Resources
Parents and caregivers of teens interested in learning more about the topics covered in Essentials for Parenting Teens may want to visit some of the online resources listed below.
A complete list of references used to develop Essentials for Parenting teens is also available. Please email dvpinquiries@cdc.gov to request these references.
CDC Resources
Child Development
CDC’s web page on child development includes information on developmental milestones, screening, and positive parenting from infancy through adolescence.
Dating Matters® Toolkit
CDC’s Dating Matters model teaches 11 to 14-year-olds the skills needed to have healthy relationships before they start dating and provides skills to parents and peers to support those healthy relationships. Dating Matters includes seven components for youth, their peers, families, schools, and neighborhoods. The Dating Matters Toolkit has everything a community needs to implement the programs, including trainings, program materials, and other resources.
Essentials for Childhood Framework
CDC’s Essentials for Childhood Framework includes ways to promote healthy relationships and environments that can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world where every child can thrive.
Parent Information
This site contains a wealth of information from across all of CDC, covering everything from safety at home and the community to immunization schedules and developmental milestones.
Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Training
ACEs affect young children, teens and families in all communities. ACEs come in many forms and can have long-term impacts on health and well-being into adulthood. This accredited online training can help you understand, recognize, and prevent ACEs from happening in the first place.
Other Federal Resources
Promoting Self-Regulation in Adolescents and Young Adults: A Practice Brief | Administration for Children and Families (ACF)
This brief reviews the importance of self-regulation for adolescents and young adults and provides guidelines for supporting self-regulation development for 14 to 25-year-olds.
Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator | Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
This resource is a confidential, anonymous source of information for anyone seeking treatment for substance use/addiction and or/ mental health problems in the United States or U.S. Territories.
Additional Online Resources
Healthy Children – American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and its member pediatricians dedicate their efforts and resources to the health, safety, and well-being of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. AAP develops guidelines on various health issues and distributes a wide range of patient education materials, organized on the Healthy Children site by “Ages and Stages” and topics.
Info About Kids- American Psychological Association
Leaders in the American Psychological Association (APA) formed a consortium to develop this online resource center for behavioral science-based information on children, youth, and families.
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM): Tools for Supporting Youth and Teens
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), with funding from CDC, developed resources, based on cognitive behavioral therapy, for parents and other trusted adults to help youth and teens with stress, anxiety, and depression.
Emergency Resources
Essentials for Parenting Teens is designed as a foundation of information and advice, but some challenges require additional resources and support.
If you or your teen are ever in immediate danger, please dial 911.
There are other resources that help parents, caregivers or teens speak with someone immediately to handle a crisis. These national resources are free, confidential, and available 24/7:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline | Call or text 988 | Chat at 988lifeline.org | For people experiencing mental health-related distress or worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.
- Crisis Text Line | Text HOME to 741741 | Chat at crisistextline.org/ |Text with a Crisis Counselor, a real human trained to bring texters from a hot moment to a cool calm through active listening and collaborative problem-solving.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline | 1-800-662-HELP (4357) | For individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- Love is Respect National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline | Text LOVEIS to 22522| Call 1-866-331-9474 | A project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, love is respect offers 24/7 information, support, and advocacy to young people between the ages of 13 and 26 who have questions or concerns about their romantic relationships.
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline | 1-800-656-4673 | Call to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area, or visit the website to chat with a support specialist online.
- Domestic Violence Hotline | Text START to 88788 | 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) | Chat online at thehotline.org | For anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline | Call or text 1-800-422-4453 | Chat at childhelphotline.org | Get more information about child abuse, report abuse, or speak with a counselor.
- National Resources on Substance Abuse Partnership to End Addiction | Drug-Free America has information for families and young people facing addiction, including a helpline, peer support, and tools and resources.