The SPAN Parent Advocacy Network is an independent 501(c)3 organization committed to empowering families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and mental health outcomes for infants, toddlers, children and youth.

SPAN is a "first stop" for New Jersey families, offering information, resources, and advocacy assistance to families, professionals, policy makers and our parent center colleagues. This support addresses effective parent involvement, child care, general and special education, dropout and bullying prevention, child welfare, health care, mental health, youth leadership, transition to adult life, incarcerated youth, military family support, violence prevention, and more.

SPAN’s commitment is to children and families with the greatest need due to disability or special health/mental health needs; poverty; discrimination based on race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, immigrant or homeless status; involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems; geographic location; or other special circumstances. You can access SPAN services and resources here: https://spanadvocacy.org/help/.

Providing information, resources, support, and advocacy assistance to families, professionals, policymakers, and our Parent Center colleagues.

How can SPAN support parents/caregivers of youth aged 0-26?

Our foremost commitment is to those with the greatest need due to:

• Disability or special health/mental health needs
• Navigating the education system
• Material poverty or financial instability
• Discrimination (race, sex, language, immigrant status, homelessness, etc.)
• Involvement in the foster care, child welfare, or juvenile justice systems
• Geographic location
• Other special circumstances

Our motto is Empowered Parents: Educated, Engaged, Effective!

Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance COVID-Related Financial Assistance / Referrals Financial Counseling / Literacy Military / Veteran Services Community Community Education Drop In / Community Center Volunteer Opportunities Education Educational Services Professional Education / Training Special Education Employment / Training Life Skills Training Family & Support Services Family Support Parenting & Caregiving Racial / Social Justice Referral Services Legal / Advocacy Advocacy (Legal) Guardianship
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health Family Conflict & Distress Teen Issues Womens / Mens Crisis / Safety Crisis / Safety / Prevention Intellectual and Developmental Needs Advocacy Assistive Technology Communication Disorders Early Intervention Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Learning Disabilities Special Needs Support Coordination Transition Planning
Treatment Services	In-Community Services Individual Support Services (ISS) Mentoring Parent Coaching / Mentoring
Payment Types	Free
Language Spoken	Creole Hindi Spanish
Areas Served	State-Wide

Last Updated: 03/04/25