Happy October, Greetings!
Fall is in full swing and there are many fun family-friendly events happening in Lane County to celebrate the season. In this month's newsletter you'll find Fall- and Halloween-themed crafts, book lists, and events happening around Lane County.
October is also an important time to share resources on Halloween Safety, Bullying Prevention, and Pregnancy & Infant Loss. You'll find articles and resources on all of these topics below.
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It can be upsetting to learn that your child has been picking on other kids. As hard as it may be to hear this news, it's important to deal with it right away.
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It's Halloween Safety Month! Help ensure your kids and your neighborhood trick-or-treaters have a healthy and safe Halloween with these health and safety tips.
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October 7 & 10
There are so many ways to visit the museum for free! Pick up a free pass at your local library, visit for free on the first Friday of every month (Oct 7) and Indigenous Peoples' Day (Oct 10).
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October 8
The 2022 Circles in the Sand kicks off in Florence at 3:00 pm. Team Circles will be creating a sandy path surrounded by intricate designs and artwork for everyone to enjoy a walk on the sandy path. This event is free.
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October 30
Join an afternoon of Spooktacular fun at the Halloween Carnival. Carnival games, crafts, and lots of candy will all be part of this indoor family-friendly event. Children are $5, adults are free.
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September to December
Lane County's celebration of Latinx arts, culture, and heritage continues through December. Find local Día de los Muertos events happening in October and November.
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The Best Fall Books for Kids to Welcome Autumn
Fall is a magical time in Lane County. With the leaves changing color and crisp air on the way, there's nothing better than ringing in the fall season with beautiful books.
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Diverse Picture Books for Halloween
This collection of silly and spooky Halloween picture books features authors and characters from diverse cultures as well as Halloween books that feature children of color enjoying the holiday.
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Parenting Is Not One Size Fits All
There isn’t one “right way” to raise your child. You get to decide the values, skills, and behaviors you want to encourage and discourage and what approaches you want to take.
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Hanging Bat Craft for Kids
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Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
Join actress Pamela Reed as she reads this exciting and heartwarming story about a lost baby bat who learns to celebrate the differences between she and her friends.
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Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support |
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WellMama is a local nonprofit providing pregnancy and postpartum mental health support services, to new, expectant, and grieving parents. They support families and caregivers struggling with emotions related to reproductive health issues, including pregnancy, the first few years postpartum, adoption, infertility, and perinatal loss.
WellMama's Life After Loss page includes support for anyone who has experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a child in infancy. WellMama offers peer support groups, one-on-one support, a remembrance wall, and other ways to remember and honor your baby.
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Wave of Light: Infant & Pregnancy Loss Memorial
WellMama invites you to the Wave of Light, a worldwide infant loss memorial ceremony to honor the short lives of babies who left this world too soon. The ceremony is on October 15th from 6:00-8:00 pm at The Lamb Cottage. Click on the link below for more information.
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Family Leadership Council |
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The Early Learning Alliance's (ELA) Family Leadership Council (FLC) met in September (read meeting notes here) where they discussed writing letters of concern to lawmakers with guests Amy Trieu and Judy Newman from the Eugene 4J school board.
Interested in being a part of the FLC? The next meeting is Thursday, October 13th from 6:00-7:30pm. The 90 minute meetings are virtual, and council members receive a $50 gift card for their time. Meetings offer live translation into Spanish.
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Family Resources from LaneKids |
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Parenting Resources from Triple P
NOW FREE FOR ALL LANE COUNTY FAMILIES!
By equipping parents with the skills and confidence they need to handle parenting challenges and build strong relationship with their kids, Triple P empowers parents to create family environments that help children to realize their potential. Whether your child struggles with bedtime routines, misbehavior, or more, Triple P has tips and resources to help you both thrive.
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Free, High-Quality Preschool - Still taking applications for the 22-23 school year! |
Preschool Promise provides high-quality preschool centered on the philosophy that parents and caregivers should be able to choose the setting that works best for their children and family. From culturally responsive environments and inclusive programming to well-educated teachers, the program builds a learning environment that can create lasting benefits.
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A free program for families with children ages 0-6 with African American/Black heritage, Black Early Learners offers resources and support to help you and your child thrive. Program offers family visits, development screening for children, 1-1 support with your child’s needs, and more. Part of the Lane African American/Black Student Success Project.
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Free Books from Birth to Age 4 |
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that sends books each month directly to your home until your child’s 5th birthday, for free!
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Relief Nursery recently released their August 2022 edition of the Relief Nursery Community Resource Guide. The guide is a comprehensive directory of basic needs and support services for families in Lane County. It's available online in English and Spanish on their website.
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Education
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Head Start of Lane County is now accepting applications for the 2022-23 school year! Head Start is a high-quality preschool program that is available for eligible families and expectant parents with kids ages 0-5. Families receiving SNAP, TANF, ERDC, or SSI automatically qualify. Full day childcare is available for working families.
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Lane Community College offers English as a Second Language programs and GED programs that are low or no cost. Scholarships are available. ESL: www.lanecc.edu/esl, 541-463-5253 or [email protected]. GED: www.lanecc.edu/abse, 541-463-5214 or [email protected].
Housing
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Thrive Housing Network has a new transitional program for young single moms and their children, called the Thrive House. Open to moms 18 years and older, either with children and/or expecting. Contact staff at [email protected] for more information.
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Lane County Health and Human Services provides rent and utility assistance to those who qualify. An applicant does not need to be a citizen to apply for this help. Visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/RENT or call 541-682-3776 for more information. Hablamos Español.
Mental Health
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The Oregon Department of Education has collected resources to support the mental health and well-being of Oregon students and their families. Many of the resources provide guidance for particular situations, such as supporting LGBTQIA+ youth or to prevent youth trafficking. To learn more, visit their webpage.
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YouthLine is a teen-to-teen crisis and help line with Teens available to help daily from 4-10pm (adults are available by phone at all other times!). Call 877-968-8491, Text teen2teen to 839863, or email [email protected], or visit https://oregonyouthline.org/ to chat.
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers mental health supports and services:
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NAMI HelpLine volunteers are available to answer questions and provide practical next steps. People can connect live M–F, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET, to receive information, resources and support. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or [email protected]
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Charlie Health is a new 100% telehealth mental health program that is serving teens, young adults, and families. It's available 24/7 and has no waiting lists. They offer individual therapy, family therapy, and Intensive Outpatient Group therapy (IOP). OHP insurance is accepted.
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline crisis line: Dial 988, available 24/7 for everyone, free and confidential.
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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – AFSP provides general guidance for people at risk of suicide, caregivers, and people who have lost loved ones to suicide.
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Family Check up is a brief intervention that helps family functioning. It addresses the challenges of parenting before they lead to problem behaviors. The program is available at no cost to OHP members/families. Participants can earn gift cards. Click here to access the Family Check-up Interest Form.
Lane County COVID-19 Vaccines
The vaccine is free and available regardless of immigration or insurance status to everyone 6 months and older. Wondering how to get it?
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To find a local pharmacy offering the vaccine, enter your zip code in vaccinefinder.org/search/. Then click on your preferred provider to schedule an appointment.
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Lane County Public Health offers vaccination clinics. Schedule your appointment at: www.lanecountyor.gov/vaxclinics
- Contact your doctor or child's pediatrician to make an appointment.
COVID-19 Testing
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Thanks for reading our newsletter! We would love to hear your feedback on the content of our newsletter, questions, or recommendations on what you would like to read about next time. Feel free to send us an email at [email protected].
Thanks to Crosscultural Now for Spanish translation. Appreciation to Tricia Merrick for providing content. Newsletter edited by Emily Reiter.
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LaneKids is Lane County’s parenting education hub.
Our mission is to ensure all parents in Lane County have the knowledge, tools, and support to nurture their child’s optimal development for success in school and life.
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LaneKids is made possible with support from: |
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