May-June Calendar
- April 29-May 3 Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 3, No Services
- May 4, Picky Eaters Parent Chat
- May 18, Family Fun Day
- May 22-28, No Services
- June 8, Positive Behavior Strategies Parent Chat
- June 14, Summer Break Begins
The 2019-20 calendar will be available on our website soon!
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It's Teacher Appreciation Week! Consider taking a moment to express gratitude to your child's preschool teacher this week. You might involve your child by having them pick flowers or make a drawing to give to their teacher.
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On June 8 we will have our final Parent Chat of the 2018-19 school year, on Positive Behavior Strategies, with Natalya McComas. Natalya is a 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 [email protected]. Childcare is limited. RSVP early to ensure your spot.
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Family Fun Day & Resource Fair
When: Saturday May 18, 10 am - noon
Where: Centennial Elementary School 1315 Aspen St. Springfield, 97477
Bring the whole family and enjoy a morning of indoor and outdoor carnival games! Kids enjoy crafts, games, music & storytelling in a safe environment. Parents can learn about community resources and fun summer activities for kids. Partners include Eugene Public Library, Springfield Library, Food for Lane County, Eugene Science Center, Parenting Now, Early Education Program, Lane County Community Health, Adventure! Children’s Museum, and Kids' First.
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Legislative update from Judy Newman, Director of Early Childhood CARES
Several people have asked me about what is happening in the legislature for early learning and specifically for early intervention/early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) programs. Increased funding for EI/ECSE programs is one of the highest priority recommended investments — the purpose is to get service levels up to recommended levels for adequate progress.
Their recommendations are now in a bill and specific investments are described in the bill along with the funds they are recommending. The bill is adding $2 billion of new revenue investments with 20 percent ($400 million) to early childhood programs and 80 percent to K-12 schools. The early learning recommended investments include the $75 million additional funds for EI/ECSE as a high priority. Other investments include: increased funding for Oregon pre-kindergarten to increase salaries, expand Relief Nurseries, expand Preschool Promise, staff training, and the establishment of an early childhood equity fund. There is an accompanying bill recommending the taxes that will be generated to pay for this. If both of these bills pass this session it is likely the bill for new taxes will be referred to the voters. So at the earliest we would see these new investments in the 2020-21 service year — if the voters agree with the new tax proposals.
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Annual Family Survey
Our annual Family Survey is in the mail. We value your input and use it to improve our services. Please return your survey by June 7 for a chance to win a $50 Fred Meyer gift card. If you did not receive the survey, you can request another copy by calling our front desk at 541-346-2578.
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Join the FREE Kids in Transition to School (KITS) program this summer.
During the KITS program your kids will:
- Learn to make friends & cooperate
- Build beginning reading & counting skills
You will:
- Reduce parenting stress
- Learn how to connect with your child's school
Sign up for KITS at your kindergarten registration!
Programs will be held in the following school districts:
Bethel * Creswell * Crow-Applegate-Lorane * Fern Ridge * Junction City * Lowell * Marcola * Oakridge * South Lane * Select schools in Springfield and Eugene 4J
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May 9 - Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
Oregon Family Support Network invites you to attend Children's Mental Health Awareness Day on May 9 from 9 am - 3 pm at the Oregon State Capitol State Park.
This free event includes activities and supervision for children and youth, but advance registration is required. Please register by
clicking here.
Need a ride to Salem? OFSN has a limited number of spots available for transportation. Call 541-215-0005 to reserve transportation.
Activities include:
- Youth superhero activities
- Social time
- Superhero table activity
- Guest speaker
- Open mic
- Lunch
- Capitol Tour
- Resource Fair
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Sensory Storytime at Eugene Public Library
Sensory Storytime will be held at 3 pm 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 May 26th for Sensory Storytime Saturday June 1st. Registration for each following Saturday June 8, 15, 22 and 29 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 10 am-8 pm and Friday-Sunday 10 am-6 pm.
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Arc Families Connected Events
Arc Families Connected offers lots of events for families of children with disabilities, including Get Air playdates every Wednesday from 5-6 pm. To see what other events they have planned, visit their
Facebook page here
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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 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.
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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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Featured Community Events for May
- Tot Discovery Day: Backyard Science. Friday May 3, 9 am-noon at Eugene Science Center. Limited to children ages 5 and younger. $10 parent/child combo.
- Family Fun: Cinco de Mayo. Sunday May 5. 2 pm at Downtown Eugene Public Library. Make crafts to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Free.
- Baby Pop Music. Tuesdays at 1 pm at Xcape Dance Academy, 1645 Oak St. Eugene. Signing and music for babies and their caretakers. Free.
- Little Wonders for Preschoolers. Friday May 10 from 10:30-11:30 am at the UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Stories and activities for preschoolers. Theme for April is Playing with Pollinators. $10/family, reduced rate available for EBT card holders.
- Mother's Day 5K. Sunday May 12, 9 am-noon at Alton Baker Park. Free kids run at 9:15. 5K at 10 am. $25 adults. Benefit for Parenting Now.
- Florence Rhododendron Festival. May 17-May 19 in historic Old Town Florence. Carnival, parade, local craft market.
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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 [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.
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.
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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