FREE T-SHIRTS TO CELEBRATE UNITY DAY

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and October 19 is Unity Day, a day to show your support for inclusion, kindness and acceptance.

The Arc has purchased 100 Unity Day T-shirts to help prevent bullying and promote kindness and acceptance. Shirts are available in youth and adult sizes, and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to request a shirt for you and your student(s), email Laura. Also check out these Unity Day ideas to help encourage social change within schools and the greater community.

The Arc Lane County has received a grant to help address bullying against students who experience intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Contact Laura if you would like help implementing something at your student's school. 

CONNECT WITH OTHER PARENTS AT UPCOMING PARENT MEETINGS

After a long hiatus due to COVID, Families Connected is thrilled to restart its regular, in-person parent meetings to give parents an opportunity to connect with others in a warm, supportive environment.

Families Connected will provide dinner and childcare so parents can meet new friends and reengage with old ones. Parent meetings will be held every month.

The Florence Parents Meetings will occur the fourth Monday of every month, with the first meeting scheduled for Oct. 24. 

The Eugene/Springfield Parent Meetings will be held the fourth Tuesday of every month, starting Oct. 25. 

The Oakridge Parent Meetings will occur the fourth Wednesday of every month, staring Oct. 26

Make plans to join us for these fun evenings of fun, camaraderie, lively discussion and support. 

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS TO EMPOWER TEEN VOICES

The City of Eugene Recreation Services will host an eight-week program, called Courageous Conversations, to help empower youth in the community.

Teens are invited to Washington Park, starting Fri., Oct. 7 to share their thoughts and experiences on a variety of different topics and issues handpicked by teens. 

Food will be provided at each session. One on one support is available upon request. Email the City of Eugene for more information. 

NEW WEBSITE CONNECTS PEOPLE TO DISABILITY-RELEATED RESOURCES

Ablefind is a new, online searchable database for people to find disability-related services and resources in Oregon. 

Ablefind was created by Tel Woolsey, a web accessibility specialist for the University of Oregon Center on Human Development. Woolsey created Ablefind after his own experience transitioning from high school to college.  

Ablefind includes resources related to work, housing, health and safety, mental health, as well as food and clothing.

CUT INTERNET BILL WITH AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a new service to help connect families to high-speed Internet access and technology devices.

Families eligible for free and reduced-price lunch qualify for this program. Families do not need to be United States citizens or have social security numbers to quality. 

Read about the Affordable Connectivity Program qualifications and benefits. (El folleto del Programa de Conectividad Asequible también está disponible en español.)

ESTEAM PROVIDES AFTER SCHOOL FUN FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH

The Arc's ESTEAM Youth Program provides after school learning and fun for elementary and middle school students in Eugene and Springfield. 

The Arc's staff picks up students from Douglas Gardens Elementary, Guy Lee Elementary and Two Rivers-Dos Rios Elementary in Springfield, as well as Bertha Holt Elementary School in Eugene. Students are transported to the ESTEAM classroom in Springfield, where they participate in fun and engaging science, technology, engineering, art and math activities. 

ESTEAM has a few openings for students who attend the aforementioned schools. Children and youth attending other schools may also participate in ESTEAM; however, parents or caregivers would need to transport students to ESTEAM. For more information, contact Annie. 

FREE COOKING, NUTRITION CLASSES 

Tired of cooking the same meals for the family dinner rotation? FOOD for Lane County is hosting free, online classes to help spice up your meals.

The classes will be held online and will cover topics such as meal planning, cooking with seasonal produce, maximizing leftovers and saving money at the grocery store.

Visit the Fall Cooking and Nutrition Classes to see the class topics and schedule.

PAID RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS 

The Health, Environment and Leisure (HEAL) Research Lab at Oregon State University (OSU) is looking for parents or caregivers of children with disability to take part in a research study. 

The Playful Parent research study will evaluate a play intervention program to enhance playfulness in parents. Parents will be paid for their participation.

OSU will host a Playful Parent information session on Fri., Oct. 7 from 5:30 to 7 pm in room 204 of the Women’s Building, located at 160 SW 26th St. in Corvallis.

Parents can visit Playful Parent to learn more about the study or email Dr. Xiangyou (Sharon) Shen or Dr. Megan MacDonald for more information.