cape cod children`s place FAMILY NEWSLETTER
Transcription
cape cod children`s place FAMILY NEWSLETTER
a non-profit family resource center Volume 10, Issue 4 January/February 2015 cape cod children’s place FAMILY NEWSLETTER for families and caregivers of children living on the Lower and Outer Cape Special Thanks! Happy New Year! Thank You to the Masonic Angel Fund for their generous donation of winter jackets for CCCP children...Thanks to the League Club of Cape Cod for collecting books for the children in our classroom programs... Thank You to the St. Vincent de Paul at St. Joan of Arc for the donation of winter coats, hats, mittens, gift certificates and toys for children whose families need help at this time of year...Thank You to the Eastham Police Union and the Nauset Regional High School Council for bringing some Toys for Tots donations to our families...Thank You to the Laurel School 3rd and 4th grade students for donating their tips from gift wrapping during Brewster for the Holidays to Cape Cod Children’s Place...Thank You to Seamen’s Bank for the use of the Michael Cole room at the Wellfleet branch for the Lower Cape Early Childhood Council celebration party for Elizabeth Aldred..Thank You to East Brewster Dental for donating toothbrushes for the children in our classrooms. Thank You to the Brightman family for the generous donation of several Christmas trees, to help families with limited resources enjoy the magic of the season with their children! Inside this issue: Advocacy Corner 2 Council News 2 Annual Meeting 3 Lower Cape Dads’ Talk 3 Parenting series/groups 4,7 Playgroups 5,6 News You Can Use 8 20th Anniversary news 9 And much more! Five Ways To Keep Your Family Happy and Strong (adapted from onetoughjob.org) Children flourish when they feel loved, nurtured and supported by a strong family. Every parent wants the best for their children and every family can thrive. Here are five ways that you can keep and build a happy and strong family. Practice resilience. Managing life’s stressful moments, overcoming challenges, and taking care of yourself are all ways that you can build resilience. ∙ Take time to care for your health and well being. Exercise, try to eat healthy foods, and take some time to relax. Everyone needs time to recharge. Schedule time for you at least once a week and ideally every day. ∙ Manage your stress level. Stress can seem like the constant companion for parents who are juggling busy lives at work and at home. To learn more about how parents can manage stress see the expert column at onetoughjob.org/your- family/care/ask-theexperts. Build your social network. It’s important to have people who you can talk to and connect with. ∙ Join a parent support group or playgroup (check out the playgroup calendar and parent support groups in this newsletter). ∙ Meet new people while doing something you enjoy. Find a sport you like, join the book club at your local library, or sign up for a class on something you have always wanted to do. Ask for help. One of the most important keys to keeping your family strong, healthy, and happy is making sure that you can cover your basic needs from diapers to daycare. Knowing where to find help and knowing people who can help you access support can make this process easier. ∙ Map out your support systems. Make a list of people and places that you can go to for support. Use the list to help you when you face life’s inevitable challenges (make sure to add CCCP’s Family Support team to your list). Be a life-long learner. Parenting may be the hardest subject you’ll ever “study” but your natural strengths and all the wisdom you pick up along the way will help you raise and nurture a healthy and happy child. ∙ Learn new information. Subscribe to an online parenting newsletter, read parenting magazines, or attend a parenting class—Cape Cod Children’s Place 8week series “Raising Healthy Families” is a great place to start (see pg. 4 of this newsletter for details). ∙ Reach out to people in your social networks. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, share your experience as a parent. Nurture your child’s social and emotional growth. Make sure that your children know that they are loved and respected, that they can talk about their feelings, and that you can help them work through any challenges they may face. ∙ Listen to your child and encourage her to express how she feels. Help your child problem solve. Advocacy Corner Congratulations Elizabeth! Dottie Smith presented Cape Cod Children's Place's Elizabeth Aldred a citation signed by Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo, offered by State Representative Sarah Peake. The citation is in recognition of twenty years of service to Cape Cod Children's Place as a gifted journalist, political activist and grant writer extraordinaire. The citation was given to Elizabeth at a party held at Seamen's Bank in Wellfleet last evening in honor of Elizabeth's retirement. Although Elizabeth is retiring she will continue to support Cape Cod Children's Place in a different capacity through her ongoing advocacy on behalf of children and families on the Lower and Outer Cape. Cape Cod Children’s Place board update… Cape Cod Children’s Place would like to extend their gratitude to the following outgoing board members for their dedication and service on behalf of CCCP staff and families: ∙ Liz Sorrell ∙ Gail Briere ∙ Ann Mahoney ∙ Amy Gibson ∙ Moira Kerry Please join us in welcoming our newest board members as we enter our 20th year of caring for children and families on the Lower and Outer Cape: ∙ Trina Brown ∙ Nicole Dutra ∙ Steve Roderick ∙ Lisa Sherman ∙ Kim Concra ∙ Deb Martin Thank you to current board members Kristen Roberts, Sally Macort and Kara Risk for their continued support! The Lower Cape Early Childhood Council Everyone is welcome to come to the monthly meetings of the Lower Cape Early Childhood Council. This informal group acts in an advisory role to the grant-funded programs administered by Cape Cod Children’s Place. Meetings are monthly, generally on the third Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. at Cape Cod Children’s Place, on Ballwic Rd. in N. Eastham. media, including social media; and planning for the Family Fun Fair, scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 28 at Nauset Regional Middle School. Come to a meeting, bring your own ideas and topics for discussion, or just enjoy an evening focused on early childhood. For more information contact Meghan Kemp at 508-240-3310 or The next meetings of the Council mkemp@capecodchildrensplace.com will be on January 21 and February 25. Topics of discussion will include the ongoing conversation about Lower Cape Dads’ Talk Cape Cod Children’s Place Annual Meeting Wednesday, January 7 Wednesday, February 4 6:00—7:30 PM Harwich Community Center 100 Oak St., Harwich Parents, community members and all interested persons are invited to attend our Annual Meeting at Cape Cod Children’s Place at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 14. Come and find out about our programs, the children and families we serve, the grants we receive, and our plans for the future. Meet our Board of Directors, enjoy some refreshments, and help us celebrate as we begin our 20th year as “a place where children and families learn and grow”. Call 508.240.3310 for more information, or to RSVP. Drop-ins are welcome. With Paul Melville, family support specialist. This is a great place to connect with other local fathers and chat about being a dad (or whatever else is on your mind). All men are welcome to this nontherapeutic gathering, regardless of their child(ren)’s age, their parenting situation, and where they live. Free pizza and child care. Please RSVP. Information or registration: Paul Melville at 508-771-4336 ext. 2 Sponsored by the Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition, Cape Cod Children’s Place, Family Support Project, and Harwich Early Childhood Council. Food Distribution: The pantry provides food to anyone in need with no geographic restrictions. The Family Pantry is the largest pantry on Cape Cod that is available for any-one to utilize. Clients have a confidential interview on their first visit and then are entitled to go for food every three weeks. Each client is allowed to select the products that he or she wants. The pantry provides a large selection of healthy foods including frozen meats, cheese, eggs, fresh produce as well as the canned and packaged food products. Clothing: The pantry also provides a selection of clothing in sizes infant through adult. All clothing is donated to us and must be clean and in good working order. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan (Snap): The pantry has volunteers trained to apply for SNAP assistance on site for their clients through an online program. This is an ancillary service and helps our clients to have the ability to purchase other foods that may not be available in the pantry. Fuel Assistance: The pantry has several volunteers trained to fill out the paperwork to apply for fuel assistance through the South Shore Community Action Council. This is also an ancillary service provided to make it convenient for their clients to apply while at the pantry. Address: Client Hours: 133 Queen Anne Road Tuesday: 10:00 am—3:30 pm Harwich, MA 02645 Thursday: 10: am—3:30 pm and 5:00 pm—7:00 pm Phone: 508-432-6519 Saturday: 10:00 am—12 noon Fax: 508-432-7083 Raising Healthy Families Tuesdays, January 13, 20, 27 & February 3, 10, 24 & March 3, 10, 2015 5:30—7:30 pm Eastham Elementary School 200 Schoolhouse Rd. Eastham An eight-week parenting series facilitated by Cindy Horgan, Executive Director & Family Support Coordinator at Cape Cod Children’s Place, that will provide skills to support parents with some of the challenges that make this job so difficult. Topics to be discussed are: discipline without yelling, how to handle tantrums, understanding temperament and why our children do what they do, the value of routines, setting limits and boundaries, and much more. Free. Dinner and childcare included. Pre-registration is require; call 508-240-3310. This program is funded by a grant from the Bilezekian Family Foundation with additional funding provided by a grant from the Cahn Funds for Social Change, administered by Cape Cod Children’s Place. Dads’ Group Wednesday Evenings February 25 and March 4, 11, 18, 25, 2015 5:30-7:30 pm Harwich Elementary School Activity Room 263 South St., Harwich Studies show that children grow up happier and healthier with nurturing fathers in their lives. At this group you will have the opportunity to hear other dads experiences and share your own. Create your own “toolbox” for effective parenting by gaining skills for handling challenging behaviors, effective communication & positive discipline. Facilitated by Cindy Horgan, Executive Director & Family Support Coordinator at Cape Cod Children’s Place and Adam Pettengill, Early Childhood Professional and Dad. Free. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Pre-registration is required. Call CCCP to register: 508-240-3310. Please indicate if you are in need of transportation. Funding support provided by a Family Centers grant through the Children’s Trust and a Coordinated Community & Family Engagement grant, administered by Cape Cod Children’s Place. Raising Healthy Boys Thursday, January 29, 2015 up. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Stony Brook Elementary School Free. Dinner and childcare will 384 Underpass Road, Brewster be provided. Pre-registration is required; call 508-240-3310. Join Cindy Horgan, Executive Please indicate if you are in Director & Family Support need of transportation. Coordinator for Cape Cod Funding Provided by a Family Children’s Place and discover Centers grant through the the unique needs of boys as they Children’s Trust and a Coordinated grow and develop. Learn to Community & Family Engagement promote skills that support their (CFCE) grant through the MA Dept. healthy emotional development of Early Education & Care, adminand how to recognize the impact istered by Cape Cod Children’s of media, culture and technology Place. on boys and the messages they take from these influences. Become aware of current trends that affect boys and learn to support our boys as they make sense of the process of growing Preparing for Kindergarten you are in need of Thursday, February 5, 2015 transportation. 5:30-7:30 pm Orleans Elementary School Funding support provided by a 46 Eldredge Park Way, Orleans Family Centers grant through the Join Cindy Horgan, Executive Director and Family Support Coordinator at Cape Cod Children’s Place in a discussion about how to prepare your child socially and emotionally, as well as how to handle separation anxiety for a healthy transition. Free. Pizza dinner and childcare included with registration. Pre-registration is required. Call Cape Cod Children’s Place at 508-240-3310. Please indicate if Children’s Trust and a Coordinated Community & Family Engagement grant through the Mass. Dept. of Early Education and Care, administered by Cape Cod Children’s Place. News You Can Use... Infant Feeding Group: Wednesday, January 14 10-11 am Gabrielle Hathaway at Outer Cape WIC, 79 Finlay Rd., Orleans Happiest Baby on the Block: Wednesday, February 11 10-11 am Gabrielle Hathaway at Outer Cape WIC, 79 Finlay Rd., Orleans Kennedy Donovan Center: Family Support Networking Group: Connect with others for support, information, advocacy, discussion, encouragement, and new possibilities! Open to everyone: parents, teachers, caregivers, siblings, and special needs individuals of all abilities. Tuesday, January 27, 2015 & Tuesday, February 24, 2015 10:30 am—12:00 pm At Eastham Senior Center, 1045 Nauset Rd. Contact Juliane Dillon at 508-385-6019 or jdillon@kdc.org Early Intervention Presentation for parents and professionals of children ages birth to 3 Tuesday, January 27, 2015 5 pm—7 pm West Barnstable Community Building 2377 Meetinghouse Way Rt. 149 West Barnstable Join Barbara Prindle Eaton, OTL/R, Ceis/D Interim Executive Director and Director of Cape & Islands Early Intervention Program, and Judy Harrison, Early Intervention Regional Director, Lower Cape for this important interactive presentation. Topics to be covered will include early childhood education, interventions, transitioning into pre-school, preschool and much more. A light supper and limited child care will available. Registration is required. For information and registration please contact Juliane Dillon at 508-385-6019 x125 or email jdilloon@kdc.org. Father & Baby Pizza Party Thurs., January 22, 2015 6-8 pm Cape Cod Hospital Lorusso Conference Center 27 Park St., Hyannis With Ann Macdonald, RN, BSN, CCE and Paul Melville, family support specialist. Dads: Come show off your baby, connect with other dads, and learn about resources for local families. Free pizza dinner. Sponsored by Cape Cod Healthcare and the Families United Network Program of Cape Cod Child Development. Information or registration: Ann at 508-862-5123. MotherWoman Support Group—Circle of Moms: Thursdays 10 am—12 pm 701 Airline Road, Brewster/ Dennis line For pregnant & postpartum women and their babies up to 1 year old. Snacks, childcare & limited transportation available. For more information & to register: 508-775-6240 x512. Head Start Home-Based Program : Head Start offers a home-based program for children of preschool age and their families. This program is available on the Lower and Outer Cape, although there is no Head Start classroom in this region. The program includes a weekly 1.5 hour visit in your home, and two socialization groups per month in a community setting. For more information, call Jennelle Klun at 508-7756240 x 326. Grand Parenting Support Group Tuesday, January 27, 2015 Tuesday, February 24, 2015 8:30—9:30 a.m. Harwich Family Resource Center (left side entrance of Harwich Elementary School) Sue Landers, LICSW— Facilitator. Coffee & refreshments served. Free of charge. For more information or to register, please call Francie Joseph 508-430-1692. Celebrate with us! In early 2015, Cape Cod Children’s Place will launch a celebratory fund-raising campaign to help sustain our services to young children and their families. The campaign’s goal is to raise $50,000. We are well on our way to our goal with our first challenge pledge of $20,000 from an anonymous donor. Need The building in North Eastham was constructed in 1994. Shortly thereafter, in 1995, we opened our doors. Twenty years later, the facility needs upgrades and repairs to the roof, siding and floors. CCCP needs more parking. Replacing the current carpet with permanent flooring is key for our children’s health, particularly those with allergies, and for maintaining cleanliness. The Sea Babies Program in Wellfleet also needs new floors. Campaign Goals and Timeline The targeted campaign will run from January – April, 2015 and will raise the $30,000 needed to meet the generous challenge and achieve our goal. Several friends in the community have offered to open their homes for house parties to help introduce CCCP to new donors. The 20th Anniversary Dinner at the Captain Linnell House in Orleans on Friday, April 24, 2015 will celebrate the successful conclusion of the campaign. Invest in CCCP’s Next 20 Years We hope everyone will want to invest in CCCP’s next twenty years by helping us make these improvements to our facility to maintain a healthy environment for our children NON PROFIT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ORLEANS, MA 02653 PERMIT NO. 54 cape cod children’s place P.O. Box 1935 10 Ballwic Road, off Nauset Road N. Eastham, MA 02651 508.240.3310 telephone 800.871.9535 toll free 508.240.2352 fax info@capecodchildrensplace.com www.capecodchildrensplace.com Check out this newsletter “in color” on-line at our website. This edition of the Cape Cod Children’s Place Family Newsletter was made possible through the generosity of the Cahn Funds for Social Change and the Children’s Trust. HELPFUL FAMILY CONTACTS & RESOURCES For a more comprehensive list of resources and services check out The Lower Cape Family Resource Guide on-line at www.capecodchildrensplace.com or request a copy at 508.240.3310. A Baby Center 508.771.8157 Basic items for infants and toddlers up to age three living on Cape Cod and Islands Al-anon 508.394.4555 Offering support for friends and families of problem drinkers Cape & Island Breast Feeding Warm Line 888.890.2229 Lactation services and classes are available to local Cape and Islands mothers Child Support Enforcement-Mass DOR 508.771.2414 x 3 Assistance in enforcing the financial responsibilities of parenthood Consumer Credit Counseling 800.208.2227 Budgeting and debt consolidation assistance Family Support Program and Maternal Depression/Cindy Horgan Fuel Assistance Program 508.240.3310 Free referrals to parenting resources, child and family therapists, etc. 508.746.6707 Emergency fuel/heating help Healthy Connections 508.255-1903 Referrals for free/low cost health insurance Homeless Prevention Council 508.255.9667 Counseling, advocacy, resources and referral services Independence House La Leche League/Gabrielle 508.771.6507 508.237.8786 Cape Cod’s Resource Center for Victims & Survivors of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault. Providing education, information, and support to women who want to breastfeed Lower Cape Outreach Council 508.240.0694 Providing short-term emergency assistance to Lower Cape families and individuals Mass APEAL 508.349.1173 Free clothing as well as information on Serve New England Program MSPCC 800.272.9722 Protecting and promoting the rights and well-being of children & families Outer Cape Health Services 508.349.3131 Outer Cape Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Nutrition Program Parental Stress Line 800.675.1188 Providing high quality primary healthcare to those living in or visiting the 8 Lower/Outer Cape towns, regardless of their financial situation Supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education 800.632.8188 A free, confidential, and anonymous 24-hour parent helpline for parental support Provincetown Family Resource Center 800.871.9535 or Providing support, referrals, and financial aid through the John A. Henry Trust administered by 508.237.2688 Cape Cod Children's Place 866.430.8111 Assisting Cape Cod women through the transition of divorce, career change or growth, job loss, illness, or retirement WE CAN