A Heartfelt Thanks and National Adoption Month

As we welcome the month of November, the Parent Support department team would like to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community and support, and we are truly thankful for the trust you place in us. Here are a few words of gratitude from our staff:

"A heartfelt thank you to all the families involved in our Parent Support Programs. Your commitment, time, and energy make an incredible difference—not only in the lives of your children but also in our community. By showing up, sharing experiences, and offering support, you create an environment where everyone can grow, learn, and feel truly valued. We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community."

- Maggie Van Dyne, Parent Support Supervisor

"Talking about your parenting style can feel really intimate and vulnerable. I am grateful for all the caregivers we have worked with and for their willingness to share their stories with us and be open to new ideas and strategies. I am thankful to be a small part of their parenting journey!"

- Amber Sullivan, Positive Parenting Coordinator

"The families in Cuyahoga Parents Connect truly support one another in a way I’ve rarely seen on social media. We’ve provided them with a safe space, and they’ve held up their end of the bargain—keeping our group a place where they can speak openly and vulnerably about their experiences. I’m so grateful for that."

- Heather Sakai, Cuyahoga Parents Connect Administrator

"I would like to thank our families for trusting us to be a part of their parenting journeys. Their trust in Bright Beginnings to provide strategies and support is met with the joy we feel in having the opportunity to do so."

- Jerrold Nash, Fatherhood Resources Coordinator

November is National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Awareness Month! In our Cuyahoga Parents Connect community, we are fortunate to have diverse families, including adoptive and foster parents, as well as supporters of adoption. This month, we honor all paths to parenthood and the unique journeys each family takes.

One family's story:

"After years of being unable to start a family, my husband and I turned to adoption, knowing it was the best option for everyone involved. After two years of meeting parents through our adoption agency, we were matched with our son's birth mother. When we got the call that she had chosen us to parent her child, we were over the moon.

Our son, Crew, and his birth family became the foundation of our family, and we are incredibly grateful for her decision to place him for adoption. Crew’s birth family is now like any other relative; we celebrate holidays together and keep them updated on our children’s lives. Without adoption, we wouldn’t have the family we cherish today." - Taylor, Parent Ambassador for Cuyahoga Parents Connect

Parents as Teachers provides parents with the knowledge and tools that support the health and development of young children at every stage.

You can’t spoil your baby! During their first six months, babies need all the love, understanding, and comfort you can give. Touch is one of the ways babies learn about their world. When you hug them, they learn they can trust you to provide comfort.

Source: Parent as Teachers

Bright Beginnings provides a wide array of individualized services to caregivers and children in Cuyahoga County impacted by lead exposure.

Blog Article: How to Safely Clean Lead Dust and Protect Your Family's Health

Lead poisoning is a serious problem that affects many communities, including Cuyahoga County. Even though there have been improvements in reducing lead exposure, many children are still exposed. Learn more about how you can protect your family's health, by reading this article by our Parent Support supervisor.

Fatherhood Resources celebrates the successes and addressing the challenges that men may face on their journey toward becoming the kind of father they aspire to be.

Dads overwhelmingly view being a parent as an important aspect of their personal identity, according to a survey of U.S. parents in 2022.

The vast majority of fathers with children under 18 (85%) say being a parent is the most (24%) or one of the most (61%) important aspects of who they are as a person.

Triple P provides parents with practical strategies to manage misbehavior and prevent issues before they arise. To reserve a spot for this event, call Brookpark Library at 216-267-5250

Come meet Rachel, our dedicated Community Liaison, out in the community! For more information about finding Rachel out at local events, bookmark our community calendar!

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