News You Can Use (And Where To Find It)
O From The Greater Cleveland Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking (GCCR2HT):
>> Know who to call….If you believe someone may be a victim of human trafficking call the Cuyahoga County Regional Human Trafficking Task Force Hotline at 216-443-6085 or 911 in the case of an emergency.
>> Visit Collab’s website a/o Follow them on Facebook.
O From ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force….Visit their website for a host of available resources & program opportunities addressing this issue.
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O From Search Institute (https://searchinstitute.org/) ... Has made available, on-demand its State of Relationships Webinar: A Call to Action to Ensure All Young People Thrive. In this hour-long presentation, you'll learn about the state of youth-adult relationships, the importance of creating relationship-rich spaces for all youth, and uncover strategies to help all young people be and become the best versions of themselves. Though targeting specifically schools and out-of-school programs, community leaders can also benefit from this program. It would be well worth the hour spent.
O From Ohio Dept. of Education (ODE)... The Department is seeking public comment on a new rule in Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) related to the Afterschool Child Enrichment Savings Account program. All school-age children in families under 300% of the federal poverty guideline (< $65,880 for a 3 person household) are eligible to receive $500 savings accounts to be used for before and after-school educational programs, language classes, instrument lessons, or tutoring. View proposed OAC 3301-107-01 on the Department’s website. Public comments on the rule will be accepted by email to rulecomments@education.ohio.gov by Dec. 6th.
O Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network.
> American Legion Child Welfare Foundation; > Cigna Foundation's Healthier Kids for Our Future;
> The Andrew Family Foundation; > Saucony Run For Good Foundation;
> Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation Youth Grants
If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization you s/b visiting these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission. So far, starting w/the Sept. 28th issue there have been 25 funders identified.
O From MyCom...Is seeking several service providers to conduct Gender-Specific Programming for girls and young women for all grade levels for the city of Cleveland & the surrounding suburbs. If interested, you’re requested to please send a programming proposal (no more than 5 pages) with your program outline, estimated budget, two program references, and a sample of your programming work. Information should be emailed to info@mycomcle.org. Once the information is received, a representative from MyCom will follow up with an additional request for information.
O From OCALI (https://www.ocali.org/) ... If you have a school-age child or client w/a disability, consider registering for: Building Strong Family-School Partnership - ”.... ensuring people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives.” This free Zoom cast is scheduled for 4:00 pm, Thursday, Dec. 16th.
O From Achievement Centers for Children/Camp Cheerful (https://achievementcenters.org/) ... In addition to Adaptive Sports, Physical Therapy & Early ChildhoodMental Health, Camp Cheerful is offering...
> Weekend day camps and > The River Rock Adult Day Program. Click on the respective hotlink for details.
O Parma Council of PTA’s (PCPTA - https://www.parmacityschools.org/PCPTA or FB at: https://www.facebook.com/parmacouncilpta/ )
>> Mark your calendars & plan on attending PCPTA’s Family Health & Safety Fair scheduled for 9 – 11 am, Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, in Parma Sr. High School’s Cafeteria. Exhibitors are already lining up & it promises to be a popular event. If your organization would like to participate contact Dalenna Zingalis at 216-799-4396 orbbndz1087@gmail.com.
O From Parma City Schools:
>> The schedule for a series of Town Hall Meetings has been set as follows: Dec. 9th, March 10, 2022, & June 9, 2022. All meetings will begin at 6:30 pm. and may be viewed on Facebook Live - www.facebook.com/parmaschools.
>> Community Walking and Swimming this Winter and Spring! Check out the Community Walking Club and Swimming starting December 4, 2021! Click the link above for more information!
>> Teaching how to recognize signs of a mental health crisis, how to be a trusted peer, and how to get help for someone in need were topics shared w/student leaders during a recent PCSD Mental Health Summit.
>> Visitwww.parmacityschools.org for the most current information regarding COVID Dashboard/protocols, Extended Day Care Enrollment, Open Houses, and more. Be sure to scroll down a bit to view the latest “PCSD in :60” video.
O From Southwest Community Based Svcs (SWCBS)/University Settlement & Starting Point:
>> SWCBS has begun planning its programming for the upcoming holiday season and will be needing volunteers. Call Evy Ash at 440.887.4873 if you’re interested. Also, give her a call if you know of a student in need of a backpack or supplies.
>> Plan now to attend the popular Parenting Partner Program coming up in January. Call Evy Ash at 440.887.4873 for details and/or to register..
>> SWCBS Partner Highlights....
> Adoption Network of Cleveland (https://www.adoptionnetwork.org/) – Some great stuff going on here. Click on the “Service Area” tab to view, among others, their programs/resources related to Adult Adoptees, Birth Parents & DNA Discoveries. Well worth the visit.
> Positive Education Program (PEP - https://pepcleve.org/) ... As one of Ohio’s largest non-profit agencies committed to children, PEP provides services – both direct and consultative – for children with severe mental health, autism, and behavioral challenges. Click here to view a flyer outlining their scope of service.
O From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
>> Consistent w/current CDC guidelines all CCPL branches have returned to requiring masks of all customers aged 2 and older upon entry. If a visitor does not have a mask, the Library will provide one.
>> At-home COVID-19 testing kits are available via DRIVE-THOUGH ONLY at the Parma & Parma-Snow locations.
>> As a result of a new, formal collaboration between CCPL & Family Connections “SPARK” is now available to all Kindergarten Club families. The Kindergarten Club runs from March thru November while “SPARK” continues year-round home visits helping parents develop the skills & confidence needed to support their child’s academic kindergarten readiness.The programs complement and reinforce each other. For more information, contact Emily.kindergartenclub@gmail.com or kradivoyevitch@familyconnections1.org.
>> Locally, the Parma Heights Branch will be offering free boxed food for those in need from 10 – 12 noon on Dec. 15th, Jan. 19th & Feb. 16th - rain, snow, or shine — on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
>> Use your CCPL library card to take advantage of just some of these more unique services/programs available at your library.
> Get access to these free online learning platforms taught by professionals in their fields
> WiFi Access & Computer Classes
> Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
> Learn more or register for any of 50+ virtual programs for adult learners
> Take your pick from thousands of streaming movies & TV shows from Hoopla, Kanopy & Overdrive
> Design something & use the 3D printing capabilities of the Parma-Snow Innovation Center
> Learn more about Library2You, their homebound delivery service
> Check out programs available for pre-school & school-aged youth. From there scroll down to see resources available for Teachers.
> Cuyahoga Works: Job and Career Services
> Sign up to receive the Library Insider e-Newsletter
Gene Lovasy
Community Volunteer/Youth Advocate