APRIL 2014

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., April 3 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. 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 Domewill host Tot Discovery Day on Fri., April 4 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 “See! Feel! Hear! Touch!” Kids will play a variety of musical instruments to hear what they sound like, make textured art that can be seen and felt, and examine what objects look like up close under a video microscope. 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.

 

The Museum of Natural and Cultural History offers free admission to the museum the first Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the museum on the University of Oregon Campus at 1680 E 15th Ave. in Eugene.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network hosts a monthly Respite Night for parents and caregivers of children and youth with emotional, behavioral, mental and/or physical challenges and special needs. This month’s Respite Night will take place on Fri., April 4 from 5 to 8 p.m. Free dinner will be provided. Space is limited and preregistration is required. To RSVP, call 541-342-2876.

 

The City of Eugene will host the First Friday Family Fun Night on April 4 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.

 

The All Born (In) Cross-Disability Inclusion Conference will be held Sat., April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Hotel and Conference Center, located at 909 Hayden Island Dr. in Portland.  The All Born (In) Conference focuses on working to end segregation in neighborhood schools and the community and best practices to reach and teach every child.The cost of the conference is $60 for parents and $75 for professionals. There are a limited number of partial scholarships available for families experiencing financial hardship. Call 503-238-0522 for scholarship information.. Register online for the conference by Thurs., April 3. Contact Angela Frome or call 503-238-0522 for more information.

 

The Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Show & Sale will take place on Sat., April 5 and Sun., April 6 in the Expo Halls at the Lane Events Center, located at 796 W. 13th Ave. in Eugene. The show will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The cost is $6 for ages 9 and up. Kids under 8 enter for free with an adult. For questions, call 541-225-7394 or email ttandt@ram-mail.com.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art will host an ArtAccess Workshop for Children with Special Needs on Sat., April 5 from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. This is a free, drop-in art class for K-12 children with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities. The class will be taught by occupational therapists and artists. Reservations are requested. Email Nori Rice or call 541-346-6443 to register. Visit Classes for Children for more information.

 

The A Team Justice League, a grassroots parent advocacy organization, will host an Open House on Sat., April 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Mcnail-Riley House, located at 601 W. 13th Ave. (corner of 13th and Jefferson St.). Light snacks will be provided. This is a great opportunity to mingle with other parents, learn about the A Team and meet the board members.

 

The Richard Wigney Memorial Run for Autism will take place on Sun., April 6 at Alton Baker Park, located at 100 Day Island Rd. in Eugene. This is a great opportunity for the community to unite and show support for families affected by autism. Race registration will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. The 8K and 5K race will start at 9 a.m. To register online, visit Eclectic Edge Racing.

 

The Willamette Cascade Model Railroad Show & Sale will take place on Sun., April 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Expo Halls at the Lane Events Center, located at 796 W. 13th Ave. in Eugene. The cost is $6 for ages 9 and up. Kids under 8 enter for free with an adult. For questions, call 541-225-7394 or email ttandt@ram-mail.com.

 

The Autism Society of Oregon (ASO) will host a Crisis Prevention Workshop on Sun., April 6 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Mittleman Jewish Community Center, located at 6651 SW Capital Hwy. in Portland. Attendees will learn strategies to help prevent safety risks and redirect challenging behaviors. The cost of the workshop is $10. Please RSVP by sending an email to Elissa Bosley or calling 503-542-9477. To learn about other autism-related events, visit the ASO Event Calendar.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and emotional struggles of parenting a child with special needs. This is a great group for parents looking to connect with other parents. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., April 8 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. The English group will meet in room 201A and the Spanish group will meet in room 145. 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., April 4. Spanish parents should call 541-346-0742. Please note, the support group will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Assistive Technology is technology used by individuals with disabilities to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible. The Oregon Technical Assistance Corporation (OTAC) is developing a discussion tool that can help determine what assistive technology (AT) may be helpful for a person, make a plan to acquire and implement the AT and evaluate its effectiveness. This webinar will introduce the discussion tool and give participants a chance to try it out. This webinar will be held on Wed., April 9 from 10 to 11 a.m. and will help anyone interested in exploring assistive technology options, including people who experience a disability, parents, families, support staff, services coordinators, personal agents and service providers.To register, visit Webinar Registration.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

Come find out what parents need to know about the kindergarten transition process and hear tips to help plan for a successful transition. FACT (Family and Community Together) and Early Childhood CARES will host this training on Wed., April 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. Free childcare will be provided on site. To preregister for this training, call 541-346-2578 by Monday, April 7.

 

All parents are invited to join the Early Intervention Council and meet representatives from community agencies who may serve their child. Chris Peck with Lane County Developmental Disabilities will share information about the K Plan, the new Medicaid state plan that will provide more supports and services to families. Childcare will not be provided for this meeting; however, a stipend is available for self-arranged childcare. To register for the Early Intervention Council, please call 541-346-2578 Monday, April 7.

 

Parents and preschool-age children are invited to the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon on Fri., April 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 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. This month children will learn about the different parts of plants and how they grow and thrive. Little Wonders is free for MNCH members and $5 for non-members.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network provides Daytime Support the second Friday of every month for families with children who experience emotional, behavioral, mental and/or physical special needs. Daytime Support will be provided on Fri., April 11 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in suite 150 at 72A Centennial Loop in Eugene. A light snack will be provided. Preregistration is required. To RSVP, call 541-342-2876.

 

The City of Eugene Recreation Services will host a Friday Family Movie Night for all ages on April 11 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Amazon Community Center, located at 2700 Hilyard St. in Eugene. The featured movie will be Monster’s University and popcorn will be provided. The cost is $1 per person. For more information, call 541-682-5373.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host its Spring Behavior Training starting Mon., April 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is an 8-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to use with preschool children with challenging behaviors. Subsequent classes will be held April 21 and 28; May 5, 12 and 19; and June 2 and 9. 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. Remember, parents must register even if they do not need childcare.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., April 15 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 Wed., April 9. For more information or to register, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host Creating Healthy Dental Habits for Your Child on Thurs., April 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the library of the Brattain Early Learning Center, located at 425 10th St. in Springfield. Come learn helpful tips on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy. Dr. Dennis Dunne, a pediatric dental specialist, will share strategies to help children with special needs have a positive dental experience. Free pizza and childcare will be provided! Preregistration is required, even if childcare is not needed. Please call 541-346-2578 to register for this event by Mon., April 14.

 

Bridgeway House will host a Parent Support Meeting on Thurs., April 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. 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 Oregon Family Support Network hosts a monthly Family Support Meeting the third Friday of every month for families of children and youth who experience mental, emotional, behavioral and/or physical special needs. The Family Support Meeting will take place on Fri., April 18 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Emerald Park Pool, located at 1400 Lake Dr. in Eugene. Kids can swim for free and a light snack will be provided. Preregistration is required. To RSVP, call 541-342-2876.

 

Willamalane Park and Recreation District will host a Megga Hunt on Sat., April 19 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at Lively Park, located at 6100 Thurston Rd. in Springfield. Kids will be able to hunt for their share of more than 20,000 eggs and prizes. Take a stroll around the cookie walk, participate in games and crafts, and ride on the Willamalane Train. Be sure to bring a camera to snap a photo with Hops the Bunny. The cost to participate is $5. Advance tickets may be purchased at any Willamalane facility beginning April 1. Be sure to check out the Megga Hunt website for age brackets and start times.

 

Celebrate Earth Day at The Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome. Admission to the Exhibit Hall and Exploration Dome is free during the annual Earth Day Open House on Sat., April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids will enjoy earth-friendly activities with the SLUG Queen and learn what they can do to promote a healthy planet.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 2 of its Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior on Mon., April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This is an 8-week training to help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Call 541-346-2578 to sign up for this 8-week training.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Come join a group of parents and share in the joys and emotional struggles of parenting a child with special needs. This is a great group for parents looking to connect with other parents. The bimonthly Early Childhood CARES Parent Support Group will meet on Tues., April 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 201A of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in 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., April 18. Please note, the support group will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host Medical Issues Related to Young Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities on Tues., April 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This workshop will help Spanish-speaking parents get answers to medical questions related to young children with developmental delays or disabilities, such as autism, cognitive disabilities, speech & language delays, etc. Dr. Mario Petersen, a specialist in developmental-behavioral pediatrics with the Child Development and Rehabilitation Clinic, will lead the discussion. Parents are encouraged to bring and ask questions in a relaxed and open environment. 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 541-346-0742 by Fri., April 18. A gift card will be raffled to one lucky attendee of this workshop! Please note, this workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host its monthly Dinner Night on Wed., April 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. in Springfield. Jennifer Bennett, a researcher with the Qigong Sensory Therapy Training Institute and owner of Oregon Pediatric Massage, will give an overview of Qigong massage and will give parents some massage techniques to try at home. Childcare will be provided, but parents must RSVP in advance. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network hosts a monthly Family Fun Night the fourth Friday of every month for families with children who experience mental, emotional, behavioral and/or physical special needs. The Family Fun Night will be held on Fri., April 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Skate World, located at 3188 Gateway Loop in Springfield. Children must be supervised by their parent or caregiver. The cost is $1 for roller skates or $4 for inline skates.

 

Kids and families are invited to the Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts (MECCA) every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to make a creative reuse project. From magnetic puzzles to robot rockets to sock creatures, there’s always a fun, all-ages craft project for kids and families each Saturday. No need to preregister, just drop in any time between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. All materials are included for each workshop. A $3 to $5 sliding scale donation is requested per child. Children under 10 should be accompanied by an adult. MECCA is located at 449 Willamette St. in Eugene.

 

The McKenzie River Wooden Boat Festival will be held on Sat., April 26 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Eagle Rock Lodge, located at 49198 McKenzie Hwy. in Vida. Celebrating the history of the wooden white water boat that was invented here on McKenzie River. View over fifty wooden white water boats designed for the McKenzie River and now used on white water rivers all over the world. To learn more, visit the McKenzie River 9th Annual Wooden Boat Festival.

 

Bridgeway House will host Happy Haircuts on Sat., April 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 1385 Oakway Rd. in Eugene. 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 or email Cindy for a reserved time. Walk-ins are welcome!

 

Dia De Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), an international holiday celebrating children, cultures and books will take place on Sat., April 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Springfield Public Library located at 225 5th St. The festival includes bilingual storytelling, live music and dance, free books for kids to take home, library card sign-ups, refreshments and more. Admission is free. For more information, call call 541-726-3766.

 

Dia De Los Ninos/Dia de Los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), an international holiday celebrating children, many cultures and books will take place on Sun., April 27 from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library located at 100 W. 10th Ave. in Eugene. The festival includes bilingual storytelling, live music and dance, free books for kids to take home, library card sign-ups, refreshments and more. Admission is free. For more information, call call 541-682-5450 (press 5 for Spanish).

 

Early Childhood CARES will host part 3 of its Behavior Training for parents of children of preschool age children with challenging behavior on Mon., April 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. in Eugene. This is an 8-week training to help parents learn effective behavior support strategies. Call 541-346-2578 to sign up for this 8-week training.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host an Out & About at Bounce Gymnastics for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their siblings every Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $3 per child. Parents must remain on site while their children play. For more information, contact Sydney Shook at 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a Statutory Oversight Committee Meeting on Wed., April 30 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!

 

The Eugene Public Library hosts Sensory Story Time every Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the downtown branch, located at 100 West 10th Ave. This is a special story time for kids of all ages with sensory integration issues or other special needs and their caregivers.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host Building Skills with Educational Toys and Books on Wed., April 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building, located at 901 E. 18th Ave. This workshop will provide developmental information about play, and showcase a variety of toys, games and books that are motivating and provide fun ways for your child to learn. Free pizza and childcare will be provided at this event! 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., April 28. A gift card will be raffled to one lucky attendee of this workshop! Please note, this workshop will be cancelled if fewer than five parents register.

 

Children who have a disability, who are at least three years old and who are on the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) may be eligible to have diapers purchased by OHP. A prescription from the doctor is required. Prescriptions can be faxed to the attention of Kathleen at Byram Healthcare at 877-845-6668. Once processed, diapers will be delivered. For questions, contact Kathleen at Byram Healthcare at 877-902-9726.

 

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 Jeani Williams.