansas Judicial Branch)
The 18th Judicial District's Self-Help Center, in the law library in downtown Wichita, offers family law forms and packets for divorce with or without children, parenting time and related cases. Staff can't give legal advice or recommend a course of action. Call to learn current hours.
Child Care Assistance pays part of the cost of regular child care and enrollment fees for qualifying families, including working families, some families in education or training, teen parents finishing high school or a GED, families on TANF work programs and foster families. You choose an enrolled provider, get a family plan showing the benefit and your co-pay, and pay your provider with a Kansas Benefits Card. Apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal or with a paper application from a local DCF Service Center. Since July 1, 2026 the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC) runs the program's policy and provider enrollment, while DCF still takes applications.
The family and child must live in Kansas and the child must usually be under 13 (exceptions apply up to 18 for an allowable need or a child who can't care for themselves). You must provide proof of income, identity for all adults, and citizenship and birth date for each child; if a parent is absent, the parent or guardian in the home must work with Child Support Services. Income and resource limits apply. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance (KDHE-DHCF)
KanCare is Kansas's Medicaid program. It covers people with limited income, which may include pregnant women, children up to age 19, adult caretakers of children, young adults who aged out of foster care, people with disabilities and seniors. Apply online through the Medical Consumer Self-Service Portal, or call to have an application mailed. Families with children use the KC-1100 application, which checks for both Medicaid and CHIP. Coverage usually starts with the month you apply and is reviewed every year.
You must live in Kansas, be a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status, and fall into a covered group such as children, pregnant women, low-income families with children, or people who are blind, disabled or elderly. Most programs have income or asset limits. See the official site for current rules.
KanCare CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Health Care Finance (KDHE-DHCF)
CHIP, part of KanCare, covers uninsured children up to age 19 who don't qualify for Medicaid. Some families pay a monthly premium based on income. Apply with the same KanCare application used for Medicaid, online through the Medical Consumer Self-Service Portal or by calling to request an application; your child is checked for Medicaid first and then CHIP.
Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal: apply for food, cash, child care and energy help
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The DCF Self-Service Portal lets Kansans check eligibility, apply and report changes for SNAP Food Assistance, TANF cash assistance, Child Care Assistance, LIEAP energy assistance and SUN Bucks. Applying online is recommended. You can also get a paper application at a local DCF Service Center or by calling DCF, and printable applications are on DCF's Helpful Tips page. To create an account you need your date of birth and Social Security number.
In Kansas, SNAP is called the Food Assistance program. It gives qualifying low-income households food benefits on an EBT card. Apply online any time through the DCF Self-Service Portal, or get a paper application at a local DCF Service Center or by calling DCF. After you apply, DCF contacts you for an interview, and an interpreter is provided at no cost if English is not your main language. Processing can take up to 30 days. Bring or send ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income and proof of monthly expenses such as rent and utilities.
Any individual or household that lives and eats together and has low income and resources may qualify. Income and resource limits apply and go up with household size; special rules apply for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and farm households. See the official site for current rules.
Successful Families Program (TANF cash assistance)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The Successful Families Program gives low-income families with children employment services, support services and, for those who qualify, monthly TANF cash assistance on an EBT card. The amount depends on family size, income, living situation and county. Adults must work or take part in work activities unless they are caring for a very young baby or a disabled household member, and families must cooperate with DCF Child Support Services. Support services can include job training, GED or English classes, transportation help, work clothing and help with parenting, mental health, substance use or domestic violence. Apply through the DCF Self-Service Portal.
The family must have at least one child under 18 in the home (including an unborn baby) living with a parent, relative or court-named caregiver, and must meet income and resource limits. Cash assistance has a 24-month lifetime limit. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas WIC Program
WIC gives healthy foods on an eWIC card, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to Kansas families who qualify. Start with the online WIC pre-application, and a local WIC agency will contact you to set up an appointment, or contact your local WIC program directly. Bring ID, proof of address and proof of household income for everyone in your home. If you are moving to Kansas from another state's WIC, call your local WIC program instead of using the pre-application.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas residents who are pregnant, breastfeeding (up to the baby's first birthday), non-breastfeeding mothers up to six months after birth, and infants and children under 5. You must meet income guidelines and have a medical or nutritional need. Fathers, grandparents and other caregivers can apply for children in their care. See the official site for current rules.
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Johnson County WIC serves financially eligible women, infants and children under 5. Fathers, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents and guardians are encouraged to apply for children under 5 in their home. Start with the Kansas WIC online pre-application, then bring proof of residency, household income and identity, all dated within the past 30 days. If documents are missing you may get a 30-day temporary certification. People living outside Johnson County can call to ask about an appointment here.
You must have a child under 5 or be pregnant, and be income eligible; you may be automatically income eligible if you take part in certain other programs. See the official site for current rules.
Sedgwick County WIC offers no-cost healthy foods on an eWIC card, nutrition education with registered dietitians and nurses, breastfeeding support and referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding and new parents and children under 5. Call to make an appointment and bring ID, proof of income and health information for yourself and your children. You may still qualify for WIC based on household income even if your SNAP or Medicaid benefits changed.
Women must meet income guidelines and be pregnant, breastfeeding or recently delivered; children must be under 5. A health check with WIC staff is part of enrollment. See the official site for current rules.
WIC at the Wyandotte County Public Health Department
Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (Public Health Department)
The Unified Government's Public Health Department runs WIC for Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling with registered dietitians, breastfeeding support, immunization screening and referrals. Fill out the online application, and WIC staff will contact you about next steps. At your first appointment, staff do a height, weight and finger-stick check, and if you're eligible you leave with your benefits card. Bring proof of address, income and ID for you and your child, dated within 30 days.
For low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding (up to one year) or recently delivered (up to six months), infants, and children under 5. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal: apply for food, cash, child care and energy help
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The DCF Self-Service Portal lets Kansans check eligibility, apply and report changes for SNAP Food Assistance, TANF cash assistance, Child Care Assistance, LIEAP energy assistance and SUN Bucks. Applying online is recommended. You can also get a paper application at a local DCF Service Center or by calling DCF, and printable applications are on DCF's Helpful Tips page. To create an account you need your date of birth and Social Security number.
In Kansas, SNAP is called the Food Assistance program. It gives qualifying low-income households food benefits on an EBT card. Apply online any time through the DCF Self-Service Portal, or get a paper application at a local DCF Service Center or by calling DCF. After you apply, DCF contacts you for an interview, and an interpreter is provided at no cost if English is not your main language. Processing can take up to 30 days. Bring or send ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income and proof of monthly expenses such as rent and utilities.
Any individual or household that lives and eats together and has low income and resources may qualify. Income and resource limits apply and go up with household size; special rules apply for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans and farm households. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas housing help by county (Kansas Housing Resources Corporation)
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)
KHRC's Community Solutions page lets you click your county to find funded local agencies for domestic violence shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing, tenant-based rental assistance and weatherization. It also points people to United Way 211 for more help.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas renters, homeowners and people facing homelessness. Each local agency sets its own rules. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Legal Services gives free or low-cost civil legal advice and representation to Kansans whose income makes them eligible, including in family, housing, consumer, employment, health and public benefits cases. You must apply first, online or by phone; an intake specialist decides whether you qualify. KLS also offers free interactive legal forms, an Elder Hotline for Kansans 60 and older, and the Access to Justice Advice Line for people referred by court staff. Offices around the state each serve a group of counties.
For Kansans with low incomes who need help with a civil (non-criminal) legal problem. Eligibility is checked at intake. See the official site for current rules.
Wichita Family Crisis Center (domestic violence shelter)
Wichita Family Crisis Center
The Wichita Family Crisis Center, formerly the YWCA Wichita and its Women's Crisis Center, offers emergency shelter and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. Shelter is reached through a 24-hour hotline that also gives crisis help and referrals. Outreach advocates help people who don't need shelter with safety planning and other needs, and there are support groups, classes and programming for children who have seen violence.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Each of these programs is only for the city or cities named on its card.
Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority public housing
Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority (KCKHA)
The Kansas City, Kansas Housing Authority runs public housing in Kansas City, Kansas and Bonner Springs. Fill out the online application to join the public housing waitlist; there is one application for most properties and a separate one for Bonner Springs properties. All applications are handled by the Resident Selection office. KCKHA's Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waitlist is closed and will be announced on its website when it reopens.
Where
Cities of Kansas City and Bonner Springs only, Kansas
City-only: public housing in Kansas City, Kansas and Bonner Springs. Applicants must meet HUD income, citizenship or immigration status and other rules. See the official site for current rules.
Child Care Assistance pays part of the cost of regular child care and enrollment fees for qualifying families, including working families, some families in education or training, teen parents finishing high school or a GED, families on TANF work programs and foster families. You choose an enrolled provider, get a family plan showing the benefit and your co-pay, and pay your provider with a Kansas Benefits Card. Apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal or with a paper application from a local DCF Service Center. Since July 1, 2026 the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC) runs the program's policy and provider enrollment, while DCF still takes applications.
The family and child must live in Kansas and the child must usually be under 13 (exceptions apply up to 18 for an allowable need or a child who can't care for themselves). You must provide proof of income, identity for all adults, and citizenship and birth date for each child; if a parent is absent, the parent or guardian in the home must work with Child Support Services. Income and resource limits apply. See the official site for current rules.
Child Care Aware of Kansas is the state's licensed child care resource and referral agency. Search online for licensed child care, or call the Resource Center to talk with a real person who can help you find options that fit your family. Staff can also walk you through help paying for care, such as state subsidies, federal tax credits and local programs, and share guides on choosing quality care.
Head Start and Early Head Start offer free early education, health and family well-being services for young children and their families: Early Head Start for children from birth to 3 and Head Start for ages 3 to 5. The Kansas Head Start Association's locations page lists Kansas programs with their address, phone, website and, for many, the counties they serve; search by county and contact the program directly to apply.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Families must meet federal low-income guidelines or receive benefits such as TANF, and meet age and other rules set by each program. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas school district preschool (Preschool-Aged At-Risk program)
Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE)
Kansas school districts offer preschool for preschool-aged children who meet at least one at-risk criterion through KSDE's Preschool-Aged At-Risk program (formerly State Pre-K 4 Year Old At-Risk). KSDE also supports the Kansas Preschool Pilot. Programs are run by approved school districts, so contact your local school district to ask about preschool, the at-risk criteria and how to enroll.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For preschool-aged children who meet an at-risk criterion and live in a district with an approved program. See the official site for current rules.
1-800-CHILDREN is a free, confidential 24/7 parenting support line and resource directory for Kansas parents and caregivers. Call to talk with a trained resource specialist about any parenting question or concern, without judgment, and get connected to local services, or search the online directory by ZIP code. You can also email, and the line offers free developmental screenings (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) for children up to age 6.
Family Mobile Crisis Helpline (youth 20 and under)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline helps with a mental health or behavioral crisis for any Kansan 20 or younger. Call, text or chat 24/7 to reach a licensed clinician, who can help over the phone, refer you to community resources or stabilization services, or send a local mobile crisis team to meet you in person. A parent, caregiver or the young person can call. It is run by DCF with KDADS, Carelon Behavioral Health, the three KanCare plans and a statewide network of mobile crisis providers.
Kansas community mental health centers and 24-hour crisis lines
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Kansas's community mental health centers (CMHCs) are the public mental health safety net. They offer outpatient counseling and therapy, rehabilitation services and 24-hour crisis help, and they are the gatekeepers for state psychiatric hospital admission. KDADS publishes a list of every CMHC's 24-hour crisis line with the counties each center serves, so you can find the center for your county.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Sliding scale
Who it's for
CMHC services are for anyone in the center's area. The CMHC association says services are available regardless of income, age or type of illness. See the official site for current rules.
Healthy Babies Home Visiting gives families in Sedgwick County prenatal and postpartum support through home and office visits from registered nurses and other trained family-support professionals. Every enrolled parent gets at least one prenatal and one postpartum visit, with more based on the family's needs, and families can earn incentives for reaching milestones. Enroll by phone, email or referral form.
For pregnant women and primary caregivers with infants up to 6 months old in Sedgwick County, regardless of race, ethnicity, financial status or legal residency. See the official site for current rules.
Cornerstones of Care and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare
Kansas FORGE Fatherhood is a free 8-week parenting and healthy relationships program for fathers and father figures 18 and older. Classes are 3-hour sessions covering healthy relationships, co-parenting and parenting skills, with group discussion, activities and a free meal; there are fathers-only and couples' groups. Each father gets a case manager who helps set goals and connect to resources, and graduates can become peer mentors. Fathers get help with child care, transportation and food costs and a completion incentive.
Where
Atchison County, Douglas County, Johnson County, Leavenworth County and Wyandotte County, Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For fathers 18 and older who live in Atchison, Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth or Wyandotte County. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Children's Service League helps dads and father figures build stronger relationships with their children through free classes, support groups and resources with practical parenting tips. Fathers can connect with other dads and get help staying involved and confident with their family.
Where
Sedgwick County and Shawnee County, Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For fathers and father figures in Sedgwick and Shawnee Counties. See the official site for current rules.
Parents Forever co-parenting class (Johnson County)
Johnson County Mental Health Center
Parents Forever is the required class for parents filing new divorce or paternity actions in Johnson County. It covers how family changes affect children, how domestic violence affects children, co-parenting and conflict resolution, and self-help options in the court process. There are three levels; take the level on your court order, or Level 2 if no level is named or your order is dated before April 1, 2023. Register and pay online, or choose pay later and pay by phone. Co-parents don't have to attend the same class, and virtual sessions are offered (you must be on camera).
Sedgwick County Fatherhood Program (Healthy Babies)
Sedgwick County Health Department
The Sedgwick County Health Department's Fatherhood Program helps fathers and partners build parenting skills and healthy family relationships using the Fathering in 15 curriculum. Sessions take about 15 minutes each and can be done in person or online at your own pace with help from a Fatherhood Coordinator. Topics cover being a father and partner. Enroll by phone, email, referral form or the online sign-up link.
For fathers or partners of expectant mothers, or of mothers with babies up to 12 months, who are enrolled in Healthy Babies Home Visiting in Sedgwick County, regardless of race, ethnicity, financial status or legal residency. See the official site for current rules.
1-800-CHILDREN is a free, confidential 24/7 parenting support line and resource directory for Kansas parents and caregivers. Call to talk with a trained resource specialist about any parenting question or concern, without judgment, and get connected to local services, or search the online directory by ZIP code. You can also email, and the line offers free developmental screenings (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) for children up to age 6.
Family Mobile Crisis Helpline (youth 20 and under)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline helps with a mental health or behavioral crisis for any Kansan 20 or younger. Call, text or chat 24/7 to reach a licensed clinician, who can help over the phone, refer you to community resources or stabilization services, or send a local mobile crisis team to meet you in person. A parent, caregiver or the young person can call. It is run by DCF with KDADS, Carelon Behavioral Health, the three KanCare plans and a statewide network of mobile crisis providers.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
In Kansas, 988 is known as the Kansas 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night, to reach a trained crisis counselor for thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use concerns, emotional distress or a hard situation, or if you're worried about someone else. Calls are routed to Kansas crisis centers based on your general location, and counselors can connect you with mobile crisis teams, community services and crisis stabilization when needed.
Kansas community mental health centers and 24-hour crisis lines
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Kansas's community mental health centers (CMHCs) are the public mental health safety net. They offer outpatient counseling and therapy, rehabilitation services and 24-hour crisis help, and they are the gatekeepers for state psychiatric hospital admission. KDADS publishes a list of every CMHC's 24-hour crisis line with the counties each center serves, so you can find the center for your county.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Sliding scale
Who it's for
CMHC services are for anyone in the center's area. The CMHC association says services are available regardless of income, age or type of illness. See the official site for current rules.
SafeLine Kansas and local sexual and domestic violence programs
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)
SafeLine Kansas is a free, confidential 24/7 crisis line for people experiencing sexual or domestic violence, stalking or dating violence. Call or text to talk with an advocate, plan for safety, or get connected to a local program. KCSDV's Find Help page also has a map of local programs across Kansas with phone numbers and websites; you don't have to live in the same town as a program to get help.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger and it is safe to do so, call 911. If calling isn't safe, text SAFE to 847411.
For survivors of sexual or domestic violence, stalking or dating violence, and people who care about them, anywhere in Kansas. See the official site for current rules.
COMCARE's Community Crisis Center is Sedgwick County's 24-hour resource for mental health help and suicide prevention. Call the crisis line any time, or go to the center to see clinical staff. Services include phone crisis help, face-to-face assessment, a mobile crisis unit for people who can't get to the center, and a team that helps children, teens, adults and families after a disaster or traumatic event.
Johnson County Mental Health Center crisis line and mobile crisis
Johnson County Mental Health Center
Johnson County Mental Health Center's crisis team answers local 988 calls and its own crisis line 24/7 for mental health or substance use crises. The team is based at the county's Emergency Communications Center alongside 911 dispatchers. Emergency services also include a mobile crisis response team, co-responders who work with most police departments in the county, and walk-in Access to Care.
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network crisis line and mobile crisis
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network answers 988 calls from Wyandotte County and runs a 24-hour crisis line. A trained counselor listens, tries to calm the crisis over the phone, and can send mobile crisis responders to meet you in the community. Support is offered in English and Spanish, with other languages through interpreters.
For anyone of any age in Wyandotte County, including Kansas City, Kansas, in emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis. See the official site for current rules.
1-800-CHILDREN is a free, confidential 24/7 parenting support line and resource directory for Kansas parents and caregivers. Call to talk with a trained resource specialist about any parenting question or concern, without judgment, and get connected to local services, or search the online directory by ZIP code. You can also email, and the line offers free developmental screenings (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) for children up to age 6.
Head Start and Early Head Start offer free early education, health and family well-being services for young children and their families: Early Head Start for children from birth to 3 and Head Start for ages 3 to 5. The Kansas Head Start Association's locations page lists Kansas programs with their address, phone, website and, for many, the counties they serve; search by county and contact the program directly to apply.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Families must meet federal low-income guidelines or receive benefits such as TANF, and meet age and other rules set by each program. See the official site for current rules.
Infant Toddler Services of Kansas (tiny-k early intervention)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services; local tiny-k programs
Infant Toddler Services of Kansas, often called tiny-k, is the state's early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Every Kansas infant and toddler can get a free developmental evaluation, and children who qualify receive no-cost early intervention services, often in the home. Enter your county or ZIP code on the website to find the local program, then contact it to ask for an evaluation.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas children from birth to age 3 with, or who may have, a developmental delay or disability. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas WIC Program
WIC gives healthy foods on an eWIC card, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to Kansas families who qualify. Start with the online WIC pre-application, and a local WIC agency will contact you to set up an appointment, or contact your local WIC program directly. Bring ID, proof of address and proof of household income for everyone in your home. If you are moving to Kansas from another state's WIC, call your local WIC program instead of using the pre-application.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas residents who are pregnant, breastfeeding (up to the baby's first birthday), non-breastfeeding mothers up to six months after birth, and infants and children under 5. You must meet income guidelines and have a medical or nutritional need. Fathers, grandparents and other caregivers can apply for children in their care. See the official site for current rules.
Healthy Babies Home Visiting gives families in Sedgwick County prenatal and postpartum support through home and office visits from registered nurses and other trained family-support professionals. Every enrolled parent gets at least one prenatal and one postpartum visit, with more based on the family's needs, and families can earn incentives for reaching milestones. Enroll by phone, email or referral form.
For pregnant women and primary caregivers with infants up to 6 months old in Sedgwick County, regardless of race, ethnicity, financial status or legal residency. See the official site for current rules.
Johnson County Department of Health and Environment
Johnson County WIC serves financially eligible women, infants and children under 5. Fathers, stepparents, foster parents, grandparents and guardians are encouraged to apply for children under 5 in their home. Start with the Kansas WIC online pre-application, then bring proof of residency, household income and identity, all dated within the past 30 days. If documents are missing you may get a 30-day temporary certification. People living outside Johnson County can call to ask about an appointment here.
You must have a child under 5 or be pregnant, and be income eligible; you may be automatically income eligible if you take part in certain other programs. See the official site for current rules.
Sedgwick County Fatherhood Program (Healthy Babies)
Sedgwick County Health Department
The Sedgwick County Health Department's Fatherhood Program helps fathers and partners build parenting skills and healthy family relationships using the Fathering in 15 curriculum. Sessions take about 15 minutes each and can be done in person or online at your own pace with help from a Fatherhood Coordinator. Topics cover being a father and partner. Enroll by phone, email, referral form or the online sign-up link.
For fathers or partners of expectant mothers, or of mothers with babies up to 12 months, who are enrolled in Healthy Babies Home Visiting in Sedgwick County, regardless of race, ethnicity, financial status or legal residency. See the official site for current rules.
Sedgwick County WIC offers no-cost healthy foods on an eWIC card, nutrition education with registered dietitians and nurses, breastfeeding support and referrals for pregnant, breastfeeding and new parents and children under 5. Call to make an appointment and bring ID, proof of income and health information for yourself and your children. You may still qualify for WIC based on household income even if your SNAP or Medicaid benefits changed.
Women must meet income guidelines and be pregnant, breastfeeding or recently delivered; children must be under 5. A health check with WIC staff is part of enrollment. See the official site for current rules.
WIC at the Wyandotte County Public Health Department
Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (Public Health Department)
The Unified Government's Public Health Department runs WIC for Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling with registered dietitians, breastfeeding support, immunization screening and referrals. Fill out the online application, and WIC staff will contact you about next steps. At your first appointment, staff do a height, weight and finger-stick check, and if you're eligible you leave with your benefits card. Bring proof of address, income and ID for you and your child, dated within 30 days.
For low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding (up to one year) or recently delivered (up to six months), infants, and children under 5. See the official site for current rules.
Families Together (Kansas Parent Training and Information Center)
Families Together, Inc.
Families Together is Kansas's federally designated Parent Training and Information Center and Family-to-Family Health Information Center. It helps families of children and youth with disabilities or special health care needs understand special education and their rights, work with schools on IEPs, navigate early intervention and health care, and plan for life after high school. Its Parent-to-Parent program matches you with a trained support parent who has faced similar challenges. Workshops and one-on-one help are offered statewide, with a Spanish-language line.
For Kansas families of children and youth (birth to 26) with disabilities, special health care needs, or learning, behavioral, physical, emotional or health challenges. See the official site for current rules.
Infant Toddler Services of Kansas (tiny-k early intervention)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), Kansas Early Childhood Developmental Services; local tiny-k programs
Infant Toddler Services of Kansas, often called tiny-k, is the state's early intervention program for babies and toddlers from birth to age 3 with developmental delays or disabilities. Every Kansas infant and toddler can get a free developmental evaluation, and children who qualify receive no-cost early intervention services, often in the home. Enter your county or ZIP code on the website to find the local program, then contact it to ask for an evaluation.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas children from birth to age 3 with, or who may have, a developmental delay or disability. See the official site for current rules.
Family Mobile Crisis Helpline (youth 20 and under)
Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF)
The Family Mobile Crisis Helpline helps with a mental health or behavioral crisis for any Kansan 20 or younger. Call, text or chat 24/7 to reach a licensed clinician, who can help over the phone, refer you to community resources or stabilization services, or send a local mobile crisis team to meet you in person. A parent, caregiver or the young person can call. It is run by DCF with KDADS, Carelon Behavioral Health, the three KanCare plans and a statewide network of mobile crisis providers.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
In Kansas, 988 is known as the Kansas 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call, text or chat 988 any time, day or night, to reach a trained crisis counselor for thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use concerns, emotional distress or a hard situation, or if you're worried about someone else. Calls are routed to Kansas crisis centers based on your general location, and counselors can connect you with mobile crisis teams, community services and crisis stabilization when needed.
Kansas housing help by county (Kansas Housing Resources Corporation)
Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC)
KHRC's Community Solutions page lets you click your county to find funded local agencies for domestic violence shelter, homelessness prevention and rapid rehousing, tenant-based rental assistance and weatherization. It also points people to United Way 211 for more help.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For Kansas renters, homeowners and people facing homelessness. Each local agency sets its own rules. See the official site for current rules.
Kansas protection orders and the online Protection Order Portal (KSPOP)
Kansas Judicial Branch
A Kansas judge can issue a protection order to help protect someone from abuse, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking. Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders are for abuse or threats by a current or former spouse, someone you live or lived with, or someone you share a child with; Protection from Stalking, Sexual Assault or Human Trafficking orders don't require a relationship. You can apply online from any device through the Kansas Protection Order Portal, which guides you through the forms (about an hour, and you can save and come back) and sends them to the right court. If the judge grants the order, it is emailed to you.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. SafeLine Kansas (1-888-363-2287) can help you plan for safety.
Where
Kansas
Cost
Cost varies
Who it's for
For people in Kansas experiencing abuse, stalking, sexual assault or human trafficking. See the official site for current rules.
SafeLine Kansas and local sexual and domestic violence programs
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)
SafeLine Kansas is a free, confidential 24/7 crisis line for people experiencing sexual or domestic violence, stalking or dating violence. Call or text to talk with an advocate, plan for safety, or get connected to a local program. KCSDV's Find Help page also has a map of local programs across Kansas with phone numbers and websites; you don't have to live in the same town as a program to get help.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger and it is safe to do so, call 911. If calling isn't safe, text SAFE to 847411.
For survivors of sexual or domestic violence, stalking or dating violence, and people who care about them, anywhere in Kansas. See the official site for current rules.
COMCARE's Community Crisis Center is Sedgwick County's 24-hour resource for mental health help and suicide prevention. Call the crisis line any time, or go to the center to see clinical staff. Services include phone crisis help, face-to-face assessment, a mobile crisis unit for people who can't get to the center, and a team that helps children, teens, adults and families after a disaster or traumatic event.
Johnson County Mental Health Center crisis line and mobile crisis
Johnson County Mental Health Center
Johnson County Mental Health Center's crisis team answers local 988 calls and its own crisis line 24/7 for mental health or substance use crises. The team is based at the county's Emergency Communications Center alongside 911 dispatchers. Emergency services also include a mobile crisis response team, co-responders who work with most police departments in the county, and walk-in Access to Care.
Wichita Family Crisis Center (domestic violence shelter)
Wichita Family Crisis Center
The Wichita Family Crisis Center, formerly the YWCA Wichita and its Women's Crisis Center, offers emergency shelter and advocacy for survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking. Shelter is reached through a 24-hour hotline that also gives crisis help and referrals. Outreach advocates help people who don't need shelter with safety planning and other needs, and there are support groups, classes and programming for children who have seen violence.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network crisis line and mobile crisis
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network
Wyandot Behavioral Health Network answers 988 calls from Wyandotte County and runs a 24-hour crisis line. A trained counselor listens, tries to calm the crisis over the phone, and can send mobile crisis responders to meet you in the community. Support is offered in English and Spanish, with other languages through interpreters.
For anyone of any age in Wyandotte County, including Kansas City, Kansas, in emotional distress or a mental health or substance use crisis. See the official site for current rules.
YWCA Northeast Kansas Center for Safety and Empowerment
YWCA Northeast Kansas
The YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment offers free, confidential services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking. Call the 24/7 hotline for help, or contact the Topeka office during the day.
Not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Where
Shawnee County, Jackson County, Brown County, Nemaha County and Wabaunsee County, Kansas
For victims of domestic or sexual violence, stalking or trafficking in Shawnee, Jackson, Brown, Nemaha and Wabaunsee Counties. See the official site for current rules.
These programs serve families anywhere in the U.S., including Kansas.
211 (United Way 211)
United Way 211
Call 211 for confidential help connecting to local community services, such as housing, homelessness, and utility bill assistance. 211.org can also help you find your local 211.
Free, confidential support 24/7 by call, text, or chat. You don't have to be suicidal to reach out; reasons include relationships, economic worries, substance use, depression, and loneliness. Spanish: press 2 or text AYUDA to 988. Veterans: press 1.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care
Helps parents find safe, quality child care in their community that fits their family's needs. It links to each state's or territory's child care websites, where parents can search for child care and consumer education information.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Information site open to everyone. The state programs it links to set their own rules. See the official site for current rules.
A safe, nonjudgmental space by call, text, or chat for anyone concerned about or affected by child abuse. It is not a reporting line and is not connected to 911; the site lists each state's child abuse reporting contacts.
Open to anyone. The hotline may have to share information with authorities if a child is being harmed or someone intends to act on suicidal thoughts. In California, child abuse reports go to your county's CPS line. See the official site for current rules.
Free, confidential, 24/7 support by text message. Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the U.S. to reach a trained volunteer crisis counselor for stress, anxiety, loneliness, substance use, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Available to anyone in the United States. See the official site for current rules.
A federal tax credit that helps low- to moderate-income workers and families reduce taxes owed and possibly increase their refund. The IRS site has a qualification checker and links to free tax preparation help.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For workers with low to moderate income; the amount can depend on children or dependents and other factors. The IRS notes refunds for EITC claims are held until mid-February. See the official site for current rules.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's tool for finding housing, shelter, health care, and clothing resources by location. It also links to help paying rent, applying for a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), talking to a housing counselor, and reporting housing discrimination.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Open to anyone searching. Each local program found through the tool has its own eligibility rules. See the official site for current rules.
Find Your Parent Center (Parent Training and Information Centers)
Center for Parent Information and Resources
A finder for the nearly 100 Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) in the US and territories. These centers work with families of infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities, birth to 26, and help parents take part in their children's education and development.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Cost varies
Who it's for
For families of children and youth with disabilities, birth to 26. Each Parent Center sets its own services. See the official site for current rules.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
A confidential, anonymous search tool for finding mental health and substance use treatment facilities in the United States, with guides on treatment options and paying for treatment.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Free to search. Each facility sets its own intake rules and costs. See the official site for current rules.
Free, confidential, 24/7 support from advocates by call, chat, or text (START to 88788), including crisis intervention, safety planning, and referrals to local resources. Help is available for anyone affected by relationship abuse.
Open to anyone. The Hotline does not give direct financial help (like cash or hotel vouchers) but can connect you with local resources. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. See the official site for current rules.
Free, confidential support for parents, children, and youth from trained Helpline Specialists by call, text, or live chat, available 24/7. Run by Parents Anonymous, which also offers Parents Anonymous support groups.
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse (Fatherhood.gov)
U.S. Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance
A federally funded national resource for fathers. Offers a library of fatherhood resources, activities for dads and kids, topics like co-parenting, blended families, and economic stability, a Program Map to find local fatherhood programs, and a National Call Center for dads.
Support for fathers dealing with depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after a baby arrives. Includes a call/text HelpLine, free peer support such as support groups (including a group for dads) and a peer mentor program, a weekly Chat with an Expert call, and a directory of perinatal mental health providers.
Not for emergencies. The PSI HelpLine is not a crisis hotline and does not handle emergencies. In a crisis, call 988 or your local emergency number, or call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-852-6262 (24/7).
For dads facing perinatal mental health challenges. The PSI HelpLine is not a crisis hotline and does not handle emergencies. You leave a confidential message any time and a trained volunteer returns your call or text; messages are returned every day, within 8am-11pm EST. In a crisis, call 988 or your local emergency number, or call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 833-852-6262 (24/7).
A national campaign with evidence-based guidance to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths, plus tummy time tips and free printable materials for parents and grandparents.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
Free information for anyone caring for a baby. Talk with your child's doctor about your baby's specific needs. See the official site for current rules.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service in English and Spanish for people and families facing mental health or substance use disorders. Connects callers with local treatment, support groups, and community organizations. It does not provide counseling.
Open to anyone. No insurance needed; people without insurance may be referred to state-funded or sliding-fee programs. TTY: 1-800-487-4889. See the official site for current rules.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration
The federal SNAP program provides food benefits to low-income families to help with their grocery budget. In California, SNAP is called CalFresh and you apply through the state.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
For low-income households. In California, apply for CalFresh; the county decides eligibility. See the official site for current rules.
WIC: Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Administration
The federal WIC program provides healthy foods, personalized nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals from pregnancy until a child turns 5. Includes an eligibility checker and a tool to find WIC near you.
Where
Nationwide
Cost
Free
Who it's for
WIC serves women who are pregnant, recently pregnant, or breastfeeding, and babies and kids under 5. USDA says moms, dads, foster parents, and anyone raising kids under 5 can apply for the children in their care. See the official site for current rules.
