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We've got two great Parent Chats coming up back-to-back. On February 25 at the UO's Clinical Services Building, we're partnering with FACT Oregon and The Arc Lane County for a workshop on "Preparing for a Successful Transition to Kindergarten." This workshop will provide information about:
- Difference between IFSP/IEP
- Importance of having a vision for the future
- Your role on the IEP team
- The process of transition to kindergarten (from ECSE to IEP)
- Preparing for your first IEP meeting
This will be a great workshop for all parents whose children are starting kindergarten in fall 2017. We've got a lot of information to cover in this workshop, so we're planning to start promptly at 10:00 am and continue until 12:00 pm.
On March 4 at Brattain Early Learning Center, we'll be hearing from Early Childhood CARES specialist Florien Deurloo on the ever-important topic of potty training. Bring your questions!
Please pre-register for both events; free childcare is available for Early Childhood CARES children and siblings. RSVP to Carla at 541-346-2578 or by email to [email protected]. Light refreshments will be served. Arrive on time to enter your name in the free raffle for a door prize!
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Happy Valentine's Day!
Holidays provide plenty of opportunities for hands-on activities with your littles. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Heart-shaped sugar cookies. Help your child develop her fine motor skills by letting her assist with mixing ingredients, using cookie cutters, and frosting. Only adults should put the pan in and out of the oven though!
- Valentine's cards to hand out to preschool classmates or other family and friends. Buy cards and let your child help decorate them with stickers, or make your own from scratch. Work on your child's language skills by having him help you label the cards.
- Heart garland to hang from a window. Help your child use safety scissors to cut out colorful hearts from construction paper, tape to yarn, and hang in the location of your choice.
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Kinder Transition Info for 4J
We invite you to join the 4J Early Childhood Team to learn about the special education transition process as your family moves from preschool to kindergarten.
Date: Wednesday February 8
Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
Location: Howard Elementary,
700 Howard Avenue, Eugene, 97404
Childcare and light refreshments will be provided. RSVP to 541-790-4950 for childcare.
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For families living in Eugene School District 4J, the period for school choice runs until February 28 at 5 pm. If you are interested in enrolling your child in a school other than your neighborhood school for the 2017-18 school year, you can apply for up to three ranked choices (including 4J's language immersion schools in Spanish, French, Japanese, and Chinese).
A school choice information meeting is scheduled for February
16 from 7-8 pm at 200 N. Monroe St. Visit the 4J website here for more information.
Charter schools have a separate application process; please visit the school's website for more information.
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Join us February 25, 10:00 am - 12 pm at the UO's Clinical Services Building for tips on making a successful transition to kindergarten. Then on March 4 we'll be at Brattain Early Learning Center for a workshop on potty training.
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Check here for the latest updates on events with ARC Families Connected.
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Thanks to Our Donors
Thanks to a generous donation, 25 of our families recently received free swimming passes to Tamarack Pool for baby and family swim times.
If you'd like to help us provide more opportunities like this in the future, click here to donate.
Be to sure to
write "Early Childhood CARES" in the additional gift instruction box.
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Volunteer Opportunities for Parents or Legal Guardians
We are looking for parents in our program who are interested in joining our Statutory Oversight Committee (SOC). This involves attending quarterly meetings at the Early Childhood CARES main office, and sharing your input on policies that affect children with special needs. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Ursula ([email protected]).
A big thanks to those of you who have already volunteered! We appreciated your thoughtful input at our December meeting.
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Grief Support Group
Families grieving the loss of a loved one are invited to join a new PeaceHealth Bereavement Group that will run from February 21 to June 13. The group will meet every other Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. For location information and to RSVP please contact Mollymae Culligan at 541-517-5710 or [email protected].
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Tax Deduction for Children with an IFSP
The Oregon Tax Code provides an additional tax exemption for parents of eligible children with disabilities in Oregon. A child qualifies if he or she meets all of the following criteria:
- Qualifies as a dependent of the parent(s) for tax year 2015;
- Is eligible for early intervention services (birth to age 3) or early childhood special education services (ages 3 to 5) and has an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan)
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What documentation must be submitted with the tax return to qualify for this exemption?
Parents need to have a copy of the eligibility statement for the child and a current IFSP but these documents do NOT need to be sent with the tax form.
Oregon Department of Revenue Online Instructions and Forms
For further information and assistance in completing Oregon tax forms, consult a tax professional or contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 1-800-356-4222.
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If you or your child has a professional diagnosis of autism, OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University) and Early Childhood CARES invite you to learn more about SPARK, a new online research study sponsored by the Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative. The mission of SPARK is clear: speed up research and advance understanding of autism by creating the nation’s largest autism study. Joining SPARK is simple – register online and provide a DNA sample via a saliva collection kit in the comfort of your own home. Register in person at OHSU by contacting us at [email protected], 503-974-OHSU (6478) or visiting www.SPARKforAutism.org/OHSU. Together, we can help spark a better future for all individuals and families affected by autism.
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Trust-Based Parenting Class
Holt International is offering a holistic parenting/caregiver class for caregivers of children who have experienced trauma, intrusive medical procedures, premature birth, or stressful pregnancy. Classes begin February 18. Contact Abbie Smith for more information: [email protected].
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Your Family's Resource for Connecting with the Community!
- Informative parenting articles.
- Monthly calendar of activities to do with your kids.
- Connect with resources across Lane County.
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Early Childhood CARES Resource Guide 2016-2017
If you would like an updated copy of the 2016-2017 Resource Guide for resources available in our community, visit our website
to download it. If you need a paper copy, contact your service coordinator or Carla at [email protected].
FACTOregon
offers several online training opportunities for parents. Check out their
Great Start! Parent Empowerment Training Series
: An interactive four part training kit intended for families with children receiving early intervention/early childhood special education.
Free Screening for Siblings
Parents of children receiving services from Early Childhood CARES may request a free developmental screening for younger siblings. Simply call 541-346-2578. Spanish speaking families can call 541-346-0742.
Earned Income Tax Credit
The Earned Income Tax Credit is for working people with low to moderate income, and one or more dependent children. Starting this year, families claiming the EITC will not be eligible to receive their tax refund until February 15 or after. For more information, and to see if you qualify, visit this link.
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Early Childhood CARES
provides early intervention and early childhood special education to infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children in Lane County. Services are individually designed to address the needs of the young child with developmental delays or disabilities. All services are free of charge to eligible children.
Early Childhood CARES
541-346-2578
800-925-8694
299 E 18th Ave Eugene OR 97401
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