Parent Partnership in Education Newsletter 
As we approach the Winter Holidays and the end of 2020 , I hope this newsletter finds you and your family doing well. PSN wants to awknowledge the hard work parents ,caregivers, students, teachers, community leaders, and first responders have done. You all have risen to the multiple challenges of this year with extraordinary resilience and resolve as we all faced Covid-19. These experiences over the past few months has only given us a deeper appreciation, patience, dedication and stronger sense of community.
Parent Support Network has dedicated this electronic newsletter to provide you with resources to help you create the conditions to give yourself and your love ones, as much rest as you can in the month of December to reenter your role fully charged in 2021.With this in mind we have included in this newsletter PSN's Virtual Holiday Family Series event, PSN Support Groups and an article on "Tips for reducing stress, helping kids cope, and making new traditions" by Child Mind Institute and "Keep the Holidays happy During Covid-19" by American Academy of Pediatrics.
Parent Support Network continues open providing in person and virtual supports for parents,educators, community agencies, and advocates. We offer families peer mentor and educational specialists support, to assist caregivers and parents with their children's behavioral health and school related needs and up to date resources, virtual parent support groups and workshops. Our virtual workshops provide great resources and knowledge for parents, educators and other professionals, to better support children who are at risk or who have a serious emotional, behavioral and/or mental health challenge. Check out our website often for updates.

Scroll down E-Newsletter for more detailed information about PSN's Peer Mentors ,Support Groups, Workshops and more. Don't hesitate to call our Helpline to learn more about PSN supports and services. 
Tips for reducing stress, helping kids cope, and making new traditions

by: Child Mind Institute



With the holidays upon us, families everywhere are struggling to make plans appropriate for the pandemic. How do we celebrate when we can’t be together as usual? How do we resolve differences of opinion about what is safe? How do we deal with more disappointment and frustration — and help our kids do the same?

We can’t tell you what the right (or safe) choices are for your family, but here are some tips to make the best of holidays during the pandemic, whatever your situation. We asked our experts for advice about ways to minimize stress and help everyone in the family feel as good as possible about this unusual holiday season.

  • Dont Wait to Make Plans: Discussions about this year’s holidays can be painful, but making plans ahead of time will make the days themselves much less stressful. 
  • Give kids a voice: When framing this year as special and creating new activities and traditions
  • Discuss rules in advance: Differences of opinion about how to gather safely may be a huge source of stress this holiday season. Safety measures for any kind of holiday gathering should be discussed clearly and decided in advance.
  • Start new traditions: If you’re not going to be able to celebrate in the way your family is accustomed to, be proactive and find new activities to make the pandemic holidays special.
  • Let Kids Express Disappointment: it’s important to validate their feelings. You want to really pause and acknowledge that you’re disappointed, too, and let them know that it’s okay for them to feel disappointed.


Keep the Holidays Happy During COVID-19

BY: American Academy of Pediatrics

There are ways families can cut down their stress during the holidays. Sticking to routines as much as possible, exercising, eating healthy food, and getting plenty of sleep can help. Pay attention to how much time your kids—​and you—spend on screens. And avoid the pressure to spend a lot on gifts, focusing on the simple joy of spending time together.

Finding joy during the holiday season
  • Spend a few moments each day enjoying the company of your children this holiday season. It can bring your family closer and boost your mood.
  • Try using extra downtime to do these things together as a family:
  • Use your talents to help others, volunteer and give back to the community.
  • Talk about your family's culture, heritage, values and spiritual beliefs. Cook together​, for example, making favorite family recipes.
  • Find ways to play and laugh together. Consider making special cloth face coverings to wear during the holiday season
  • Aim to be present in the moment. Teach kids to use mindfulness and relaxation to cut down on stress.
  • Practice gratitude as a family.



Resources  & Latest Educational Updates
Upcoming Events, Distance Learning Workshops and Support Group Schedule
PSN offers training and professional development workshops for parents, schools, and communities. We also work with school districts to develop workshops and training that meet the needs of their schools, taking into account the mental health needs of children.

Call us to  register for training or support group and if you need technical support to prepare for training.  Also our Helpline is open for families and community, needing Resources and Emotional support during Covid-19 pandemic. Contact us at  401-467-6855
Social Emotional Learning Workshop

Virtual Workshop:
Social Emotional Learning
 a Workshop for Parents & Professionals
Available at Request


Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults effectively acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to:

• Understand and manage emotions.
• Set and achieve positive goals
• Feel and show empathy for others.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships
• Make responsible decisions

If you would are interested in this training in your school and community, reach out to Naiommy Baret the Behavorial Health Education Coordinator & training specialist at n.baret@psnri.org or call PSN warm at 401- 467-6855
Cherish The Child Fundraiser
Donate here :www.psnri.org/donate
PSN Support Groups
English support groups meet Tuesdays & Spanish support groups meet Thursdays

Call the Warm line and sign up & joinus via Zoom Meeting:
Fatherhood Initiative
Hope Recovery Groups
PSN Parent Peer Mentors 
PSN Parent Peer Mentors are family leaders with lived experience raising children, youth, and young adults who are at risk or who have serious emotional and behavioral health challenges; work in partnership with the schools and community partners to promote family engagement and student success; and are knowledgeable of school support services and the special education process. PSN Parent Peer Mentors provide peer support, share up to date information and assist parents to participate in their child's educational team meetings and overall school success. PSN Parent Peer Mentors provide assistance with accessing special education, developing proactive behavioral strategies, dealing with discipline, attendance and truancy issues, and coordinating behavioral health services with education. 

During the COVID-19 
PSN Parent Peer mentors are available by phone 
401-467-6855 

PSN has a diverse team of Bilingual Spanish & English Parent Peer Mentors. Partners can access parent peer mentor services by referring a family and signing off on PSN's consent and release form, which can be accessed on our Website. Someone from our intake team will follow up with family. Also share our brochures with families , which has information about all our services and programs.

For more information and releases go to: www.psnri.org 
PSN Statewide Helpline 
This statewide helpline is run by parents and family members who have direct experience and understand your needs first hand. We have knowledge and  experience with work early childhood, schools and special education, behavioral health centers, child welfare and the juvenile justice system. We are here to provide emotional support and help you navigate and access the services and supports you need. Parents can do a self referral and our services are free of charge to families. Agencies can make referrals with consent

Helpline Available:
 Mondays- Fridays 9am-5p
Call for more information at 401-467-6855
Contact:

Naiommy Baret, Bilingual Behavioral Health Education Coordinator &  Training  Specialist

Melody Sorea, Bilingual Behavioral Health

 Parent Support Network of Rhode Island
535 Centerville Road, Suite 202
Warwick, Rhode Island  
401.467.6855
n.baret@psnri.org
m.sorea@psnri.org