This free community service is offered by St. Louis Children's Hospital. In existence for more than 20 years, this line is dedicated to giving health advice and information pertaining to children from newborn to 21 years of age. The 454 KIDS line is staffed by pediatric nurses from St. Louis Children's Hospital, who average more than 10 years of experience. The answer line offers advice and instructions if your child is sick, tips to assist you in understanding your child's growth and development, help in finding a St. Louis Children's Hospital pediatricia or pediatric specialist, and registration for classes and events offered by St. Louis Children's Hospital. The answer line should never replace a call to your child's physician, 911 or poison control.
Mom's Groups/Mothering Support
Mother to Mother
Provides telephone support and encouragement to women with postpartum adjustment disorder. Also holds an informal peer support group for women experiencing emotional difficulties during postpartum or pregnancy.
Women’s Healthcare Partnership
425 North New Ballas, Ste. 195
Creve Coeur 63141
(314) 991-5666, ext. 4 www.mothertomothersupport.org
La Leche League of Greater St. Louis
Information and reassurance for breastfeeding mothers. Answers about breastfeeding are available via telephone support: (314) 424-3900
(636) 532-4329 to contact West County Group
Third Monday of the Month www.lalecheleaguestlouis.org
Greater St. Louis Mothers of Twins Club
Gives members an opportunity to socialize and share experiences with other mothers of multiples. Dinner meetings are held every third Thursday at various locations around the St. Louis metro area.
(314) 621-2550 or membership@stlmotc.org. www.stlmotc.org
MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) A non-demoninational outreach program for mothers of preschoolers in the St. Louis area. Held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at Fee Fee Baptist Church. More information: (314) 739-1525.
MOPS - St. Charles. Mothers of Preschoolers group that welcomes expectant mothers as well. Meets the second Monday of the month at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in St. Charles. at 6:30 p.m. More information: (636) 939-2962 or www.mops.org. MOMS Club of Ballwin
The MOMS Club of Ballwin-West is a club to support stay-at-home moms. We have monthly meetings, group kid-friendly activities and playgroups. We meet the first Wednesday of every month at 10:00am. Meetings are held at the Lafayette Church of Christ (not affiliated with the church). For more information, please contact Betsy (636) 527-3333.
MOMS Club of O'Fallon A support group for mothers with weekly activities including mom's night out. Meeting are held the first Fridays of the month at O'Fallon Christian Church, 990 Veteran's Memorial Parkway. More information: (636) 474-1127.
MOMS Club of St. Louis County - Southwest A group for moms in Crestwood, Fenton, Sunset Hills and Valley Park with organized activities and service projects. More information: (636) 326-5572.
MOMS Club of St. Peters Support group for stay-at-home moms. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month and offer a way to make new friends, help support other stay-at-home moms and find out about children's activities. More information: (636) 447-9904.
The Mothers Circle The
Mothers Circle is a free resource for non-Jewish mothers raising Jewish
children. The intensive, eight-month education course
introduces the "how-tos" of creating a Jewish home, hands-on education
in Jewish rituals, practices and ethics, and connects women more
closely with the Jewish community. Free child care is
available during the classes, held at the Jewish Community Center. The
Mothers Circle is a national
organization, and a St. Louis chapter was formed in early 2007.
For more information, Contact Marci Boyer, St. Louis Mothers Circle Coordinator, at
(314) 442-5700, ext. 3304, or marci@TheMothersCircle.org.
For Parents of Teens
The Teen Helpline: 314-454-8336 For parents of teens, the teen helpline, a free service offered by St. Louis Children's Hospital, offers parents accurate and just-in-time information concerning adolescent development and behavior. In addition to information and answers, trained facilitators will help connect parents with useful resources and referrals.
Divorce Support
Kids in the Middle
A non-profit organization that provides counseling, education and support for kids and families when parents decide to separate and divorce. Also offers support groups for blended families.
121 West Monroe Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63122
(314) 909-9922 www.kidsinthemiddle.org
Health-Related Support Groups
Asthma Control Education
Offers classes covering basic information about asthma for parents.
Also offers classes for children age 7 and up.
(314) 454-4516
Autism & Aspergers
Judevine Center for Autism offers support groups for parents and for siblings of children with autism spectrum disorder. West County Connections Group meets third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Lord of Light Lutheran Church, 15750 Baxter Road. Contact Darla Halloran at (314) 385-5373.
Also offers support for parents of children with Asperger Syndrome.
Judevine Center for Autism
1101 Olivette Executive Parkway
St. Louis, MO 63132
(314) 432-6200
Alzheimer’s Association, St. Louis Chapter
Offers a variety of support groups in West County for family members, friends, caregivers and other interested individuals to meet for emotional support, information and exchange of coping skills.
(314) 432-3422
24-hour helpline (800) 980-9080 www.alzstl.org
Bear Essentials
Provides age-appropriate tools to help children cope with a parent’s diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Designed for kids ages 4-12.
Missouri Baptist Medical Center
3015 North Ballas road
St. Louis
(314) 996-5517 www.bear-essentials.org
Brain Injury Support Group for Teens and Parents
Separate support groups for teens and parents providing information sharing and education about living with a brain injury. Meets the second Tuesday of the month at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
(314) 423-6442
Diabetes Support Group
For parents of children with Type 1 diabetes. Helps parents gain a better understanding of their child’s illness. Helps parents learn coping skills and deal with diabetes as a manageable illness. Meets at St. Louis Children’s Hospital every other month on the last Monday night of the month. Does not meet in the summer.
Irene Korlin (314) 454-2622.
Down Syndrome Association of St. Louis
Offers Parent to Parent support group to help parents of children with Down Syndrome gain information and guidance. (314) 961-2504.
Moms and Kids Play Group meets first Friday of each month at
Good Shepherd School on Timber Run Drive in Creve Coeur from 2-4 p.m.
Contact Becky Fant at beckaroo4stl@yahoo.com.
Heart To Heart
For families with children who have congenital heart defects. Provides support and education, as well as a networking opportunity so that families don’t feel isolated. Kids’ Group allows kids with heart defects, their siblings and friends join in fun activities and share experiences. Monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Contact Melissa Bruder, MSW, (314) 454-6000; or Nan Winters, (314) 268-2700, ext. 4322. www.umsl.edu/~farrell/H2H
Infertility and Adoption Support, Inc.
For people facing the challenges of infertility and those considering adoption. Open Sharing group meets every second Thursday of the month at Des Peres Hospital. Women’s Peer Support Group meets on Saturday mornings at St. Luke’s Hospital. Adoption Support Group meets first Thursday of the month at Des Peres Hospital. More information: (314) 567-8788. www.infertilityandadoption.org
Grief Support
Annie’s Hope: The Bereavement Center for Kids
Community-based non-profit organization that provides support services for children, teens and their families who are grieving the loss of someone significant. Groups for families begin eight-week sessions in September. Also offered are weekend retreats for teens, camps for kids, family social events, and training for school and child care center personnel to help them assist kids who have experienced the loss of a family member or friend.
(314) 965-5015 or annieshopekids@aol.com www.annieshope.org
Bereavement Program at St. Louis Children’s Hospital
For parents grieving the loss of a child. Provides phone counseling, educational materials and coping skills, as well as periodic memorial services for families dealing with this unimaginable life change.
Mary Lucido, Bereavement coordinator: (314) 454-4096
Family Grief Support Program
For children, and adolescents who are experiencing grief. Group also available for
parents of children experiencing grief. Center for Family Grief Support. Meetings are held Mondays from 6:30-8 p.m.
303 North Ballas Road
(314) 997-5105.