| Please be sure to check our calendar of events for new and exciting educational opportunities for parents! |
Great Start Action Agenda
For complete information on the Great Start Montcalm strategic plan, click here.Legislative Update Blog
Keep up to date on all the legislative happenings involving the Great Start program and more. Begin here...Greenville Recreational Activities for Kids!
Parents - Don't forget to check out all of the exciting recreational activities available from the Greenville Recreation Department. See what is available for your kids at www.ci.greenville.mi.usFree Rx Card!
If you are aware of any families that need Prescription coverage for any reason, everyone is eligible for this free, discount prescription drug program. There are no age of income restrictions. Each individual must have his/her own card. This card is pre-activated and can be used immediately at any participating pharmacy.
Free Antibiotics
Leading antibiotics are now FREE at your Meijer Pharmacy - No Strings Attached. Check out your local Meijer for more information on the program.Live United / Ride United
Nine years ago, tragic events changed us all forever.
On September 11, 2010, we will celebrate our perseverance by uniting as a community to bring focus to our neighbors in need.
Learn more about this exciting bike riding event by clicking here!
Harvest Picnic at Heritage Village
Join us on September 16, 2010 from 9:00AM to 2:00PM at Heritage Village in Sidney, Michigan.
All proceeds go to "Meals on Wheels". Please bring a non-perishable food item for the local pantries. There will be door prizes, 50/50's, and a Lion's Club Food Wagon.
Don't miss the bluegrass bands, chili cook-off, magic show, bingo, booths, car show, quilt show, etc.
Please call to register at 989-831-7476. $4.00 pre-registration includes your meal of pulled pork, fries and drink ($5 on day of picnic).
United Way Kick Off Breakfast
Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.
Please join us for the United Way Montcalm/Ionia Counties Kick Off Breakfast on Tuesday, September 14, 2010.
Systematic Training for Effective Parenting
The Systematic Training for Effective Parenting Workshop (STEP) will meet for a six week Fall session. There is no cost involved but we do require a commitment by the participants. Our Thursday evening classes will begin on Sept. 23rd and run through Oct. 28th. Classes will be held at the Seiter Education Center in Greenville from 6:30pm-8:30pm. The STEP Workshop offers all parents a realistic and down-to-earth approach toward meeting the challenges of raising children today. This 6 session Workshop will have a discussion group format providing an opportunity for parent interaction.
STEP Workshop schedule and topics:
WEEK #1 Sept. 23rd Understanding children’s behavior and misbehavior
WEEK #2 Sept. 30th Understanding how children use emotion to involve parents
WEEK #3 Oct. 7th Encouragement
WEEK #4 Oct. 14th Communication and listening
WEEK #5 Oct. 21st Exploring alternatives and expressing ideas and feelings to children
WEEK #6 Oct. 28th Developing responsibility
You can reserve your spot TODAY for the STEP Parenting Workshop by calling:
Shannon Kilduff at: 616-894-9947 or register via email: montcalmkids@gmail.com
*A supper will be provided during each session of the workshop. Child care will be available
Parenting Awareness Michigan Conference
The Parenting Awareness Michigan Conference Registration brochure is available. And do we have a couple of great conferences planned for you.
Dates and locations are: Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan; and Friday, November 19, at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
The annual conferences bring together professionals and volunteers who work with parents, families, parent volunteers, and interested parents and caregivers.
There are three easy ways to register for the conference:
1) Online at www.preventionnetwork.org/registeronline.aspx (beginning Saturday, September 7th)
2) By Mail
3) By Fax
The conferences also offer three different continuing education options (MCBAP, SB-CEUs, MI-NASW).
Training and Conference for Resource Parents Caring for Traumatized Children
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) offers an online curriculum to help foster parents and other resource parents better understand how trauma can affect children's behavior and feelings and how the parents can promote healing. Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: A Workshop for Resource Parents is a PowerPoint-based training curriculum designed to be taught by a mental health professional and foster parent as co-facilitators. The curriculum includes nine case studies of foster children ages 8 months to 15 years, as well as cases of secondary traumatic stress in parents.
The training provides practical tools for parents to help their children heal and manage their feelings and behaviors, to advocate for the children, and to seek useful support from others.
Download the workshop package from the NCTSN website: www.nctsn.org/nccts/nav.do?pid=ctr_rsch_prod_rpc_guide
Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health
The Infant Mental Health Statewide Forum Planning Committee is pleased to announce the following series of meetings for 2010.
- Relationship Development in Pregnancy and Early Postpartum: An Infant Mental Health Perspective (April 1, 2010)
- Domestic Violence: Supporting Pregnant Mothers, Infants and Toddlers Living in Abusive Environments (July 29, 2010)
- Substance Use and Abuse in Pregnancy and Early Parenting: Why Doesn't She Just Quit? (October 25, 2010)
