CHILD CARE
See answers to frequently asked questions about child care for families looking for care and those interested in providing care. Learn about registration requirements for family child care homes, types of child care, obtaining financial assistance for child care, trainings for providers, child support enforcement and more.

EARLY CHILDHOOD WELLNESS PROGRAM       
Learn about wellness programs for infants through pre-school-aged children.

PARENT INFANT EDUCATION PROGRAM
Get information on the Parent Infant Education Program (PIE), which provides early intervention supports and services to infants and toddlers who are not developing as expected or who have a medical condition that can delay normal development. 

ALX Preschool, a network of programs providing high quality care and education to children, has opened applications for families with children ages 3 and 4. Families are encouraged to register their children for the next school year.

Research shows that kids who attend quality preschool in addition to the learning they do at home, have higher math and reading skills, are better prepared for kindergarten, have fewer behavioral problems in class, and are more likely to graduate from high school and attend college.

Families can apply for ALX Preschool online and expect to be contacted by a preschool registrar within 10 business days to continue the application process. Registrars walk parents through the enrollment process to alleviate registration challenges for families and childcare providers.

Through this coordinated enrollment system, eligible children are matched with one of 16 public and private providers in Alexandria, or the family is given a referral. Providers offer:

• Sites with varying hours to meet the needs of families.
• Evidence-based curriculums that emphasize language development, social skills, problem-solving skills and physical development.
• Early literacy, math, science, social studies, art, music and physical activities.
• Diverse cultural experiences.
• Breakfast, lunch and snacks.
• Health and wellness services for children and families.

To be eligible, the child must be age 3 by September 30, reside in the City of Alexandria, and the family must meet the income eligibility guidelines.  Eligibility is determined through the online application, which is available in English, Amharic, Dari, Spanish and Arabic. Anyone in need of assistance with the application can call 703.746.5437 or email ALXPreschool@alexandriava.gov.

ALX Preschool is a program of Kids’ First Years, a partnership of organizations that work to build an equitable and accessible early care and education system for all young children. Visit kidsfirstyears.org for more information.

For media inquiries only, contact Robin Crawley, Early Childhood Services Division Chief, Department of Community and Human Services, at robin.crawley@alexandriava.gov or 703.887.8039.

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES FOR YOUTH
Information about resources available to youth looking for support with their mental health and substance abuse.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR CHILD'S MENTAL HEALTH
General information and resources to access services in the City of Alexandria.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Information about services offered for youth with serious mental health, substance use or behavioral challenges, and/or significant trauma.

RAISE TRAUMA INFORMED NETWORK
Resilience Alexandria: Inform. Support. Elevate. (RAISE) is Alexandria’s Trauma Informed Community Network. RAISE aims to build a more equitable, safe, trauma-informed, and resilient Alexandria by informing, supporting, and elevating our community.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
Information about reporting child abuse and neglect, signs of potential child abuse and neglect, and child supervision guidelines.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TRAINING
Learn about child abuse prevention training opportunities and the Child Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria.

CHILD WELFARE PROGRAMS
Information about programs and services related to foster care, kinship care, fatherhood engagement, and efforts to support children in foster care and children at risk of abuse and neglect.

FUND FOR ALEXANDRIA'S CHILD
The Fund for Alexandria’s Child works to enhance the quality of life of children in foster care and children at risk of abuse and neglect by promoting community awareness, involvement, and resource development; ensuring each child has their basic needs met; and providing life-enhancing, life-enriching opportunities for children.

THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES ACT (CSA) 

Information about the Children's Services Act, a Virginia state law designed to coordinate care and provide funding to support eligible at-risk youth and their families.

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Learn about services for school-aged children that promote healthy youth development and prevent alcohol and drug use, pregnancy, emotional problems, violence and school drop-out.

THE ALEXANDRIA CAMPAIGN ON ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY (ACAP)
ACAP works collaboratively for and with youth to achieve lifetime success through active involvement and personal commitment. ACAP works to prevent adolescent pregnancy through culturally and age-appropriate education, advocacy, technical assistance, direct service prevention programs and public awareness. 

PROJECT DISCOVERY EMPOWERMENT AND COLLEGE PREP
Project Discovery prepares and motivates low income and first-generation college-eligible students to access opportunities in higher education. 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COALITION OF ALEXANDRIA (SAPCA)
SAPCA is an alliance of parents, youth, schools, city health and recreation agencies, media, nonprofits, businesses, policymakers, and law enforcement. SAPCA works to engage diverse sectors of the community in substance abuse prevention efforts.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH COMMUNITY PLAN (CYCP)

Learn about the Children & Youth Community Plan (CYCP), a roadmap for how people can come together to create the conditions in Alexandria for all children and youth to thrive today and tomorrow.