Find a Pediatrician - VIA the American Academy of Pediatrics
Use this tool to search for an AAP member pediatrician, pediatric sub-specialist, or pediatric surgical specialist.
TPS does not provide a referral service. However, we are pleased to refer you to the Texas Medical Board, the State agency which licenses all physicians in Texas.
The TMB website we are referring you to will allow you to search for a physician by name or by city.
On the TMB website you must first "Accept the Terms and Conditions." Then ‘Enter Search Criteria page, click on ‘License Type’ and then select Physician. It will then display a ‘Specialty’ dropbox and you may enter the ‘pediatric specialty and the city to receive the names and background information of pediatricians in the area you are searching for.
- ADHD Resources: A resource list for parents of children with ADHD. Compiled by the leadership team of the TPS CQN ADHD Project, December 2015.
- The "Learn the Signs. Act Early" campaign has developed a free resource kit of materials on child development and autism for day care providers and teachers to share with parents of children in their care. The Child Care Provider Resource Kit, along with resources for parents and pediatricians, are available for free at www.cdc.gov/actearly.
- Navigate Life Texas: A website for families of children with disabilities. A project of the Task Force for Children with Special Needs.
In times of national tension, children may experience increased exposure to violence, racial bias or other adverse events in their social environments. The American Academy of Pediatrics shared the following links in order to help physicians and parents support children when faced with these complex and difficult circumstances.
- Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism
- Childhood Exposure to Violence
- Talking to Children About Racial Bias
- How to Support Your Child’s Resilience in a Time of Crisis
- American Academy of Pediatrics Condemns Racism, Offers Advice for Families for How to talk to their Children
As public conversations around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) increase, parents and caregivers play a key role in helping children understand what they hear and cope with any feelings of anxiety or fear they may be experiencing. Parents may also be managing their own stress related to COVID-19 and many are adjusting to new routines as they stay home with their children. TPS has compiled the list of resources below to help adults navigate the challenges that come with parenting during this pandemic.
General Information About COVID-19 For Families and How to Stay Safe
- "Face Masks for Children During COVID-19," American Academy of Pediatrics
- "The Science Behind the COVID-19 Vaccine - Parent FAQs," American Academy of Pediatrics
- "2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)," American Academy of Pediatrics
- "Social Distancing: Why Keeping Your Distance Helps Keep Others Safe," American Academy of Pediatrics
- "What Parents Need to Know About Coronavirus," New York Times
- "Coronavirus and Parenting: What You Need to Know Now," NPR
- "Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and Children," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Coronavirus Self-Checker, CDC
- Use of Cloth Face Coverings, CDC
- "Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope With the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)," National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children, CDC
COVID-19 Vaccines
- The Science Behind COVID-19 Vaccines: Parent FAQs, AAP
- Getting Your Child Ready for the COVID-19 Vaccine
- What Parents Need to Know about the COVID-19 Vaccine, Johns Hopkins Medicine
- COVID-19 Vaccine Information, Texas Children's Hospital
- COVID-19 Vaccine and Kids: What to Know, Cook Children's
- Vaccines for Teens and Preteens: A Live Q&A with Dr. Nneka Holder
- COVID-19 Vaccine & Young Kids: Separating Fact from Fear (Facebook Live hosted by Scary Mommy)
- The CONVERSATION: Pediatricians answer questions about the COVID vaccines for children, AAP
- Why is it so important for my kids to get caught up on their childhood immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic? - HealthyChildren.org
- Does the COVID-19 vaccine cause myocarditis? - HealthyChildren.org
Childcare Guidance
TPS is receiving questions from members who have been approached by childcare centers about guidelines for sending children back to childcare. As a resource for members, TPS is sharing the following guidance for pediatricians receiving inquiries on this matter. As a parent, it is reasonable and appropriate to ask the daycare what types of precautions the center has put in place to limit risk to children. There is no formal recommendation that children should not return to daycare and, unless the child is symptomatic or has a known COVID+ exposure, they should not be excluded from daycare. Please refer to AAP, CDC, and state and local guidance related to childcare during COVID-19. See this tip sheet from AAP as a resource for both pediatricians and families.
On June 25, 2020, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission enacted a new set of emergency rules for child care providers. The emergency rules require child care centers to operate in accordance with the Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open released by the Centers of Disease Control in addition to the specific requirements related to caregivers, screening, drop-off and pick-up procedures, diapering procedures, soiled clothing requirements, environmental health, and food preparation.
Homeschooling, Establishing Routines, and Keeping Kids Occupied
- "Finding Ways to Keep Children Occupied During These Challenging Times," American Academy of Pediatrics
- "Comic: How To Turn Your Home Into A School Without Losing Your Sanity," NPR
- "Helping Homebound Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak," Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
How to Talk to Children About COVID-19 and Manage Stress/Anxiety
- "Your Child's Feelings Matter" (Texas Pediatric Society and Texas Medical Association resource to support children's behavioral health during the COVID-19 pandemic). Spanish version here
- "Love in the Time of Coronavirus: A HOPE-Informed Guide for Parents," Healthy Outcomes from Postive Experinces
- "HOPE, Engagement, and COVID19," ACEs Connection
- "How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus," PBS Kids
- "Tips for Families: Talking About the Coronavirus," Zero to Three
- "Talking to Kids About the Coronavirus," Child Mind Institute
- "Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- "Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus): A Parent Resource," National Association of School Psychologiests
- "COVID-19: Protecting Kids from the Fear Pandemic," Hogg Foundation
- "Helping Children Cope with Stress During the 2019-nCoV Outbreak," World Health Orgranization
- "Talking to Children About Coronavirus," American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- "Helping Kids Cope While Sheltering in Place," American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
- "Finding the Right Words to Talk with Children and Teens About Coronavirus," Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
- Video for Children Explaining COVID-19 (Spanish)
- "Helping Children Cope," MultiCare (Tips for helping children across ages)
- "Take a Deep Breath," Calm
- "FaceTime Can Help Babies Connect with Long-Distance Relatives," First Things First
Information for Children with Disabilities
- Resourceses for Individuals with I/DD and ASD and Their Families
- "How Can I Help My Child, Who Has a Developmental Disability, Cope During COVID-19?," American Academy of Pediatrics
Hotlines and Community Resources
- Bright by Text (text message service with free tips, information, and resources for parents)
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (For confidential support when you need help with the stresses of parenting or an abuse concern, call or text 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453))
- Texas Meal Finder Map
- Statewide COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line, call (833) 986-1919
- 2-1-1 Texas (Resource Navigation) - call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905
- Texas Youth Helpline - For help with teen-specific concerns, call 1-800-989-6884, text 512-872-5777, or chat online.
- Frontline Child Care Search - Website to help you search for child care programs near your home or work
TPS Tip Sheets on Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Strengthening Your Family During School Closures
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Preschool and Early Elementary School Children)
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Children in Upper Elementary School and Early Middle School)
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Children in Upper Middle School and High School)
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Preschool and Early Elementary School Children) - Spanish
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Children in Upper Elementary School and Early Middle School) - Spanish
- Managing Children's Anxiety About COVID-19 (For Children in Upper Middle School and High School) - Spanish
TPS and Beyond Type 1 partnered for an educational campaign on Type 1 diabetes in November and December of 2016. Read more here.
- For road closures across Texas, click here.
- Review Severe Weather safety tips here.
- Call 9-1-1 for life-threatening, emergency situations.
- 2-1-1 (Texas Resource Navigation)
- How Families Can Cope with Relocation Stress After a Disaster – Healthy Children
- Responding to Children's Emotional Needs During Times of Crisis – Healthy Children
- Helping Children Cope with a Disaster - CDC
- Talking to Children about Disasters – Healthy Children (Spanish)
- Disaster Distress Helpline - SAMHSA
- SAMHSA Disaster Mobile App
- Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator - SAMHSA
- Texas Health Care Information Collection (THCIC)
- Information About Health Care Coverage in Texas
- Texas Health Insurance Risk Pool Information
- Understanding Insurance-Speak for Patients
- PH Behavior Guidelines
- PH Lifestyle Guidelines
- PH Nutrition Guidelines
- PH Nutrition Quiz
- Fuel Up to Play 60
Vaccination: #Vaccinations
- Department of State Health Services
- AAP Vaccine Information
- CDC Vaccination Info
- CDC Vaccine Assessment Tool: What vaccines does your child need? Use the interactive quiz to learn about vaccines recommended for you and your family
- Learn more about child immunization schedules and what vaccines are required in Texas schools.
- Find out more about vaccine-preventable diseases like whooping cough, flu, and HPV cancers.
- Learn more about Zika in Texas by clicking on the TPS Zika page here.
- Other Zika Resources:
- Need to file a complaint against a physician? Visit the Texas Medical Board website.
- Struggling with the new eligibility system for public benefits? CPPP’s “Who to Contact” list.
- Pathways.org: A website to empower parents and health professionals with free tools and resources to maximize children’s motor, sensory, and communication development. Click here for their most recent article.
- Bright Futures Patient/Parent Education Handouts provide an opportunity to recall important topics discussed during the visit. They summarize information related to each of the 5 Bright Futures priorities for each visit, and are available in English and Spanish. These handouts can also be found as part of the Core Tools on the Bright Futures Tool and Resource Kit Web pages.
- Cord blood banking: information on donating and storing umbilical cord blood to help children survive over 80 diseases including leukemia, lymphoma, and anemia
- cordbloodguide.com: a free downloadable guide and user-friendly content related to cord blood and how cord blood banking works.
- Texas Pediatric Society Obesity Toolkit: offers videos and handouts to help parents partner with pediatric providers in the prevention and care of children with obesity.
- Solar Eclipse Tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics: offers tips to viewing the 2017 Solar Eclipse safely.
For Children in Upper Elementary School and Early Middle School
1-800-4-A-Child
For confidential support when you need help with the stresses of parenting or an abuse concern