May 2020 eNews
Distance Learning Day 25
(feels like day 231):

Kids have graduated.
#Done.
#EpicParentingWin
UPCOMING PARENT EVENTS
Check out the educational, reflective and fun Parent Events taking place this month!
DISTANCE LEARNING TOOLKIT
FACT Oregon has created a Special Education Distance Learning Toolkit to help families during this historic time of distance learning.

Important Tip: Keep a journal about how your student is doing during this time of distance learning. Document what is working and what is not working each day. The journal will help guide future IEP discussions about barriers to learning and your student's progress toward his/her IEP goals.
CRISIS SUPPORT
Reach Out Oregon provides crisis support, resource sharing and listening support for parents raising children who experience emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. Support is provided from other parents and caregivers with experience navigating similar parenting challenges.
Are you feeling a little tired, disheveled, and weary as we wrap up our first month of distance learning? Are you sporting a few more grey hairs from the added stress of being a full-time teacher and full-time parent?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE! F amilies Connected is a parent-led organization. We are feeling the same pains and challenges of juggling work, teaching and parenting.

We encourage parents to reach out and seek support, camaraderie and friendship with others parents walking a similar journey. There are two ways to connect:

Every Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

Every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

Email Nancy , and she will get you the information to join these events virtually.

With grace, humor, support and self-care, we will get through this together!
MOTHER'S DAY CRAFT AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH
Families Connected is putting together a craft kit for children and youth to make a special Mother's Day gift to honor their mothers. If you would like an easy-to-make, all-supplies-provided craft with instructions included, email Nancy to coordinate a pick up time. All crafts will be left on a bench with family name on it outside the main door of The Arc (South door) at 4181 E. Street in Springfield.

And to all the strong, devoted, inspirational and hardworking mothers, we wish you a Happy Mother's Day! May your day be filled with self-care, and may you be surrounded by all the people and things you love most.
PREPARE NOW FOR ILLNESS

Parents should discuss and make plans in the event someone in the family were to contract the coronavirus. Plan now to avoid a crisis later. If you have a child with a disability, a parent can now enter the hospital with their child. Read the Hospital Visitation Policy to learn more about this exception and be sure you communicate this to the hospital administration and security. Determine who will remain with the child in the hospital and who will care for the other children at home. Also, have a plan in the event a parent becomes sick.
ACTIVITY KITS AVAILABLE FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH

Families Connected and The Arc Lane County have created activity kits to help keep children and youth engaged and entertained at home. Each kit comes with all the supplies, tools and instructions for a fun activity. Parents can arrange a pick-up time, and the activity kit will be left on the bench outside The Arc's main door at a prearranged time. When done, simply return the box with the tools to the bench, and we will sanitize and replenish the materials for another family. To request an activity kit, contact Nancy or Annie .
RESOURCES TO HELP FAMILIES DURING PANDEMIC
Here's a list of helpful federal, state and local resources:


Families who have experienced a change in income due to the pandemic, may also qualify for the Oregon Health Plan .
FOOD BOXES AVAILABLE

The Arc has received a grant to provide Food Boxes to families who have a child with a disability. Call or text Jo Ann at 541-521-9304 to request a food box, and the box will be delivered to your doorstep. All food box recipients will remain confidential.

If you have already requested a food box, you can make another request after 14 days.
The Arc Families Connected
provides peer support to parents on their journey of raising a child with a disability.