Early Childhood CARES February 2019 e-News
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February Calendar

  • February 2, Children's Health Fair, 10-noon @ 1500 W. 12th Ave.
  • February 7, Transition to Kindergarten 4J Meeting, 5:30-7:30 @ Howard Elementary
  • February 9, Parent Chat: What Does Being Ready for Kindergarten Really Mean? It's Never Too Early to Start!, 10-noon @ 1500 W. 12th Ave.
  • February 18-22, No Services
  • February 20, Playdate @ Adventure Children's Museum, 9-noon
  • March 2, Parent Chat: You are Your Child's Specialist: A Guided Presentation on Person-Centered Planning, 10-noon @ 1500 W. 12th Ave.
  • March 9, Parent Chat: Potty Training 101, 10-noon @ 1500 W. 12th Ave.


Exclusion Guidelines for Sick Children
It's that time of year when lots of viruses are circulating. In order to ensure the safety and health of children and staff, children who have any of the following conditions will be excluded from the classroom until symptoms are gone or parent obtains a provider note that the underlying cause is not/no longer communicable. In addition to our preschool classrooms, this includes our parenting class, parent chats and any other events with childcare.
  • Fever, a temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 37.8 degrees Celsius. May return to school once fever is gone for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicine.
  • A sore, red throat, even if no fever is present.
  • An earache.
  • A deep, hacking cough.
  • Severe congestion.
  • Difficulty breathing or untreated wheezing (see doctor).
  • An unexplained rash.
  • Vomiting (more than one time in last 24 hours).
  • Diarrhea (more than two times in last 24 hours).
  • Stiff neck and headache with one or more of the above symptoms (contact doctor immediately).
  • Thick green or brown drainage from the nose along with sinus pressure, fever or tiredness.
  • Colored drainage from eyes or ears.
  • An unusual yellow coloring to the skin or eyes (contact doctor).

Tax Exemption for Parents of Children with Disabilities
The Oregon Tax Codes provides an additional tax exemption for parents of eligible children with disabilities in Oregon. If your child was enrolled in Early Childhood CARES as of December 31, 2018, then your family qualifies for this tax break. Consult a tax professional or contact the Oregon Department of Revenue with additional questions at 1-800-356-4222.
On February 9 , our director, Judy Newman, will be leading a parent chat called What Does Being Ready for Kindergarten Really Mean?: It's Never too Early to Start. This will be most relevant for families with children ages 2 and up. Come learn strategies to help your toddler or preschooler develop the social-emotional, communication, and academic skills that will help them succeed in kindergarten.

We're having two parent chats in March. On March 2 , we will host You are Your Child's Specialist: A Guided Presentation on Person-Centered Planning . Nancy Berge, Director of Arc Families Connected, will be presenting this chat. This will cover information on creating a strengths-based One-Page Profile or brochure to help you advocate for your child in the community.

Our annual Potty Training 101 chat will take place on March 9 and be led by Julia Rockwell, an autism and behavior specialist with our program.

All parent chats meet on Saturday mornings from 10 am - noon at our main office, 1500 W. 12th Ave., Eugene. Free childcare, coffee, and light refreshments will be available. Parents need to register even if childcare is not needed. Register by calling our front desk at 541-346-2578, texting 541-393-7200, or by email to eccares@uoregon.edu. Childcare is limited. RSVP early to ensure your spot.
When : February 2, from 10 am-noon
Where: 1500 W. 12th Ave., Eugene
What: Free hearing,vision, and dental screenings for children. SAFE kids will providing safety information.
Who: Open to all Lane County families with children under age 5. Invite a friend! Child's parent or guardian should be present at event.
Transition to Kindergarten:
Early Childhood CARES to Eugene School District 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.
This meeting is for all families within the Eugene School District 4J who have children transitioning to kindergarten in Fall 2019.
 
We will be sharing information about:
*Differences between Early Childhood CARES (IFSP) and School Age Services (IEP)
*Evaluation Process
*4J’s special education programs
*Provide a tour of different classrooms that represent different levels of special education support as well as a kindergarten classroom
*School choice process relating to special education students
*A panel of special education providers will be present
*A time for questions/answers for families
 
Date: Thursday, February 7, 2019
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Location: Howard Elementary, 700 Howard Ave., Eugene
 
Childcare and light refreshments will be provided
If you need childcare, please call 541-790-4950 so we can plan accordingly.

Sensory Storytime will be held at 3pm on Saturdays in February at the Downtown Eugene Public Library! Sensory Storytime is a 30-40 minute program including 15-20 minutes of songs, stories and movement followed by time to explore interactive materials and browse selected books available for check out. Sensory Storytime is designed for children ages 2-8 that experience sensory needs, have developmental delays, or are on the autism spectrum.  
 
Registration starts Sunday January 27 for Sensory Storytime Saturday February 2. Registration for each following Saturday Feb. 9 , 16 and 23 will open the Sunday before that date. To register, please call or stop by the Downtown Public Library’s Youth Services desk @ 541-682-8316 during open hours. The Downtown Library is open Monday-Thursdays 10am-8pm and Friday- Sunday 10am-6pm.
Paid Research Study Opportunity
Interested in learning more about your strengths and needs as a caregiver?
 
You are invited to participate in a study of social and emotional development in young children.
 
Families will receive $20 gift card.
Who? Children ages 18-42 months and a caregiver
Where? At your home or at Clinical Services Building at University of Oregon, whatever is most convenient
How long? ONE appointment that will last approximately 90 minutes
When?  At your convenience

Benefits of Participation:
·    Learn more about your relationship with your kiddo
·    Learn more about your child’s social and emotional development
  Contact  kmunger@uoregon.edu or 205-482-5896 (Call or text!)
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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.
Support our Program with eScrip

Using eScrip is even easier now with the new Benefits 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.
 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.
Resources
Early Childhood CARES Resource Guide 2018-2019 
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 2018-2019 Resource Guide — updated in August 2018 — visit our website  to download it. If you need a paper copy, contact your service coordinator or Carla at carlam@uoregon.edu.

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.

Groceries
FOOD for Lane County has released a list of resources for free food by neighborhood. 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
Families who live in the Eugene library district, 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 Eugene Public Library 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.
About Us:
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