March 2020
March 2020
We are all in this together!
As we navigate uncharted territory...
please know that all of us involved with OSAP are here to support you, your family and the communities that make up Ottawa County in any way we can. We want to bring you information that will help you and your family get through this unprecedented time; we want to help keep you informed, motivated and hopeful. We are using this time to try some new and innovative ideas to try to serve you better as we all move into a new and different world. Please reach out to us on our facebook page  or email us directly at ....with any questions, concerns of requests you may have.

Lessons from an ...astronaut?
These are truly unprecedented times; it's hard to keep up with everything, as things are changing so rapidly. How can you keep your feet on this ground, much less help your kids stay grounded during this tumultuous stage?
Some simple ideas come from Scott Kelly, an astronaut who spent nearly a year in space ALONE: set a schedule; pace yourself; go outside; find a hobby; keep a journal; stay connected to friends and family. Read more here , and then focus on his parting thought:" I’ve seen humans work together to prevail over some of the toughest challenges imaginable, and I know we can prevail over this one if we all do our part and work together as a team. "

re·sil·ience:
Dictionary definition: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness
As parents, we all want our children to be resilient, to be able to weather the difficulties that life can throw at us. We want them to grow up to be happy, healthy productive people. An OSAP subcommittee, BRY-Building Resilient Youth--focuses on how we, as parents, as community members, can help all our youth develop resilience. There are concrete steps we can take to teach skills, offer experiences and foster relationships that will assist our youth to acquire these capacities that will allow them to be resilient. Follow the BRY facebook page more information and tips on how to help the youth in your life.
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Take care of yourself
Remember-we are ALL human--we all make mistakes, we are all learning how to cope with this new life situation, we are all at least a tiny bit scared. Try to be GOOD to yourself-take frequent breaks if you are working from home, and/or managing your kid's online learning. Try to disconnect from all forms of social media for at least a few minutes each day. Breathe deeply. Go outside and move. Sleep. Eat good food--or your favorite comfort foods. You can't take care of ALL the other people in your life if YOUR are running on empty. Remember--we need you!!
For more ideas on self care, click here
CareOttawaCounty
In only 2 short weeks, a community collaboration spearheaded by the Greater Ottawa County United Way has been working hard to ensure that local agencies can continue to do their work in Ottawa County. In addition, they have been able to mobilize over 200 volunteers through United Way's volunteer center, and as a United Way have raised almost $100,000 to add to the Collaborative COVID-19 Response Fund. 
If you would like to be a part of Ottawa County's response to the COVD 19 crisis, click here
If you need help during this crisis, call 211 or visit here
Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Contact Leigh Moerdyke at lmoerdyke@arborcircle.org


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OSAPCoalition
Talk Early. Talk Often. Learn How.  www.talksooner.org