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 Ohio Attorney General... For organizations that may be interested, the Human Trafficking Commission, Victim Services Subcommittee offers personal consultation to organizations that would like support and assistance in meeting the Ohio Service Standards for Trafficked Persons.  If you would like to schedule a personal consultation, reach out to Rebekkah O’Bryan: reobryan@dps.ohio.gov  or Michelle Hannan at Michelle.Hannan@use.salvationarmy.org.

O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  Coming up on March 14th:  Human Trafficking and Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. It’s virtual & free. Click here for details & to register
      >>  To provide survivors with the information they need to access shelter, medical care, and therapeutic services, we have created an interactive resource guide of all providers in Northeast Ohio. Access the Resource Guide here.
          
O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
       >>  Sign up for their free, 2-part, virtual Ambassador Training program. Part I – April 3 & 5; Part 2 –April 10 & 12. For details and to register go here.
      >>  Check out 10 Things To Know About Sex Trafficking. Go here to view & print off a copy.

 LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here are some more grantors identified & vetted by the MyCom network:    
>  The Colonial Life Corporate Giving Program (a subsidiary of the UNUM Group)  > The HealthComp Foundation  > Needmor Fund  >  Paul M. Angell Family Foundation  > The Synthomer Foundation. 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 Heights Police Dept...Is hosting their 4th Annual Citizens' Police Academy starting March 22 2023 through May 24th, 2023!  Seating is limited to just the first 25 registrants. Residents and non-resident adults are welcome to join. Visit their FB page to learn more and to register.

O  From Parma City Schools:
      >>  The Superintendent’s State of the Schools address was presented on February 16, 2023. Go here to view the presentation & learn more about the successes achieved & issues currently facing the District.
      >>  Go here for the most current information available regarding the May Bond Issue. Included are links to a list of Q & A’s as well as nine FAQ videos.
      >>  Kindergarten and new student registration for the 2023 – 2024 school year is now open. Families can easily register online by going here. To begin the process select:  “Click Here to Register a New Student for NEXT School Year 2023-2024 (Grades KLA & K-12)”. For questions or assistance call 440-885-8334. 
      >>  Kindergarten Information Night has been scheduled for 6:00 pm Tuesday, Mar. 14th at Pleasant Valley Elementary School Cafeteria, 9906 W. Pleasant Valley Rd.
      >>  SAVE THE DATE – Mark your calendars for the district’s 3RD ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT - 10 am, Saturday, April 1st, at Byers Field.  Participant sign-up will go out in March.  Click hereto sign up as a volunteer and/or to donate Eggs.

O From Need Help Paying Bills...Click on the hyperlink to learn how to get financial assistance w/bills, free items, housing, food, and emergency or long-term help for basic needs.  There are local agencies listed below by state or program type, as well as national organizations, including charities or government social services. Everything from rent or utility bill assistance to food pantries, mortgage payment help, free health or dental clinics, and much more is listed. For assistance programs in Cleveland & Cuyahoga County, click here.

O From All Faiths Pantry... Alleviates hunger by providing nutritious groceries once a month to low-income seniors and those with mobility challenges at no cost to the recipient.To help fund the program they’ve just announced the 3rd Annual Drawing Feeds People Fundraiser. This event will benefit AFP and participants will receive a one of a kind pet-portrait completed by student volunteers from local schools including Padua Franciscan, Holy Name, and Incarnate Word Academy. Go here to learn how to join in on the fun.

O From the Prevention Research Center for Healthy Neighborhoods at CWRU:
      >>  Go hereto learn more about & register for CCYWI (Cuyahoga County Youth Work Institute) course offerings coming up in March.

O  From The Literacy Cooperative & Dolly Parton Imagination Library:
      >>  If you have a child aged NB – 5, go here to learn how they can receive a, high-quality, age-appropriate book each month for free.
      >>  Wants to remind folks/organizations that Thursday, March 2nd is the kick-off for Read Across America month. Go here to learn more and for ideas on ways to support this initiative. Celebrate your participation by posting photos on social media.  

O  From OCALI - inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities:
      >>  With regard to NEA’s Read Across America, the Outreach Center for Deafness and Blindness at OCALI is excited to launch a new resource: “Books Featuring Deaf/Hard of Hearing or Blind/Visually Impaired Characters or Topics.” This free booklist is a compilation of literature that reflects the diverse world of those with low-incidence disabilities and will be available starting March 2, 2023.
      >>  Additional resources on diverse and inclusive books and curriculum, can be found on their Autism Center’s Children’s Books on Autism along w/many other free resources from OCALI’s Lending Library, such as the new curriculum kits.

O  From Ohio Dept of Education:
      >>  ODE’s Students & Families Assessment Resources page has been updated to provide many new resources for families to support their students’ success. The pages have documents and videos to help families understand Ohio’s tests. Among those resources are a testing calendar, information about student score reports, and a glossary of commonly used terms. Go here to view
      >>  Families can get a free Ohio Travel Guide to start planning their Ohio spring break, summer vacation or weekend getaway. Go here to learn more.
 
O  From ASSE (Intn’l Student Exchange Programs) ... Interested in becoming an EXCHANGE STUDENT? Or perhaps you’d like to consider being a HOST FAMILY? Click on the above links for details. To connect w/our state’s ASSE representative email HollyHawk@asse.com or call 937.418.6779.

O  From Youth Opportunities Unlimited:
      >>  Summer To Success – Summer jobs for 14 to 18 years old in Cuyahoga County are now open. Apply here.
      >>  Summer Internships – These are 120-hour internships for high school 10th, 11th & 12th graders living in Cuyahoga County. Apply here.

O  From Connecting For Kids:
      >>  Click on the respective links for details & registration information related to resource fairs designed to highlight local providers & services for families that have concerns about their child... Eastern Cuyahoga Resource Fairon Wed., March 1st, or the Western Cuyahoga Resource Fair on Sat., March 25th. Families who pre-register and attend the in-person fair will be entered to win a $100 VISA gift card. All families will receive a grab & go bag that includes information from event sponsors, you must pre-register if you'd like a curbside Grab & Go bag. In-person attendees (including walk-ins) will also be able to browse tables, talk to vendors and pick up additional materials that meet their family's needs. If you’re a service provider interested in participating, click here:  www.connectingforkids.org/vendor-information.
      >>  CFK provides education & support to families w/concerns about their child. Their families have a child under 13, live in Cuyahoga or Lorain County, a/o have a concern about their child. Go here to learn more about what your free subscription entitles you to.
     
O  From Starting Point Partners:
      >>  Visit the DayByDayOhio.org Family Literacy Calendar ... For young children and their families, featuring a song, a video, activities, and book recommendations for every day of the year! February happens to be Learning Colors month. Click hereto check out color-related activities for February 1st. If you have young kids this is a must-visit keeper!
       >>  If a legal history is preventing you or a client from achieving their life goals, PROJECT LIFT’s Expedited Pardon Project can help. Call 216.465.2000 to check eligibility. To learn about other Project Lift services, go here.
      >>  The Center for Arts-Inspired Learning is opening its application to artists & educators of all cultural, ethnic, and artistic backgrounds seeking professional development in art-integrated learning, Participants who complete all professional development sessions will earn a $1,000 stipend. Spots are limited to only 15 participants. Applications close on March 2nd. Apply here.  
      >> The Ohio Afterschool Network is part of the Million Girls Moonshot initiative, working to inspire and prepare the next generation of innovators by engaging one million more girls in STEM learning opportunities through OST programs over the next five years. Click on the ONA hyperlink to see how your organization can get involved.
      >>  For fun STEM-related activities you can do w/your kids check out NASA’s JPL STEM Activities website.
      >>  Go here to learn how you can get 51 Free Stuff For Kids By Mail.
      >>  Lake Erie Ink – LGBTQ+ Writers’ Studio –Learn about journalism & ways to convey a message through print. Register here.  And, go here to learn more about the 11th Annual Kids’ Comic Con; March 3rd & 4th, from 10 am – 4 pm; registration is now open. For ages 8 – 18, there are workshops, speakers, an artist alley, all for just $15.
      >>  CCYWI Cuyahoga County Youth Work Institute...Go here to learn more about/register for their excellent Youth/Adult Mental Health First Aid classes scheduled throughout the year.
      >>  Bellefaire JCB...In-person crisis assistance at your home within 60 minutes is available free to families in Cuyahoga County with children ages 2 – 20. Call 888.418.MRSS (6777). Learn more about the program here.  
 
O  From The Down Syndrome Association of NE Ohio (formerly the Upside of Downs):
      >>  About “ArtFul21”...Snack boxes, artwork, jewelry, stationery & more are unique gift items handcrafted by individuals w/Down Syndrome. All items are on consignment w/90% of retail sales going back to the artisan which supports their small business venture.  Learn more & go shopping here.
      >>  This is an active organization w/new events, activities & resources being added regularly. To keep current & informed, sign up for the E-newsletter hereand/or check out their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/dsaOFneo

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  CCPL Is hosting a STEAM Expo on Saturday, March 4th at the Parma-Snow Branch.  
            >  At 11:00 am, Emily Pilloton-Lam, Founder and E. D.  of the nonprofit Girls Garage, will present a keynote address.  A designer, builder, educator, and author, she has taught thousands of young girls and gender-expansive youth how to use power tools, weld, and build projects for their communities. Go here to register.
            > Following her presentation, starting at 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, there will be more than 20 STEAM hands-on activities planned for children and families, including robots, circuits, virtual reality, drone flight, video games, and more!  Go here to register.
      >>   BABY CLUB – Boost Your Baby’s Brain Through Play...All three of our Branches are offering this 5-week program for caregivers and children ages birth to 2 years old.. Click on the above link for details & schedules. Baby Club is sponsored by Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage.
      >>  Kindergarten Club at the Parma Heights Library...This 9-month program, beginning Friday, Mar. 3rd,  is for children entering Kindergarten this Fall who do not attend preschool, Head Start, or a childcare center. Meet once a month for freebies, fun, and family activities to prepare you and your child to enter kindergarten this fall! Children attending will receive free books. Click on the above link for details & to register. Questions call 440.884.2313.
      >>  Click here to view the March schedule of events coming up at all branches. Utilize the “Filters” function to narrow down the selections by Branch. Age Group and/or Event Type
      >>  Go here to view the schedule of college prep-related sessions being offered over the next 4 months. Programs included ACT/SAT practice tests among many others.
      >>  Online tutoring is now available. Tutor.com is an online service that connects students in grades K – 12 (and parents) to live tutors in online classrooms. Go here for details and enrollment information.
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma Hts mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon on Wed, March 15th.  
      >>  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– A full complement of free, in-person & online computer classes are now available including Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Prep courses.
            > One-on-one tech help is available from the Digital Navigator service.
            > Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
            > Digital Newsstand - 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 preschool & 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