Great Start Livingston Weekly Communications — March 1, 2021

Great Start Livingston Collaborative and Parent Coalition Members,
March is Parenting Awareness Month – join us as we celebrate and support parents in March and every month.
Parenting Awareness Month – March Celebrates the people who raise our children, and seeks to:

• Draw public attention to the critical importance of effective parenting to raise children who grow up to be healthy, caring, contributing citizens across the lifespan
• Raise awareness that informed and effective parenting is key factor in alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention
• Promote education and resources for developing parent skills throughout the year
• Encourage and assist in the development of parent networks throughout Michigan
• Promote local parenting events in March

Local Events, Activities and Resources celebrating Parents:

• Annual Parent and Family Survey.  Parents of children ages prenatal to 8, please complete our quick annual survey. Your input helps direct our work to better support Livingston County parents and children. Participants who complete a survey will be entered into a drawing for 1 of 3 raffle prizes valued at $25 each.  Please complete and share with families with young children – Annual Parent and Family Survey.
• Basic Assumptions which “defeat parents” – Parent Workshop, Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 – 8 p.m. Zoom.  Join us as we learn more about discipline, helping your child deal with trauma, support systems children need, good and bad praise and more.  Presenter – Phil Hamberg, LCSW, LMFT.  Parents, early childhood providers, home visitors, and others are invited to attend.  Hosted by LACASA’s Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Council & Great Start Livingston.  Register Here.  Flyer.
• Pre-School U Parent Workshop, Thursdays March 4, 11, 18, 25, 7 – 8:30 p.m. via Zoom.  Help support your child’s school and life success!  During the 4 sessions, we will discuss topics including:  calming techniques, the importance of choices, helping your child understand feelings, establishing routines, conversations with your child and reading with your child. Pre-School U Registration, bit.ly/preschoolu.  Registrants will be able to earn a $25 gas card for attending all 4 sessions.
• Food 4 Thought, Tuesday, March 16, 6 p.m. Facebook live.  Join Livingston County Community Alliance (LCCA) for family dinner nights with a series of discussions monthly (3rd Tuesday of each month). The March discussion will be the dangers of prescription drugs, symptoms of misuse, and how to dispose of unused medication. Follow the LCCA Facebook page for updates! Grab your family and join LCCA! 
• Making Self-Care the Path to a Compassionate Connection with Families, Thursday, March 18, 1 – 2 p.m., Zoom. When we are called to be a Servant Leader (our service to others), we often never think that the first place to be compassionate is to ourselves. Register Here. Questions, Contact Kristine Norton, 517-393-6890 or kristinen@preventionnetwork.org
• Family Fun Day: Celebrate Early Childhood – Saturday, March 20
  • Kit Pickup at LESA, 9 – 11 a.m.
  • Virtual Concert, 1 p.m.
  • For more information and to register – https://howelllibrary.libcal.com/event/7471541
  • Family Fun Day http://bit.ly/FamilyFun21
• Champion for Children Nominations, LACASA Center’s CAP (Child Abuse Prevention) Council and Great Start Livingston are asking Livingston County residents to consider who is a Champion for Children in our community.
  • Nominees may be a person whose support for children and families is evident in the work they do, or, in the way they spend their extra time. The winner could be someone who volunteers to mentor children, provides a safe foster care home, or advocates for vulnerable kids. Past recipients have been educators, coaches, public employees, foster parents, child care providers, and community volunteers.
  • The person chosen as the 2021 Champion for Children will be recognized at the CAP Council’s virtual Plant a Pinwheel Celebration on April 7, which kicks-off National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
  • Nominations are due March 22, More information and to find the nomination form, Champion for Children.
• Ongoing Parent Workshops from
  • MSU Extension
    • Parent Talk, March 2 – April 6
    • Guiding Principles for Highly Successful Parenting, March 3 – 31
    • Building Early Emotional Skills for Parents, March 10 – 31
    • Relax: Alternatives to Anger, March 2 – 23
  • LACASA Virtual Nurturing Parenting classes Spring will begin on March 30 through May 18 from 6-7:30 pm using a zoom platform.  Classes fill quickly, please register early.  Questions? Contact Jan at (517) 548-1350, Ext. 228; email janl@lacasacenter.org.  Nurturing Parents Flyer.
• Great Start Livingston Families Facebook Group
  • Private Facebook Group to support ALL families in Livingston County who are taking car of children from the prenatal period through age 8.
• Look for more events, activities and resources through email and our Great Start Livingston Facebook page.

Kindergarten Registration

Pinckney – 

• Pinckney Kindergarten Roundup flyer
• Pinckney Kdg paperwork and requirements
• Virtual Kindergarten Parent Meetings along with enrollment support on the following dates:
  • Country Elementary Meeting – Tuesday, March 9, 6:30-8pm
  • Farley Elementary Meeting – Wednesday, March 10, 6:30-8pm

Howell – 

• All Begindergarten and Kindergarten registrations will be done online at HowellSchools.com/kdg.
• Wednesday, March 10, 6 pm – Each elementary school will host a virtual meet and greet for parents.
  • Links to the meet and greets will be emailed to families who have already registered and be posted at HowellSchools.com/kdg closer to the meeting date.
• For more information visit HowellSchools.com/kdg.
• To register your child now: Howell Kindergarten Registration
• If you have any questions, contact Karen in the registration office at 517.548.6232 or email Karen@HowellSchools.com.

Fowlerville – 

• Virtual Kindergarten Round Up
• Click the link above to find out what is needed, meet the Kindergarten Teachers & Specials Teachers, how to transition, watch a Welcome to Kindergarten at HT Smith Elementary video and begin enrollment.
• Click here to learn more about HT Smith Elementary

Foster Care FAQs from Livingston County Catholic Charities:  Are you interested in providing temporary support to a child? Becoming a foster parent can be a difficult, but very rewarding decision!

• Do I have to be married with children to become a foster parent? No, you don’t.
• Do I have to be licensed to be a foster parent? What do I have to do? Yes. First you will have to attend an orientation meeting where a licensing worker will happily answer any questions you may have.
• How long does it take to become a foster parent? The entire process can take four to six months to complete.
• Read more FAQs