News You Can Use (And Where to Find It)

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse: Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news
O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  “Fundamentals of Human Trafficking” presentations will be coming up at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 7th, and again at 10:30 am, Tuesday, Oct 4th. These hour-long presentations are both free and virtual. Get details & register here.
      >>  Save the date: October 20-21, 2022... join us in envisioning a new movement focused on creating a roadmap for collaboration where all systems and survivors work together for solutions. This county-wide,  appreciative inquiry, “Thriving Youth Summit” will be facilitated by the Community Innovation Network at Case Western Reserve University. Watch for more information coming soon.
      >>  Go here to display a list of the nearly 70 partner organizations & agencies that make up Greater Cleveland’s Coordinated Response to Human Trafficking. Click on any of the entries to visit their respective website.
      >>  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.     

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC):
      >>  It being Back-To-School time, go here to learn of four ways you can help support students and survivors in our community this fall.
      >>  CRCC offers resources on preventing, responding to, and supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Check out their library here.
      >>  Learn how YOU can help to prevent sexual abuse in our communities. Whether you’re an educator, healthcare provider, or parent/caregiver, we ALL can play our part. The training is free, virtual & open to all. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!    


LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:

O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network. These have a mostly mental health focus:  > The Abolitionist Teaching Network (ATN) > The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation > The JAMS Foundation/ACR Initiative for Students and Youth > The National 4-H Council > The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).  If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization visit these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.  
 
O  From Parma Council of PTA’s...Go here for information regarding upcoming events and activities. Included, among other things, are links to order forms for the PTA’s current School Calendar, and details related to the Annual Kalahari Night Fundraiser scheduled for October 27th.

O  From
Parma City Schools:  
      >>  If you have not yet, go here to view an initial architectural rendering of the new Parma H. S.. A bond issue on the November ballot to fund the project will be for 3.95 mills or $11.53/month per $100,000 in property value.  Email bond-related questions to bondissuequestions@parmacityschools.org .  Responses will be posted weekly. Go here to view.
      >> Go here to learn more about the district’s Workforce Learning Program. Find out why and how your business can participate to help build a local workforce pipeline.
      >>  Go here to view/print copies of the 2022 – 2023 school year calendar/s  


O  From PCS Foundation...The Annual Taste of the Town fundraiser will take place at St Michael Woodside Event  Center in Broadview Hts. from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 28th. Tickets are $35 available at any district school building. Along w/music, raffle baskets & sideboards, 22 vendors will be presenting their unique menu items.
   
O  From The Literacy Cooperative  / Imagination Library...
In addition to sending high-quality books each month to kids ages 0 – 5 (enroll your child here), they’ve recently begun providing a series of virtual presentations on health topics of interest to families w/young children. “Help Your Children Sleep Well So You Can Too” is one, in particular, that appears popular.   Go here to learn more about the Healthy Families program & to view YouTube recordings of the previous sessions along with the hand-outs/links/resources that the presenters shared.

O  From Achievement Center for Children/Camp Cheerful:
      >> 
Registration for the fall session of their popular Pony Pal program is now open. To register login here and select the PONY PALS program!. The program is offered to typically developing children ages 4 - 14. Their Therapeutic Horsemanship Program is also available for children with special needs. For more information contact Cory Ramsey cory.ramsey@achievementctrs.org.  
      >>  Save the Date – Cheers to Camp Cheerful, Saturday, Sept 24th –
Proceeds from this unique, annual fundraiser help maintain programs offered at Camp Cheerful. These include Day & Respite Camps, Adaptive Sports, Therapeutic Horsemanship, and River Rock Adult Day Program. Go here to learn more.

O  From P.A.L.S. for Healing...Is offering art and equine therapy workshops.  Held at Camp Cheerful in Strongsville, Wednesdays from  6:30-8:00 pm - $25 each. Workshops are open to the public. Registration is on a first come first serve basis as space is limited. The workshops will combine art making or movement with the Eagala model of Equine Therapy off-site.  Learn more here.

O  From Ohio Dept of Education
(ODE):
     
>>  Access to reliable, high-speed internet is critical to learning. The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new federal program that helps low-income households offset the monthly cost of new or existing internet service. Eligible households can receive up to a $30 per month discount on broadband service, and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider.
      >>  Apply to join Ohio’s Whole Child Network. ODE  is seeking education professionals, community partners, and family members to join the Whole Child Network, a place where members learn from each other and share successes and best practices that support the whole child. Apply to join Ohio's Whole Child Network by Sept. 9.
     >>  Go here to learn more & to see if you might qualify for the ACE Educational Savings Account program that provides students ages 6-18 years old whose family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level with a $500 credit.
      >>  Additional resources...
the following websites offer support and guidance to students, families and educators. Keep these resources in mind throughout the school year.
          >  ApprenticeOhio offers students and educators resources to explore apprenticeship training as a pathway for students to a long-term, successful career.
          > The Ohio CareLine (1-800-720-9616) is a toll-free call service giving callers access to behavioral health professionals 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
          > The School Wellness Toolkit provides fast, practical resources and tools to assist schools, districts and families in responding to mental and behavioral health challenges.
          > Stress First Aid (SFA) is a program that helps people develop skills to recover from stressful situations.
          > Youth and Family Ombudsmen are available to resolve concerns from youth, young adults or other adults involved in the children's services system, including concerns about placement, care or services, documentation and more.

O  From The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning...Is now accepting requests from schools, rec centers, libraries, churches & other organizations for Fall programming needs. For information call 216.561.5005 x-14, email: Christine@arts-inspiredlearning.org or visit their website above.

O  From The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (NEOBHC)...Visit their website here and click on the COMMUNITY tab to learn more about the more than 20 activities, events, and projects currently underway. DATA RESOURCES are also available by clicking on the ABOUT tab.

O  From Annie E. Casey Foundation...Particularly for youth-serving organizations looking for current sources of data related to child well-being check out the Foundation’s KIDS COUNT 2022 DataBook.

O  From UH Parma Medical Center... If you are providing care at home for a family member w/dementia or a serious memory problem, consider attending “THE SAVVY CAREGIVER”, a free, 6-session, webinar workshop series designed to help you learn how to best help your family member. Sessions begin on Sept 21st and again on Oct 5th. For more information and/or to register contact Parianne Fatica  at 216.464.6474; email parianne.fatica@uhhospitals.org

O  From Search Institute:
      >> 
Go here to learn more aboutRelationships That Matter: 5 Keys to Helping Your Child Succeed”, a curriculum for a 90-minute workshop designed to deepen relationships and engage with parents of young people in your school or program. Of particular interest/value are links from which you can download a free copy of the program’s detailed, 27-page Facilitator’s Guide (in either English or Spanish). Worth checking out.
      >>  Interested in learning more about Developmental Assets? As a reminder, the Character Building section of the District’s website describes the concept and includes over 10 uniquely designed documents that can help put those concepts into everyday practice.

O  From
Pathway RTC (Research & Training Center)...Has made available tools intended to provide an engaging, thought-provoking experience that can be easily integrated into training, staff meetings, or other professional development activities. The tools can also be used by individuals seeking an engaging learning experience. Each tool is accompanied by a study guide that provides background context, describes specific discussion points, and poses questions for further reflection. Try them out here. Very clever; worth a look-see.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  With the support of the Cleveland Food Bank, the branches are offering after-school meals for kids 18 and under. Meals are available Monday thru Friday while supplies last at Parma Hts from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Parma-Powers from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm, and Parma-Snow from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm.
      >> 
For free academic help and enrichment for students in Gr K – 8 go here to learn more about their Student Success Centers (formerly called Homework Help). Register here to attend a Success Center Open House at the Parma-Powers Branch from 4 – 6 pm on Tuesday, Sept. 13th.
 
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry this month. Locally, the Parma-Snow Branch will host their Food Pantry from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Tuesday, Sept. 6th  (if you have the time, they do need more volunteers);  Parma Heights Branch mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon on Wednesday, Sept. 21st.
      >>  Use your CCPL library card (or get one here) to take advantage of just some of these more unique services/programs available at your library.
            > WiFi Access & Computer Classes
            >
One-on-one tech help is available from the Digital Navigator service.
            >
Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
            > Digital Newstand - Enjoy digital versions of your favorite news publications and magazines
            > 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
        
   > Passport services are now available.
            >
Check out programs for pre-school & school-aged youth. Scroll down for Teacher resources.
            >
Cuyahoga Works: Job and Career Services, ESOL, GED, Citizenship classes
            > Sign up to receive the Library's weekly e-Newsletter
            >
Click here to visit CCPL’s Home Page

Gene Lovasy

Community Volunteer/Youth Advocate

Read More on News
Volume 14, Issue 9, Posted 9:41 AM, 09.01.2022