JANUARY 2014

The “Roll, Drop, Bounce – The Science of Motion” exhibit will continue during the month of January at The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome located at 2300 Leo Harris Pkwy. in Eugene. The exhibit explores the physical properties of motion and the way it works. The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome will host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., Jan. 3 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. This month’s theme is “Planes, Trains, Cars and Cranes.” The cost is free for members, $10 for nonmember parent with child and $2 for each additional child.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon offers free admission to the museum the first Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Come enjoy the museum’s new exhibits at 1430 Johnson Lane in Eugene.

 

Visit the Portland Children’s Museum for a free night of play on Sat., Jan. 4 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The museum is located at 4015 SW Canyon Rd. in Portland. Providence Children’s Health will host the event. Preregistration is required to attend. In an effort to make the evening comfortable for all families, the number of guests will be limited. To register, visit Friends and Family Access Night at the Museum or call Alex Roth at 503-471-9914. Future Friends and Family Access Nights will be held Feb. 8, May 3 and Aug. 2.

 

Chili’s Bar & Grill will host a Daddy and Daughter Date Night on Tues., Jan. 7 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.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a Behavior Management Training in Florence. This is a 10-week training for parents of preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. The class will start on Thurs., Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, which is located at 2325 Oak St. (in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). Future classes will be held Jan. 16, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6 and March 13. Parents must commit to attending all 10 sessions as each class builds on the class before. Childcare and dinner will be provided. To register, contact Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Jan. 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 37770 Upper Camp Creek Rd. in Springfield. 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.

 

Parents and preschool-age children are invited to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon on Fri., Jan. 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.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on Jan. 10 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.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a 4-week American Sign Language Workshop to help parents learn basic signs to communicate with their child. The workshops will be held on Friday evenings from 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting Fri., Jan. 10 in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Wed., Jan. 8. Please note, the workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The City of Eugene Parks and Recreation will host Friday Family Fun on Jan. 10 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Center, located at 2445 Willakenzie Rd. in Eugene. Grab the family and enjoy free recreation time together in the gym, pool and playground. Call 541-682-5312 for more information. See Eugene RecEnroll for more information.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior starting Mon., Jan. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is an 8-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Subsequent classes will be held Jan. 27, Feb. 3, Feb. 10, Feb. 24, March 3, March 10 and March 17. The training will be held in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave, Eugene. Childcare will be provided to qualified Early Childhood CARES children and their siblings. Please call 541-346-2578 to register for the training and arrange your childcare needs by Wed., Jan. 8. Remember, parents must register even if they do not need childcare.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 2 of its Florence Behavior Management Training on Thurs., Jan. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, located in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot at 2325 Oak St. This is a 10-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to help preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. For more information, contact Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 2 of its 4-week American Sign Language Workshop on Fri., Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, which is located at 901 E. 18th Ave. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Wed., Jan. 15. Please note, the workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The City of Eugene Parks and Recreation will host a Friday Family Fun on Jan. 17 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Center, located at 2445 Willakenzie Rd. in Eugene. The movie You’ve Got Mail will be featured. Call 541-682-5312 for additional information. See Eugene RecEnroll for more information.

 

Families Connected will host a Family Fun Day at Splash! at Lively Park Swim Center on Sat.,Jan. 18 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.

 

12th Annual Winter Folk Festival will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sat., Jan. 18 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sun., Jan. 19 at the Florence Events Center, located at 715 Quince St. in Florence. The Brothers Four will headline on Saturday, and John McEuen will headline on Sunday. Admission to the artisan fair is free and includes art and craft booths, food, pie contest and jam sessions. The festival helps bring folk music into local schools and provides free concerts for local school children. To learn more, visit the 2014 Florence Winter Folk Festival.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Family Swim on Sun., Jan. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Tamarack Wellness Center, located at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. Enjoy a wonderful swim at the Tamarack Wellness Center 92° indoor saltwater pool. Bring your own snacks and towels. The cost is $3 per child or $10 per family.

 

Chili’s Bar & Grill will host a Mother and Son Date Night on Tues., Jan. 21 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.

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., Jan. 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, located in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot at 2325 Oak St. Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES’ programs. Parents must register by Fri., Jan. 17. For more information or to register, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Arc Lane County will host its Annual Awards Banquet on Thurs., Jan. 23 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!

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 3 of its Florence Behavior Management Training on Thurs., Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, located in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot at 2325 Oak St. This is a 10-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to help preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. For more information, contact Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Transition Linkage Coalition will host an Information Night on Guardianships and Special Needs Trusts on Thurs., Jan. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lane Education Service District, located at 1200 Highway 99 N in Eugene. Attorney Lee J. Judy will deliver a presentation and answer questions.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., Jan. 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at 37770 Upper Camp Creek Rd. in Springfield. 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.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 3 of its 4-week American Sign Language Workshop on Fri., Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Wed., Jan. 22. Please note, the workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The City of Eugene Parks and Recreation will host Friday Family Fun on Jan. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Center, located at 2445 Willakenzie Rd. in Eugene. Families will have fun making mini pizzas and participating in fitness activities. Call 541-682-5312 for additional information. See Eugene RecEnroll for more information.

 

Join the Moombah gang for another Magical Moombah! Boxcars on the Brain Train on Sat., Jan. 25 at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, located at 868 High St. in Eugene. The first performance will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., and the second performance will run from 1 to 2 p.m. The event admission fee is $5. To learn more, visit The Magical Moombah 2013-14.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 2 of its Behavior Training on Mon., Jan. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. This is an 8-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to help preschool-age children with challenging behaviors.

 

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., Jan. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 201A of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., 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 Fri., Jan. 24. Please note, the support group will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host an “Ask Susana” Spanish Workshop on Tues., Jan. 28 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave. Susana Ramirez is a special education advocate with Disability Rights Oregon, and she will address parent questions related to student rights and the special education system. Childcare will be provided for qualified Early Childhood CARES children and their siblings. Please call 541-346-0742 to register and arrange your childcare needs by Fri., Jan. 24. Parents must register even if they do not need childcare. The workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., Jan. 29 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. Chris Peck with Lane County Community Developmental Disabilities Program will discuss the new K Plan process and what families will be able to access. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a Statutory Oversight Committee Meeting on Wed., Jan. 29 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at its main office which is located at 299 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. The Statutory Oversight Committee is comprised of service providers, agencies, school districts and parents who meet to discuss fiscal issues and the delivery of services to Early Childhood CARES children and their families. Childcare will not be provided; however, parents will be paid a $25 stipend for self-arranged childcare. Parent attendance is welcome at these meetings and parent input is appreciated!

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 4 of its Florence Behavior Management Training on Thurs., Jan. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES classroom in Florence, located at 2325 Oak St. (in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). This is a 10-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to help preschool-age children with challenging behaviors. For more information, contact Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 4 of its 4-week American Sign Language Workshop on Fri., Jan. 31 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. Childcare will be provided for qualified children and their siblings. Preregistration is required. Parents need to register for the workshop even if childcare is not needed. To register, please call 541-346-2578 by Wed., Jan. 29. Please note, the workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The City of Eugene Parks and Recreation will host Friday Family Fun on Jan. 31 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Sheldon Community Center, located at 2445 Willakenzie Rd. in Eugene. Families will enjoy archery and carnival games. Call 541-682-5312 for additional information. See Eugene RecEnroll for more information.

 

The Oregon Child and Family Center is now enrolling participants for the Oregon Parent Project, a study examining child and family well-being during the preschool years in 200 families with young children with developmental delays or disabilities. The study will examine the effects of early childhood interventions and services on children’s adaptive behavior, problem behavior and family well-being.The study is enrolling parents/caregivers and their children (ages 28 – 44 months) who have a developmental delay or concern. Children and families will participate in six assessments during a 2-year period. Some families will also be invited to participate in a parent education class which focuses on positive strategies designed to promote child and family well-being. All families will be compensated for their participation. For more information, email Angie Relling or call 541-346-4209.

 

Western Oregon University’s Teaching Research Institute is conducting a three-year study on the beneficial effects of parent-delivered massage in children with autism. Often children with autism have abnormal responses to touch such that they avoid touch on many areas of the body. For the past decade, the Teaching Research Institute at Western Oregon University has been teaching parents a daily massage program that has been shown in early studies to be effective in reversing difficulties with touch. As children become more comfortable with touch, they become calmer, are better able to learn and exhibit better behavior overall. Enrollment for children to participate in year two of the study is currently open. Children with autism under the age of six are eligible. (Children ages 6 to 11 will be eligible during the 2014-15 school year.) Families enrolled in the study will receive free training, treatment and assessments. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To learn more about the study, visit Qigong Sensory Training Institute, call 503-585-9239 or send an email.

 

Early Childhood CARES is seeking a part-time American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter to work with a preschool-aged child with disabilities in a classroom setting on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Minimum qualifications include: BA/BS or AA/AS degree from an Interpreter Education Program or related education field, passing score of 3.5 or above on the EIPA Performance Test or hold RID NIC, CI or CT certification and passing score on the EIPA written test. To apply, send resume to Cheryl Henderson.

 

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.