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Safety & Special Circumstances

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes parenting means navigating situations you never expected. This section brings together resources for families facing special circumstances— whether it’s safety concerns, recovery from trauma or addiction, reentry after incarceration, parenting with disabilities, or dealing with the challenges of immigration status. No matter your journey, there are people and programs ready to meet you with compassion, respect, and real solutions. You are not alone in these struggles, and there is always hope for healing and support.

Quick Links

Utah Domestic Violence LINKLine (Statewide)

A confidential, 24/7 information and support line for anyone in Utah facing domestic violence. Trained advocates are available around the clock to listen, help you make a safety plan, and connect you to free local resources and shelters. This line is for anyone—parents, partners, or loved ones—seeking help, guidance, or just someone to talk to during a difficult time.

What They Offer

  • Immediate Crisis Counseling & Safety Planning: Speak directly to a supportive, nonjudgmental advocate who will help you assess your situation and create a safety plan.
  • Referrals to Shelters and Services: Get warm referrals to emergency shelters, victim advocates, support groups, and legal aid for protective orders.
  • Help Arranging Safe Transport: If you need to leave an unsafe home, they can assist with transportation to shelter or services nearby.

How to Get Help

Call: 1-800-897-LINK (5465) – available 24/7.
Website: udvc.org (Utah Domestic Violence Coalition)
Service Area: Statewide—anyone in Utah can use this line, regardless of age, gender, or background.

Why It Matters

If you’re feeling trapped or afraid at home, making this call can be a first step toward safety for you and your children. You do not have to give your name or share details until you are ready—the advocate will simply listen and support you without judgment. Abuse is never your fault, and you and your family deserve to be safe and cared for. Even if you feel ashamed, scared, or alone, please know there is always someone awake and ready to help you, day or night.

YWCA Utah – Domestic Violence Services (Salt Lake City)

YWCA Utah provides a safe haven and comprehensive services for adults and children escaping domestic violence. Their Salt Lake City campus offers emergency shelter, supportive housing, and a one-stop Family Justice Center for survivors needing legal, medical, and emotional help. All services are confidential, inclusive, and focused on empowering families to rebuild with dignity and hope.

What They Offer

  • 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Speak with a trained advocate any time, day or night.
  • Emergency Shelter and Housing: Safe, welcoming space for women and their children, with staff on-site around the clock.
  • Family Justice Center (Weekdays): Walk-in help with protective orders, police reports, counseling, and more—no appointment necessary.
  • Case Management & Support: Get connected with therapy, support groups, childcare, legal assistance, and help finding permanent housing.
  • Children’s Services: Specialized therapy and care for children affected by domestic violence.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-537-8600 (24/7 Crisis Line) or 1-855-992-2752 (Toll-Free)
Website: ywcautah.org
Service Area: Primarily Salt Lake County, but any survivor who can reach SLC is welcome.

Why It Matters

If you’re living in fear, the YWCA can offer you and your kids a secure place to breathe and start healing. Their advocates will meet you with understanding and help you navigate your rights—whether you need emergency shelter, legal help, or just someone to believe in you. You might feel scared to leave, or worry about judgment, but the YWCA staff know what you’re facing and will help you at your own pace. You and your children deserve safety, compassion, and a future free from violence. This program exists to help you reclaim those things.

House of Hope (Salt Lake City & Provo)

House of Hope is a nonprofit treatment center focused on helping women, including pregnant women and mothers with young children, recover from substance use disorders. Their unique programs allow moms to live with their children in a nurturing, home-like environment while receiving addiction treatment, parenting support, and life skills training.

What They Offer

  • Residential Treatment for Mothers & Children: Live-in recovery homes where you and your child can heal together with 24/7 care.
  • Day-Treatment & Outpatient Programs: Flexible schedules and therapy options for those who don’t need overnight care.
  • Therapeutic Childcare & Parenting Classes: On-site Hope Center for Children provides care and developmentally focused activities, plus coaching to strengthen the parent-child bond.
  • Trauma-Informed Therapy & Peer Support: Individual and group counseling to address past trauma and help you build a support network.
  • Aftercare & Transitional Housing: Ongoing support, case management, and help with stable housing as you transition out of treatment.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-487-3276 (Salt Lake City) or 801-373-6562 (Provo)
Website: houseofhopeut.org
Service Area: Salt Lake County and Utah County; serves women from anywhere in Utah who can access the facilities.

Why It Matters

You don’t have to choose between getting help for yourself and keeping your baby with you. House of Hope offers a place where you can focus on recovery, confident your child is safe and cared for. The staff understand your fears about judgment or losing custody, and their entire approach is built on compassion for mothers. Here, you’ll find support from other women who know your struggles and are rooting for your success. Recovery is possible—and you and your family are worth the effort.

SUPeRAD Clinic (Substance Use & Pregnancy Recovery at University of Utah Health)

The SUPeRAD Clinic is a specialized prenatal clinic serving pregnant and postpartum parents with substance use disorders. Staffed by a multidisciplinary team, the clinic offers nonjudgmental medical care and addiction support—all under one roof—so you can prioritize your health and your baby’s, without fear of being punished or shamed.

What They Offer

  • Integrated Medical & Addiction Care: Prenatal check-ups, medication-assisted treatment for opioid/alcohol use, and addiction counseling all coordinated by the same team.
  • Mental Health & Social Support: Access to therapists and social workers, with additional support for postpartum parents and pediatric follow-up for babies.
  • Family Planning & Advocacy: The team will help you understand your options, discuss concerns about CPS involvement, and connect you to outside resources as needed.
  • Care Up to One Year Postpartum: Continued medical, counseling, and recovery services for the full first year after delivery.

How to Get Help

Call: 385-881-3035
Website: healthcare.utah.edu (search SUPeRAD Clinic for more details)
Service Area: Salt Lake Valley—clinic in Salt Lake City (with a Westside location); serves patients statewide.

Why It Matters

Pregnancy and recovery are both major challenges, and facing them together can feel overwhelming. The SUPeRAD team treats addiction as a medical issue, never a moral failing. They will welcome you with respect, explain your options, and work with you to keep both you and your baby healthy. You deserve compassionate care and a future where recovery and parenting are both possible—SUPeRAD can help make that your reality.

Utah Parent Center – Support for Families with Disabilities

The Utah Parent Center is a statewide nonprofit run by parents for parents of children with disabilities or special health needs. Whether your child has a new diagnosis or you’re facing challenges with school or healthcare, the UPC is a source of expert guidance, emotional support, and practical help—always free of charge.

What They Offer

  • One-on-One Consultations: Get answers about diagnoses, therapies, special education, and more from staff who have walked the same path.
  • Workshops & Trainings: Free classes on topics like IEPs, behavior management, Medicaid waivers, and navigating the transition to adulthood.
  • Family to Family Network: Peer-led support groups where you can connect with other parents who understand.
  • Health Care & Disability Navigation: Assistance for families with medically complex children, including help accessing state programs and healthcare resources.
  • Support in English & Spanish: All services are offered bilingually, so no family feels left out.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-272-1051 (Salt Lake) or 1-800-468-1160 (toll-free in Utah), Monday–Thursday, 9AM–5PM
Email: info@utahparentcenter.org
Website: utahparentcenter.org
Service Area: Statewide (all Utah counties, phone and email consults available)

Why It Matters

Parenting a child with a disability is a journey you shouldn’t have to travel alone. The UPC gives you the tools and support to advocate for your child, celebrate their progress, and face each challenge with hope. Their team will fight alongside you for services and education, and always remind you of your child’s strengths and potential. Whatever your worries or questions, you’ll find a knowledgeable ally at UPC.

Disability Law Center

The Disability Law Center is Utah’s independent nonprofit Protection & Advocacy agency for people with disabilities. DLC’s mission is to enforce and strengthen disability rights laws, making sure every Utahn with a disability is treated fairly and has access to services, opportunities, and respect. All services are free and available to individuals of any age or disability, as well as parents of children with disabilities.

What They Offer

  • Legal Advice & Representation: Free legal help for anyone with a disability (including parents with disabilities or parents of children with disabilities), covering discrimination, accommodations, special education, and more.
  • Education Advocacy: Help with IEP meetings, school disputes, appeals, bullying, and ensuring your child receives the services they are entitled to.
  • Access to Services & Benefits: Advocacy for issues like Medicaid, respite care, disability benefits, housing accommodations, and employment rights.
  • Fair Housing, Transportation, and Voting Rights: Legal support to address housing issues, obtain needed accommodations, or protect civil rights in the community.
  • Know Your Rights Trainings: Free workshops and materials to empower you to self-advocate.

How to Get Help

Call: 1-800-662-9080 (toll-free intake line) or 801-363-1347
Website: disabilitylawcenter.org
Service Area: Statewide Utah; services provided by phone, online, or in-person as needed

Why It Matters

Living with a disability or raising a child with a disability can mean facing a maze of rules, systems, and roadblocks. You don’t have to face those battles alone—the DLC is here to stand up for your rights. If you’re afraid of losing your independence, facing discrimination, or overwhelmed by a school or healthcare issue, their advocates will treat you with respect and fight for your dignity.

MentorWorks (Foundation for Family Life)

MentorWorks is a transitional sober living and reentry support program designed for people leaving jail, prison, or residential treatment. Run by the Foundation for Family Life, MentorWorks offers a structured, supportive environment where you can rebuild your life, stay sober, and reconnect with your family and community.

What They Offer

  • Transitional Sober Housing: Safe, structured living in homes (separate for men and women), with curfews, mentors, and a positive peer community.
  • Personal Success Plans: Guidance in setting goals for employment, education, family reunification, and personal growth.
  • Support Services: Help finding a job, food, clothing, and transportation. Partnered with treatment providers for continued substance abuse counseling and outpatient care.
  • Life Skills & Accountability: Classes in life skills, budgeting, and vocational rehab, plus ongoing mentorship to help you stay on track.
  • Community Engagement: Opportunities to give back, build confidence, and reestablish your place in the community.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-839-4384
Email: info@fflut.org
Website: fflut.org
Service Area: Wasatch Front (Salt Lake and Utah Counties); accepts participants from anywhere in Utah

Why It Matters

Coming home after incarceration or treatment can be overwhelming. MentorWorks surrounds you with a team who believes in your ability to change and succeed. You’ll find a fresh start, with people who understand your journey and are ready to support you—no judgment, just hope and accountability. They know you are more than your past, and with help, you can build the life you want for yourself and your family.

Journey of Hope, Inc. (Women’s Reentry & Trauma Recovery)

Journey of Hope is a Utah nonprofit supporting women (including teens and LGBTQ+ individuals) impacted by incarceration, trauma, homelessness, or violence. They offer trauma-informed case management, mentoring, and peer support to help women rebuild stable, healthy lives for themselves and their families.

What They Offer

  • Gender-Responsive Case Management: Each participant is paired with a mentor/case manager who helps with safe housing, employment, education, healthcare advocacy, and mental health support.
  • Advocacy with Criminal Justice and DCFS: Help with probation, court navigation, expungement, and family reunification.
  • Support for Moms: Assistance attending child-welfare meetings and fighting for your rights as a parent.
  • Peer Support Groups & Leadership Workshops: Connect with other women who understand your struggles and can encourage your growth.
  • Limitless Supports: Guidance with trauma recovery, addiction, GED programs, transportation, disability benefits, and more. Services available in English and Spanish.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-633-9409
Website: journeyofhopeutah.org
Service Area: State of Utah; based in Sandy (Salt Lake County) but serves all counties, including rural areas, by traveling or assisting remotely

Why It Matters

If you’ve ever felt like everyone had given up on you, Journey of Hope is here to prove otherwise. Their team won’t judge your past or your pain—they’ll walk beside you and help you untangle whatever’s holding you back. Whether you need help with housing, legal challenges, or reconnecting with your children, you’ll find steady, empathetic support. It's never too late to begin again.

Comunidades Unidas (Communities United)

Comunidades Unidas is a nonprofit led by and for Utah’s Latino/x and immigrant families, offering bilingual, culturally-sensitive support no matter your immigration status. Their mission is to empower immigrant families through legal help, community health resources, and advocacy, so you can feel safe, healthy, and connected.

What They Offer

  • Immigration Legal Assistance: Low-cost help from DOJ-accredited reps for DACA, citizenship, and other applications; referrals to trusted immigration attorneys as needed.
  • Healthcare & Public Benefits Referrals: Connections to clinics that don’t require Social Security numbers, help applying for CHIP or SNAP for eligible kids, and support finding prenatal or parenting resources.
  • Know Your Rights Workshops: Trainings on your legal rights, especially during interactions with immigration enforcement or when seeking services.
  • Community Health Workers (Promotoras): Assistance with prenatal care, mental health, domestic violence support, and more.
  • Emergency Support Fund: Small financial assistance during crises for undocumented families not eligible for government aid.

How to Get Help

Call/Text: 385-415-9785 (English/Spanish), or 801-487-4143
Website: cuutah.org
Service Area: Primarily Salt Lake County; statewide outreach and events

Why It Matters

Being a parent is hard, and it’s even harder when you worry about immigration status or language barriers. Comunidades Unidas will not judge or report you, but will stand beside you and help you find healthcare, legal help, or resources for your children. You and your family matter, and you have a community here ready to support your journey to a better future. Usted no está solo/a—Comunidades Unidas is here for you.

Holy Cross Ministries – Immigration Legal Services

Holy Cross Ministries offers free or low-cost immigration legal help to Utah families, focusing especially on vulnerable groups like undocumented survivors of violence, trafficking, or family separation. Rooted in Catholic values but open to all, their team provides trauma-informed advocacy and holistic support for families in crisis.

What They Offer

  • Legal Assistance for Immigration Relief: Help with VAWA, U and T visas, asylum, family petitions, DACA renewals, and citizenship.
  • Representation with USCIS & Immigration Court: Bilingual attorneys guide you through applications, interviews, and court appearances.
  • Outreach Clinics: Free consultation events held in Utah communities to help families understand their options.
  • Referrals to Health & Counseling: Access to therapy or counseling for those who have experienced trauma, and connections to other needed community resources.

How to Get Help

Call: 801-261-3440 (Spanish-speaking staff available)
Office: 860 E 4500 S, Suite 204, Salt Lake City, UT
Website: hcmutah.org
Service Area: Statewide Utah; in-person and virtual consultations available, with special outreach to rural communities

Why It Matters

Legal paperwork and immigration status can be overwhelming and frightening, especially if you’re a survivor of violence or separation. Holy Cross Ministries will meet you with compassion, explain your rights, and fight for your family’s safety. Most of all, you’ll find a team who honors your dignity and will stand with you every step of the way—no matter your faith, language, or story. You and your children are worthy of safety, hope, and a bright future in Utah.