Resource Directory
Fathers’ services and community support across Alameda County and the East Bay
Community Resources
Find Support Near You
Browse by category to find trusted local organizations that can help fathers and families. Select a category below to open it and see the resources inside.
These resources are independent organizations that are not operated by Dads Evoking Change, and the links open external websites. Please contact each provider directly to confirm services, hours, fees, and eligibility before you visit. If you need help finding the right resource, call our free helpline at 833-873-7329.
Supervised Visitation (8)
Safe, neutral supervised visits and monitored exchanges so you can keep spending time with your children. The first listings offer free, low-cost, or sliding-scale options; call ahead to ask about financial hardship rates.
The Gathering Place (Alternative Family Services)
Free, county-funded supervised and therapeutic visits run by trained counselors. Eligibility is limited to Alameda County dependents with Full-Scope Medi-Cal, so call to confirm you qualify.
Call: (510) 746-2800
SafePair (Oakland)
Professional supervised visits and custody exchanges with a low-income discount program for qualifying families. Serves Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, Marin, and Santa Clara counties.
Call: (510) 434-6586
A Bright Beginning (Oakland)
Supervised visits and safe exchanges on the Alameda County Superior Court provider list. A limited number of financial-hardship slots are available; ask when you call.
Call: (510) 717-6805
Serenity House (Oakland)
Safe, structured, child-centered supervised visitation by providers trained to California court standards. Ask about sliding-scale options when you call.
Call: (510) 891-0464
Bridging Families
Professional supervised visitation and monitored custody exchanges, offered on-site, off-site, and virtually. Serves Oakland, Berkeley, Hayward, Fremont, San Leandro, and across Alameda County.
Call: (669) 262-9847
Allied Visitation
Supervised visitation and monitored exchange services, including secure virtual visits. On the Alameda County court provider list; serves Alameda and Santa Clara counties.
Call: (925) 290-8321
Caring Supervised Visits & Exchange
Supervised visitation focused on safely reconnecting parents and children. Serves Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.
Call: (415) 483-5371
Alameda County Court Provider List
The official, regularly updated list of supervised visitation providers maintained by the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda. Use it to find additional approved providers near you.
Legal & Custody (18)
Free and low-cost help with child custody, child support, family court forms, and self-representation. Some legal-aid programs require income eligibility or a domestic-violence-related case; call to confirm.
Bay Area Legal Aid
Free civil legal help for low-income survivors of domestic violence with family law matters, including custody, visitation, and support. Income-eligible.
Call: 800-551-5554
Family Violence Law Center
Free legal services for Alameda County domestic-violence survivors, including custody and visitation orders, support, and restraining orders. 24-hour crisis line available.
Call: (510) 208-0220 · 24-hr (800) 947-8301
Alameda County Court Self-Help Center
Free local help understanding custody, visitation, and child-support forms and procedures for parents who do not have a lawyer. This is the actual Alameda County office.
Call: (510) 272-1393
California Courts Self-Help Guide: Custody
A free statewide, step-by-step guide explaining legal and physical custody, parenting plans, visitation, mediation, and how to file or respond to custody papers.
Alameda County Dept. of Child Support Services
The county agency that establishes paternity and support orders, and processes or modifies child support. Free government service with video-chat and in-person help.
Call: (866) 901-3212
Alameda County Law Library
Free public access to legal databases, court forms, self-help books, research help, and clinic referrals. Located in downtown Oakland.
Call: (510) 208-4832
East Bay Community Law Center
The largest free legal-services provider in the East Bay, with clinics for low-income residents. A good intake and referral point; call to confirm family-law scope.
Call: (510) 548-4040
Centro Legal de la Raza
Bilingual (Spanish) free and low-cost legal aid for low-income Oakland and Bay Area residents. A strong bilingual referral point; call to confirm current practice areas.
Call: (510) 437-1554
California Family Law Facilitator Locator
The Family Law Facilitator’s Office helps people with family law matters who do not have lawyers. Find hours, locations, and workshop information for your county.
Child Support Calculator
The California Child Support Guideline Calculator uses the same legal guidelines as California courts to estimate the amount of child support that may be ordered in your case.
Changing a Child Support Amount
Either parent or the child’s legal guardian can ask for a change to increase or decrease court-ordered child support. Learn how to request a modification.
Changing a Child Custody Order
After a judge makes a custody and visitation order, one or both parents may need to change it as children’s needs, interests, and activities change over time. Learn the process.
Child Custody Explained
A video overview of the many factors that affect who gets custody and the different levels of custody, to help you understand this complex topic.
Legal Access Alameda
Pro bono legal services to income-eligible self-represented litigants in Alameda County through clinics including family law and guardianship.
Alameda County Family Law Court
Information on a variety of family court issues, including how to change current child support orders and how to request an emergency (ex-parte) hearing.
Alameda County Family Law Forms
Downloadable files for commonly used family law forms from Alameda County.
California Courts Forms
Browse all official court form files for the California Courts.
Contra Costa County Child Support Services
Child support services for Contra Costa County families, including the option to connect with your caseworker by video chat. Services offered Mon-Fri.
Parenting & Fatherhood (8)
Fatherhood programs, parenting classes, co-parenting support, and groups built for dads.
Alameda County Fatherhood Initiative
Free father-focused parent education, Boot Camp for New Dads, dad groups, case management, and life-skills support, with a focus on non-custodial dads and those reentering from incarceration.
Call: (510) 667-4333
Alameda County Fathers Corps
A First 5 Alameda County collaborative that runs father-friendly programming, listening sessions, and the annual Fatherhood Summit to strengthen father engagement.
Call: (510) 227-6900
Family Paths: Fatherhood & Co-Parenting Classes
A six-week Fatherhood and Co-Parenting class plus a weekly Spanish-speaking fathers’ support group for dads who are co-parenting. Free for those who qualify, or sliding scale.
Call: 1-800-829-3777
Family Paths Parenting Classes
Free parenting classes to help build stronger family relationships.
East Bay Birth Collective: Dads Group
A support and community cohort for new and expecting fathers with children ages 0-3, plus free dad-and-baby hikes as a no-cost way to connect with other dads.
OurFamilyWizard
The leading court-accepted co-parenting app for separated parents, with a shared calendar, documented messaging, and expense tracking. Fee-waiver scholarships are available for low-income parents.
211 Bay Area
A free, confidential 24/7 referral line connecting families to parenting classes, parent support groups, and new-parent assistance. Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898211.
Call: 211 · (800) 273-6222
National Fatherhood Initiative: Free Resources
Free downloadable fatherhood guides, tip sheets, and self-assessment tools, including resources from the evidence-based 24:7 Dad program.
Childcare (6)
Subsidized child care, free referrals, and Head Start early education. These programs serve all parents and caregivers, including fathers.
BANANAS Inc.
Free child care referrals, parent education, and subsidy help for all families with young children in northern Alameda County, including Oakland.
Call: (510) 658-7353
4Cs of Alameda County
Administers subsidized (free or reduced-rate) child care and free referrals for income-eligible families across southern Alameda County and Oakland.
Call: (510) 582-2182
Hively (Tri-Valley)
Free child care referrals plus income-based child care subsidies for families in the Tri-Valley (Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton).
Call: (925) 417-8733
First 5 Alameda County: Help Me Grow
A free countywide helpline connecting families to child care and early-childhood resources for children from birth to age 5.
Call: (888) 510-1211
The Unity Council: Head Start
Free Head Start and Early Head Start early education for income-eligible families with children birth to 5 in Oakland.
Call: (510) 545-6511
City of Oakland Head Start
Free early education and family services for low-income Oakland families with children birth to 5; homeless and foster children are automatically eligible.
Call: (510) 238-3165
Housing & Food (8)
Emergency shelter, housing assistance, food banks, and CalFresh food benefits across Alameda County.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
A free emergency food helpline that connects callers to groceries or a hot meal the same day, plus help applying for CalFresh.
Call: (510) 635-3663
CalFresh (Alameda County)
Free monthly food benefits on an EBT card for low- and no-income individuals and families. Apply online, by phone, or in person.
Call: 1-888-999-4772
St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
Free takeaway lunch six days a week, plus an emergency shelter, free clothing closet, showers, and laundry in Oakland.
Call: (510) 638-7600
Abode Services
The Bay Area’s largest homeless-housing provider, offering emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and rental assistance. Access is through coordinated entry or 211.
Call: 1-888-886-9660
Bay Area Community Services (BACS)
Housing Resource Centers, navigation centers, rapid rehousing, and homelessness prevention, including the Keep Oakland Housed program.
Call: (510) 613-0330
East Oakland Community Project
Operates Crossroads, the largest emergency shelter in Alameda County, plus transitional housing for families and young adults with wraparound case management.
Call: (510) 532-3211
Building Futures
Emergency shelter and housing services with a free 24-hour crisis line for survivors and families in need across Alameda County.
24-hr line: 1-866-292-9688
211 Alameda County
A free, confidential 24/7 referral line and online resource finder that connects residents to emergency shelter, affordable housing, and food assistance in 300+ languages.
Call: 211
Financial Assistance & Utilities (8)
Cash aid, emergency rent and utility help, free tax preparation, and financial coaching. These programs serve all eligible residents, including fathers.
CalWORKs (Cash Aid)
Monthly cash aid for low-income families with children, including two-parent and single-father households, plus a gateway to CalFresh and Medi-Cal.
Call: (510) 272-3663
General Assistance
County cash aid for low-income adults without dependent children – useful for non-custodial fathers who do not qualify for CalWORKs. Benefits are repayable.
Call: 1-888-999-4772
LIHEAP: Spectrum Community Services
Once-a-year help paying an overdue PG&E or Alameda Municipal Power energy bill for income-eligible residents, plus free weatherization.
Call: (510) 881-0300
PG&E CARE Discount
An ongoing utility discount (about 38% off electricity and 20% off gas) for income-qualified customers or those on CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, or SSI.
Call: 1-866-743-5832
Season of Sharing Fund
One-time emergency grants paid directly to landlords or vendors for rent, move-in deposits, or critical needs. Apply through 211.
Call: 211
The Salvation Army (Alameda County)
Emergency rent and utility-bill help and other crisis aid by appointment, plus a family emergency shelter in Oakland. Call to confirm current funding.
Call: (510) 437-9437
Free Tax Help (Earn It! Keep It! Save It!)
Free IRS-certified tax preparation for households earning under about $89,000, maximizing EITC and Child Tax Credit refunds; serves ITIN filers.
Call: 211
SparkPoint Oakland
Free one-on-one financial coaching to build credit, reduce debt, and grow savings, with a personal coach and a step-by-step plan.
Call: (510) 924-3610
Jobs & Mental Health (10)
Employment and job training, plus mental health, crisis, and substance-use support. Several employment programs specialize in re-entry after incarceration.
Employment & Job Training
Oakland Private Industry Council
A free one-stop career center offering resume help, computer and vocational training, interview coaching, and job placement for Oakland residents 18 and over.
Call: (510) 858-6742
Eden Area America’s Job Center
A free workforce and employment center providing job search, training, and career services to East Bay job seekers, operated for the county Workforce Development Board.
Call: (510) 323-1104
Rubicon Programs
Free workforce development and re-entry services: job training, placement, legal help for barriers to employment, and financial coaching across the East Bay.
Call: (510) 235-1516
Center for Employment Opportunities
A re-entry employment program offering transitional paid work, job coaching, and placement for people recently released from incarceration. Referrals are typically through probation or parole.
Call: (510) 251-2240
Cypress Mandela Training Center
A free 16-week pre-apprenticeship construction and skilled-trades training program for Bay Area adults 18 and over, building pathways to livable-wage trades careers.
Call: (510) 208-7350
Mental Health, Crisis & Recovery
Alameda County Behavioral Health (ACCESS)
The county entry point for free mental health and substance-use services, with a referral line plus 24/7 crisis support for county residents and Medi-Cal members.
Call: 1-800-491-9099
Family Paths 24-Hour Support Line
A free 24/7 helpline offering crisis support, counseling, and resource referrals for parents and caregivers, with translation in 400+ languages.
Call: 1-800-829-3777
Alameda County Substance Use Helpline
A free screening and referral line connecting county adults to outpatient counseling, residential treatment, sober living, and withdrawal management.
Call: 1-844-682-7215
La Familia
Low-cost and free, culturally responsive, bilingual mental health counseling, case management, crisis intervention, and substance-use recovery in the East Bay.
Call: 1-833-317-4673
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
A free, confidential 24/7 national crisis line for mental health, suicide, or substance-use crises. Call or text 988 in English or Spanish; veterans press 1.
Call or text: 988
Need More Help?
If you are not sure where to start or need help navigating family court, don’t hesitate to reach out. Call our free helpline or contact us directly and we will help you find the right resource.