DECEMBER 2013

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art offer free museum admission during Duck home game weekends. Visit the Museum of Natural and Cultural History at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene.

 

The Cottage Grove Public Library, located at 700 E. Gibbs Ave., will host Reading with Rover on Mondays at 6:30 p.m., starting Dec. 2 and continuing through Dec. 23. Young readers will have the unique experience of reading to a canine friend in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Visit the Cottage Grove Public Library to learn about this and other story times.

 

Early Childhood CARES Fall Behavior Training will continue in December. This is an 8-week training for parents of preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. Part 7of the training will be held on Mon., Dec. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. The Winter Behavior Training will start Mon., Jan. 13. See the Winter Behavior Training for dates and sign-up information!

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and emotional struggles of parenting a child with special needs. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., Dec. 3 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 at the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Avenue, Eugene. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the meeting even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Mon., Dec. 2. Please note, the support groups will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

All parents are invited to join the Early Intervention Council (EI Council) and meet representatives from community agencies who may serve their child. THE EI Council will meet on Thurs., Dec. 5 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Eugene Hearing and Speech Center, located at 1500 W. 12th Ave. in Eugene. At this meeting, we will discuss merging the EI Council with the new Early Learning Hub. All stakeholders and parents are invited to come and give input. Childcare will not be provided at this meeting; however, a stipend is available for self-arranged childcare. Please call 541-345-2578 by Tues., Dec. 3 to RSVP for the meeting.

 

Come learn how to meet your child’s sensory and movement needs with other parents who are raising a child with autism. The class will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. on Thurs., Dec. 5 in rooms 201 B & C of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. Since this class will be during the day, please allow extra time for parking. Metered parking is available on 18th Ave., or free 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with a child enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend while their child is in class. Additional childcare is not available. To register, contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant by Mon., Dec. 2.

 

The Arc Lane County will host its Annual Awards Banquet on Thurs., Dec. 5 starting at 5 p.m. at 4181 E St. in Springfield. The cost is $12 per person. To RSVP, call 541-343-5256. Two early interventionists with Early Childhood CARES will receive awards. Debra Hamilton will be honored with the Lisl Waechter award, and Jane Farrell will be honored as the teacher of the year for Lane County. Congratulations to these two outstanding teachers!

 

Chili’s Bar & Grill will host a Daddy and Daughter Date Night on Tues., Dec. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 281 Valley River Center. There will be crowns and tiaras for little girls to create and decorate. A picture will be taken, then printed and framed as a take home memory from this special night. Reservations accepted; call 541-683-9100 to make a reservation.

 

The Swindells Resource Center will host a workshop on Helping Children Learn on Thurs., Dec. 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Providence Portland Medical Center Social Room, located at 4805 NE Glisan St. in Portland. The workshop will help parents identify their child’s learning style and will explore learning style applicable techniques to help children with homework and studying. To register, visit the Online Course Catalog and search by class name for “Swindells-Helping Children Learn-Portland.” To register by phone, call 503-215-2429 or 800-833-8899 ext. 52429.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Dec. 5 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. This is a casual, friendly and fun “drop-in” program for parents and preschoolers to discover science together. The theme for this month is winter animals. The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

Night of a Thousand Stars will take place at the Fifth Street Public Market on Fri., Dec. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Come enjoy music, a snowfall, lights and Santa. There will be choirs, youth a cappella groups, Eugene Youth Ballet, jazz ensembles and carolers around the market. Children can also have photos with Santa taken. The Fifth Street Public Market is located at 296 E. 5th Ave. in Eugene.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on Dec. 6 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Petersen Barn Community Center, located at 870 Berntzen Rd. in Eugene. Dinner will be served until 6:30 pm. There will also be games, crafts and live entertainment. This is a free drop-in program; no registration is required.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Kids Movie Night on Fri., Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for kids ages 4 to 12 years at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. A G- or PG-rated movie will be shown. Call Bridgeway House at 541-345-0805 to find out this month’s featured film. Popcorn will be provided. The cost is $3 per child.

 

The Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation (OTAC) will lead a free workshop entitled When Difficult Behavior Results in Exclusion – Strategies to Teach Social Skills on Fri., Dec. 6 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Arc Lane County, 4181 E St. in Springfield. This training will look at some common scenarios that result in exclusion. Attendees will gain information and tools about effective supports and strategies to reduce barriers and teach new skills. To register, visit the OTAC Event List. Parents can also register by emailing Sheri Stephen or calling her at 503-364-9943 ext. 221.

 

Take a break, run some errands or enjoy a meal out! Be kind to yourself while your children are being cared for in a fun, safe environment! The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority from the University of Oregon will watch children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES for free on Sat., Dec. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Brattain Early Learning Center gymnasium, which is located at 425 10th St. in Springfield. There will be fun activities, like play dough, crafts, a beanbag toss and gross motor activities. A snack of Goldfish crackers, fruit and juice will be provided. Parents may bring alternate snacks for their child, but they must be nut free and labeled appropriately. Early Childhood CARES staff will be on site to supervise the events. Reservations are required! Please send an email to oregonkappacs@gmail.com or call Becca Brennan at 503-467-1257 to reserve a spot for your child. Please know there will be lots of activities happening in a loud, large environment. If your child has high needs, please make the staff at Kappa Kappa Gamma aware of this when registering so your child can be paired with a one-on-one buddy.

 

The 61st Annual Springfield Christmas Parade will take place on Sat., Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. in downtown Springfield. This is the oldest (and coldest!) holiday parade in Springfield. To learn more about this year’s free parade, visit A Storybook Christmas.

 

The A Team Justice League will host a family movie night on Sat., Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. at The Arc Lane County, 4181 E St., Springfield. The featured film will be The Polar Express and hot cocoa will be served. Families are encouraged to bring pillows, blankets and snacks.

 

Take a break, run some errands or enjoy a meal out! Be kind to yourself while your children are being cared for in a fun, safe environment! The Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority from the University of Oregon will watch children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES for free on Sun., Dec. 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Brattain Early Learning Center gymnasium, which is located at 425 10th St. in Springfield. There will be fun activities, like play dough, crafts, a beanbag toss and gross motor activities. A snack of Goldfish crackers, fruit and juice will be provided. Parents may bring alternate snacks for their child, but they must be nut free and labeled appropriately. Early Childhood CARES staff will be on site to supervise the events. Reservations are required! Please send an email to oregonkappacs@gmail.com or call Becca Brennan at 503-467-1257 to reserve a spot for your child. Please know there will be lots of activities happening in a loud, large environment. If your child has high needs, please make the staff at Kappa Kappa Gamma aware of this when registering so your child can be paired with a one-on-one buddy.

 

Early Childhood CARES Fall Behavior Training will continue in December. This is an 8-week training for parents of preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. Part 8 of the training will be held on Mon., Dec. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. The 8-week Winter Behavior Training will start Mon., Jan. 13. See the Winter Behavior Training for dates and sign-up information!

 

Cottage Grove will host its free Tree Lighting Celebration on Mon., Dec. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. The celebration starts at Trailhead Park with the tree lighting and then moves to Main St. where families can participate in a scavenger hunt, get their picture taken with Santa and visit the winter wonderland. For more information, visit Christmas in Cottage Grove.

 

Parents and preschool-age children are invited to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon on Fri., Dec. 10 at 10:30 a.m. for stories and hands-on fun including crafts, songs, games and museum exploration. Little Wonders is hosted the second Friday of every month at MNCH, located at 1680 East 15th Ave. in Eugene. A new theme and new activities will be presented each month. Little Wonders is free for MNCH members and $5 for non-members.

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., Dec. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES Florence, located at 2325 Oak St. (in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). The focus of this month’s meeting will be picky eaters. Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES’ programs. Parents must register by Mon., Dec. 9. For more information or to register, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Culinary Arts Program at the MLK Education Center will host its 8th Annual Holiday Meal for the community on Wed., Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Carmichael Room on the Serbu Youth Campus, located at 2727 MLK Blvd. in Eugene. Come enjoy a free  holiday meal with friends, family and the community. There will be a raffle for cool prizes and free food boxes. No RSVP required. For more information, contact Becca at 541-682-2419.

 

Come learn how to combine sensory calming strategies into bedtime routines and how to encourage healthy sleep habits for your child. This workshop will take place on Wed., Dec. 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library of the Brattain Early Learning Center, which is located at 425 10th St. in Springfield. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the meeting even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Fri., Dec. 6. Please note, the workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Learn strategies for expanding your child’s diet with other parents who are raising a child with autism. This workshop will be held on Thurs., Dec. 12 from 9 to 11 a.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m. in rooms 201 B & C of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. Since this class will be during the day, please allow extra time for parking. Metered street parking is available on 18th Ave., or free 2-hour parking is available on side streets. Families with a child enrolled in A Child’s Garden will attend while their child is in class. Additional childcare is not available. To register, contact your Early Childhood CARES autism consultant by Fri., Dec. 6.

 

The Swindells Resource Center will host a free workshop on Addressing Challenging Behavior in the Home on Thurs., Dec. 12 from from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Providence Cancer Center Amphitheater, located at 4805 NE Glisan St. in Portland. The workshop will help parents develop strategies to change behavior, review what “triggers” behaviors and learn what the child is getting out of the behavior. To register, visit the Online Class Catalog and search by class name, “Sensory PDX – Challenging Behavior – Portland”. Alternately, parents may call 503-215-2429 or 800-833-8899 ext. 52429 to register.

 

The McKenzie Montessori Institute will host its annual holiday concert and fundraiser on Fri., Dec. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Arc Lane County Banquet Hall, located at 4181 E St. in Springfield. This is a free event, and there will be a holiday concert, festive family games and crafts, face painting, a visit and photo with Santa, bake sale, and a silent auction with items and certificates from over one hundred businesses! To learn more, visit McKenzie Montessori Institute’s Annual Holiday Fundraiser.

 

The Willamalane Center for Sports & Recreation will turn into a Winter Wonderland on Fri., Dec. 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Families can make holiday gifts, ride the Willamalane train, take pictures with Santa, meet his live reindeer and join Mrs. Claus in the kitchen for a warm beverage and cookies. Don’t forget to wear your most festive holiday sweater for a chance to win prizes. The cost of the event is $6 to $7.50. The Willamalane Center for Sports & Recreation is located at 250 S. 32nd St. in Springfield.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History at the University of Oregon will celebrate the gift of storytelling at its annual Winter Solstice Celebration on Fri., Dec. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 1680 E. 15th Ave. The entire family will enjoy live music, performances and crafts on this special evening at the museum. The event is free with a canned food donation.

 

The Autism Training and Research Center at Portland State University will host a free workshop on Teaching Independence & Arranging the Environment to Support Learning on Sat., Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The workshop will be held on the third floor of the University Technology Building at Portland State University, located at 2121 SW 4th Ave. in Portland. To register, visit Free Parent Workshop Series or call 503-725-8009.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History will host a Holiday Open House on Sat., Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1680 E. 15th Ave. Admission is free all weekend, and visitors can enjoy twinkling lights and holiday refreshments while touring the museum.

 

Bridgeway House will host Photos and Potluck with Santa on Sat., Dec. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. There will be crafts and cookie decorating available for children; parents are asked to bring a dish to share. Private photo times with Santa are available before noon; however, parents must call 541-345-0805 to schedule a time.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History will host a Holiday Open House on Sun., Dec. 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1680 E. 15th Ave. Admission is free all weekend, and visitors can enjoy twinkling lights and holiday refreshments while touring the museum.

 

KindTree – Autism Rocks, Families Connected and the A Team Justice League will host a Family Holiday Craft Party on Sun., Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Hilyard Community Center, located at 2580 Hilyard St. in Eugene. Come meet other families, make some fun crafts and enjoy some holiday merriment!

 

Gather and watch the “Parade of Lights”, see Santa, enjoy treats and activities, and create a great memory together at this free event on Sun., Dec. 15 at 6:45 p.m. in downtown Coburg. Also, stop in at the Grange for the Annual Chili Feed. Donations to the Coburg Food Pantry graciously accepted. See Christmas in Coburg for more information.

 

Chili’s Bar & Grill will host a Mother and Son Date Night on Tues., Dec. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 281 Valley River Center. Boys will be given a pirate hat and telescope to decorate. After dinner, your little pirate may choose a complimentary dessert from the menu for you both to share. A picture will be taken, then printed and framed as a take home memory from this special night. Reservations accepted; call 541-683-9100 to make a reservation.

 

Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., Dec. 18 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. in Springfield. Families Connected is a way for parents to come together to support each other and be supported. This dinner night will be the annual holiday family party. A very special guest will be stopping by to visit the children, and Tree of Joy gifts will be distributed. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Dec. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. The support group is for parents and caregivers of children with autism. Childcare is available, but parents must call in advance. Please call 541-345-0805 to make childcare arrangements. All parents and guardians are invited to attend.

 

Children are invited to Bridgeway House on Sat., Dec. 21 for Happy Haircuts. Children can get a no-tears haircut for $12, and they will create a special fidget toy. Please make sure hair is clean before scheduled haircut. Call 541-345-0805 for a reserved time. Walk-ins are welcome! Bridgeway House is located at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene.

 

Families Connected will host a Family Fun Day at Splash! at Lively Park Swim Center on Sat., Dec. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The wave pool will open to families with children with special needs before it opens to the general public. The cost is $10 per family. Splash! at Lively Park is located at 6100 Thurston Rd. in Springfield.

 

The Arc Lane County will offer its respite program on Sat., Jan. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4181 E St., Springfield. This is a low- cost program the Arc Lane County provides to families the first Saturday of each month. The cost is $10 per child with disability and $5 for each sibling. Families must email Megan King or call 541-743-5237 as soon as possible to confirm space availability and reserve a spot for their child.

 

The Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities will host Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at the Oregon State Capitol on Fri., March 7 at 1 p.m. The celebration will feature guest speakers, the unveiling of the new awareness poster and DD Champion Award Winner presentations. Visit the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities for future announcements about the event.

 

Early Childhood CARES is sponsoring its annual Holiday Gift Giving Campaign for the families it serves. If you would like to purchase a gift for a child in need, tags are available at the Early Childhood CARES main office (299 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene) and in the hallway outside A Child’s Garden classroom in the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon (901 E. 18th Ave.). You can also email Jan Weyers or call 541-346-3492 to request a tag. Each tag lists gift suggestions and clothing sizes if appropriate. There is a $25 limit per child. All gifts need to be returned unwrapped with the gift request tag attached to the Early Childhood CARES main office by Mon., Dec. 9.

 

Eligibility for Medicaid (the Oregon Health Plan) is expanding and financial assistance is available for many Oregonians who want to purchase new private insurance plans through Cover Oregon, the state’s new health insurance exchange. Mental health benefits are included and individuals can enroll even if they have a preexisting health condition and have been turned down before. Oregonians who want health insurance on Jan. 1, 2014 need to apply now. For Oregonians who are OK with coverage beginning after Jan. 1, 2014, the open enrollment period will go through March 2014.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oregon is helping individuals and families sign up for both types of coverage through Cover Oregon. Individuals do not need to have a mental health diagnosis to benefit from this service. To get help enrolling or determining whether or not you qualify for financial assistance, contact NAMI Oregon at 503-230-8009 or 800-343-6264 to schedule an enrollment assistance appointment. Appointments are available both by phone and in person in Eugene, and by phone around the state.

 

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has a partnership with Capstone to provide free access to myON Books through December 20, 2013. myON Books is an online library of more than 4,000 digital books for students and families.