Family Resource Centers

The Family Resource Centers are a place for families raising children with special needs to find knowledge and support as they navigate through their health care journey. While the Long Beach Family Resource Center is located in Miller Children’s Hospital and supports patients and their families who are hospitalized, services are also available to all families in the community. Parent support initiatives, such as the Parent-to-Parent Mentor Program, Supporting Kids With Diabetes (SKWD), Type 1 Diabetic Playgroup and the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Program, are designed to support parents while their child is hospitalized and serve as a supportive resource, building a sense of "community" after discharge.

A Place for Knowledge and Support

The Family Resource Centers offer families the opportunity to conduct research, read books and watch videos about their children’s conditions, stay in touch with family members via e-mail or enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.

Additional support and complimentary comforts offered:

• More than 500 books and videos are available for leisure and educational purposes, such as disease and disability related info.
• Informational brochures on medical conditions, disability and parenting.
• Workshops and trainings, designed to help parents in addressing the needs of their child and family, are ongoing throughout the year.
• Parent support groups meet regularly in the family resource centers.
• Referral to community agencies and support groups that assist with parents of children with special needs.
• Parent-to-parent support.
• Translation services.
• Family resource calendar to help keep important appointments and reference community resource listings.
• Access to the internet and phones.
• Coffee, water and snacks.
• Toiletries for unexpected hospital visits.
• 24-hour phone line that can be used by families to make calls.

The Warmline

The “Warmline” is part of the Family Resource Center and provides a 24-hour-a-day bilingual phone system for parent-to-parent support, information and referral. This line is operated by trained parents. Parents and professionals can leave a message and their call will be returned within 48 hours. The telephone number is (562) 933-8048.

Locations

The Long Beach Family Resource Center is located in the Van Kamp Library on the second floor of Miller Children’s Hospital across from the elevators. There is a satellite office of the Long Beach Family Resource Center located at Miller West, just outside the double doors of the unit.

Contact the Family Resource Center:
Cynthia Enriquez
Call: 562-933-8048
Fax: 562-933-8430