News

June 2, 2020

Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need

Are you interested in learning how children will be impacted by the trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic? Join First Up this June and July for their virtual series, “Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need.”

About

Join First Up for Parenting in a Pandemic: Help in a Time of Need, a three-part series of one-hour informative webinars, where they will answer common questions parents and caregivers have about their children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each session, presented by professionals with early childhood expertise and certificates in trauma-informed practices, will:

    • introduce the concepts of how brains develop and the impact that current events;
    • might have on children from birth through age eight;
    • introduce new ways to think about self-care; and
    • offer strategies for supporting children’s mental well-being.

Participants will be entered in a drawing for special giveaways!

Session Dates

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

More Infomation

For questions, please contact Jillian Best Adler at jillian.adler@firstup.org.

Share this flyer with your network. 

News

May 5, 2020

Managing Mental Health During COVID-19

Join HiMama on May 7 for their HiMama Helps webinar, “Managing Mental Health During COVID-19.”

About

This online session will cover the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on well-being, as well as practical strategies to manage mental health. Presenters will discuss the following:

    • the impact of COVID-19 on mental health,
    • why and how to prioritize well-being during this time,
    • practical exercises to do when feeling overwhelmed, and
    • additional tips through a creative Q&A session.

Registration

To register and learn more, visit the event webpage.

News

May 4, 2020

Talking to and Supporting Children and Ourselves During the Pandemic

On May 7, David J Schonfeld, MD, a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and Director of the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, will provide a webinar on talking to and supporting children and ourselves during the pandemic for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

About

During the webinar, Schonfeld will provide suggestions for early childhood educators on how to talk with young children about the recent pandemic to promote their understanding and adjustment, as well as practical advice that can be shared with families on how to support their children’s adjustment and how they can serve as effective models of coping techniques. Adults are impacted at least as much as children, so a focus of the presentation will address professional self-care. Free resources available from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement and the Coalition to Support Grieving Students will be highlighted.

Attendees will receive a certificate of attendance for viewing this webinar.

Registration

To register, please visit the event webpage. For more webinar options, visit the Trying Together Events page.

*Information provided by NAEYC

News

April 21, 2020

Mindful Self-Compassion | Webinar Series

Join the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, the Center for Child and Family Well-being at the University of Washington, and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion for their three-part webinar series, “Mindful Self-Compassion.”

About the Series

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, the Center for Child and Family Well-being at the University of Washington, and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion have teamed up for a three-part webinar series that will introduce families and family-facing providers to mindful self-compassion (MSC) practices to help them care for themselves and each other.

Available Webinars

    • Heart Skills for Our Families and Ourselves in Challenging Times | April 29, 2020 | 3 p.m.
      This first webinar will provide an introduction to MSC, the research that supports it, and a few simple ways we can bring it into our lives during these challenging times. Participants will learn how MSC is being practiced in diverse communities around the world, can build resilience in all kinds of families, reduce caregiver burnout, and strengthen relationships. Participants also will have a chance to experience MSC through a few brief practice exercises during the webinar.
    • Co-Creating Heart Skills with Communities | May 13, 2020 | 3 p.m.
      This second webinar will explore how communities can create culturally relevant, trauma-informed mindfulness, and self-compassion programs. Representatives from a team of parent leaders and health care partners in Seattle, Washington, will share their experience developing community-led mindfulness and self-compassion practices to promote the well-being of youth, families, and communities who are marginalized.
    • Co-creating Heart Skills in Early Childhood Programs and Systems | June 24, 2020 | 3 p.m.
      This third webinar will explore how early childhood programs and systems use mindfulness and self-compassion to support their providers and the families and communities they serve. Participants will learn about the approaches diverse early childhood organizations are taking to adapt and integrate mindfulness and compassion to deeply inform organizational culture and systems change.

More Information

For more information, visit the Brazelton Touchpoints Center website. For more courses, visit our Course page.

*Information provided by the Brazelton Touchpoints Center

News

Mindful Self-Compassion | Webinar Series

Join the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, the Center for Child and Family Well-being at the University of Washington, and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion for their three-part webinar series, “Mindful Self-Compassion.”

About the Series

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brazelton Touchpoints Center, the Center for Child and Family Well-being at the University of Washington, and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion have teamed up for a three-part webinar series that will introduce families and family-facing providers to mindful self-compassion (MSC) practices to help them care for themselves and each other.

Available Webinars

    • Co-creating Heart Skills in Early Childhood Programs and Systems | June 24, 2020 | 3 p.m.
      This third webinar will explore how early childhood programs and systems use mindfulness and self-compassion to support their providers and the families and communities they serve. Participants will learn about the approaches diverse early childhood organizations are taking to adapt and integrate mindfulness and compassion to deeply inform organizational culture and systems change.

More Information

For more information, visit the Brazelton Touchpoints Center website.

*Information provided by the Brazelton Touchpoints Center

News

April 14, 2020

How To Help Children Be “Disaster-Resilient” and Why We Must

Data show that children with COVID-19 appear to have lower mortality rates, and generally milder symptoms, than do adults who contract the disease. However, the indirect effects of COVID-19 might well have devastating long-term impacts on children, especially in socially-, politically-, economically-, and, often, racially-marginalized communities.

About

Join EmbraceRace on Wednesday, April 22 for “How We Can Help Our Children to Be ‘Disaster-Resilient’ and Why We Must” for a conversation about how the unfolding crisis might be affecting children’s mental health, and what you can do to support their well-being. Time will be provided for questions and comments.

The event will feature Denese Shervington, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Tulane University School of Medicine and Institute for Women and Ethics Studies.

Registration

To register, visit the event registration page.

 

News

March 5, 2020

New Early Childhood Mental Health Survey Available

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) invites early childhood education professionals, family members, higher education staff, and mental, physical, and oral healthcare professionals to take a brief survey regarding their experiences and communications around early social-emotional development.

Survey results will be used to assist the Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMH) Project in developing tools for families and professionals to use in understanding and obtaining supports around early childhood social-emotional health.

Take the Survey

Click here to complete the survey. All surveys must be submitted by April 7, 2020.

More Information on Early Childhood Mental Health

For more information about the IECMH Project, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

For more early childhood related news, please visit Trying Together’s News Section here.

*Information provided by The Pennsylvania Key

News

January 7, 2020

2020 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference

Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) on Friday, February 28 for their fourth annual Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference, “Resilient Youth: Strategies to Overcome Adversity,” at the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott!

About

Resilient Youth: Strategies to Overcome Adversity is one of the only events in the region specializing in youth mental health. Participants from all over the country attend to learn about the newest research and best practices to assist and advance the mental health needs of young children, adolescents, and young adults. With this, the conference will explore how families and mental health professionals can work together to support young people dealing with mental health challenges using an evidence-based model built on strengthening relationships.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Act 48 credits are available. See the conference brochure.

Registration

Registration price varies depending on registrant type. Free parking, a continental breakfast, and lunch included. To register, visit the conference event page.

More Information

For questions, contact NAMI at 412.366.3788. Visit their website to learn more.

News

December 17, 2019

PHAN Transportation and Health Survey

Are you interested in sharing your voice to support your community? Participate in the Pennsylvania Health Action Network’s (PHAN) new survey on transportation and health! Survey responses will be confidential and should take roughly four minutes to complete. The survey will include questions about transportation for going to the doctor, dentist, a clinic, getting a test or lab done, or other kinds of health visits, such as mental health or substance use disorder treatment.

Take the Survey

The survey is available in both English and Spanish and can be completed using the following links:

More Information

If you have any questions, please reach out to Jessy Foster at jessica@pahealthaccess.org.

News

November 20, 2019

Grandparents Caring for Young Children Need Support

Across the United States of America, grandparents are struggling to make ends meet after claiming custody over their grandchildren. While, in many cases, these grandparents are claiming custody to keep their grandchildren safe, healthy, and supported, many are doing so with little to no support. In her article, Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren Happens for a Variety of Reasons, Susan Pena explores this complex issue.

About

In her article, Susan Pena expresses that the opioid crisis is far-reaching, with many having friends, family members, or loved ones who have been affected. With this, some of the most at-risk individuals impacted by this crisis are the children of adults struggling with addiction and the challenges that come with it. Pena states that “often grandparents are on the front lines of this crisis, raising their grandchildren–or even, in some cases, great-grandchildren, while struggling with their own financial and health issues.” Many are doing it with little to no outside support.

Grandparents and older family members can claim primary custody over relative children for many reasons, some of which include:

    • the incarceration or death of a loved one,
    • loved ones impacted by substance use or addiction, and
    • unsafe living conditions for a young child.

In her powerful piece, Pena highlights three real-life stories of grandparent caregivers. Read the full article to learn more.

What You Can Do

KinConnector Helpline

If you’re a grandparent caregiver seeking support, call the KinConnector Helpline at 866.546.2111 for more information on resources, including help with financial, health, and legal issues; training and parental advice; and nearby support groups. The Helpline is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trying Together Grandparent Council

If you’re a grandparent who is interested in working to ensure all young children receive high-quality care and education, consider joining Trying Together’s Grandparent Council. The Council meets monthly to:

    • learn more about the importance of early childhood education,
    • receive guidance and support in identifying high-quality early learning environments,
    • and learn how to advocate for the well-being of all children in our communities.

Visit our Grandparent Council page to learn more.

More Information

To read the full article, visit the Reading Eagle website.