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Are you interested in sharing your families story in the "One Family's Story" section of the Early Childhood CARES newsletter?
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text4baby
is an app that is designed for parents who are pregnant or have a baby up to age one. Sign up to receive free weekly text messages on developmental and health related topics. Text4baby is supported by the American Pediatric Association and health departments across the country. It is available in English and Spanish. Visit
text4baby.org to get signed up today!
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A special
thank you to
Pegasus Pizza
for so generously providing pizza for our parent trainings and events.
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Thank You!
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| University of Oregon College of Education |
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Communication News
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Mail Call!
Lots of language concepts and speech sounds can be practiced when talking about the mail. If your child is not using verbal words, these activities can be enjoyed using any communication system, like: an iPad, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) or signs. Here are some ideas:
1.) Have your child accompany you to the mailbox. Talk about reaching IN and pulling the mail OUT
2.) Count the number of letters. When counting, remind your child to stick out the tongue on "three," bite lip on "four" and "five," and use the snake sound on "six" and "seven"
3.) Sort the mail according to size or color
4.) Look at the stamps. Some have very cool pictures. Talk about the numbers and the cost of a stamp. Use the snake sound for "stamp"
5.) Show your child a map and fine WHERE the letter came from
6.) Talk about WHY someone sent you a letter (or a bill!) The answer will start with, BECAUSE....
7.)Practice folding paper and stuffing used envelopes
8.) Help your child to "write" a letter or send a drawing to someone special
9.) Use junk mail for cutting practice
10.) Take turns hiding an envelope, then go looking for it: in, on , under, behind, next to, in front of, up, down....
Have fun!
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K-Plan Explained
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Let's face it, understanding the K-Plan can be difficult and overwhelming for most of us. In an effort to remove the mystery surrounding the K-Plan, the Oregon Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Coalition (IDD Coalition) in conjunction with the Oregon Disability Network has created a wonderful resource that very clearly explains what the K-Plan is, what services are available and how to access K-Plan funding. Very simply put, the K-Plan is intended to provide support services which allow children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities to enjoy a full life at home, work and in the community. Click here to view this great resource.
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One Family's Story
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Happily Ever After
My husband, Brandon and I learned about the plight of orphans with special needs around the world. We learned that children born with special needs are most often orphaned at birth or shortly after and left to
 grow up in orphanages, where they are then destined for a life in a mental institution. We felt our hearts being drawn toward adoption and in particular of a child or children with special needs. And in December 2011, we officially began our adoption journey.
Our journey led us to Krasnoyarsk, Russia, a city of about 1 million people in Southern Siberia. We traveled to Russia three times, to adopt our two daughters, Dasha and Emily. Our first trip was to meet the girls, our second, a few months later was to attend our court hearing and the third was to pick up the girls. We arrived home finally as a family of four
on December 12, 2012.
Both Dasha and Emily have Down syndrome, and were orphans because of their special needs. Dasha was 6 � years old when we brought her home and Emily was 23 months. They are the bravest people I know! Their lives were completely turned upside when they traveled across the world (and 15 time zones!!) to their new lives as daughters in Eugene, Oregon. And they have become our greatest joy over the last two years.
Dasha is now 8 � years old, loves martial arts, the iPad, elephants and the beach! She is an incredibly smart little girl and has grown an incredible amount since coming home! (10 inches and 20 pounds! She was the size of a 3 year old at age 6 when she arrived home) She is in 3rd grade at Danebo Elementary school and is thriving in their Life Skills program this year. Language accusation has been her biggest challenge, she still understands and speaks some Russian in addition to learning English!!
Emily turned 4 in January and is in preschool at Little Wolverine Preschool, she attended the EC Cares toddler class last year. Emily is a silly, creative little girl and loves fruit snacks, peanut butter, Doc McStuffins and our cat, Luna! She has gone from being a skinny, scrawny baby at almost 2 years old to a energetic little bundle of non-stop movement! She loves school and is doing very well in preschool this year.
We feel so fortunate to have the privilege of being Dasha & Emily's parents, they teach us something new every single day, and can't wait to see where life will take them! For more information about our adoption process, you can visit our blog at:
http://jenniferloveslobsters.blogspot.com
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Share your Story with your Legislator
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The
Oregon Alliance for Early Intervention is partnering with the IDD Coalition to advocate for increased funding for Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education services (EI/ECSE) at the Oregon State Capitol on April 2nd. and they would like YOU to attend! You are invited to come share your story with your legislator to make sure he/she understands how important early intervention services are to families and to help ensure that EI/ECSE services continue to remain fully funded. There will be an advocacy training in the morning and a photo booth available to take your photo with fun advocacy props. You will then have an opportunity to talk with your legislator. To register and for further information, contact Cassandra Trout by
email or phone at 541.556.9196.
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Resource Lending Library
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Did you know that Early Childhood CARES has a resource lending library? The library includes books, videos, CD's and various other types of resources on many different topics that can be checked out for 1 month at a time. Topics include: positive parenting, sibling issues, communication, disability related topics, grief kits, cookbooks, sign language and more. Speak with your service coordinator if you are interested in checking out a resource from the lending library.
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Mom-2-Mom
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The Early Childhood CARES mom's group finished a month of PiYo last weekend. Our next meeting will be a social gathering, no exercise. We will be meeting at Plank Town Brewing Company, 346 Main Street in Springfield at 3:30 on Saturday the 7th. This is an adult-only event. We will also be meeting on Saturday March 14th for a walk, at 3:30, no charge, starting from Bounce Gym. Strollers are welcome. April will be (adult-only) ZUMBA month, 3:30 every Saturday in April, $3.00, at Bounce Gym, 329 W. 3rd St, Eugene. Come join us for fun, fitness and friendship! Please contact Sue Desmond for sign-up or more information: [email protected]
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Resources and Information
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LANEKIDS
Visit
LaneKids, Lane County's "Parenting Education Hub," for great information on community activities, community resources and parenting support. Check out LaneKids monthly activity calendar for
March activities in our area.
THE ARC LANE/FAMILIES CONNECTED
Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network Parent Toddler Playgroup - Sat. April 11, 10 am - noon at Norkenzie Christian Church located at 2530 Crescent Ave, Eugene. Email Heather (
[email protected]) for more information.
JumpStart Saturday Respite- March 14th
10 am - 4 pm., at 4181 E St, Springfield. JumpStart is a respite program for children ages birth to 18 with developmental disabilities and their siblings. Parents can take some time for themselves while children get to play games, watch movies and have fun! Families must use K-Plan support funds to pay for JumpStart Saturday
or limited scholarships are available. Email Becca Hope or call 541-654-7649 for more information and to reserve a spot.
Out N About at Bounce - Tuesdays 5 - 6 pm., 329 W 3rd Ave, Eugene. Families Connected hosts Out N About at Bounce every Tuesday for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings. Parents must remain on site, but are free to sit back and connect with one another while the volunteers play with your kiddos.The cost is $3 per person.
Families Connected Dinner Night -
March 19, 6 - 8 pm. Free dinner and childcare are provided, but families must RSVP by emailing
Laura Dahill or calling 541-343-5256. The guest speaker will be Lee Judy a local Attorney who will share information about special needs trusts and guardianships.
Family Fun Day - March 24, 10 am., at the Regal Cinemas at Valley River Center, Eugene. Families Connected is partnering with Regal Cinemas to host a sensory friendly movie during Spring break. The lights will be dimmed and the sound will be turned down, making it easier for people who may have sensory issues or a disability to enjoy a fun movie experience. Come join in the fun in a safe, nonjudgmental environment! The cost is $5.50 per person.
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.
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About Us
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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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