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Family Connections
February E-Newsletter
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The Pause program, an initiative of the Family and Children First Council, has created the Family Connections E-Newsletter as part of our commitment to resource families in Butler County. While this newsletter includes Pause specific information, every family will find great opportunities to connect with each other and with other families in the community! All events are FREE unless noted otherwise!
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Pause is committed to assisting families of children with physical, mental, developmental, medical, behavioral or learning challenges, access to a broad range of support options by maximizing the use of community resources and family support networks. On the current menu of options, Pause provides: respite, free family fun events, caregiver networking/resourcing and community service events to help families with tangible needs.
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Your Family Journey
At Pause, we want your family to not just survive, but THRIVE! If you are part of our Pause family, you have completed the Pause Family Journey Map (FJM) - a family needs assessment tool that looks at YOU, the caregiver, and what your unique needs are. We have divided the FJM into four "buckets": Unwinding Well, Relating Well, Navigating Well, and Functioning Well. We are excited that our newsletter is an additional way to partner with you to keep you buckets full so you have the energy, resources, support and community you need to care for your family!
Each resource or event will have a colored circle indicating what bucket that information falls under. Below is a description of four buckets and the color they will be coded with.
There are many opportunities for family fun all around Butler County each month, including some great ways to relax and enjoy family time!
Relating Well -
Families sometimes struggle with finding other community members to bond with. Look into these events to connect with new friends and try new and exciting things!
Navigating Well -
Resources and helpful information for families are usually available, they just do not know about them. Check out these upcoming opportunities to better navigate beneficial information to your family!
Functioning Well -
We understand the importance of sustainable supports for families to function in the community, as well as function in their own homes! Connect with other families and community members during these upcoming events.
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STILL NEED A FAMILY CONSULTATION?
Family Consultations are beneficial for Pause families as they allow our team to better understand the needs the family is looking for and connect them with community resources. We HIGHLY RECOMMEND Pause families, whether they are new or have been with us from the beginning, receive a consultation with our Family Connections Coordinator, Delaney.
If you'd like to arrange a family consultation, please e-mail wilderd@bcesc.org.
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Pause Events
Pause has a lot of fun and exciting things coming up! Come join us!
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February Pause Parent's Night Out Events!
This FREE program is designed to provide a fun, safe environment for children so that you can get a break to recharge your battery!
Your child will be paired with a buddy whose main goal will be to spend quality time having fun and caring for them. We will have dinner, snacks, do craft projects, play games and more!
November Register for Parent's Night Out is opening soon!
All forms need to be returned to:
Pause
Fax - 513-887-3709 Attn: Pause
Mail (or dropped off) to 400 N Erie Blvd Ste. A, Hamilton OH 45011
We are excited to see your family again! We want all of our families to register for our events! However, due to required documents needed by the program we unfortunately will not be able to accept registrations from any family who is missing paperwork.
Once your paperwork is submitted, you can register for the upcoming Parent's Night Out Events on our
website.
When & Where:
February 8th - Charleston Club - Parent's Night Out site
7786 Service Center Dr., West Chester 45069
2nd Thursday of the month, 5:30 - 8:30 pm | ages 9 to 22
February 16th - Center Pointe Christian Church - Parent's Night Out site
5962 Hamilton Mason Road, Liberty Twp., 45011
3rd Friday of the month, 5:30 - 8:30 pm | ages 3 months to 12
February 23rd - Hamilton Church of God - Parent's Night Out site
1760 Millville Ave., Hamilton 45013
4th Friday of the month, 5:30 - 8:30 pm | ages 5 to 15
REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
To register for this event or for more information, please visit our website at
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Family Fun
Check out these events happening all month across Butler County!
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Library Sponsored Activities - Open to ALL Families!
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Fairfield, OH:
Oxford, OH:
Middletown, OH:
West Chester, OH:
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Low Cost & Free Activities - Open to ALL Families!
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For more information on each event, just click the event heading to view their website!
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 6th, 4-6 PM
Come play board games from 4 to 6 p.m. with teens who have disabilities at the Janet Clemons Center, 282 N. Fair Avenue, Hamilton. If you are interested in attending or volunteering, please contact Michelle Teppe by calling
(513) 785-4635.
February 10th, 10-2 PM
Enjoy a weekend of arts during the Macy's Arts Sampler weekend! Take this great opportunity to visit the Fitton Center for Creative Arts in Hamilton. This family-friendly event is free and full of art, music, dance, and more!
February 11th, 1:30-2:30 PM
The annual Ice Skating Party with the Miami University Varsity Hockey Team is Sunday, February 11th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Goggin Ice Center, Miami University in Oxford. The cost is $2 per person and includes refreshments - skate rental is an additional $2. The hockey players will be on the ice and ready to assist skaters; no skating experience is required to participate and wheelchairs are permitted on the ice. RSVP is required by February 4th - call Connie at (513) 785-2881.
February 12th, 7 PM
Lagniappe is a fantastic musical group with a focus on Louisiana Cajun music. What a great way to celebrate Mardi Gras! The group has been rewarded for their exceptional musicianship of many members over the past few years, and they would love to see you on February 12th!
February 16th, 7:30 PM
In The Cincinnati Ballet Academy's first performance at the Fitton Center, see some of the area's most talented dancers in the Carnival of Animals. Bring the whole family together for an enchanting production including the March of the Lion, Kangaroos and The Swan, plus much more! Make sure to catch this new production at the Fitton Center in February! Tickets are $5 for members, and $7 for non-members.
February 19th, 7 PM
Mandy Watts came from a family who loved bluegrass, so naturally, she became a musician as well. On February 19th, don't miss Mandy's performance at the Miami Regionals Downtown Hamilton location to enjoy a night full of bluegrass music!
Winter Garden Market in Hamilton
February 9th and 23rd, 10-2 PM, Every Other Friday of the month
Escape the winter weather at the Winter Garden Market, hosted every other Friday! Shop from local artisans all day and enjoy live music from 11AM - 1PM. The market is open at the Government Services Building between 10AM and 2PM every other Friday. Featuring wonderful handmade items such as accessories, candles, body care, and much more!
February 14th, 5-7 PM, Every Second Wednesday of the month
Loved the Village Green Farmers Market this past summer? Don't miss the winter edition of the Farmers Market! Stop by during the second Wednesday of every month from November to April. The Farmers Market lasts from 5-7PM each month, so make sure to grab your favorite foods and crafts!
February 16th-April 7th, 12-5 PM
German Lemus brings his colorful artwork to Pyramid Hill beginning in February. Lemus' collection, Authentic Forest, will open on February 16, with a free reception and an opportunity to meet the artist. Authentic Forest is a collection features mixed media paintings and Lemus uses different textures to tell a story in each piece. View website for ticket prices.
October 1st-July 22nd, Sundays 2-4 PM and Thursdays 6:30-7:30 PM
Come learn all about animals and other fun farm activities at the Chrisholm Historic Farmstead! Programs include all sorts of activities with special guest stars! Don't miss Show and Tell on the Farm every Sunday from 2-4PM and every Thursday from 6:30-7:30PM.
February 1st-28th
Join every little conductor's favorite tank engine, Thomas, during this month-long Thomas the Tank Engine extravaganza. This indoor celebration of the world's most famous tank engine include Thomas wooden train layouts, Thomas HO scale electric train display, videos, Thomas & Friends scavenger hunts, crafts and even a Thomas indoor train ride. All of EnterTRAINment Junction's popular attractions are open, including the world's largest indoor train display, a giant play area, the circus-themed A-Maze-N Funhouse and an incredible replica of the historic Coney Island Amusement Park. Please view website for ticket prices.
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays,Time Varies
Skate your way to family fun at the Goggin Ice Center! Public ice skating is available all year at various times, and makes for a fun family activity.
*Please call Goggin Ice Center to ensure open skating sessions at 513-529-9800*
To check out more family activities in Butler County, go to
Butler County Events
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Trainings
Looking for more information on how to improve your functioning as a caregiver? These upcoming trainings are full of valuable information for you and your family.
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February 14th, 6-7:30 PM
Every second Wednesday of the month, Butler County Board of Developmental Disabilities hosts information sessions for both children/adults (age 14-22) and caregivers to provide information, guidance, and resources to help with the transition process from student to adulthood. These sessions are hosted at the Janet Clemmons Center, 282 N. Fair Ave, Hamilton Ohio. Topics of this month:
SALT - Finding & Keeping a Job: Panel Share How. PEPA - Self-Advocacy & Leadership Development
Cost:
FREE!!
February 15th, 6-8 PM
Mayerson Academy and its partners Beech Acres Parenting Center and Children, Inc. are pleased to bring luminaries in the field of positive psychology to our region to share the best in current, applied science for building positive parenting capacity. Located at Mayerson Academy: 2650 Highland Ave, Cincinnati, 45219. Click the link above to purchase tickets for this informative event!
Cost:
Available on website
February 21st, 9-12:15 PM
Brain speed, mindset and stress management are keys to time management and optimum performance. Learn how to function at an optimal level. Discover how to discern the difference between what "needs to be done" and what "we want to have done". Learn the roles brain speed and mindset play in increasing efficiency. Understand the role of stress in job performance. Work smarter, not harder by practicing the three secrets. Presenter: Ann Anzalon.
Location: Butler County Educational Service Center 400 N Erie Blvd. Ste. A Hamilton, 45011. Click the above link to register for this session.
Cost:
$35.00
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Resources
Check out these resources for new and exciting ideas around caregiving and connecting with others in the community.
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Butler County Special Families Support Group
Butler County Special Families is a group of families and friends from Butler and surrounding counties, joining together in support of our special
needs kiddos! They s
hare stories and info, get/give advice, make new friends and allies, have community meet-ups and scheduled events for the whole family!
Facebook users can join our private group on Facebook for the most up-to-date info! Non-Facebook users, should send them an email at
ButlerCountySpecialFamilies@gmail.com
to join the mailing list. You may also contact the group administrator and fellow special needs parent, Jen Skalley at (513) 915-8059 with any questions!
Need assistance with filing your 2017 taxes? The United Way has partnered with H&R Block to offer their premium online tax prep service, for FREE, to everyone who made less than $66,000 last year. Find out more by visiting
www.myfreetaxes.com
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Click
here to find out where you can go in person to receive assistance from an IRS certified volunteer.
January 29th, 6:30-9:30 PM
Join Friends of Citizens with Disabilities for this fun night of BREWS, BITES & BATTLES!
BREWS AND BITES! Price includes one flight of beer (four 5-oz. pours) food pairings and one pint of craft beer of your choice.
BATTLES! We've brought in a professional trivia company to run our games! Your team will be challenged to come up with the most popular answers to a variety of questions. We surveyed 100 families, and they all said this event will be a blast!
Tickets cost is $30 each.
Tickets are limited so get yours today!
Must be 21 and over to attend. Click the link above for more information and to register for this fun, charitable event!
February 9th, 11:30-1 PM & February 15th, 5-7:30 PM
Do you have a student transitioning from a school environment to independence? Join Pathways to Employment's open house events for more information on their programs! Located at the Scarlet Oaks Career Campus, 3254 Kemper Rd Room 520. Please contact Joan Lawrence for more information: (513) 674-4247 or
joan.lawrence@hcesc.org.
ABC Pediatric Therapy Network offers speech, occupational, physical and aquatic therapy. ABC works with any special needs child including cerebral palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome or ANY developmental delay. They do not need a diagnosis to treat. They accept ALL insurances. Therapists are trained in sensory integration, and they use a play-based gym model. Click the link above to visit their website for more information.
Melodic Connections $1 Sessions!
Come join in the fun at Melodic Connections!
Melodic Connections is a community music therapy studio providing services to all ages and abilities. Drop in sessions are available as followed: Drums Alive Mondays at 5:30 PM, and Open Jam Tuesdays at 5:30 PM. Both are only $1 a session! Click the above link for additional information and location.
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Ever finding it difficult to access free or inexpensive resources for your child with special needs? If so, look no further! Click on this link for a list of free things and grants!
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Support Group Access - Resource for ALL Families!
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- Visit www.redtreehouse.org
- Right hand box -- click ButlerCo.
- Select -- emotional support
- Scroll to the bottom, click "view more"
- Click "filter by category"
- Click "month - February"
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