Spring 2013 - The Alliance For Infants and Toddlers

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2801 Custer Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15227
Phone: 412.885.6000
Fax: 412.885.1688
www.afit.org
Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm.
SOCIAL WORKERS:
HELPING
HANDS
ALL
ABOUT
IN DIFFICULT
TIMES
PHYSICAL
AND
Inside this Issue
1
Social Workers: Helping Hands in Difficult Times
1
A Message from the Executive Director
3
Your Moods
4
Early Intervention and Social Work: The Caring Connection, TELI
5
Activities to do with Your Baby
5
Sharing our Good News
6-7
Thank You Alliance Families! Your Voices Were Heard!
8-9
Resources for Families
10
Product Safety: Recalls
11
El Families Workshop
12 - 15
Upcoming Events and Information for Families
There are times in all of our lives when we need someone to
talk to, someone outside of the situation, someone who has
skills to help. It might be during a serious illness of a loved one,
while going through problems with relationships, when life’s
pressures build up. In the Early Intervention Program every family is assigned a Service Coordinator (SC) provided through the
Alliance for Infants and Toddlers. The SC has many responsibilities in the system including helping the family access the services they need, keeping track of the child’s progress, maintaining much of the paperwork demanded by the system and providing help to the family. They are good listeners and are very
knowledgeable about the wide array of services available in
Allegheny County.
Sometimes a family might want to have the services of a Social
Worker. Social Workers are specially trained to be able to help
with the types of situations listed above. Most have earned a
Master’s Degree in Social Work and have had intensive training
in “helping”. They understand families, family problems and
challenges, emotions and the life experiences that can be difficult. Their special training in family dynamics, listening, organization and assisting families with everyday problems or crisis
intervention along with their knowledge of community
resources helps many families.
If you, or your family, are going through a rough time, you might
want to consider discussing access to a Social Worker with
your Independent Assessment Team, IFSP team, or Service
Coordinator. This is a service that is provided at no cost
through the Early Intervention program.
— Anonymous
A MESSAGE FROM THE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear Parents and Friends,
It’s that time of year when
almost everyone is thinking
and hoping for “spring.” If you
believe in Punxsutawney Phil,
the prediction is it should be
just around the corner. I, for
one, hope he is right on the
money this year as a little
sunshine always brightens
the days just a bit more.
This issue of our newsletter is all about Social
Work service in Early Intervention (EI) and how it
can be helpful. This topic was chosen specifically because of the retirement of one of Allegheny
County’s long term Social Workers, Barbara
Collier. Please take a moment to read the tribute
article written by The Early Learning Institute
(TELI) about Barb’s 25-plus years of service to EI.
In addition there is an article about a survey
sent to a group of approximately 400 parents
who currently participate or have previously
participated in Allegheny County EI services
that may be of particular interest to you as
parents. As always, should you have concerns
or want to ask a question about The Alliance,
please contact me.
All the best!
Michele Myers-Cepicka
Executive Director
www.afit.org
SPOTLIGHT ON RELATIONSHIPS
ALLIANCE HELPS
CAREGIVERS WITH DEPRESSION
Taking care of young children can be very
demanding. Having a child who is at risk of having
or has a developmental delay can be especially
stressful and place a caregiver at risk for depression. Research shows that when parents are
depressed their children are more likely to have
problems with development and relationships as
they grow. Your mood can impact how your child
learns about secure, predictable relationships and
the way he or she feels about the world.
Now in its fourth year, the Helping Families Raise
Healthy Children project, offers depression screening and supports for all caregivers who have children enrolled with the Alliance. Through this initiative Alliance Service Coordinators have completed
over 4,000 screens using the Physical Health
Questionnaire, a series of just 9 questions which
may indicate that a parent is at risk for depression.
This program has led to improved and expanded
services for caregivers in Allegheny County. Those
who need and want help are now receiving it
through Early Intervention and/or behavioral health.
Early Intervention Social Workers are available to
support caregivers; many other Early Intervention
providers have also been trained in relationship
approaches that recognize how parents are doing
and feeling is essential to their child’s development. New models of adult and family behavioral
health supports are now available to families and
caregivers participating in Early Intervention. Adult
mobile therapy provides an in-home alternative to
traditional out-patient services. In-home family
models such as Family Focused, provides services
to all members of the family in need of support.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of depression or would just like to talk with someone about
this program, please call your Service Coordinator.
Depression screening is completely confidential.
HOW YOUR SERVICE COORDINATOR
CAN HELP YOUR FAMILY WITH
CHALLENGING SITUATIONS
Alliance Service Coordinators focus on helping your
family. They can help you in so many ways including:
finding needed services, making you aware of your
rights, making sure your child is getting needed early
intervention services and that the correct paperwork
is done.
Service Coordinators keep in-touch with therapists,
but the Service Coordinator does not always know
new information you have shared with therapists at
each visit. It is especially important that Service
Coordinators know about issues that might be challenging for families, like divorce, moving, any new diagnosis your child has received or any major illnesses.
The Service Coordinator might then suggest some
community resources that might be helpful or possibly
adding a Social Worker to your team to address these
more challenging family situations.
Some of the ways you can help your Service
Coordinator help you, include:
• Asking questions about anything you do not
understand. No matter how silly you think the
question might be, ask.
YOUR MOODS
The University of Pittsburgh
Office of Child Development
When Judy is running late and getting more tense and
irritable by the minute, the one thing she can count on is
one-year-old Bobby putting up a fuss.
Bobby usually is pretty easy-going. Why is it then that
when Judy least needs a cranky baby, he acts up?
Chances are Bobby is picking up on his mother’s crankiness or stress. Children are sensitive to the moods of
those around them.
Babies often look to adults for emotional cues. When a
new toy is shown to eight-to-ten-month-old babies, they
often look to their mothers for some emotional signal to
tell them how to react.
Like adults, babies tend to respond to happiness with
happiness, to sadness with sadness, to anger with
anger, and so on. Infants in a nursery may start to cry for
no other reason than they hear other infants crying. It’s
called “crying contagion.”
A child’s emotional development can also be affected
if you are always angry, tense, or irritable. If that’s the
case, you should consider taking some steps to soften
the impact.
Pay attention to your common and persistent emotional
reactions and moods. If repeated over and over, they
can have a marked influence. If, for example, you gasp
in horror every time your child falls when learning to
walk, your baby will likely learn to cry with every tumble.
But if you smile, treat the fall as expected, comfort for a
few seconds, and set your toddler off again, you’ll teach
your child that it’s no big deal to tumble.
And if you are really feeling seriously stressed, irritable,
or depressed, ask another adult to take over with your
baby until you’re more relaxed. When you’re back to
being yourself, give your baby a smile and a hug. You’ll
probably get one in return.
This column is written by Robert B. McCall, Co-Director of the Office
of Child Development and Professor of Psychology, and is provided as a
public service by the Frank and Theresa Caplan Fund for Early Childhood
Development and Parenting Education.
NOTE: If you are concerned about your own moods and the effects on
your baby, talk to your Service Coordinator about possible resources
including support from a Social Worker.
So it’s safe to assume that your baby is sensitive to your
moods, facial expressions, and tone of voice.
• Be honest with your Service Coordinator.
Service Coordinators are not there to judge you.
They are there to help and can only help if they
know what you need.
• Tell your Service Coordinator about your family’s
needs. They can sometimes assist you to find
help in getting items like clothing, furniture, toys,
diapers, etc. There are lots of agencies that provide help and Service Coordinators often know
of places to get such things. For some family’s
needs, the Service Coordinator may suggest a
Social Worker join the team to provide your
family with additional support.
But you shouldn’t worry that your mood swings will damage your child. Temporary “baby blues” isn’t likely to
have any long-term effect on your child’s emotional
development. Constant and severe depression, however,
is a bit more serious and should be treated.
A particularly undesirable situation is if parents are
always emotionally unresponsive to their child. In other
words, they don’t react positively or negatively to anything the baby does. Except for minimum care, they
leave the infant alone, constantly.
Hugs can do great amounts of good –
especially for children
— Princess Diana, Princess of Wales
Goals are the seeds from which
— Anonymous
the future grows.
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ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR BABY
EARLY INTERVENTION AND SOCIAL WORK:
— The Early Learning Institute
THE CARING CONNECTION
Any parent knows that
having a child is a 24-hour
a day commitment that is
equally filled with joy,
exhaustion, love and hard
work. Having a child with
special needs adds additional challenges to the
parenting experience, and
can leave many parents
feeling isolated, depressed
or grieving.
Family and Community
Workers within early intervention provide families with
supports in many ways, including making home visits to
provide support relating to parenting issues and concerns; assessing the family’s material and emotional
needs; and providing family training on the child’s disability, behaviors and development. Family and Community
workers also provide emotional support and social work
therapy for parents who are experiencing frustrations over
their child’s delays, assisting families in developing daily
nurturing routines and by linking families to community
resources. Marriage and grief counseling, along with crisis intervention, can also be provided.
Barbara Collier, MSW, LSW, a Family & Community Worker
with The Early Learning Institute (TELI) for over 25 years,
has helped hundreds of families in our community
throughout her career. Barbara sees her role as promoting the affirming concept that “the parent is the child’s
first and most important teacher” and helps the parent to
have the skills to serve in that teacher role.
The supports provided to parents are different in every
circumstance: sometimes it is a balance of parenting
training and other supports, other times it is assisting the
family in connecting with community resources such as
obtaining food stamps, vocational training or assistance
with basic needs such as heating, clothing or navigating
the WIC system.
In all cases though, supports from the Family and
Community worker include a listening ear, a non-judgmental support person who is there to support the needs of the
parent as well as the child, and work with the family to
make sure that the parent has the resources needed to be
the “first and most important teacher” in their child’s life.
TUMMY TIME
WAY UP IN THE SKY
Time: 5 to 10 minutes. Materials Needed: None
Activity for an individual child
Age group: 18-40 months
Duration of activity: 15 minutes
Directions:
Playing from the tummy position allows for a different
view of the world. Although it is recommended that
babies sleep on their backs as a precaution against
SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), your baby can
still benefit from exercise in the tummy position while
awake. Lay your baby on his tummy and get down on
that level, making faces and noises to encourage raising
his head, which strengthens the neck and upper body
muscles.
Extensions:
• Lay out some brightly colored toys so your baby can
see them from this position.
• Get your baby’s attention with any object and move it
back and forth slowly so it is tracked with the eyes.
• Roll your baby to his side and then gently back to the
tummy, saying, “Wheeeeeeee.”
• Stand directly over your baby at your full height, and
then move slowly down to a squatting position so you
are very close.
FUN WITH FACES
Time: 5 to 10 minutes. Materials Needed: None
At TELI, social work services are an integrated part of our
program, as TELI’s founding director, Elsie Wagner, was a
Social Worker. Over her 25-year career, Ms. Collier followed in the footsteps of Ms. Wagner, demonstrating
every day that all children can learn and be successful
when provided with the appropriate supports.
Ms. Collier retired from service with TELI on January 31,
2013, noting “although my exciting, fulfilling career at TELI
will end with my retirement, the memories will last forever.
Following in the footsteps of Elsie Wagner, I know that
each of us can make a difference!” As Ms. Collier retires,
TELI will continue to provide this vital service to families
through two Family and Community Workers – Ann
Logoyda, MSW, LSW a six-year TELI veteran, and Nicolette
Louzar (“Nikki”) MSW, LSW, who will join TELI in February.
Ms. Collier did much more than make a difference – she
made the lives of every family better, by helping parents
be the first and best teacher for their child.
We cannot always build the future for our
youth, but we can build our youth for
the future.
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
Directions:
It is always fun for your baby to explore your face. Put
your baby’s hand on one part of your face or head, such
as your nose, mouth, chin, ear, etc. and say what it is.
Directions:
Your child will enjoy this cute action rhyme. It is more fun
when you exaggerate the voices and use a high pitch
when the birds are talking.
1. Teach your child the following rhyme and the
corresponding movements:
Way up in the sky
(raise arms in the air)
The little birds fly.
(flap arms)
While down in their nest, The little birds rest.
(curl up arms like holding a baby)
With a wing on the left
(extend left arm)
And a wing on the right
(extend right arm)
The sweet little birdies sleep all through the night.
(press hands together on cheek)
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
(put finger to lips)
They’re sleeping! The bright sun comes up,
(raise arms in the air)
Extensions:
Take turns going back and forth between the baby’s body
parts and yours. Talk about what you are doing. Then, use
a stuffed animal or doll to point to body parts.
The dew falls away.
(pat in a downward motion)
“Good morning, good morning”
(wave and flap)
The little birds say!
Family Education Network, part of Pearson. Tummy Time & Way Up in the Sky retrieved February 11, 2010
from http://fun.familyeducation.com/games/toddler. Fun With Faces retrieved February 12, 2013
from http://fun.familyeducation.com/games/early-learning/35798.html?detoured=1.
Sharing Our Good News
We wanted all of you to know about the recent marriages of staff members:
Noire (Holly) Lee!
Megan (Muraco) Thomas!
Congratulations to each of you and your husbands!
Congratulations to David Mulgrave!
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David won two gold medals and one silver medal in the Special Olympics
Figure Skating Competition in February 2013!!!
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THANK YOU ALLIANCE FAMILIES! YOUR VOICES WERE HEARD!
We asked some families of children receiving Early
Intervention (EI) services in Allegheny County what they
liked best about EI in a mail survey. First, we thank all of
the families that participated in the survey. None of the
families gave a negative comment about services. Many
of the families commented positively on the program,
saying it was effective, accommodating, and convenient.
Furthermore, families commented that they felt the staff
was caring, compassionate, and professional.
When asked, “In the event that your child was not eligible for EI services, what would you do?” 30% of families
said that they would have to “wait and see“ to find out
about their concerns on their child’s development and
“hope that he would eventually catch up.” While very
few parents (less than 5%) would advise other parents
to “wait and see.”
This article is a summary of the survey results and
includes actual comments that families made about the
impact of EI on their children and their families. The
results of the survey were presented to the Office of
Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) at a
meeting of the State Interagency Coordinating Council
(SICC) in a brochure and public testimony.
Importance on receiving intervention early:
• The earlier you intervene the more success
your child will have.
• That it’s done early, before school age. Love
the therapists. They’re at the age that having
someone come ‘play’ with them is fun, therefore
learning can be accomplished.
In our survey, we asked parents to say in their own
words what they liked best about EI. Their comments
were indicative of three issues. First, parents indicated
that staff is kind, caring and professional. The convenience of services being offered in home and childcare
settings was a second important factor. Third were parents’ favorable comments about the work being done
with their child and their own child’s progress.
Appreciation for early intervention staff:
• Our speech therapy has been amazing. My child
is speaking so much. Also, I’m always notified if
there is any change in my child’s services.
• The service coordinators and therapists are
kind, caring, and so helpful. They have worked
wonders for my family!
• A lot of information was provided to me and my
family about my child’s development and gave
us the options of what we needed to do.
• The SC and therapist not only helped my son but
also showed interest in him as a whole person
not just the area that he needed assistance in.
Our program, which recognizes the family as the child’s
first and primary teacher, includes parent training to help
families to help their children. We know that it is not only
the therapist coming periodically to work with the child
that makes the difference. It is also through the empowerment of the family that makes a difference. This
includes the understanding of their child’s delay, learning
what they can do at home to help their child progress,
and finding the resources they need.
According to our analysis of how the program works,
we are in agreement that the program works as it
should. When asked about the benefits of EI, the benefit
chosen most frequently by parents (96%) was that their
child’s therapist helped the child make progress. And,
even more importantly, parents (67%) also stated that
the team helped the parent understand their child’s
developmental delay and supported the child’s development (74%).
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THE FOLLOWING QUOTES ARE FROM THE FAMILIES
WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY:
Learning through family involvement:
• The workers; they are awesome; works fantastic
with my children and teaches me how to work
with my children’s needs.
• They help me help my son progress by teaching me ways to help him. They’re honest and
wonderful.
• I like that I, as a parent, am included in therapy.
That gives me the tools to use anytime to help
my child. I pass on those skills to family and
teachers.
Early intervention addressed the families’ concerns
about their child:
• My son has fun & it’s a great way for him to
learn & his needs are being addressed by
a trained professional.
• It works with my child’s and entire family’s
needs.
• Easy, they come to your house; my child is
comfortable in his environment & with the
therapist. I learn too!
Children received services in natural settings:
• The therapist comes to the child. Working
parents appreciate this a lot!
• At home, makes children feel comfortable
and safe.
• Flexibility and being in the home where
children are most comfortable.
• They came to our house - very nice for a
shy child.
Helpful ideas from teachers and therapists:
• That the therapist helps me understand my
child’s delay and she gives me weekly tips for
me to work on with my child.
• The suggestions to help our child so we could
work with our child every day! Therapy is not
daily but as a parent it’s our responsibility to
help daily.
• They address issues and help you feel like you
can overcome those issues.
• Progress and getting ideas to do at home.
• I like that they come to the house and give
us ways.
Families said that the services worked!!!!
• My daughter was re-evaluated today & did not
qualify for speech. She has come a long way
from one year ago with the help of her speech
therapist.
• We have seen remarkable improvement! Love
that they came to our home.
• He is talking so much better now.
• It’s working for my son.
• The amazing progress my child has made!
Families believe that early intervention saves money:
• By intervening now my child will be on track
when he gets to school where it could have
cost more to deal with an issue that progressed
and put him behind.
• Frustrated children act out…sometimes resulting in criminal activity. Also, being at their full
potential results in adults who are employed…
contributing tax income!
• ...if they did not receive therapy early on, so
many issues ...could arise in their future ….
• The older the children are, the harder it is to
teach them. Catch it early and work on it rather
than it taking more time & money to fix later.
• Though it may be a temporary save, in the long
run schools will have to help the child. Better to
address now than later.
• Taxpayer money is best spent on children’s
health. Each taxpayer who is a parent, including
ourselves would agree allocation of taxpayers’
money is key to save and wisely use our taxpayers money and by no means the portion
allocated to your children’s health should be
reduced.
Thanks again to all the families who responded to
the survey!!
Services help children in the future:
• The problem is quickly identified & action is
taken when the child is very young & resilient.
The child learns correct behaviors much more
quickly before bad habits are formed and fears
set in that will have to be overcome.
• They come to the home/daycare & really focus
on my family’s needs for my child. For people
with limited resources/transportation, their children would go without & once they’re in school
it’s a much harder thing to get pulled out of
important academics.
Without early intervention for their children, families say:
• I don’t know what I would have done without EI!!
• It helped me so much! I am not sure what I
would have done.
• I honestly don’t know! I would have been LOST!
• Protect infants and toddlers with developmental
delays. Make sure all children needing early
intervention can still get the help they need!!!
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RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES – Spring 2013
PARENT SUPPORT
Sometimes parents feel overwhelmed, angry, sad, or anxious when learning that their child may need early intervention services. It can be a very stressful and confusing
time for families. In addition to talking to professionals
about these feelings, many families have found parent
support groups to be helpful. Meeting other families provides an opportunity to speak to others who understand
your situation and know what you’re going through. If you
would like to talk with other parents or find online support the following resources may be helpful:
Parent to Parent – Statewide
1-888-727-2706 • www.parenttoparent.org
Connects families and friends of children and adults
with special needs statewide so they may share experiences and offer practical information and/or advice.
One-to-one or group support is available.
Special Kids Network
1-800-986-4550 • tty 1-877-986-5432
www.gotoskn.state.pa.us
Provides information locally and statewide about services, resources and support for families of children with
chronic health or disabling conditions.
Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Clinical Social Work Department • 412-692-5255
Refers you to a support group for a specific medical
or neurological diagnosis.
ABOARD‘s Autism Connection of PA
1-800-827-9385 • www.aboard.org
Offers information, support groups, individual support,
educational advocacy and a newsletter to families
whose children are diagnosed with Autism, Asperger’s
syndrome, Fragile X, Pervasive Developmental Disorder
(PDD), Rett syndrome and Tourette syndrome.
The Down Syndrome Center
At Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
412-692-7963 • www.chp.edu
Provides information, support groups, a newsletter and
help in locating community services and resources to
families whose children have been diagnosed with
Down Syndrome.
Compassionate Friends
Pittsburgh Branch
412-835-1105 • www.tcfpittsburgh.org
Offers friendship and understanding to families who are
grieving the loss of a child of any age from any cause
including miscarriage, stillborn birth, infant death or
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Support includes
home meetings, individual support, educational meetings and a newsletter.
Some support groups/organizations are organized
around a specific diagnosis. For information on specific
support groups, ask your Service Coordinator, call 2-1-1
and talk to a trained information specialist, or see the
Family Resource Guide website at www.family
resourceguide.org.
Back To Sleep
~Your baby should sleep on his back, near you, in a
separate sleep area… use a safety approved crib.
~Always lay your baby on his back to sleep.
However, if your baby rolls over, it’s okay to let him
sleep that way.
Babyfirst.com
Information & Support for
Parents of Premature Babies
Babyfirst.com, a single destination for the care
giving team and parents of premature babies to
exchange information and experiences online, is
now optimized for quick and easy access on
mobile phones and tablets, offering instant
mobile access to critical information for preemie
parents and NICU staff.
~Nothing but your baby should be in the crib - no
toys, no pillows, no loose bedding and no bumper
pads or wedges.
ABOARD’s Autism Connection of PA provides
autism support across the state of Pennsylvania.
Supports offered to parents include autism support
groups, resources and schedules of conferences
and events. ABOARD also provide information on
the signs and symptoms of autism, getting an
autism diagnosis, and applying for medical assistance and health insurance. ABOARD also helps
people with autism by providing information on
autism treatments, links to autism research studies,
and support groups for people on
the spectrum.
Best Books for Babies
Created by a panel of local librarians, child development experts, and academics this annual list is a
nationally recognized guide for parents, teachers,
and caregivers in selecting quality literature for
babies (infants through 18-months). For more information, visit: http://www.fci.org/best-booksbabies/index.html
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A, You’re Adorable. By Martha Alexander
All of Baby, Nose to Toes. By Victoria Adler
ABC Kids. By Simon Basher
Little Pookie. By Sandra Boynton
Little Chicken’s Big Day. By Katie & Jerry Davis
Orange Pear Apple Bear. By Emily Gravett
Red Sled. By Lita Judge
My Face Book. By Star Bright Books
Baby Basics: My First Words. By Roger Priddy
Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site. By
Sherri Duskey Rinker
Where to Get Help
Safe Sleep
ABOARD,
Autism Support in PA
Do you have a child newly diagnosed with an
Autism Spectrum Disorder? Call Marie Mambuca at
ABOARD’s Autism Connection of PA at 412-781-4116
to find services or if interested in attending or
starting a support group!
Check out ABOARD’S support group page at
www.autismofpa.org or http://autismsupport.org/
autism-supportgroups/pa-autismsupportgroups/
Pittsburgh Parent Magazine
Is now available on-line at
http://www.pittsburghparent.com/
Check out all the great information
and fun activities for families and kids!!
…Looking for upcoming summer camps
& activities? Click on ‘Virtual Summer Activity
& Camp Expo’ for a 2013 listing•
Pennsylvania has a website that can help you
understand all of the services that are available
in these tough economic times. To find information
on Pennsylvania’s services, check the website at:
http://www.heretohelp.pa.gov/portal/server.pt
~Sleep surfaces that are NOT safe include: adult
beds, sofas, couches, chairs, water beds, soft mattresses, bean bags and pillows.
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FAMILY RESOURCES
EI FAMILIES
Come Join Us For an Education and Empowerment Workshop
Product Safety: RECALLS
By US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
For the most
up-to-date information
on recalled products
go to
http://www.cpsc.gov
or call CPSC Toll-free
Consumer Hotline:
1-800-638-2772
(TTY 800-638-8270).
Fall & Choking Hazards
• Strollers recalle
oo (the carry handle
on the Bugaboo Camelion & Bugaboo Donkey
strollers can detach while in use)
Ingestion Hazards
• High Powered Magnets recalled by Kringles
Toys and Gifts; sold exclusively on Amazon.com
• High Powered Magnet Balls recalled by SCS
Direct; sold exclusively on Amazon.com
Choking Hazards
• Falls Creek Kids Denim Jeans recalled by Meijer
(snap on front of denim may come loose and
separate from fabric)
• Hug N’ Tug Baby Toys recalled by Sassy and
Carter’s
Lead Paint Hazard
• Fleece Hoodie & T-Shirt Sets recalled by
Children’s Apparel Network (sold exclusively at
Target. The toddler-sized children’s clothing has
Snow White, Mickey Mouse and Cars character
designs.)
Drowning Hazards
• Bath Seats recalled by Dream On Me
Risk of Exposure to Mold
• Rock ‘N Play Infant Sleepers recalled-to-inspect
by Fisher-Price
Entrapment Hazards
• Bunk Beds recalled by World Imports
Entrapment & Strangulation Hazards
• EVO Strollers recalled by Mutsy USA
• Play Yard Sheets recalled by 4moms
• PeaPod Travel Tents recalled by KidCo
Failure to Meet Child-Resistant Closure Hazard
• Triaminic and Theraflu Products (manufactured
before 12/21/2011)
• Bottles of MegaFood One Daily Supplements
recalled by FoodState
Fall Hazards
• City Versa Strollers recalled by Baby Jogger
• Booster Seats (designed to attach to Valco “TriMode” & “Zee” strollers) recalled by Valco Baby
• Wood Highchairs (classic style) recalled by Graco
Risks of Injury or Death
• Million Dollar Baby Dressers recalled by Bexco
due to Tip-Over Hazards; Two Toddler Deaths
Reported
• Natart Chelsea Dressers recalled by Gemme
Juvenile due to Tip-Over Hazard; Death of Toddler
Reported
• Nap Nanny Recliners (Nap Nanny® Generations
One and Two, and the Chill™ model infant recliners) recalled Due to Five Infant Deaths
Suffocation & Strangulation Hazards
• Children’s Bed Rails recalled by Dream On Me
• Eddie Bauer Rocking Wood Bassinets recalled by
Dorel Juvenile Group
• High Chairs recalled by Dream on Me
• Infant Swings recalled by Dream on Me
Do you have a child, age birth through 5 years old, who
receives Early Intervention services in Allegheny County?
Would you like to:
• learn more about the supports and services available to your child and family?
• meet other families who share your experience?
• be a better advocate for your child?
EI Families is a workshop by families, for families. The
intent of the workshop is to empower families, whose
children, age birth through five years old, receive Early
Intervention services in Allegheny County. All of our workshop leaders are family members raising a child with
developmental delays. They carry with them many years
of experience in acquiring services and resources for
their child. They have an understanding of how systems
work, and will share their knowledge with other families.
Training topics include:
• PARENTING A CHILD WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DELAYS
• CREATING A PLAN FOR YOUR CHILD AND FAMILY
• ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CHILD, THE PARENT
MOVEMENT, EARLY INTERVENTION LAWS AND
YOUR RIGHTS IN THE EARLY INTERVENTION
SYSTEM
• PROMISING PRACTICES: INCLUSION, FAMILY
CENTERED PRINCIPLES, PARENT/PROFESSIONAL
PARTNERSHIPS
• FINDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
SPRING TRAININGS
Full Day Training
Date: Saturday, April 20
Time: 8:30 – 3:30
Place: UCP/CLASS (formerly the Center for Creative
Play in Edgewood)
1400 S Braddock Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15218 Directions at www.ucpclass.org
Evening Series
Dates: Thursdays, April 25, May 2 and 9
Time: 6:30 – 9:00
Place: ACHIEVA (South Side)
711 Bingham St. (at 8th St.)
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412- 95-5000
Directions at www.achieva.info
Light dinner served. Free on-site parking. ACHIEVA is
one block off Carson St. at 7th St. in the South Side of
Pittsburgh and is currently on the 48 & 51 PAT bus
routes. Please check portauthority.org or call 412-4422000 for changes.
Child Care is provided on a limited basis. Infants are
welcome to attend with their families. Call 1 week in
advance to arrange for child care.
Date: Thursday, April 25
Topic: - PARENTING A CHILD WITH DEVELOPMENTAL
DELAYS
- PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE FOR YOUR
CHILD AND FAMILY
Date:
Thursday, May 2
Topics: -ADVOCATING FOR YOUR CHILD, THE PARENT
MOVEMENT, EARLY INTERVENTION LAWS &
YOUR RIGHTS IN THE EARLY INTERVENTION
SYSTEM
Date:
Thursday, May 9
Topics: - FINDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- PROMISING PRACTICES IN EARLY INTERVENTION: INCLUSION, FAMILY CENTERED PRINCIPLES, PARENT/PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
To RSVP, obtain a training brochure or for additional
information, please call Elizabeth Strickland,
[email protected] at 412.323.3979 or Julie
Hladio, [email protected] at 412.885.6000 x3136
Please RSVP 1 week prior to all trainings.
Violations of Federal Flammability Standard
• Children’s Two-Piece Pajama Sets recalled by
Target
• Circo Girls Fleece Pajamas recalled by Target
• Girl’s Pajamas recalled by Elephantito
• Children’s Pajamas recalled by Boden (“Mini
Boden” brand cotton pajamas sold exclusively
at Bodenusa.com for children 1.5 to 14 years old
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Continental breakfast and lunch provided. Free on-site
parking. UCP/CLASS is located just off the Edgewood/
Swissvale exit of 376 and is currently on the 61B PAT
bus route. Please check portauthority.org or call 412442-2000 for changes.
Child Care is provided at no cost to families on a limited basis. Infants are welcome to attend with their families. Call 1 week in advance to arrange for child care.
Sponsored by: Pittsburgh/Allegheny County LICC,
Allegheny County DHS, The Alliance for Infants and
Toddlers, Pittsburgh Public Schools and Allegheny
Intermediate Unit Project DART. With special thanks to
ACHIEVA, Easter Seals and Allegheny County Health
Department.
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UPCOMING EVENTS AND INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES — Spring 2013
DID YOU KNOW . . .
You can go to the
Carnegie Museums for $1.00
with an ACCESS/EBT card!*
Here’s how it works:
• Any ACCESS card holder (green or gold cards)
is eligible
• Up to 4 persons can be admitted per card holder at $1 per person ($2 per person at the
Carnegie Science Center)
• Enjoy unlimited visits throughout the year
The participating Carnegie Museums include:
• Carnegie Museum of Art
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412.622.3131
• Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213
Phone: 412.622.3131
• The Andy Warhol Museum
117 Sandusky Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412.237.8300
• Carnegie Science Center*
One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412.237.3400
Please Note: Not valid with any other offer or group
rate. Visitors must present an Access/EBT Card, along
with a photo ID, to receive the discount.
* $2 admission at Carnegie Science Center.
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Thinking of Visiting
The Children’s Museum
of Pittsburgh?
Holders of a PA ACCESS EBT card (green card
only) are admitted at $1 for up to 4 people.
The card must be shown at admission. Every
adult being admitted on the card must show a
photo ID with the same address as the cardholder.
10 Children’s Way, Allegheny Square, Pittsburgh, PA
15212 / Phone: 412.322.5058
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
AT THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM!!
Tot Time
At this weekly program, children ages 18 months
through 3 years and their caregivers learn through
songs, creative movement and stories based on
Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory.
Offered every Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:00 am noon. Check the Calendar of Events on the Children’s
Museum website (www.Pittsburghkids.org) for the
weekly Tot Time theme and activities.
Single Class: $5 for members, $6.25 for non-members
Five-Class Pass: $20 for members, $25 for non-members Admits one child and one adult caregiver
Admission to the Museum is not required to attend
class. Admission to the Museum and parking is not
included and is an additional cost.
• Class size is limited to 13 children and their
caregivers.
• Registration is on a first-come, first serve basis. • Advance registration is strongly encouraged.
Classes fill fast! Please register at the Admissions
desk in the Museum, or by calling (412) 322-5058,
ext. 240, Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm, up
until one hour before start. Payment in full is
required.
• Siblings under the age of 18 months may attend
class free of charge.
• Children ages 4 and older cannot attend Tot Time
Giant Eagle
Child
Development
Series
Join us in the Nursery at
The Children’s Museum each
month for an informational session for parents, while
your children play nearby. Presented by child development and other experts from our community. Topics
include growing up healthy, nutrition for kids, chemical
exposure for kids and sign language for infants
and toddlers.
Check the Calendar of Events on the Children’s
Museum website at www.Pittsburghkids.org to find
an upcoming CDS session. Sessions are free with paid
museum admission.
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THE BEST SPOTS
FOR TODDLERS
MORE UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FAMILIES – Spring 2013
SAVE THE DATE!
11th Annual
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Stage AE, North Shore
Registration is NOW OPEN for the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community.
To register or for more information visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield underwrites the cost of the walk so that 100%
of the money raised is donated to directly benefit the organization of your choice.
DePaul School for Hearing and Speech is one of 68 participating organizations.
TOUCH-A-TRUCK
Join us on Saturday, May 18!
The Junior League of Pittsburgh (JLP) will host its Sixth Annual Touch-A-Truck on May 18th,
2013. For more information visit the JLP at www.JLPGH.org.
Let your kids get behind the wheel, honk the horns and meet the
men and women who drive the trucks. Tickets for all attendees 12
months and older can be purchased online or at the event.
Fundraisers like Touch-a-Truck enable the JLP to create and support programs to improve the lives of women and children in
Pittsburgh since 1922. Proceeds generated will go toward supporting the mission and values of the JLP, as well as initiatives like its
Signature Project with Strong Women Strong Girls, Kids in the
Kitchen, scholarships, and other children’s charities.
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The Children’s Museum
10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412.322.5058
Lots of areas to explore for children of all ages, but
be sure to check out the second floor with activities
geared more to the pre-K set.
Carnegie Science Center
1 Allegheny Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Phone: 412.237.3418
Experience an “earthquake”, see the world through
the eyes of a fish or just have fun at the water play
table in Exploration Station.
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
4400 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: 412.622.3131
Dinosaurs are a preschooler favorite and Carnegie’s
exhibit is second to none.
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
7326 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Phone: (412) 665-3640
Head straight for Kids’ Kingdom – one of the top
three children’s zoos in the country.
South Side Works Town Square
415 South 27th St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203
The fountain is a fun free way to entertain your toddler on a warm summer afternoon - be sure to bring
their swimsuit!
National Aviary
700 Arch St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212. (412) 323-7235
Make sure to stop at the Lories & Friends exhibit at
feeding time for a friendly encounter with a rainbow
lorikeet.
Listen to Music: Babies love to move with the music.
Even very young babies will move their arms and
legs. Toddlers begin to dance to the music. The
immediate joy of dancing is so much fun for babies.
Encourage them. Dance with them!
Running Outside: As the weather gets nicer, we all
spend more time outdoors. Going to the park, playing on the slide, riding a swing, can all be great fun.
Also, encourage your child to explore while you are
walking. Remember to use sun screen on your baby
when you are outdoors.
Exploring and Learning: Allow him/her to pick up and
examine blades of grass, leaves, flowers, etc.
Movement can include using small muscles, too!
Playing in Water: Always supervise your child when
they are in or near any water. But moving in water is
great exercise and children love it. If you use a plastic swimming pool for your baby, put a few floating
toys in and watch your baby splash and giggle!
The Best Spots for Toddlers Column
http://www.listafterlist.com/tabid/57/listid/9311/Local/
The+Best+Spots+for+Toddlers+in+Pittsburgh.aspx
SAVE THE DATE!
2013 NATIONAL AUTISM CONFERENCE
The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel,
State College, PA
Monday July 29th, 2013 - Thursday August 1st, 2013
Conference Mission:
This conference provides comprehensive, evidence-based information to assist all educational
team members, other professionals, and families
in developing effective educational programming
for all students with autism spectrum disorders.
Who Should Attend:
Family members, physicians, speech-language
pathologists, administrators, higher-education faculty, general and special education professionals,
early intervention staff, related service personnel,
behavioral health analysts/professionals, and anyone interested in autism spectrum disorders.
Scholarships, Exhibits, & Childcare:
A limited number of conference scholarships will
be available for parents of school-aged children
with autism and undergraduate and graduate students completing their program of study in 2013 in
a related field. We will collect and showcase a
variety of artwork by school-aged students with
autism and we will continue to host a Children’s
Institute concurrent to the conference for a limited
number of children ages birth-21 with autism and
their siblings.
Registration:
Conference registration will be available beginning
in April at: www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/autism
Disclaimer: The Alliance for Infants and Toddlers does NOT
accept responsibility for the information practices of third party
sources referenced in our newsletter. The third party sources or
web sites are provided solely for you, the recipient’s convenience. The inclusion of third party sources or web sites in our
newsletter does NOT mean that we endorse that third party
source or web site.
Please be aware that when you access one of the third party
sources or web sites provided that The Alliance for Infants and
Toddlers has no control over the quality or accuracy of the content. You view and rely upon the contents of any such third party
sources or websites at your own risk. The Alliance for Infants
and Toddlers accepts no liability to you for the contents of
and/or information contained in any third party source or web
site. The third party sources or web sites in the newsletter are
maintained by their respective organizations and they are solely responsible for their content.
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