Education and support to families with concerns about their child. |
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Greetings!
Join us this fall for programs, whether it is in person or virtual. We are here for you! I will be at the Music Therapy & More sessions and look forward to meeting you.
Hello! I’m Mirna Abou Khzam, CFK’s Program Assistant, and new Ohioan! I made the big, cross-country move for my master’s degree - I’m currently in graduate school for speech-language pathology, and while I may not be a parent, I do understand many of the struggles your child is facing and can help you find resources to help them. As a daughter of immigrants, and one myself, I know how important it is to respect every family and their culture and make them feel welcomed and understood. I also speak Arabic and am there to assist any and all families, even those that may not speak English as a first language or speak another language.
When I moved from California to Cleveland, there were a lot of unknowns for me. The area was new, the experience was new, and I had moments of feeling lost. Everything that I had known as my “normal” turned upside-down, and I’m sure that many others have felt the same, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. We totally understand those feelings, and here at CFK, we’re working to get acquainted with this new “normal.” We have in-person and virtual sessions this fall, and will be here for you for any of your needs or concerns, just like we always have. So, join us at one of our programs! I will be at the Music Therapy and More sessions, you can call or text me at 440-907-9130 or email me, and I can help you find resources to help your child overcome whatever challenges they are facing.
I can’t wait to meet you all!
Mirna Abou Khzam
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Join A CFK Closed Facebook Group
Contact a CFK Family Resource Specialist at 440-570-5908 (para español 440-907-9130) or via email at [email protected].
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Fill Out a Faces of CFK Profile and be Entered to Win a Mitchell's Card |
One of the ways we help families to feel less alone is through our newsletter feature, Faces of CFK. In a Faces profile, families share some of the things they've learned, favorite resources, and things they love about their child.
Faces of CFK also has another important role too. Your quotes are tremendously powerful in helping us to ask foundations and other donors to continue to support our programs.
We're running low on profiles and could really use your help. All you need to do is fill out this short form. To encourage your participation, we'll do a drawing for a $25 Mitchell's gift card. Please respond by Sunday, September 26 to be eligible.
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Disability & Inclusion Guide Now Available |
Our new Disability & Inclusion Guide helps families who may need help advocating for their child and/or teaching their child self-advocacy skills.
While Connecting for Kids does not conduct advocacy work, our mission includes educating families on resources they can use to learn more.
This list is meant to offer a "jumping off" point for families. It includes organizations that are active in our community, resources to help families understand and talk about disability, as well as books for children.
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How to Communicate Effectively with the School |
What are some ways you can improve communication with your child’s school? How can you more effectively ask for support? Join Karla Fitch, MTSC, of Connecting for Kids, as she teaches families how to create and use a communication binder. Karla will walk attendees through the documents a family should have readily available and discuss the importance of each. She will also demonstrate ways to use the binder throughout the year to communicate your child’s needs. All participants will be given supplies to put together your own communication binder!
Tuesday, September 28, 7:00 pm
Virtual
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“Handy” Activities for Young Children |
Do you want to learn some fun "hands-on" activities to help your child master the use of scissors and pencils? Do you want to learn how hands and eyes work together to build fine motor skills necessary for school? Join CFK Early Intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, MA, CCC-SLP, and Paula C. Papp, MAEd, as they teach you engaging experiences to help your child develop hand skills using inexpensive sensory, art, and play activities.
Tuesday, October 12, 7:00 pm
Virtual
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Visual Cues to Help Children Manage Impulses |
Do you want strategies to motivate your child toward positive behavior? Do you wish you had a kit filled with proactive “tools” you could use to get ahead of meltdowns before they start? Join us each month to learn how to use the tools in our Behavior Toolkit to help your child ages 18 months – 12 years control behavior and manage emotions. This program is designed for children with or without developmental concerns. At each session, Ochanya McRoberts-Wells, MEd, will discuss the theme of the month and answer your questions on a variety of topics, which can be asked during the program or submitted upon registration. You have the option to attend in person or via live stream.
Tuesday, September 21, 6:30 pm
Cuyahoga County Public Library, Garfield Heights Branch
OR
Live Stream
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Music for Mental Health: This Month's Topic is Anger |
This program is open to any caregiver who needs support, regardless of how much their child is struggling. Join us this month as the music therapist uses music experiences to focus on emotions in music. We will be focusing on the topic of anger. What makes us angry? Why? How can we cope with those difficult emotions? To bring the group together creatively, the music therapist will start with a drum circle that will allow you to let go, get creative and have fun. Then, she will lead you through a live music listening experience where you will discuss lyrics and share your thoughts on the topic. The program will conclude with a progressive muscle relaxation experience to leave you feeling calm, centered and ready to take on the rest of the week. Come get creative, relax and connect with other families as we use music to cope with our ever-present struggles.
Thursday, September 16, 6:30 pm
Westlake Porter Public Library
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Supporting Your Child on the Gender Spectrum |
Are you trying to foster a gender-affirming environment, but are unsure what the differences are between gender expression and gender identity? Join Kristen Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, and Lisa Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, of Colors+, for a short presentation on the gender spectrum. Afterward, they will lead a discussion on how to nurture a gender creative environment for your child who is gender expansive or questioning.
Thursday, September 23, 7:00 pm
Virtual
Connecting for Kids provides families with resources so they can make an informed decision for their child.
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The isolation of raising a child with disabilities or mental health issues is real. The pandemic has compounded this sense of loneliness by limiting social interactions over the last year and caused many of us to lose touch with friends and neighbors. Meet other families and receive encouragement as we discuss the article, "Loneliness for New Parents of Disabled Children." Lisa Ruman, LISW, CHt, of The Child & Family Counseling Center of Westlake, will facilitate a discussion about ways to find support for the journey.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021, 6:30 pm
Westlake Porter Public Library
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Can “Mom-Rage” Be a Good Thing? For Families of Children with Complex Needs |
Can anger actually be a positive thing? Is your “mom-rage” or "caregiver-rage" trying to alert you to a deeper problem? Sarah Saunders, MA, LPCC, of Purposeful Growth & Wellness, will discuss how anger can actually be a good messenger. Similar to a check engine light in your car, anger is a signal that something more is going on. If you feel "rage-y,” you're not alone. Join other families of children with complex needs and we’ll help you identify how anger feels, why it might be happening and what to do about it. Each attendee will receive a free sand timer.
Thursday, October 21, 8:30 p.m.
Virtual
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¡Usa tu creatividad! Están cordialmente invitados a nuestra "Noche de Arte y Pintura!" Ven y conoce a otras familias de la comunidad hispana. Este evento es gratis! Estaremos hablando sobre varios temas de la salud mental de menores como: La ansiedad, el déficit de atención, la depresión, problemas emocionales y de comportamiento y mucho más. Ven y comparte con nosotros en un ambiente confidencial y con otras personas que comprendan las buenas y las malas de criar a niños con condiciones o síntomas de salud mental y emocional. Estaremos ahí para contestar preguntas! Betsy Amador Ramos estará representando a La Alianza Nacional de La Salud Mental y Emocional y traerá recursos.
Jueves 23 de Septiembre del 2021 a las 6:00 pm
El Nord Center
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Use Your Story for Personal Growth for Black and Latinx Families |
Learn to tell your story with power and conviction to get the best results for your child (and for yourself). This program is part of the Torchbearers Advocacy Series which is a workshop for Black and Latinx families of children with health, learning concerns or disabilities who are dealing with bias and unequal outcomes in the systems that serve them. Join Nikki Montgomery, MA, MEd, GPAC, in this workshop series, where you will learn to turn your narrative skills inward to support self care, confidence building and gather personal support to cope with the demands of caregiving and parenting. Please note that registration for this program will close on Friday, September 10.
Fridays, September 17, 24, & October 1, 7:00 pm
Virtual
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Healing from the Trauma of Institutional Racism |
Do you identify as a Black American who feels the effects of institutional racism? Are you currently raising a child ages birth – 12 years? If so, join Anna Jones, LISW, of Cleveland State University, for this four-week workshop, which will help you move forward despite the trauma. She will help you see and stop patterns of trauma survival that can affect you and your children and practice hands-on self-care and healing techniques. Anna will help you develop coping skills to thrive, even in a society where institutional racism continues to exist.
Wednesdays, October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 7:00 pm
Virtual
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Speech and Language Consult |
Do others find your child's speech difficult to understand? Does your child have trouble talking or playing with other children? Does your child have difficulty understanding what you say? If so, register to attend a Speech and Language Consult, either in-personal or virtually, where you and your child will meet with a pediatric speech language pathologist from Effective Speech Therapy, Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center or Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC. This consultation is open to children ages 18 months - 12 years. Your child will be encouraged to engage in some activities and parents/caregivers will be asked to complete a checklist. You will also learn strategies to help your child at home.
Thursday, October 7, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Westlake Porter Public Library and Virtual
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In-Person Music Therapy & More℠
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This program is designed for families and their children ages 0-6 years who are struggling in an area of development. Join us for a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child's academic, motor, communication and social skills as well as behavior. This program is led by a Board-Certified Music Therapist. For more information, visit, connectingflorkids.org/music. Register for a session time below:
Middleburg Heights Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library
Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library
Westlake Porter Public Library
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If you are interested in being featured in a future Faces of CFK column, we invite you to click on this link and fill out the form.
Claudia lives in North Ridgeville and has three children.
How are you and your family dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic?
The pandemic has been a challenge for my family. Virtual schooling was a novelty at first, but my kids quickly lost motivation to do the work and missed the opportunity to socialize with friends. Although I'm glad they are back in school, I still worry about the possibility of them getting sick with the virus. Even though we are taking things day by day, I also worry about the long-term effects the pandemic is having on my family’s mental health and mine. It's exacerbated my kid's depression. Sometimes, I feel helpless in what I can do, but I rely on my support system to get me through and it makes all the difference.
The most difficult part of parenting a child who struggles is...
Feeling helpless to do anything that will work for my child, and the loneliness I feel when others don't or aren't willing to understand our struggles.
To read the full column, click here.
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Children with varying learning styles and abilities learn together in a safe, supportive environment where respect and appreciation for differences is encouraged. This storytime is designed for children who may not be successful in a typical storytime experience. Content is geared toward ages 3 to 7 years, but all ages are welcome. Siblings may also attend but must register separately. For more information, visit connectingforkids.org/library
North Ridgeville Branch of Lorain Public Library System -- In Person
Saturday, September 18, 10:30 am
Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library -- In Person
Saturday, September 18, 10:30 am
Westlake Porter Public Library
Friday, September 17, 10:00 am
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Sensory Creations Pick-Up Program
Stop by and pick up supplies and instructions for some of our favorite all-inclusive, all ages sensory activities. Registration for this program will close on September 20.
Pick up begins week of:
Monday, October 4
Avon Lake Public Library
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North Ridgeville Branch of Lorain Public Library |
Musical Toolbox
Designed for children with disabilities and their families, this fun and engaging music program is conducted by a board-certified music therapist from MTEC, the Music Therapy Enrichment Center. Caregivers will be given musical tools to use with their children outside of class. Open to all ages.
Saturday, September 25, 10:30 am
North Ridgeville Branch of Lorain Public Library
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Westlake Porter Public Library |
Gross Motor Monday
Start your week with some movement activities! We will have fun balancing, jumping, tossing, marching and more! Ages 3-7.
Monday, September 13, 11:00 am
Westlake Porter Public Library
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Send Your Friend to a Sleepover
Drop off your favorite stuffed animal or doll for a library sleepover. We will show your friend what a sleepover is all about! Then you can take them with you when you need some confidence! Ages 3-7.
Drop off Oct 21, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.
Pick up Oct 24, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Westlake Porter Public Library, Youth Services Department
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Porter Pumpkin Patch
We will listen to a story and spend some time decorating pumpkins together. Ages 3-7.
Tuesday, October 26, 4:00 pm
Westlake Porter Public Library
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Please see below a list of articles pertaining to summer. If you would like to view additional articles on various topics, please view our CFK Pinterest boards.
General
Child Mind Institute
The Mighty
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism Parenting Magazine
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
ADDitude Magazine
Child Mind Institute
Gifted
With Understanding Comes Calm
Gifted Challenges
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Community Programs & Events |
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See the Latest Fall Programs Posted on CFK Flier Connection |
Looking for an after-school program, social skills group or adaptive activity for your child this fall? Connecting for Kids posts all of the latest fliers and webinar information it receives from local and national providers on the CFK Flier Connection page on Facebook.
Not a member?
To join this free group, click here.
Already a member but not seeing posts?
If you already are a member of the group but not seeing the latest posts in your newsfeed, you will need to follow the group. (To do this, go to CFK Flier Connection and look for the three dots ... that are on the right side of the page under the cover photo, click on the pulldown to follow group). See image below: |
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This email is made possible by a generous grant from
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