Navigating parenthood: a wealth of resources for families in Miami-Dade County

Parenting brings a continuous array of growth opportunities and intricate experiences. While it empowers parents to raise healthier and happier kids than ever, the abundance of information and choices can also make the parenting journey more intricate. Balancing work and family life, fostering early development and ensuring comprehensive care for children across various settings demand seemingly endless decisions. The good news is, in Miami-Dade County, parents have a supportive community to navigate these challenges together.

Since its inception in 2002, The Children’s Trust has been on a mission to plan, advocate and fund programs that benefit children and families in the county. As we embark on a new year, families have the opportunity to utilize the services and resources provided by The Trust, through free or low-cost programming through its dedicated and extended network of program providers.

From newborns to young adults with special needs, The Trust offers a wide array of programs aimed at helping children and youth develop and maximize their potential. However, with so many choices available, finding the right programs for your family’s needs can be a daunting task. To simplify this process, The Trust has recently relaunched its new and improved “Find-A-Program” page at TheChildrensTrust.org/FindAProgram on its website. The new page lists early learning, after-school, summer camp and other programming for school age children, as well as family support, benefits enrollment and special needs programs.

As we step into 2024, here are some highlighted programs and events that parents should be aware of to make the most of the year:

Thrive by 5 Initiative: Recognizing the critical development stage between birth and 5 years old, The Trust prioritizes early learning through its Thrive by 5 initiative, TheChildrensTrust.org/Thrive-by-5. The Children’s Trust Book Club, a popular program under this initiative, offers free monthly books and reading guides to children from birth until their fifth birthday in Miami-Dade County. With nearly 45,000 members, the Book Club invites more families to join by visiting The Children’s Trust Book Club at TheChildrensTrust.org/BookClub or texting “READ” to 786.460.CLUB (2582).

Parent Club Workshops: For parents seeking to enhance their relationships with their children or connect with other parents, The Trust offers free Parent Club workshops throughout the county. Available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole, these workshops cover relevant topics on raising successful, healthy and happy children and youth. Learn more and register for virtual or in-person workshops at The Children’s Trust Parent Club at TheChildrensTrust.org/ParentClub.

Just Ball League: In collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Miami-Dade County and Griffin Catalyst, The Trust introduced free league soccer play for kids aged 11-17. With more than 50 new soccer mini pitches scheduled to be built by 2026, the Just Ball League focuses on the physical, emotional and social growth of children. Discover more at The Children’s Trust Soccer page at TheChildrensTrust.org/Soccer.

Young Talent Big Dreams Competition: Kids in Miami-Dade County with music, acting, or performing talents can showcase their skills and potentially win big prizes by participating in the Young Talent Big Dreams competition, sponsored by The Trust and Actors’ Playhouse. Auditions start in late March at different locations in the county. More information is available at ActorsPlayHouse.org.

Summer Youth Internship Program: Rising 10th-12th-graders attending a Miami-Dade County Public Schools high school or charter high school can sign up for the Summer Youth Internship Program, engaging in a five-week internship at various businesses and organizations across the county. The program includes interview experiences, working with professionals and gaining real-world job experiences. Participants receive a stipend and academic credit for their internship. Visit miami.getmyinterns.org for more information.

Family Expo Events: Throughout the summer, ahead of the next school year, The Trust will host its annual Family Expo events. These events provide families with the opportunity to connect with The Trust’s extensive provider network and other community agencies, while receiving back-to-school resources and having fun with their family. All for free. For location details and more information, visit The Children’s Trust Family Expo page at TheChildrensTrust.org/FamilyExpo closer to the summer.

Stay informed throughout the year by checking The Trust’s website and social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn) for updates on events and activities. Additionally, parents and caregivers can explore 211miami.org or call 2-1-1 for listings of summer camps, after-school programs, and other free and low-cost programming.

Parenting is a shared journey, and with the support of The Children’s Trust, families in Miami-Dade County can navigate it with confidence and access the resources they need for their children’s well-being and development.

Juliette Fabien, MBA RN, Chief Programs Officer at The Children’s Trust, has extensive experience in public health, continuous quality improvement and case management. Her responsibilities with The Trust involve overseeing a team of human services professionals, directing The Trust’s funding initiatives and ensuring that services meet the needs of the children and families of Miami-Dade County.

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