February-March Calendar
- February 6, Playdate @ Bounce Gymnastics, 11-12:15
- February 17-21, No Services
- February 19, Playdate @ Adventure! Children's Museum, 9-noon
- February 26, Statutory Oversight Committee Meeting, 9-10:30
- February 29, FACT Regional Learning Summit @ South Eugene High School
- March 14, Parent Chat: Potty Training 101, 10-noon
- March 18, Playdate @ Adventure! Children's Museum, 9-noon
- March 19-April 6, Spring Break
Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, we will follow the decision of the local school district in each area. If your school district is on a delay, Early Childhood CARES morning classes will be canceled in your area. Afternoon classes will run as scheduled. If school is canceled in your district, Early Childhood CARES classes will be canceled. Contact your service coordinator if you need additional information.
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Immunization Exclusion Date is February 19
Shots are required by law for children in attendance at preschools, child care facilities, and Head Start programs in Oregon, including Early Childhood CARES classrooms. Nearly every place that provides care for a child outside the home requires shots or an exemption (medical or nonmedical) to stay enrolled. If your child does not have the required immunizations or an exemption, your child will not be allowed to return to school as of Wednesday, February 19.
Some people choose not to vaccinate for personal, religious, or philosophical reasons. They can claim a nonmedical exemption to some or all immunizations. To claim a nonmedical exemption visit the
Oregon Health Authority online.
Parents must print out and turn in the "Parent vaccine education certificate" for each shot.
Children who are behind on their immunizations are being informed by mail from Lane County. Please check with your service coordinator if you have any questions about this process.
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February Playdates
Bounce and Adventure! Children's Museum are both hosting discounted playdates for Early Childhood CARES families in February. Just let them know your child is receiving services from our program to get the discount. See below for more details.
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When:
Thursday February 6, 11-12:15
Where:
Bounce Gymnastics, 329 W. 3rd Ave., Eugene
Cost for Early Childhood CARES families:
$3 per child.
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When:
Wednesday, February 19, 9 am - noon.
Where
: Adventure! Children's Museum, at the top of the escalators in Valley River Center.
Cost for Early Childhood CARES families:
$1 per person. Free for children under age 2.
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Potty Training 101 is coming up on March 14. Florien Deurloo, an Autism Consultant and Behavior Specialist with our program, will share her expertise on potty training resistant children. This is always one of our most popular chats, and childcare is limited, so we encourage you to register early.
This parent chat will be held from 10-noon at the Early Childhood CARES main office, 1500 W. 12th Ave., Eugene. Coffee, childcare, and light refreshments available. Please register by contacting us by phone at 541-346-2578, by text at 541-393-7200 or email [email protected].
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Childcare Stipend Available
A childcare stipend is available to help families attend the February 29 FACT Regional Learning Summit. Ask your service provider to fill out a "Family Request for Training Money," or contact Ursula at [email protected].
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Behavior Support Tips: What's the Difference between a Bribe and a Reward?
In our Positive Behavior Group, one of the strategies we cover is the use of rewards as an incentive for desired behaviors. Parents often ask — what's the difference between a bribe and a reward?
A reward
happens
after
the child exhibits the desired behavior. Example: Your child earns a sticker for using the toilet. What behavior is being reinforced? The desired behavior, in this case using the toilet. The child learns that when he uses the toilet, he gets rewarded with a sticker.
A bribe
happens
before
the desired behavior occurs. Example: Your child starts screaming in the grocery store, so you give her a piece of candy and ask her to calm down. What behavior is being reinforced? The undesired behavior, in this case screaming. The child learns that when she screams, she gets a piece of candy.
Rewards reinforce and promote the frequency of desired behaviors. Rewards allow the parent to stay in control of the situation. Bribes reinforce and promote the frequency of undesired behaviors, leaving the child in control of the situation.
Our next Positive Behavior Group will begin in April. This is an eight-week group that meets on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Early Childhood CARES main office, at 1500 W. 12th Ave. Register by calling 541-346-2578 or emailing [email protected].
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Volunteers Wanted for Statutory Oversight Committee
Next meeting: February 26, 9-10:30 at 1500 W. 12th Ave. in Eugene.
Your input is needed!
The Statutory Oversight Committee (SOC) is comprised of service providers, community agencies, school district personnel and Early Childhood CARES families meeting to discuss fiscal issues and the delivery of services to children and their families. Meetings are quarterly from 9-10:30 a.m. at Early Childhood CARES, 1500 W. 12
th
Ave., Eugene.
Childcare is not provided for SOC meetings, however, parents may request a $25 stipend which may be used to pay for self-arranged childcare. Please call 541-346-2578 for more information or contact [email protected].
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Free Car Seat Inspections at Parenting Now!
Meet with a certified child passenger safety technician who can check your child's car seat for correct installation and get your car seat questions answered. Make sure your seat is installed correctly before your baby is born, when your child gets a new seat, or before your family goes on a road trip.
By appointment
Call Heather Gray, CPST, at 541-484-5316 ext. 319 for an appointment Mondays or Wednesdays at Parenting Now!
Monthly Clinics
Monthly drop-in clinics are at Parenting Now the second Friday of each month from 10-noon. In February, the car seat clinic will be on February 14.
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Free Parenting Class at Eugene Public Library
Creating Compassionate Kids: Managing the Ups & Downs of Our Emotional Lives
Saturday, February 8, 1-3 pm
From happy to sad, loved to frustrated, excited to discouraged – the emotions children (and adults) experience day-to-day matter! Our emotions impact our ability to build positive relationships with others, to manage our behaviors and make good choices, to pay attention and learn, and to be the parents and teachers we want to be. Join Shauna Tominey for this hands-on workshop to learn tools and strategies to help your children practice emotional intelligence at home, school, and in the community. Free childcare provided with reservation, please call the Youth Services Reference Desk for information 541-682-8316.
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We're Hiring!
We're looking for skilled parents with a passion for early childhood education who would be interested in working as teaching assistants in our classrooms. Part-time and substitute positions are available. Interested candidates should email a resume to Jeanine Taylor at
[email protected].
To discuss this possibility, feel free to call Jeanine with questions at 541-735-1766.
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Text message reminders
If you would like to receive text message reminders about upcoming events, including our monthly parent chat & playgroup, visit this link to sign up today:
remind.com/join/eccares
You can also sign up by texting @eccares to the number 81010.
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Support our Program with eScrip
Using eScrip is even easier now with the new Benefit Mobile, Inc. app for iPhone and Androids.
Click here
for more info or to get the app.
Sign up for eScrip to raise money for Early Childhood CARES when you shop at Market of Choice and other partner organizations. You can designate up to three schools to receive funds when you shop. Signing up is quick and easy at
escrip.com.
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Check out the LaneKids website for events, parenting classes,
and more!
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Featured Community Events for February
- Musical Mondays/Los Lunes Musicales, every Monday, 10 am. Preschool music time. Singing, dancing, playing, crafting. Cantamos, bailamos, jugamos, y creamos. Free. Gratis. Bethel Family Resource Center, Fairfield Annex, 3455 Royal Avenue, Eugene.
- Saturday Kids Crafting, every Saturday, 11 am - 3 pm. From magnetic puzzles, to robots, to sock creatures, there's always a fun, all-ages craft for kids and families. $3-$5 suggested donation per person. MECCA, 449 Willamette St., Eugene.
- Family Stories Saturdays, every Saturday, 11 am - 11:45. Weekly, all ages storytime. Books, songs, rhymes, music, and activities designed to support early literacy skills. Craft after storytime is finished. Free. Springfield Public Library.
- Nearby Nature Green Start Play Day: Get Egg-cited!, February 11, 10 am. Enjoy nature play in our Learnscape plus toddler and preschool activities and stories — this month all about eggs. Build birds nests and find out what's going on inside an egg. Rain or shine. Kids 5 and under only, with an adult. Members free, nonmembers $7 per family. Pre-register online or call 541-687-9699.
- Oregon Asian Celebration, February 15-16. Opens at 10 am. Traditional entertainment and live music from fan dancing to taiko drumming. Explore heritage exhibits, hands-on youth activities, martial arts demonstrations, and more. Dozens of cultures are represented from the world's largest continent. $6/day for adults, free for children 12 and under. Lane Events Center, Eugene.
- Little Wonders for Preschoolers: Playing in the Rain, February 21, 10:30 am. This month's theme is "Playing in the Rain," with fun crafts and science activities about clouds, rain storms, and rainbows. $12/family, discount available with EBT card. Free with UO ID. UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History.
- City Stewards: Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, February 28, 3 pm. Join other Little Hands Can volunteers and help out at the art museum with sharpening pencils, organizing art supplies, and make sun catchers for a residential facility for people with brain and spinal cord injuries. Space limited by room size. Register online.
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Early Childhood CARES Resource Guide 2019-2020
Our annual Resource Guide lists relevant community resources for young families including library storytimes, play groups, childcare options, and more. If you would like a copy of the 2019-2020 Resource Guide — updated in August 2019 — visit our
website
to download it. If you need a paper copy, contact your service coordinator or email [email protected].
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.
Food
To find an emergency food pantry that serves you or more information, please call (541) 343-2822. Click on your neighborhood below to download the flier.
Imagination Library
The Imagination Library is now available throughout most of Lane County. You can sign your child up to receive a free book by mail every month from birth until he or she turns 5. Details available at the
LaneKids website here.
Playtimes
Baby Playtime Drop-In @ Amazon Community Center.
Ages 6 months + with adult. Tuesdays from 1-3 pm. $1 fee.
Littles Play Time @ Peterson Barn Community Center
Ages 0-4 with adult. Saturdays from 10 am-noon. Drop-in. Free.
WellMama Pregnancy & Postpartum Support.
Every Wednesday from 12:30-2 pm at Parenting Now. A safe and supportive environment for sharing your concerns about pregnancy, the first year after giving birth, and adoptive parenting. Babies and supportive partners welcome.
wellmamaoregon.com
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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
1500 West 12th Ave Eugene OR 97402
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