Across Chicago, parents looking for community and reliable support are finding it through neighborhood-based parent networks that meet families where they live. From playdates in Logan Square to home visits in the western suburbs, organizations such as Neighborhood Parents Network and Family Focus offer free and low-cost programs that help parents connect, learn and thrive. 

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Neighborhood Parents Network (NPN) connects Chicago parents with local resources, family events, and peer support groups. The nonprofit hosts playdates, workshops on school admissions, and monthly meetings for parents of children with developmental differences. Many programs are offered both in person and virtually, making it easy for busy families to take part. Advanced registration is required for most events.

  • Address: 3320 W. Foster Ave., Suite 138, Chicago
  • Cost: Membership required for some programs; many events are free for members and nonmembers
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Expectant parents, new parents and families with children through high school
  • Indoor/outdoor: Mix of indoor and virtual programs; some outdoor events seasonally
  • Stroller-friendly options: Most family events welcome strollers; venue details vary by location
  • Parking: Limited street parking at the main office; event locations vary
  • Accessibility: Most venues are ADA accessible; virtual options available for many programs

The Chicago Parent Program (CPP) is a research-based parenting course that helps parents of children ages 2-8 strengthen skills, build confidence and improve family relationships. Sessions run for 12 weeks and are led by trained facilitators at local partner sites in Chicago and surrounding areas. Registration is required for each group series.

  • Address: Locations vary; main office at 525 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore (developed through Johns Hopkins School of Nursing), with Chicago sessions hosted through community agencies
  • Cost: Free or sliding scale at most community partner sites; cost varies by location
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers of children ages 2-8
  • Indoor/outdoor: Indoor classroom setting
  • Stroller-friendly options: Most locations provide accessible meeting spaces
  • Parking: Varies by host site; contact location for details
  • Accessibility: Designed to be inclusive; ADA access and language support available at many sites

Family Focus supports parents, grandparents and caregivers across the Chicagoland area with free or low-cost programs that strengthen families and promote child development. Services include parenting classes, immigrant support, home visits, fatherhood programs and assistance for grandparents raising grandchildren. Most programs require advanced registration and are offered at community centers in multiple neighborhoods.

  • Address: 910 W. Van Buren St., Suite 400, Chicago
  • Cost: Free or sliding scale depending on the program
  • Area: Chicago (program centers also in north/northwest, west and south suburbs)
  • Age fit: Parents, caregivers and families with children from birth through young adulthood
  • Indoor/outdoor: Primarily indoor programs and classes
  • Stroller-friendly options: Most centers welcome families with young children; stroller details vary by location
  • Parking: Limited street and nearby paid parking; availability depends on the center
  • Accessibility: Most centers are ADA accessible; bilingual and interpretation services available

The West Suburban Parenting Program, offered through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, provides free home visits, parent groups and support for income-qualifying pregnant women and parents with children from birth to age 3. Parent coaches use the Parents as Teachers curriculum to guide families in child development, bonding and overall well-being. Registration is required.

  • Address: Broadview, Hillside, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake and Westchester; main office at 721 N. LaSalle St., Chicago
  • Cost: Free for eligible families
  • Area: Western suburbs
  • Age fit: Pregnant women and parents with children from birth to age 3
  • Indoor/outdoor: Home-based and indoor group settings
  • Stroller-friendly options: Home visits and group sites accommodate young children
  • Parking: Parking details vary by location
  • Accessibility: Services provided in families’ homes and local community centers; accessibility accommodations available upon request

The Parent Empowerment Program from Kids Above All offers free home visits and virtual parent groups for low-income families with children ages 0-3 in Chicago, Kane, Lake and Suburban Cook Counties. Parent educators visit homes twice a month using the Parents as Teachers curriculum to help families support healthy development and strengthen parent-child relationships. Advanced registration is required.

  • Address: 8765 W. Higgins Road, Suite 450, Chicago
  • Cost: Free for eligible families
  • Area: Chicago and Suburban Cook, Kane, and Lake Counties
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers with children ages 0-3
  • Indoor/outdoor: Home-based and virtual programming
  • Stroller-friendly options: Home visits accommodate infants and toddlers
  • Parking: Limited on-site and street parking at main office
  • Accessibility: Services available in English and Spanish; virtual options and in-home accessibility support offered

SGA Youth & Family Services provides free, year-round parenting and early childhood programs for families in Chicago and surrounding counties. Founded in 1911, the agency focuses on breaking cycles of poverty through education, workforce development and parenting support. Programs like the Midwest Healthy Start Initiative offer prenatal care, breastfeeding education and family wellness resources. Registration is required for all programs.

  • Address: 11 E. Adams St., Suite 240, Chicago
  • Cost: Free for eligible families
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Expectant parents and families with children from birth through early childhood
  • Indoor/outdoor: Primarily indoor group and educational settings
  • Stroller-friendly options: Family programs welcome infants and young children; stroller details vary by site
  • Parking: Limited street and paid lot parking nearby
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible; bilingual services and health accommodations available

Rush University Medical Center’s Parent-to-Parent Support Groups connect Chicago-area families with free, community-based and virtual parenting resources. Programs include NAMI mental health groups, The Answer Inc. autism support, Parents Care and Share meetings, and the Fussy Baby Network hotline and drop-in sessions. Each group has its own schedule and meeting format, and most require advanced registration.

  • Address: 1620 W. Harrison St., Chicago
  • Cost: Free for all families
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Parents, caregivers and families of children from infancy through adolescence
  • Indoor/outdoor: Mostly indoor or virtual sessions, depending on group
  • Stroller-friendly options: Some family sessions welcome infants and young children
  • Parking: Paid hospital parking and nearby garages available
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible; many programs offered in English and Spanish, with virtual participation options

The NAMI Support for Parents group offers free, peer-led meetings for parents and caregivers of children or adults with mental health conditions. Sessions follow a structured format that allows everyone to share experiences, find coping tools and build community. Groups meet weekly or monthly, both virtually and in person, and registration is recommended.

  • Address: PO Box 474, Barrington
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: North/northwest suburbs
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers of individuals with mental health concerns
  • Indoor/outdoor: Indoor or virtual sessions
  • Stroller-friendly options: Designed for adults only
  • Parking: Depends on meeting site; details provided after registration
  • Accessibility: Virtual options available; in-person locations are ADA accessible

Saint Anthony Hospital’s Community Wellness Program offers free parenting education and developmental support for families with young children. Programs include the Developmental Support Project for children birth to age 8, the Little Explorers play group and the ACT Against Violence workshops for parents raising safe kids. ACT workshops run for nine to 11 weeks in English and Spanish, and registration is required.

  • Address: 2875 W. 19th St., Chicago
  • Cost: Free; child care often provided during workshops
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers with children birth to age 8
  • Indoor/outdoor: Indoor group sessions and home-based developmental services
  • Stroller-friendly options: Family programs welcome infants and young children
  • Parking: On-site and nearby street parking available
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible; bilingual services offered in English and Spanish

A House in Austin offers free and low-cost parent programs focused on mindfulness, connection and practical life skills. Parents can join support groups, nutrition-focused My Fresh Table classes, finance workshops and book club discussions. Every adult session includes a concurrent children’s program, making it easy for parents to attend. Registration is recommended.

  • Address: 533 N. Pine Ave., Chicago
  • Cost: Free or low-cost depending on program
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers; children of all ages welcome for concurrent programs
  • Indoor/outdoor: Indoor group sessions and community gatherings
  • Stroller-friendly options: Yes, stroller-friendly and family-inclusive
  • Parking: Limited street parking available
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible; children’s programming available during all adult sessions

Children’s Place Association provides free and low-cost support for families in under-resourced Chicago neighborhoods. Programs include housing assistance, trauma-informed mental health counseling, early childhood education and family case management. Services are tailored to each family’s needs to promote stability, health and long-term resilience. Registration or referral is recommended.

  • Address: 11 E. Adams St., Suite 1550, Chicago
  • Cost: Free or sliding scale depending on program
  • Area: Chicago
  • Age fit: Families with children of all ages
  • Indoor/outdoor: Primarily indoor and home-based services
  • Stroller-friendly options: Family programs welcome infants and young children
  • Parking: Paid garage and limited street parking nearby
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible; bilingual staff and interpretation services available

STAR NET Region II & VI connects parents of children with developmental delays or disabilities to free educational workshops, networking opportunities, and local support groups across Chicagoland. Families can access group meetings for conditions like Down syndrome, autism, hearing loss, and selective mutism, as well as general parent networks and sibling support. Advanced registration is encouraged for most sessions.

  • Address: Based in Lombard, serving McHenry, Kane, Lake, DuPage, Will, Kankakee, Kendall, Grundy, La Salle, Southern Cook County, and Northwest Cook County
  • Cost: Free
  • Area: North/northwest and south suburbs
  • Age fit: Parents and caregivers of children with developmental or learning differences
  • Indoor/outdoor: Primarily indoor and virtual sessions
  • Stroller-friendly options: Adult-focused; children typically do not attend sessions
  • Parking: Free parking available at most host sites
  • Accessibility: ADA accessible venues; virtual participation and interpreter services available