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 Polaris Project ... To bring yourself up-to-date, go here for a quick review of the myths vs. realities of sex and labor trafficking and some of the Red Flags of each.     

O  From Men Can Stop Violence – Don’t be “That Guy”... This is a PSA  adapted by Futures Without Violence designed to engage men in helping to reduce rape, sexual assault, and harassment through frank conv
ersations about male sexual entitlement and unhealthy masculinity. Click here to visit  & consider sharing.
          
O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
      >>  April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). CRCC’s theme for SAAM 2023 is Let’s Talk...about supporting survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. Let’s Talk about promoting healing and prevention. Let’s Talk about advocating for social change and the elimination of sexual violence. Print a copy of their April SAAM Event Calendar;  Download & print a SAAM Poster for your classroom or office;  Visit their SAAM webpage for additional SAAM resources to view and/or share.
       
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network.
> The JAMS Foundation/ACR Initiative for Students and Youth;  > The Sam J. Frankino Foundation;  
> The Ohio Children's Foundation;  > The National Endowment for the Arts Big Read;
> The Hillshire Farm Allowance Grant. 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 City Schools:
      >>  Go here to view any one of the the 3 April Town Hall Meetings pertaining to the upcoming bond issue.. No FB sign-up is required to view the stream.
      >>  The Superintendent’s State of the Schools address, presented on Feb. 16, 2023, is available on YouTube. Go here to view the presentation & learn more about the successes achieved & issues currently facing the District.
      >>  Summer Movie Nights at Byers Field are back. Mark your calendars...June 6th, 13th  & August 22nd.  Gates open at 6:30 and the features start at 7:00 pm. FREE to all residents of Parma, Parma Heights, and Seven Hills. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
 
O  From Parma Council of PTA’s...Nutrition Svcs and PTA have partnered up to provide elementary students with a free tomato plant and online curriculum to follow during the summer. Go here to sign up.

O  From Ohio Board of Education – Career Connections
      >>  SuccessBound ... SuccessBound is an educational approach and communication strategy that bring together Ohio’s strong business and education partnerships to engage and inspire students about career opportunities. If you’re a student considering what career path to pursue or an employer looking to partner up with a school system SuccessBound may have the answers you’re looking for.
      >>  ACE  Savings Account program (provides qualifying families with a $1,000 credit per child ) team members will be available virtually every Tuesday & Wednesday through May 31st to answer all questions about ACE. Go here for details.

O  From CANDID... Established in Feb 2019 with the merging of the well-regarded Foundation Center & Guidestone, CANDID, with only a few exceptions, now offers its training programs for non-profits at no charge. Go here to check out course offerings in such categories as Proposal Writing, Fund Raising, Governance, Management, and more.

O  From The Literacy Cooperative ... 1st Annual Pre-K Teachers’ Academy – Friday, May 5th, 8:45 – 2:45 pm
Be part of the first annual PKTA celebrating professionals that educate and nurture our youngest learners. This all-day in-person event taking place at the CCPL’s-Parma Snow Branch will provide opportunities for learning, networking, and fun! Two (2) Ohio-approved credits are available for a breakout session of your choice. Go here to register.

O  From The Center for Community Solutions:
      >>  Survey: Reproductive Rights & Mental Health...Last year's Dobbs decision overturning Roe v Wade has experts worried about increased mental health issues among birthing people. Individuals working with pregnant people and community- or health-based organizations are invited to complete the survey. Take the survey. 
      >>  Ohio Medicaid rolls increased by roughly 800,000 people during the public health emergency, 40% of whom were children. With Medicaid processes returning to normal, what does that mean? If you’re a  provider, advocate, or enrollee, here’s what you need to know.

O  From OCALI - inspiring change and promoting access for people with disabilities ...   Supporting Independence from Adolescents to Adulthood: The transition from school-age to adult life is complex and there are typically multiple systems and providers involved.  Planning this transition process and bringing the right people together are critical steps. If this is an issue you’re facing, the following resources may be helpful...
      >  Start Transition Planning Early     >  Take 5 Short Videos
      >  Coordinating Agency Supports    >   Age-Appropriate Transition Assessment (AATA) Guide 

O  From the Connecting for Kids:
      >>  To reach more families CFK has scheduled a focus group formatted event for caregivers soliciting information via small group discussion questions designed to find ways to better connect w/families - Wednesday, May 17th, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the Rocky River Library. Dinner will be provided and all attendees will receive a $20 Amazon gift card! Spots are limited, so sign up today!  Register here
      >>  Among other things, CFK offers:
           >  “Ask Us 1:1”. During this 30-minute, one-on-one session, parents and caregivers can get information on a wide range of topics from learning disabilities and school struggles to mental health and specific diagnoses.
           >  “Sensory Consults”. This 15-minute consultation is open to children ages 18 months-12 years having meltdowns during typical daily activities, being bothered by noises, constantly spinning or crashing into things, or being unable to wear certain clothing, etc. Your child will have the chance to engage in sensory activities while caregivers and therapists discuss concerns and strategies to help at home.
           >  “Music Therapy & More”. Designed for families and their children, ages 0-6 years, who are struggling in an area of development. The focus is on teaching families how to use music to improve their child's academic, motor, communication, and social skills as well as behavior.

O  From Lake Erie Ink...With a “TAG” line of  “A writing space for youth” and a stated Mission of: “Lake Erie Ink is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 that provides creative expression opportunities and academic support to youth in the Greater Cleveland community. “, you may find this a great resource for a budding writer.
      >>  Teen Writers’ Symposium – Saturday, May 6th, 11:30 am – 3:30 pm. This FREE, in-person program ispresented in partnership w/the CSU Dept. of English @ CSU’s Mather Mansion, 2605 Euclid Ave. For grades 6- 12, the event features a meet & greet w/writers, a panel, & workshops. Lunch is provided. Learn more here.

O  From Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources ... Is putting together a team of high school student leaders from diverse backgrounds to join the Conservation Teen Advisory Council (ConTAC). ODNR is looking for highly motivated students who are interested in natural resource conservation, outdoor outreach, wildlife, or simply making a positive impact in their state. Students must be entering grades 9-12 for the 2023-2024 school year to apply. Selections of the 2023-2024 ConTAC class will be made in early summer 2023. Learn more about the program & how to apply by clicking here.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>   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.
      >>  Master Gardeners of Cuyahoga County will be visiting branches throughout the system this spring to help you plan a low-maintenance perennial bed or border, and more.  Go here for topics and schedules.
      >>  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 FRESH PRODUCE Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma Hts mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon, Wednesday, May 17th.  
      >>  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