Family and Community Engagement Resources
See all the resources below for more information on how to support your child or young adult's education, community resources for basic needs as well as information about adult learning.
Community Resources
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada matches children facing adversity with caring adult mentors to build strong, supportive one-to-one relationships. These connections help youth develop confidence, achieve educational success, and reach their full potential, ultimately strengthening families and communities. This meaningful work is made possible through the support of dedicated volunteers and partners.
Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
Since 1985, the Children’s Cabinet’s mission has been to keep children safe and families together by providing services and resources that address unmet needs through a unique and effective cooperative effort between the private sector and public agencies in Nevada.
Community Health Alliance provides medical, dental and behavioral health services.
Community Services Agency (CSA) Reno
Community Services Agency offers free infant & toddler care and preschool services to low-income children and families.
In response to community mental health needs, The Children’s Cabinet, Renown Health, Washoe County School District, and the Nevada Office of Suicide Prevention have partnered to strengthen care networks for teens, adolescents, and their families. Together, they aim to reduce deaths by suicide through expanded prevention and family-centered support, improve behavioral health data efforts, enhance coordination among community services and healthcare providers, develop unified communication to reduce mental health stigma, and expand innovative intervention programs across diverse environments.
Education Alliance of Washoe County
The Education Alliance of Washoe County’s Redfield Community Outreach Program provides underserved elementary and middle school students with opportunities to access and experience local cultural resources such as the Nevada Museum of Art, The Discovery Museum, and Sierra Nevada Journeys. Guided by a mission to foster educational excellence and student achievement, the Education Alliance collaborates with diverse community, civic, business, and industry partners—including The Chamber, EDAWN, the Nell J. Redfield Foundation, and local Rotary Clubs—to connect education with community and expand meaningful learning opportunities.
Feeding the hungry today and solving hunger for tomorrow through community partnership.
Learn about food access across the U.S. and find helpful resources on food assistance programs, nutrition, hunger, and where food is available.
JTNN - Join Together Northern Nevada
JTNN works to build a healthy, drug-free community through prevention, education, outreach, and support. They provide resources for families seeking information about drugs, alcohol, self-care, and ways to start important conversations. Because substance abuse affects communities everywhere—including Washoe County—JTNN offers help for those facing addiction, access to local data, and guidance for anyone wanting to better understand substance use issues and find support.
Click on the link to take a Parent Interest Survey. Survey in English
Nevada Urban Indians, Inc. provides medical services to all Native Americans and other populations in the Reno-Sparks community and outlying areas.
Northern Nevada Hopes is a community health center providing medical and wellness services to individuals and families.
Northern Nevada Public Health provides community and clinical health services.
The Washoe County Library System offers many resources to families and students from books, online resources, events and other resources.
WCSD Child & Family Services Department
The mission of the Child and Family Services Department is to prepare children to be successful in school by building a strong home-school connection with parents to support their children through educational and school readiness activities and to support the statewide early childhood community through professional development training and resources.
The Family Resource Center serves anyone who lives in the surrounding community. There are no income qualifications to use the Family Resource Center, although some referrals to other services may be limited according to income guidelines. The Family Resource Center serves children, teens, parents, single adults, and seniors.
Adult Education
Northern Nevada Literacy Council
The Northern Nevada Literacy Council (NNLC) supports low-income, low-literacy adult learners in achieving their educational goals while promoting positive family literacy practices at home. NNLC offers High School Equivalency preparation, English language classes, and Citizenship classes, as well as a Family Reading Program that helps parents strengthen their children’s reading development. These programs empower adults to build skills, pursue opportunities, and support their families.
RISE Academy for Adult Achievement
At RISE, we provide innovative and flexible programs in a supportive culture to personalize the educational experience for adults. Students graduate empowered to rise to their full potential with the knowledge and skills to be college and career ready.
Family Support Resources
Learning Heroes provides helpful tips and fun interactive activities to support learning at home, recognizing that families know their children best. With simple, practical tools and resources, they partner with caregivers to help children reach their goals—because even superheroes need a team.
Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
Family involvement plays an important role in student achievement and has a positive impact on student achievement. Families are partners within the MTSS process. Families need information about the process when their child is first identified as possibly at-risk or is struggling in school. Communication and teamwork throughout the MTSS process improves results for all students.
National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI
NAMI is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of millions of Americans affected by mental illness.
Click here for National Alliance on Mental Illness website
Click here for NAMI Western Nevada
The National PTA has resources, tools and information to support your child's learning such as Parent’s Guide to Student Success, Our Children Magazine, Family Guides, and much more. PTA's mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
Nevada PEP provides support, guidance, and disability-related training to help families to learn more about their child’s disability and needs. Through a strong network of families, parent groups, professionals, community organizations, and policymakers, they work to increase opportunities for success at home, in school, and in the community for children with disabilities or emotional challenges. Their mission is grounded in education, encouragement, and empowerment.
Resource List: Stigma, Suicide, and Solutions to Our Youth Mental Health Crisis
Truckee Meadows Tomorrow:
Did you know that children and teenagers have far less access to mental health and substance abuse services in Nevada than in most other states? And that Mental Health America ranked Nevada 51st among states in seven categories of youths at risk? Psychological and emotional disturbances, substance abuse disorders, major depressive episodes and suicide rates are on the rise statewide. Learn what is what is being done to battle this growing issue.
Please use this list of incredible local, regional, and national resources to help you and your loved ones navigate mental health concerns.
You do not need to go it alone.
It’s never too early to start saving for your child’s college education, and finding the right option can make a big difference. Savingforcollege.com is an unbiased resource that has helped families since 1999, offering tools and information on 529 college savings plans and strategies to prepare for rising college costs.
Technology Learning Supports for Families
These programs provide family support for the WCSD elementary curriculum that students are learning in their classrooms.
UNR Cooperative Extension provides research-based programs and practical guidance to support children, youth, and families. Through offerings such as the Family Storyteller Literacy Program, Exploring Safety for young children, and Grow Yourself Healthy, they deliver trusted information, training, and resources that help families succeed and thrive.
WCSD Volunteer Services recruits volunteers from the community to provide academic support to 103 WCSD schools in areas such as tutoring, classroom staff aides and family support.
Resources to Support Online Learning & More!
Financial Aid/Scholarships
Search for scholarships, colleges, financial aid and more.
Complete the FASFA form to apply for financial aid for college or graduate school.
Scholarship opportunity for graduating Nevada high school students to attend community college.
Scholarship opportunities for students living in Nevada and/or attending a college or university in Nevada.
Financial Literacy
How to Identify and Address Financial Child Abuse
Financial child abuse involves the misuse of a child's financial resources, leading to long-term financial damage. If suspected, document evidence, report to authorities and seek advice to protect the child’s financial well-being.
How to Plan and Manage Finances as Co-Parents
Co-parenting is a collaborative approach to raising children after separation or in non-traditional family structures, prioritizing the child’s well-being and shared responsibility. It requires open communication, joint decision-making, and strategic financial planning—such as budgeting, splitting expenses, and using tools to manage costs. By working together, co-parents can create a fair financial foundation that supports their children and strengthens their partnership.
Learning for All Ages
The Discovery Museum is a hands-on learning experience for all ages. Its exhibits and galleries are based on the themes of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) to inspire curiosity and promote further investigation.
KNPB- PBS Reno offers a variety of programs for all ages.
The Parent Toolkit has helpful tips and resources to support kids in PreK - College.
Washoe County Library offers a large variety of books, digital books, homework help, online resources for parents and kids and much more.
Washoe County Library Systems - Stand Against Hate: Books for All Ages
Recommended "Must-Reads" on racism and anti-racism for everyone.
Literacy Resources
ABCya has fun educational games for kids in PreK - 6th grade.
Best in Class Education Center
Best In Class Education Center provides in-person, classroom style math and English tutoring support for K-12 students.
Huntington Learning Center has in-person and online K-12 tutoring in math, reading, writing, and science. They also offer tutoring to build study skills, ADHD tutoring and with test prep.
K12 Reader provides resources for reading comprehension, English grammar, etc.
Khan Academy offers free online support to kids in prek and into college with math, science, language arts, test preps, and much more.
Kumon Math and Reading Center is an after-school academic enrichment program to help kids achieve academic success. There are 3 locations in the Reno-Sparks area.
LearningPlanet has fun learning activities in math and language arts for kids in 1st - 8th grades.
NeoK12 has a large selection of educational games, puzzles, videos and quizzes on math, language arts, science, social studies and more for kids K-12.
Oxford Owl offers book recommendations, free ebooks, reading tips, practice activities for kids ages 3 to 11 years.
PBS Kids offers fun interactive learning games in math, reading, science, and more for kids ages 2-8.
PrimaryGames offers a large selection of free learning and action games in math, language arts, social studies, and science for kids in 1st - 8th grades
Read Write Think offers parent and after-school resources, including fun activities, projects, games, tips, and book suggestions—providing engaging learning opportunities both in and out of school.
Reading Rockets has a large selection of books for young readers, reading tips for parents, interactive activities, etc.
Scholastic for Parents has expert-approved books for kids just learning to read, activities & printables, book clubs, etc.
Starfall offers fun learning activities to kids in PreK - 3rd grade in math and language arts.
Storyline Online are available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators. Storyline Online also offers supplemental curriculum aiming to strengthen comprehension, verbal and written skills.
Math Resources
ABCya has fun educational games for kids in PreK - 6th grade.
Best in Class Education Center
Best In Class Education Center provides in-person, classroom style math and English tutoring support for K-12 students.
Discovering how math is intertwined in our everyday activities and interactions. The National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement (NAFSCE) Center for Family Math provides the resources, collaboration, and communications necessary to help educators, advocates, researchers, and families advance family math practices that work for families from all walks of life.
Family and Community Mathematics Resources for families from kindergarten to 6th grade.
Huntington Learning Center has in-person and online K-12 tutoring in math, reading, writing, and science. They also offer tutoring to build study skills, ADHD tutoring and with test prep.
Free math support including step-by-step lessons, games, calculators, and more. Get help with algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics, trigonometry, and other subjects.
GeoGebra
Explore free, interactive geometry resources organized by grade level, making it easy to find what you need. Perfect for students and families in grades 4–12 to support learning at home or school.
Khan Academy offers free online support to kids in prek and into college with math, science, language arts, test preps, and much more.
Kumon Math and Reading Center is an after-school academic enrichment program to help kids achieve academic success. There are 3 locations in the Reno-Sparks area
Mangahigh is a game-based math learning site where students ages 7-16 years play math-based games as a fun way to learn new concepts and apply knowledge.
Mathnasium The Math Learning Center
Mathnasium offers math tutoring support for K-12 students. There are 3 locations in the Reno-Sparks area.
Minecraft is an educational virtual game that promotes creativity, problem-solving, collaboration, self-direction and other life skills.
PBS Kids offers fun interactive learning games in math, reading, science, and more for kids ages 2-8.
Starfall offers fun learning activities to kids in PreK - 3rd grade in math and language arts.
Parent Roadmaps for math, developed by the Council of Great City Schools, provide strategies, tips, and activities to help families support K–12 math learning at home and understand what students are expected to learn at each grade level.
Nevada Academic Standards
Parent Roadmaps - English Language Arts & Mathematics
Parent Roadmaps offer families clear guidance on what students will be learning in grades K–12 and how to support their progress at home. These resources, created by the Council of the Great City Schools, are available for both English language arts/literacy and mathematics, and are offered in English and Spanish.
WCSD Family Guides to Learning
WCSD Family Guides to Learning provide parents an overview of the grade level content and explain what their child will be learning.
Online Textbook Help
High School Course Guides - for Geometry, Honors Algebra, PreCalculus with Trig, and more.
Middle School Course Guides – Science Essential Standards & Evidence Statements,
High School Course Guides for biology, chemistry, physical science, earth science, environmental science and more.
Post Secondary Resources
Sierra Nevada College is a private four-year university located on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Its mission is to graduate students who are both scholars and active contributors to a sustainable world. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum, Sierra Nevada University integrates the liberal arts with professional preparation, emphasizing entrepreneurial thinking and environmental, social, economic, and educational sustainability.
Truckee Meadows Community College
Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is a two-year institution offering a wide range of academic programs and opportunities to earn a degree, pursue personal enrichment, or build career skills. Known as northern Nevada’s “jobs college,” TMCC prepares students with the training and qualifications needed for in-demand careers throughout the region.
UNR offers different types of degrees, certificates and licensures, as well as information on admissions and tuition; housing, dining, financial aid, scholarships, and much more.
Test Prep
Test Prep
Practice and prepare for the ACT. Find information about test registration, dates, and resources for college and career planning.
Tutoring and test help and prep
College, and career test prep options
Prepare for the SAT with practice resources and key information about registration and scheduled test dates.
Vocational & Trade School Programs
Milan Institute of Cosmetology
Milan Institute and Milan Institute of Cosmetology provide career-focused training in California, Nevada, and Texas in the fields of healthcare, beauty, and massage therapy. Take the next step toward your goals and become a licensed professional in your state.
Explore what to expect in esthetician programs, how to become a medical assistant, and what massage therapy training involves. Schedule a campus tour today to learn more.
Sierra Nevada Job Corps helps eligible young people between ages 16-24 to complete their high school education and provides them with opportunities to get hands on vocational training.