SEPTEMBER 2013

Early Childhood CARES is excited to welcome children back to school this month. Below is a list of the different programs and their start dates:

Community Preschools – Sept. 12 or Sept. 13
Eugene Hearing & Speech Center – Sept. 12 or Sept. 13
Head Start Full Day Programs – Sept. 12 or Sept. 13
Relief Nursery – Sept. 12 or Sept. 13
Early Education Program (EEP) – Week of Sept. 16
Head Start Part-Day Programs – Week of Sept. 16
Early Childhood CARES Oakridge, Delight Valley – Week of Sept. 16
Communication Classes – Week of Sept. 16
Explorers Eugene and Springfield – Week of Sept. 16
Circle of Friends – Week of Sept. 16
A Child’s Garden – Week of Sept. 16
Willamalane Inclusion Classrooms – Week of Sept. 16
Toddler Groups – Week of Sept. 23

There are a few important program changes to note. First,  the Early Childhood CARES classroom in Cottage Grove will host only a morning class on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. through noon. The Creswell Early Education Program will run only a morning class Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. through noon. Lastly, the Head Start Part-Day Program will have a staggered start on Sept. 12 and Sept. 13.  No district transportation will be provided on these dates. To see the calendar, visit Early Childhood CARES 2013-2014 Service Calendar.

 

The A Team Justice League will host a movie night on Fri., Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Arc Lane County, 4181 E St., Springfield. The featured film is The Story of Luke, a comedy about a young man with autism who embarks on a quest to find a job and a girlfriend.

 

The City of Eugene will host First Friday Family Fun Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Fri., Sept. 6 at the Petersen Barn Community Center, 870 Berntzen Rd., Eugene. This evening of fun includes dinner, games, crafts and live entertainment. Dinner is served until 6:30 pm. This is a free, drop-in program; no registration required. Call 541-682-5521 for more information.

 

The Arc Lane County will offer its Saturday Respite Program on Sat., Sept. 7 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 day per child with disability and $5 per day for siblings. Families must email Misty Lyster or call 541-206-7693 as soon as possible to confirm space availability and reserve a spot for their child.

 

Eugene Sunday Streets will take place Sun., Sept. 8 from 11:30 a.m. through 4 p.m. in the Bethel neighborhood. This is a free event that promotes healthy, active living by opening city streets for people to walk and bike in a safe, traffic-free environment. Meet at Petersen Barn Community Center, 870 Berntzen Rd., Eugene.

 

Meet turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs and salamanders on Sun., Sept. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Science Factory Children’s Museum & Exploration Dome, 2300 Leo Harris Parkway, Eugene. The cost is $4. Children ages two and younger are always free.

 

The Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) will host a free training on Individual Education Program (IEP) Basics on Thurs., Sept. 12 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Eugene Faith Center, 1410 W. 13th Ave., Eugene. Children’s activities will be available; however, children must be preregistered. For more information or to register, contact OFSN at 541-342-2876.

 

The State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education will host its annual retreat on Fri., Sept. 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Comfort Inn and Suites in Bend, OR. The theme for this year’s retreat is “Navigating the New World of the Early Childhood System.” For more information and to register for the retreat, visit the SICC 2013 Annual Retreat. All parents are encouraged to attend!

 

A support group for parents of children with an autism spectrum disorder who live in Mapleton or Florence will meet on Tues., Sept. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Early Childhood CARES in Florence,  which is located at 2325 Oak St. (located in the southwest corner of the middle school parking lot). Childcare is available for children enrolled in Early Childhood CARES program. Parents must register for childcare by calling 541-997-1513 by Sept. 15. For more information, call Bobbie Spencer at 541-997-1513.

 

Ninkasi Brewery will host Pints for a Cause on Thurs., Sept. 19. to benefit Early Childhood CARES. Ninkasi will donate 25 percent of all pint proceeds from the entire day to Early Childhood CARES. Please come and support Early Childhood CARES. Ninkasi, located at 272 Van Buren St. in Eugene, will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Children are allowed inside the tasting room and on the patio until 8 p.m., but they must be accompanied by an adult. There will be live entertainment from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. with the bands Goshwood (bluegrass/Americana), Gimme Skelter (classic rock) and Inner Limits (funk/jazz) playing .

 

The Emerald Family Down Syndrome Network (EFDSN) will host is 7th Annual Buddy Walk on Sat., Sept. 21 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilyard Community Center, 2580 Hilyard St., Eugene. Join EFDSN for a heartfelt day celebrating Down syndrome awareness and community inclusion.

 

The A Team Justice League will host its annual garage sale on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22 at the Arc Lane County, 4181 E St., Springfield. The A Team will rent tables to families for $10. Send an email if you are interested in renting a table and participating in the garage sale.

 

Bridgeway House will host a carnival on Sun., Sept. 22 from 1 to 5 p.m. at 3575 Donald St. in Eugene. Come enjoy games, crafts, a bounce house, a dunk tank, face painting, petting zoo and so much more!

 

Come visit alpacas at home on the farm on Sun., Sept. 22 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Applegate Hills Alpacas, located at 90653 Dalewood Dr. in Junction City. Relax, enjoy a picnic and lounge on a blanket in the warm summer evening air! Music and cold drinks provided.

 

Check out the Kids Mountain Bike Day in Oakridge on Sun., Sept. 22 at 9 a.m. at Green Waters Park, located at 48362 Highway 58 in Oakridge. Kids will learn new skills, including how to position their bodies correctly and balance their bikes with confidence while navigating trail obstacles, gauging speed, tight turns and corners. Shuttled rides are expected to include Flat Creek, Aubrey Mountain, Larison Rock and Alpine Trail. We will also offer guided rides starting from Green Waters Park down the Salmon Creek Trail and rotating skills clinics.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a Meet and Greet Event for Spanish Families on Tues., Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in room 145 of the Clinical Services Building at the University of Oregon, 901 E. 18th Ave., Eugene. Come meet and socialize with other families in Early Childhood CARES and learn about the parent trainings for the 2013-2014 school year.

 

The Arc Lane County will host its monthly Families Connected Dinner Night on Wed., Sept. 25 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 4181 E St. Families Connected is a way for parents to come together to support each other and be supported. Dinner and respite care will be provided. Please RSVP by emailing Sydney Shook or calling 541-343-5256 ext. 113.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host a fun Ice Cream Social to kick-off the new school year on Fri., Sept. 27 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Washington Park Center, 2025 Washington St., Eugene. Come enjoy some yummy ice cream and play at the park! Call Carla at 541-346-2578 by Sept. 25 to RSVP.

 

The Arc Families Connected will host a Family Fun Event at the National Academy of Artistic Gymnastics, located at 1205 Oak Patch Rd. in Eugene, on Sat., Sept. 28 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Kids can bounce, jump and play while parents watch all the fun. The cost is $5 per child.

 

The Cascades Raptor Center will host Family Nature Discovery Day on Sun., Sept. 29 from noon through 4 p.m. at 32275 Fox Hollow Rd., Eugene. The theme for the Sept. event is “Migration Station.” The cost is general admission plus a $2 activity fee for kids to participate in special themes and activities.

 

Early Childhood CARES will host its Fall 2013 Behavior Training starting Mon., Sept. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. This is a 10-week training that will help parents learn effective behavior support strategies to use with preschool children with challenging behaviors. Subsequent classes will be held Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28; Nov. 4 and 18; and Dec. 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 Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders is looking for new members to replace retiring Commission members. Membership on the Commission is through appointment by the Governor’s Office. Visit the Governor’s website for instructions on how to apply. The Commission is specifically seeking individuals to fill the following slots: parent of a child under the age of 18; at-large member; and representative of an advocacy organization. Please indicate which position you are applying for in your application. The Commission meets in Salem every other month for a full day. Members are encouraged to be active in at least one Subcommittee. For more information about the work of the Commission, visit the Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder.