A multitude of local resources exist to help you become the parent you want to be. If your baby is born at the hospital, begin there. Check into the many support services and continuing education classes offered by Good Samaritan Hospital, Albany General Hospital and Lebanon Community Hospital. At Lebanon Community Hospital, call 451-7177. Good Samaritan also offers a free service, Health on Video, a collection of videos on a variety of health topics including parenting and family issues.
Online registration is available for parenting classes.
The medical staff at your own doctor's office can also help answer questions about child care and parenting issues. Another source of information for new parents is the Family Connections program in the Family Resource Department of Linn-Benton Community College in Albany. Family Connections provides referrals to child care facilities in the two county area and information about selecting quality care providers. Parents and their babies or older children attend classes together and learn through discussions, activities and networking with other parents. There is a specific track for children with disabilities.