ECI Monthly news & updates
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Early Communicator Calendar | |
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Expanding Language Calendar | |
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Family Engagement Grant Awarded
by Amy Chavez, Public Outreach Coordinator
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We are excited to announce that H-E-B has generously awarded a grant of $2,500 along with $2,500 in H-E-B gift cards to support and enhance the Family Engagement program. This program is designed to foster enriching experiences for families within our ECI community, allowing them to connect and engage with the larger community. Through various activities and events, we aim to create opportunities for interaction, support, and shared learning, helping to strengthen the bonds among families and their broader surroundings.
Family Engagement events unite families, staff, board members, and volunteers to celebrate inclusivity and early childhood development. Designed for families receiving early intervention services, these events offer a unique opportunity for connection outside of the usual service environment.
Family Engagement Goals:
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Inclusive Experiences: Children participate in activities tailored to their needs, fostering engagement in a supportive atmosphere.
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Community Support: Families connect, reducing isolation and sharing advice and resources to strengthen resilience. Volunteers connect with families to foster community, raise awareness, and promote greater independence and integration for families.
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Empowerment: Parents and caregivers gain confidence and advocacy skills through community engagement.
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Awareness: Hear firsthand how early childhood intervention (ECI) impacts families and the broader community.
We are so grateful to H-E-B for choosing to support the Family Engagement program. Creating meaningful moments for families is invaluable. Together, with H-E-B, we can make a real impact in our community.
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Spotlight Story - Mason Ventura | |
By Alvin Marrero
Today, we're highlighting Mason Ventura, a dedicated Boy Scout from Troop 58 in San Antonio, Texas. Currently a Life Scout, Mason is working towards achieving his Eagle rank. He began his scouting journey at the age of eight and has devoted the last nine years to the organization, deeply embodying the Scout Oath and Law in his daily life. As an only child, he found a sense of brotherhood among his fellow scouts, forging lifelong friendships.
Mason has relished camping trips that challenged him to develop survival skills, weekly meetings that focused on troop goals and recognizing individual achievements, and numerous volunteering opportunities. Through these activities, he and his troop have logged hundreds of service hours, participating in sustainability projects, enhancing park environments, and organizing holiday toy and food drives.
Mason has a natural inclination to help others and shows compassion for children with special needs. Diagnosed with developmental delays at 18 months, he received early intervention therapy through Easter Seals, including speech and occupational therapy. Today, he possesses the skills to navigate challenges, enabling him to grow into a successful, independent young man who contributes to his community.
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To reach the rank of Eagle Scout, Mason is required to complete a service project that benefits the community. He chose to give back to Easter Seals, the organization that played a pivotal role in his development. His project, titled “Read Aloud,” aims to create an audiobook library for children with special needs. This initiative features a collection of story and rhyme books suitable for ages two and up. Volunteers recorded readings of the books, which were then saved as audio files. Each book is accompanied by a QR code, allowing children to scan it and listen to the story while following along in the book.
Mason believes everyone can contribute to positive changes in their community, and through his project, he is making a meaningful impact.
Project Read Aloud will be online in a few weeks. Please let your ECI team know if you are interested in listening to some of the audiobooks.
Pictured below: Mason with Shannon Grizzell, Committee Card Troop 58, Tammy Ward, Scout Master, Troop 58, and members of Troop 58.
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Easter Seals will be closed on Thursday, November 28th and Friday, November 29th, 2024 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. We are so grateful for all the families we serve and we hope you enjoy a wonderful time with those closest to you.
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We Are Looking For Spotlight Stories for Upcoming Newsletters | | | |
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We'd love to share your child's
ECI journey!
If you'd like to be featured in the
"ECI Spotlight Story"
segment, click below.
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TBI SOS 4 Kids - Traumatic Brain Injury System of Support
Click on the images to zoom. If you meet the criteria to complete a survey, you will receive a $10 gift card. Healthcare professionals, childcare providers, parents, and students are all needed.
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We are in cold and flu season, so please help us prevent widespread illnesses throughout our program. Please cancel with your therapist if your child is not well. Remember, when we leave your home, we go to another family's house. Let's all work together to keep everyone as healthy as possible. | |
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Free Covid tests are available again. Order here. | |
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November Awareness Observations | | | |
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Month-Long
- Adoption
- Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy Month
- Good Nutrition Month
- Hospice Month
- Lung Cancer
- Native American Heritage Month
- Prematurity
- Red Ribbon Month (Anti-drunk-driving)
- Vegan
Days
- November 1 - World Vegan Day
- November 1 - Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
- November 8 - Aicardi Syndrome
- November 10 - World NET Cancer
- November 10 - World Immunization Day
- November 11 - Veterans Day
- November 12 - World Pneumonia Day
- November 13 - World Pancreatic Cancer Day
- November 14 - World Diabetes Day
- November 15 - World Ohtahara Syndrome
- November 17 - World Prematurity Day
- November 20 - Universal Children's Day -
- November 25 - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
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2203 Babcock Road
San Antonio, TX 78229
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phone: 210.614.3911
fax: 210.625.3162
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