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 (visit them on Facebook):
      >>  January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Watch for and make a point of learning more about HT & participating/supporting related events/programs.
     >>  Thursday, January 11th is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day & that evening we’ll see Terminal Tower lit up in blue—the color of hope and unity, raising awareness about this issue.
      >>  Jan. 18, 2024:   Triumph Over Trafficking Conference
      >>  Jan. 31, 2024:   Columbus Educators Human Trafficking Summit
      >>  Shared Hope Intn’l ...  has published the 2023 Trafficking Report Card showing how each state measures up against their recommendations. The 2023 Report Card was just released this October. While Ohio received an F overall, many improvements have been made, i.e.:    >  Overall, Ohio’s score increased from 45 in 2022 to 56 in 2023;   >  In the issue area of criminal provisions, Ohio moved from C to B;  >  In the issue area of access to justice, Ohio moved from C to B;  >  In the issue area of tools for a victim-centered criminal justice response, Ohio moved from F to B, and more.
      >>  Learn about Survivors Leadership and the role of their Survivor Advisory Council.
      >>  View their interactive Human Trafficking Resource Guide containing information on over 200 service organizations supporting victims of Human Trafficking in Northeast Ohio.

      >>  Become a Collaborative Community Ambassador and help mobilize the community and use your voice to raise awareness and initiate action.Learn more and apply here.
  
O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC):
      >>  If you’re affiliated w/a youth group of any sort & looking for a program, go here to check out their extensive list of Prevention/Education programs for Students. Presentations can be age-appropriate, gender-specific & tailored to meet your needs.

LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  From Ohio House District 14 Representative Sean Brennan - Monthly Newsletter ... or website.
      >>  Mark your calendars & plan now to register for his 13th Annual  Run/Walk For Pierogis scheduled for Saturday, June 29, 2024. 

O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified & vetted by the MyCom network.  These funders support organizations, programs, and projects that offer after-school activities for kids:
> Celebrate Urban Birds  > The IMA Foundation  > The Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)  > The Aim High grant program, funded by the New York Life Foundation  > The Emily Hall Tremaine 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 City Schools:
      >>  Interested in a Parma Senior H.S. keepsake? Go here to learn how you can purchase a memento from the high school.   
      >>  Learn what’s new in the District by attending the Town Hall Meetings scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 6th @ Parma Hts Library. And, mark your calendar for the 3rd and final one of the school year on Tuesday, Apr 23rd @ Parma-Powers Library.  Start times: 6:00 pm
      >>  Important upcoming events
            These are open to the entire community; no RSVP is required; call 440.885.8334 w/questions.
            >  STEM Information Night (K – 8) ... 6 pm, Wednesday, January 10th at Pleasant Valley Elem
            >  College Credit Plus... 6 pm, Tuesday, January 16th at Valley Forge H. S.
            >  Honors, Gifted AP programs (K – 12) ... 6 pm, Wednesday, January 17th at Normandy H. S.
            >  Kindergarten Night ... 6 pm, Tuesday, January 23rd at Pleasant Valley Elem
O  From Parma Council of PTAs:
      >>  Supporting the PTA Council’s Community Scholarship program is now easier than ever. Simply click here & complete the Donation Form online.
      >>  Plan now to attend PCPTA Night at the Cleveland Monsters Hockey Game on the evening of Saturday, February 10, 2024. Go here to learn more & to purchase tickets.

O  From Achievement Centers for Children/Camp Cheerful: What they do there – At A Glance.
      >>  Camp Cheerful, located on RT 82 just about ¼ mi east of the I-71 Interchange, is gearing up for its Spring/Summer program offerings. Click on the respective link for more information:
>  Therapeutic Horsemanship   >  Cheerful Day Camp  >  River Rock Adult Day Program   >  Adapted Sports
      >>  If you’re looking for a unique, feel-good volunteer opportunity, any of these programs would fit the bill, and they can always use more volunteers.
      >>  The organization is actively recruiting for a number of various positions. Go here for details.

O  From Re:Source Cleveland (was The Refugee Response) ... If you’re involved with or interested in issues related to immigrant resettlement you should give their website a visit. Included in amongst a whole host of unique programs, services, and volunteer opportunities, Re:Source CLE currently supports over 700 newcomers each year, provides opportunities for hundreds of Clevelanders to mentor and volunteer, and supports over 25% of the annual budget from farm sales.

O  From The Center For Community Solutions ... For organizations seeking funding for capital projects check out this article to learn how to improve your chances of getting a piece of the $700 million general revenue-funded One-Time Strategic Community Investment Fund.

O  From Centers for Disease Control & Prevention ... For parents/caregivers of children 0 – 5 years of age:
Milestones matter! Track your child’s milestones from age 2 months to 5 years with the CDC’s easy-to-use illustrated checklists; get tips from the CDC for encouraging your child’s development; and find out what to do if you are ever concerned about how your child is developing.  Get details & download the app here.

O  From The Literacy Cooperative (TLC) & Dolly Parton Imagination Library (DPIL):   
      >>  For 24/7 access to a FREE library of digital books for families & your children, check out BOOKSMART from WorldReader.   > Books are available in English & Spanish;  > For children & families to read together;
> Learning activities w/each book. Click on the BOOKSMART hyperlink & give it a try. 
       >>  Take a couple of minutes to read these recommended fact-filled articles:
            >  Raise A Reader: A Parent Guide to Reading For Ages 0 - 2
            >  What We Know About Reading & The Brain

O  From Starting Point Partners:
      >>  The Harvard Graduate School of Education – Actionable Insights ... Access useful research and simple, practical resources for teachers, leaders, families, and more. Check it out here.
      >>  The National Park Trust ... Along w/other nature-related opportunities, check out their2024 cycle of the Every Kid Outdoors Small Grants Program supporting the needs of non-profits and schools that connect elementary school-aged youth to public parks, lands, and waters.
      >>  Ruling Our eXperiences (ROX)  - Helping Girls Succeed in Relationships, Academics, Careers & Life ... Access information from their 2023 Girls’ Index  (Executive Summary or the full report) for insight into the lives of today's girls.  Teachers, Social Workers, Counselors, Parents, etc. can find practical strategies to help girls succeed in relationships, academics, careers, and life. This press release announces receipt of a $1,8 M grant to be used for their program’s expansion.
      >>  Youth Today Newsletter ... “Nearly 90% of public schools now offer afterschool programs”. The article is worth a read.

O  From Educ. Service Ctr. of NEO ... Go here to check out this comprehensive LinkTree of all types of resources available to county residents  This appears to be very well done & worth saving. Give it a look.

O  From Search Institute:
      >>  Save the date – Wed, Jan. 24th, 1:00 CST, and register for SI’s free Annual State of Relationships Webinar. Among other things, they will be releasing new data around Developmental Relationships and discussing emergent trends and insights impacting the development and well-being of young people across the US. 
      >>  Over the last decade, SI has consistently found that developmental relationships have a positive impact on youth outcomes. This includes academic motivation, feelings of belonging, social-emotional competencies, and an increased sense of purpose, to mention just a few.  They have concentrated their applied research efforts to better understand the power of relationships.  Download their findings here.

O  From County Div. of Children & Family Services (DCFS) ... Click here to connect to their Public Safety Resources page for information related to child abuse and neglect, teen/parent crises, and what to do before driving to DCFS, plus a list of additional resources for people & families. The CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT HOTLINE is 216.696.KIDS (5437)
  
O  From Connecting For Kids:
      >>  Trying to find resources or help for your child...are you at your wit’s end? Go here to set up a free, 30-minute appointment with a C4K Family Resource Specialist.
      >>  C4K posts all of the latest fliers and webinar information it receives from local and national providers on the CFK Flier Connection page on Facebook – click the link to join. Visit their website to learn more about what this local organization has to offer.
  
O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  Feeling Crafty?? Looking for an indoor activity to do w/your kids? Check out Creativebug, which offers free video workshops and classes taught by design experts and artists. It’ll give you some fun, easy things to do on a cold, snowy afternoon.
      >> Checkout SKILLMILL an online, on-demand learning platform for skilled trades. Use it to learn a skilled trade, hone a skill you already have, get help w/a home repair or a DIY project, and more.
      >>  Check out CCPL’s new HOME ROOM e-newsletter for pre-K-12 educators.
      >>  Baby Club ... Boost your baby's brain through play: Learn more & register here for a 5-week club for caregivers and children ages birth to 2 years old. Learn helpful tips and research-backed practices you can use to boost your baby’s brain through play and connect with other families. Siblings welcome! The program is sponsored by Ohio's 529 Plan, CollegeAdvantage
      >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma-Snow mobile pantry will take place from 3:30 – 5:00, Tuesday, Jan 6th.  Note that the Parma Hts Food Pantry is taking a winter break & should resume around April.
      >>  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
            > Learn how you can become a CCPL Volunteer and the programming opportunities available.
            > 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 emails and  e-Newsletters
    ­­­        > Click here to visit CCPL’s, Home Page