Feeding Tube Info

Susan sent me some great info on Feeding Tubes that could be really helpful for those of you with clients who have children using them. Click here for the info. Also, it will always be at the right column under resources.

Thanks, Susan!
(If you ever have any info, you think would be helpful for other peer parents send it to me!)

New Skills Checklist

The Skills Checklist has been changed to match the chapters in the STEPS book exactly. Recreation was taken off the Skills Checklist. Please use the new form (found by clicking here or at the link at the right). Thanks!

December Advanced Training/ Christmas Party Was a Hit!

We had a great time at our party last week! Thanks to those who came and we missed those who couldn't be there. We did more partying (well, eating) than training. We had a lot of fun playing Peer Parent Jeopardy. Overall, it was a great night!

On another note, I just want to thank you all for the great work that you do with our clients. It is pleasure to work with all of you. I know you don't get a lot of compensation for the work that you do, but I hope you know what a difference you are making! You all are so wonderful and I hope you have a WONDERFUL holiday!

See you next year! :)

December Advanced Training/ Christmas Party!

It is time for our December Advanced Training/ Christmas Party!!! I have scheduled it for Thursday December 16 from 5:30-7:30 in the Spanish Fork DCFS office.

I am still working out alot of the details (stupid budget stuff), but I promise it will be fun and informative! I will send out more details as I have them.

So, make sure to save the date and RSVP (poll at the right) so I can have a rough idea of who will be in attendance.

Yeah for parties!!! (PS- This is not my baby, just a random google baby. But isn't he cute?)

September Advanced Training Info- PLEASE READ!

Hey guys! Thanks to those who attended our AT last Thursday. It was a really great training and we had some interesting discussions. If you didn't attend the training (and even if you did), please read through this information. It will really help you in working with your families!

Domestic Violence (DV):

Susan Capell (a current peer parent and former DCFS DV region specialist for 15 years) and Jacklyn Fellows (current DV lead worker) presented on the DCFS DV program and the effects of DV on children. It is really great information to share with all of our clients (even if they don't have reported issues with DV). This is the handout from the training on Domestic Violence and Children: click here.

Susan showed a really cool video on what children can do to feel safe and ways that we can teach them how to handle threatening situations. I don't think that video is available online, but if you would like to watch the video, let me know and I can get it for you to borrow. BUT, when I was searching for it online, I did find a video clip that is pretty powerful (WARNING: It is a little difficult to watch!). The idea is that children see (and imitate) what we do as parents. It may be worth showing your families. Let me know what your thoughts are on this (is it too much? is it powerful?):



Nurturing and Bonding:

Jennee Allen (peer parent) presented on some really great points from the skill, Nurturing and Bonding. We discussed how children form bonds in the first five years (different studies say different things) of their lives that GREATLY affect who they become as adults. Forming bonds early in childhood allows them to form appropriate bonds later in life. The opposite is more true (when appropriate bonds aren't formed, they can't form appropriate bonds later in life). Therefore, it is crucial for the parents we work with to understand this and work to form bonds with their children. They should be aware of what is developmentally appropriate for different ages (such as what they can do to bond with an infant) and what each of their children enjoy doing.

Have any other thoughts on Nurturing or Bonding or Attachment? Any helpful resources you have found? Leave a comment! I did find this website, which offers additional information on the subject: Bonding and Attachment by Dr. Bruce D. Perry

September is Emergency Preparedness Month

National Preparedness Month - September 2010 Take Time to Prepare for Emergencies Now

This September marks the seventh annual National Preparedness Month – one month designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies and disasters. Even though we don't know when or where disasters and emergencies may strike, we do know that we can do more to be prepared for the unexpected.

Be Ready Utah encourages all Utahns to take on the challenge this September to be “Be Ready.” By doing these four simple steps:

Make a Plan - Be ready with an emergency plan so you know where to go, what to do and how to communicate with your loved ones in case of an emergency. Practice your plan once a year if you can.
Get a Kit - Be ready with an emergency supply kit so you can be self-sufficient for three – five days. Don’t forget some basic emergency supplies in your vehicle as well. Visit http://bereadyutah.gov/family/documents/72-hourchecklistpdf.pdf to print off a 72-hour kit checklist.

Be Informed - Be informed about Utah’s natural hazards and get to know the local emergency manager in your community.

Get Involved – Look for opportunities to help others become better prepared and volunteer your expertise and talents. Become a CERT member in your community.

Join us for the upcoming Healthy Utah Preparedness Webinar

Title: Family and Individual Emergency Preparedness
Presenter: Michael Stever – UDOH EMS and Health Preparedness
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM MST
In time of Disaster, the 911 type response that we are used to will not exist. We will have to make do with what we have on hand. Family and individual preparedness is the foundation upon which survival is built. Family and Individual Preparedness Training aims to provide information, resources and tools to help individuals and families plan and prepare for potential emergencies. This workshop will illustrate the possible disasters that we might face in Utah, and highlight the myths and realities of human response to emergencies and disasters. In addition, the workshop will present the “how to’s” of family and individual preparedness including 72 hour home emergency kits, emergency plans and recommended training.

Reserve your Webinar Seat Now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/793709603

September Advanced Training

Our Advanced Training is all set to go on Thursday Sept 30 at the Provo DCFS office from 5:30-7:30 pm. Susan Knadler (former DV specialist for our region and current peer parent) and Jacklyn Fellows (current DV team supervisor) will be presenting on Domestic Violence and its affects on the family. Also, Jennee Allan will be presenting on Nurturing and Bonding. It should be a really great training and I hope you all can attend. As always, bring a treat to share if you would like (because you know I will!!).

New Resource Library

I was able to order several copies of 9 different books for our new Resource Library. You will be able to check books out to use in your lessons as a supplement to the STEPS books. The plan is to add to the library over time, but this is what we will start with. I should get most of the books tomorrow, so you can start checking them out now!

I am willing to give you up to 5 hours paid time each month for reading these books. This should be documented in the daily doc form as prep time. List which book you read and for how long.

If you would like to check out one of these books, please let me know by Tuesday (June 29). I will figure out a way to get them to you while I am on leave.

Available Titles:

1) How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish- 12 Copies

2) Parenting With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition) by Foster Cline and Jim Fay- 12 copies

3) Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years by Jim Fay and Charles Fay- 5 copies

4) Parenting Teens With Love And Logic (Updated and Expanded Edition) by Foster Cline and Jim Fay- 5 copies

5) How to Behave So Your Children Will, Too! by Sal Severe- 5 copies

6) How to Behave So Your Preschooler Will, Too! by Sal Severe- 5 copies

7) Help! for Parents: Through the First Twelve Years [Paperback]
Anthony J. Lapray (Author), Bob Greer (Author)- 5 copies

8) For Love and Money: How to Share the Same Checkbook and Still Love Each Other [Paperback]
Bernard E. Poduska - 5 copies

9) What Kids Need to Succeed: Proven, Practical Ways to Raise Good Kids by Peter L. Benson Ph.D., Judy Galbraith M.A., and Pamela Espeland- 5 copies

June Advanced Training Info- PLEASE READ

Thanks so much to those who attended our Advanced Training last Thursday night. We had a great night and we walked away with some really great ideas to spice up our lessons with clients.

First, we talked about the final plans for my maternity leave coverage. Jeannie Warner, who will be taking over, was at the training and got to meet everyone. I will be out on leave from July 1- Oct 1. I have updated my coverage information, including some peer parents who are willing to help answer any questions while I am gone:

Updated Maternity Leave Coverage Information

Elizabeth Drew gave a great presentation on Family Stress Management. I will post her handouts as soon as I get those. During this discussion, Priscilla said that she has a "time out drawer", which is where she keeps all of her favorite things that she can pull out when she is stressed and have a "time out." Her drawer includes things like her favorite candies, magazines, music and various other things that soothe her.

We then had a discussion about activities and hands on lessons to use with your clients. I presented a few ideas:

Talking Stick

How to Make a Talking Stick

Compliment Circle

Conversation Starters

Nutrition Activities:

Four Food Groups Mobile

Nutrition Coloring Book Pages

Nutrition (or you can make your own theme) Bingo

Nutrition (or make your own theme) Memory Card Game

Some of the peer parents at the training shared some really great ideas. Here are those ideas:

*For nutrition, you could do a tasting game. This would involve you bringing several different healthy foods and blindfolding the kids and parents and having them taste them and guess what they are. They might get to eat foods that they have never tried and discover they aren't too bad!

*For nutrition, you could bring different fruits and vegetables and have the family guess what each one is.

*Pam says that she always takes her families to play frisbee golf (at various parks in the area). This teaches them patience and taking turns with each other.

*Kevin said that he always gives out additional information on child development to his clients (to supplement the STEPS book, which focuses mostly on younger children). Here are the websites that he provided:

School Age Children (5, 6-8, 9-11)

Tweens and Teens (12-14, 15-17, 18-20)

It was a great night! I will keep you all updated on my baby status (I will post some pictures on this blog for you to see) and I hope you all have a great summer! :)

PAYMENT INFO!! (and a little more)

I wanted to make sure that everyone was aware that you need to get all documentation and 520/ mileage forms in for the past year (Jul 09-Jun 10) by July 15, 2010. Our fiscal year ends on June 30 and you will have to get all forms in by July 15 or YOU WILL NOT BE PAID. And, remember this means that you have to have all your documentation in as well to be paid. The sooner you can get everything in before that deadline, the better.

Remember that you are still directing all payments to me (and my box here in the Provo office) now and while I am on leave. Documentation should be sent to me, caseworker, Jeannie (twarner@utah.gov) and Cassie (for SFP cases). I will be sending emails to those individuals who I am missing 520s/mileage forms/ documentation from for past months.

Other important info:
*If you have a case, you should have just gotten an email from me with your case information and the closure dates. Please monitor this and contact caseworker if you feel the caseworker needs an extension. Otherwise, just send in the case closure paperwork when you are finished.

*I am in the process of putting all of the information from the training last Thursday on the website. Please check that over the next few days to get that information (ESPECIALLY IF YOU DIDN'T ATTEND!!!).

*I have attached the most updated copy of my maternity leave coverage (also given at the training). Please read through it so you understand how things will work.

June 17 Advanced Training

Our next Advanced Training will be on Thursday June 17 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the DCFS Provo office. I wanted to get this scheduled so we can have one more training before I go on maternity leave on July 1. This training will focus on two things: exactly how things will run while I am on maternity leave and some great ideas for you to use with clients, as well as a presentation on a Skill from the STEPS book.

Part 1- We briefly addressed what my coverage will look like at the last training, but at this training we will cover every last detail. :) This will include how cases will be assigned, how payments will be processed, who you can go to with questions or for support, and every other thing I can think of before this training. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFO!!

Part 2- I will present on some fun object lessons to use with our families. If you have some fun lessons that you like to use, please bring an explanation of the lesson and any handouts or objects you use for that lesson. I am hoping we can leave with some great ideas to spice things up!

Also, Elizabeth Drew will be presenting on Stress and Anger Management.

Do you want to miss this training?? I don't think so! I hope to see you all there. Please confirm that you are attending by clickng YES at the right side of the page, or let me know if you won't be able to. (Remember if you don't attend, you will be completely responsible to read through everything we cover, which will be posted after the training!)

Fun Actitivies for Families

I received these activities from Susan Capell from one of her cases. These are complete activities meant for a therapist, but they have great ideas and resources you might want to share with the families you are working with.

Share a Family Meal

Daily Living Activities

Reading and Language Program

Reading Adventure

Thanks for sharing, Susan!

Bonding with and Disciplining Teens

Susan Capell just sent me a few really great articles on teens. I hope that you can check these out and use these with your clients who need additional ways to bond with their teens or those who are struggling to discipline them. Thanks Susan!

15 Low or No Cost Ideas for Spending Time with your Teen

Bonding with your Teen

Points to Consider when Disciplining your Teen

April Advanced Training Info

Thanks to all those who attended the Advanced Training last night. It was a great training and I think we all walked away with some good ideas. For those of you who missed it, here is some of the information that was shared last night:

1) Conflict Resolution in the Family: Joseph Fletcher, Wasatch Mental Health

Questions to ask in conflict (such as when siblings are fighting- take each one out and ask these):

• What do you want?
• What are you doing to get what you want?
• Is what you are doing working?
• Do you want to find another way?

Try to redirect the situation towards something positive. Such as when there is a fight, redirect by asking, "What do you like to do together?" This changes the mood and redirects the family from petty issues towards something more meaningful. Then make a plan to do more of the things that the family like to do better. Joseph said, "sometimes you have to pull your head out of the program and go somewhere else."

Pay attention to the family's culture. This doesn't mean their ethnic culture, but how they function and interact with each other.

2) Positive Reinforcement: HollyJane Dixon, Peer Parent

HollyJane talked about ways to reinforce positive behaviors (instead of harping on negative behaviors). I will post more of her ideas as I get them, but here is a link to her blog, which talks about their family's "Dixon Store" and "Dixon Dollars":

Dixon Dollars/ Dixon Store

3) I talked about my maternity leave coverage. I will be on maternity leave from about July 1- Oct 1. I have outlined the major points of my coverage in the following document:

Megan's Maternity Leave Coverage

We will go over this more in the next two months through email and another training in June.

*I also had the supplies available at the training last night. If you would still like some supplies for yourself to use in your lessons or give to your families, we still have games, puzzles, books, DVDs, and art supplies left. Let me know! Also, if you took some items, please take the time to send me a short email saying thank you to the Christmas Box foundation, who gathered these items for us.

April Advanced Training

It is time again for an Advanced Training. Our next one is scheduled for Wednesday April 21 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the SPANISH FORK DCFS OFFICE (607 E Kirby Lane Spanish Fork). Please make note that this training is on a Wednesday (a week from today!!) and it is in SPANISH FORK. We had to change things up a bit to accommodate our speaker and work around meetings in Provo.

Our main presenter will be Joseph Fletcher, a therapist from Wasatch Mental Health. He will be presenting on Resolving Conflict within the Family. This was a requested topic and should be really great to help you teach conflict resolution skills specific to family relationships (siblings, parent/child, and parent/parent). We will also have a presentation from our very own Holly Jane Dixon on a peer parenting skill. We will also cover updates on coverage for my maternity leave and program announcements.

And, I will have all of the donated supplies at the training for you to check out for your families!

As always, we will be having a pot luck dinner/ treat-fest, so bring something to share (if you would like).

Please register at the right side of the blog! Thanks!

The Supplies Are In!!!!

I have great news!! The supplies I asked you about are in! The Christmas Box organization collected donations for us and we got some great stuff! We have brand new games, art supplies, books, and more. Here is a list of items that we received:

Supplies List

We also have hygiene kits for children based on age (these include toothpaste, hair brushes, diapers for little kids, etc). There is a little different process to get these, so talk to me if you are interested.

Here are the rules for getting these items:

*These are meant to be for a specific family (for them to keep), but I would be ok with you taking a supply (such as a game) to use with all of your families. You would then need to return it to DCFS when you are done with it. If you give it to a family, it is their to keep.
*These items should be given to a family for a purpose! Use them as a reward or for the parents to use as a reward, or as part of a lesson.
*You may take up to 2 items per family (usually- but talk to me if you have special circumstances).
*You have to get the items FROM ME! I am trying to protect this great resource and want to make sure that as many people can benefit from them. You will need to talk to me about setting up a time for you to come get the items from me. Or, I can have them for you by the next training (which will be at the end of April). I need to mark who is getting what.

Thanks for your help with this! I hope this can be a great thing for you and your families! Oh, and if you have any items you want to donate or know of anyone who wants to donate, I am hoping to have this be a continual thing for us to access supplies. I will continue to solicit donations to keep us stocked.

And, if you want to write a thank you note to the nice ladies at the Christmas Box house, I will take those for them!

Training April 8

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Prevalence, Programs, and Policy
April 8, 2010

Listen to a live audio webcast9 a.m. ET / 8 a.m. CT / 7 a.m. MT / 6 a.m. PTProgram length: 1.5 hours Register

Runaway and Homeless Youth: Prevalence, Programs, and PolicyA shocking percentage of American youth run away from home by age 18, according to a new snapshot of runaways to be published by the Urban Institute, and many do so before turning 14. Roughly half of all youth who leave home without parental permission or knowledge do so more than once, with girls more likely to be repeat runaways. Many runaways become homeless because family reunification is not an option. Other young people end up on the street or in a shelter because they are abandoned by their parents, are forced to leave home, age out of foster care, or are released from the juvenile justice system. Much progress has been made in recent decades to address the needs of runaways and homeless youth. What is left to be done at the federal, state, and local levels? How are service providers coping with the varied life stories of the 1.5-2 million young people who each year are homeless and unaccompanied by an adult for at least one night?

Panelists:
Patrick Boyle (moderator), editor, Youth Today
Amy Dworsky, senior researcher, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago
Hedda McLendon, social services division deputy director, Latin American Youth Center (Washington, D.C.)
Michael Pergamit, senior research associate, Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population, Urban Institute
Bryan Samuels, commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesRegister to attend in person in Washington, DCA light breakfast will be provided at 8:30 a.m. The forum begins promptly at 9 a.m..Register to listen to the audio webcast.To join the webcast, you need a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. The audio for the webcast is available over the Internet only (no telephone connections).You will need to register on the same computer you will use to listen. You can register anytime up to and during the event. To access the webcast, you can go to the same link where you registered. The recording will be archived immediately after the event at the same link.

Foundations for Youth Training

A few of our peer parents attended the Foundations for Youth training last week and loved it! By request, I have received the presentation and am posting it here.

Foundations for Youth Presentation

This is an overview of the training:

Outcome 1: Caregivers will understand the purpose of the Transition to Adult Living initiative and their motivations for working with youth at this critical period of their lives.
Outcome 2: Caregivers will possess an understanding of adolescent development, as well as their varying needs at differing ages, and how abuse, neglect, trauma, grief and loss impact their growth and behavior.
Outcome 3: Caregivers will be able to understand youth within the context of their varying cultural experiences and can implement strategies to help support their identities.
Outcome 4: Caregivers will understand how behavior—the underlying needs and motivation to sustain them—and demonstrate the skill to implement behavioral interventions.
Outcome 5: Caregivers will be able to implement structure, rules, behavioral expectations, and boundaries in the context of building and sustaining relationships with youth.
Outcome 6: Caregivers will be able to demonstrate engagement skills critical to developing meaningful relationships with youth. These skills must be solution-focused and strengths-based.
Outcome 7: Caregivers will be able to use assessment tools to assist with identifying the youth’s strengths and areas of need.
Outcome 8: Caregivers not only will understand the importance of planning to assist youth, but know ways to involve the youth in this process in a meaningful, productive way.
Outcome 9: Caregivers will understand the importance of using a team approach to aiding a youth’s transition into adulthood. Much of this understanding relies on involving youth in the process to empower them to make important decisions about their future.
Outcome 10: Caregivers will have a good understanding of the Transition to Adult Living Goals: 1) Positive Self-Esteem, 2) Building Enduring Relationships, 3) Attaining Safe and Affordable Housing, 4) How to Access Health and Mental Health Care, and 5) Education Attainment and Employment. Caregivers will possess the skills and knowledge of the resources available to youth as they exit foster care to help them integrate these goals in preparation for their transition into adult living.

**Did you attend the training? Did you watch the presentation from the link above? Let me know what you think!!

Do You Need Supplies?

I just talked to our Christmas Box Room coordinator (this is a room where we have donated supplies for foster children) and she is willing to solicit donations for our peer parenting program!! So, can you please get me a list of items that you could use in your peer parenting lessons? This could include art supplies, board games, books, cooking supplies, or anything that you feel would help enhance your lessons. And, these items don't need to pertain to a certain current case. So, if there are things that you have thought about in the past and could use in the future, I will just have them available if anyone needs them. Make sense? Sound exciting? I know, I am pumped.

This is a great opportunity to get some help from our community because you all know we don't have a budget to buy anything and I don't want you to have to spend your money.

Please let me know ASAP by sending me an email or leaving a comment on this post!

Department of Workforce Services

The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) recently came and did a presentation for DCFS that I think was really helpful. I have provided the link to their power point presentation so you can check it out. The presentation goes over all their services (Foodstamps, Financial Assistance, Unemployment, Child Care, CHIP/PCN, and tons more). Most of our clients (and some of us!) have accessed these services and it is helpful to be aware of what DWS provides.

DWS Presentation

February Advanced Training

Thanks to all those who attended the Advanced Training last Thursday night. I think it was a great training and had a lot of really helpful information. I hope those that attended agreed. If you didn't attend: fear not. All of the info will be included in this post. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THROUGH THIS STUFF. I promise it will help you to become a better peer parent! Here is an outline of the evening, along with the materials:

1) I presented on a few tips and tricks based on the most common mistakes that I see in documentation and payments. Look through this document and see if you are making any of these mistakes:
Mistakes You Might Be Making Handout

2) We had an excellent (and vibrant) presentation from our DCFS trainer, Martin Roundy, on tools you can use to better understand your clients and get to know them better. These tools include Ecomaps, Timelines and Family Systems Maps. He also showed this tv ad that demonstrates how quickly we are to judge others. It is pretty funny, so take a look:


Here is the a link to his presentation:

Tools to Use with Families to Build Trust Presentation

I hope we can start to use these tools to better engage with our clients and better understand them. An additional tool that we didn't have time to go over is genograms. These are a more simplified version of Family Systems Maps (they just show relations versus dynamics). These can be very helpful when you just want to better understand how everyone in the family fits together. Here is link to learn about genograms:

Genogram Components

3) Debbie Robinson gave a great presentation on the skill Finances. She played a really fun game with all of us that would be fun to incorporate into your lessons. She divided us into teams and gave each team an envelope. She then asked us to bring her items (shopping card, credit card, receipt, generic item, etc) and then the first team to bring it got $10 in play money, second team got $5 and the third got $1. She then followed each item with a mini-lesson. For ex- For generic item, she talked about how much you could save by switching to generic over name brand. You can come up with your own items and little lessons, or talk with Debbie to get the exact items she used. But, it could be really fun to do with your families and get everyone involved and teach them some important lessons. Debbie also provided us with the following shopping tips to save money:

Shopping Tips Handout

Thanks to Martin and Debbie for presenting! It was great stuff! Let me know if you have any questions on any of the topics listed above!

Tax Time

I got this email today and thought it would be helpful to pass along to you guys and also to your clients. I have flyers on these programs (in English or Spanish) that I will have available at the training tonight. If you would like this information and you aren't coming tonight, let me know (by leaving a comment or emailing me).

You may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $5,600, even if you don't owe any taxes. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit, meaning any amount of the credit remaining, after offsetting taxes, is payable to the individual as a refund. Many don't even realize that they qualify for the EITC and miss out on an opportunity to put a little extra money in their pocket.

Why not have your taxes done for free. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is designed to do just that. VITA volunteers are IRS certified, equipped with tax preparation software, and are trained to help you receive all credits and deductions for which you are eligible, including the EITC.

In the Department of Human Services we have the opportunity of working with many individuals who would benefit greatly from both VITA and the EITC. This information is primarily to inform and benefit the employees of this Department, but as the nature of our Department is to serve others, please pass the information along to those you are in contact with who would also be of benefit.

We could all use a little extra money. To find out if you qualify or to find the nearest VITA site just call 2-1-1.

Have a happy tax season.

Chore Charts and Rewards Charts Galore!!

Kelli LaFranca sent these in (from her client) and they are fabulous! I hope you can check them out and use them in your lessons!

http://www.dltk-cards.com/ This was allows you to create a chore chart with cartoon characters, they have a ton of popular ones to choose from.

http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Free_Behavior_Charts Has information on different charts nd tips for using them

www.kidprintables.com/awards This has printable certificates for you to fill out for kids, such as "Cleanest Room" or "Smartest Kid" type stuff.

www.kidprintables.com/coupons This has printable coupons, like free ice cream cone, free movie rentals, etc.

http://printables.familyeducation.com/?theme=forms-and-charts&grade_range=&detoured=1 Lots of charts, also tons of printables like coloring pages, etc.

http://www.freeprintablebehaviorcharts.com/ Has chore charts for pet care, also information on age-appropriate chores, how to deal with underachievers, a chart on feelings that kids can use to help identify their current feelings, and stress management tips.

www.amug.org/~jbpratt/education/links/free.html So this has a ton of links

http://www.successfulfamilychores.com/ Chore charts, chore tips

February Advanced Training

It is that time again: time for another awesome Advanced Training! Our next training will be on Thursday, February 25 from 5:30-7:30 pm in the PROVO DCFS office. This should be a really helpful training! We have our DCFS trainers coming to present on techniques you can use with your families to get to know and understand them better (genograms, family system maps, etc.). I have had a few peer parents ask me for info on these techniques and I think they could be a really helpful addition to your cases. Also, one of our own, Debbie Robinson, will be presenting on the PP skill finances.

As always, I will give some program updates and we will chat/staff cases. If you would like, please bring some yummy food to share. Doesn't food make trainings so much better??

Please let me know if you are going to be attending! Hope to see you all there!

More GREAT ADHD Resources

One of our peer parents, Kelli LaFranca, emailed me about this FABULOUS resource for children and adults with ADHD. In her own words: "The magazine, ADDitude, tackled ADD and ADHD and has several articles that I found super helpful. It has after school organization plans and homework help advice. It covers ADD and ADHD from toddlers onto adults."

If you have anyone of your clients with ADHD (or just struggling to focus), I highly recommend you check it out. I spent some time on it this afternoon and was blown away at how helpful it is. The site is broken down into info for adults with ADHD and then parenting children with ADHD. The parenting sections has the following categories: Parenting Skills, Behavior and Discipline, Schedules and Organizing, Friends and Social Life, Healthy Minds and Bodies, Holidays and Travel, Sports and Hobbies, and Teens and Young Adults. There is also a whole giant section on school and learning disabilities. (Good stuff, isn't it?) Here is the main site link:

ADDitude Magazine Website

Here are some links to articles I found particularly great: (All of this will be available at the right side of the blog.)

Better Discipline for ADHD Kids

8 Steps to Better Behavior for ADHD Kids

Top 10 Routine Builders: Organization Help for ADHD Kids

Happier Mornings for ADHD Kids

17 Ways Parents Can Help ADHD Kids Make Friends

ADHD Homework Tips for Home and School

After School Organization Plan for ADHD Kids

Please share this resource with your families! Thanks again, Kelli!

More Resolutions: Budgeting!

Want to know my New Year's Resolution for my family? Budgeting!! This has always been a struggle for me, but I am really trying to make this work better for my family. So, obviously this has been on my mind a lot lately. A great site that I just found is http://www.mint.com/. This site offers easy access to your bank accounts, lets you see your spending in categories and make budgets. It can even send you emails or texts to let you know how you are doing with your budget. And, it's all free! If any of your clients have access to the Internet (at home or the library), this could be a great resource to share with them.

Here are a few other budgeting/ money management resources (these range from super simple to more thorough):

Basic Budgeting Worksheet

Basic Managing Debt Worksheet

Monthly Spending Worksheet

Family Budget Spreadsheet

Another great way to keep our budgets in check are to make frugal choices (that are also healthy!) in our groceries and meal planning! I am a huge follower of couponing/deal blogs and have noticed a significant savings. Here are some of those, as well as a link to frugal recipes:

Utah Deal Diva

Money Saving Mom

Pincing Your Pennies (also contains links to printable grocery lists with sales/coupons)

Frugal Recipes

These are great to check often and share the info with your clients!

**Do you have a great budgeting method or savings secret?? Please either leave a comment or email me so I can post your ideas as well!!**

National Flu Vaccination Week

The hype surrounding H1N1 has faded a bit, but it is still a threat. With the new year, it might be a good time to go over the idea of resolutions or goals. And, what better goal could we set than to take care of the health of our family? And, it's National Flu Vaccination Week!! (I bet you didn't know that!) :)

National Influenza Vaccination Week was established to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination, as well as fostering greater use of flu vaccine after the holiday season in January and beyond. In support of the national efforts, Utah Governor Gary Herbert signed a declaration making January 10 - 16, 2010, Influenza Vaccination Week in Utah, urging his fellow Utahns to observe this week by getting the seasonal and Pandemic H1N1 flu vaccines and to encourage friends, fellow employees and relatives to do the same.

Find a clinic near you:

http://www.immunize-utah.org/apps/flu/index.php

ADHD Resources

I know many of you have asked for additional information on Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. This is a condition that many of our children and adult clients struggle with. I have included links to three reputable websites (from National Institute of Mental Health, American Academy of Pediatrics and CHADD) that give more information on ADHD in kids and adults. These links can be found at the right hand side of the website under "Additional Resources." If any of you know of any resources for ADHD, please send me the info and I will post it. Here is a taste of what is in the websites:

What is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity).

What are the symptoms of ADHD in children?
Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are the key behaviors of ADHD. It is normal for all children to be inattentive, hyperactive, or impulsive sometimes, but for children with ADHD, these behaviors are more severe and occur more often. To be diagnosed with the disorder, a child must have symptoms for 6 or more months and to a degree that is greater than other children of the same age.

Children who have symptoms of inattention may:
Be easily distracted, miss details, forget things, and frequently switch from one activity to another
Have difficulty focusing on one thing
Become bored with a task after only a few minutes, unless they are doing something enjoyable
Have difficulty focusing attention on organizing and completing a task or learning something new Have trouble completing or turning in homework assignments, often losing things (e.g., pencils, toys, assignments) needed to complete tasks or activities
Not seem to listen when spoken to
Daydream, become easily confused, and move slowly
Have difficulty processing information as quickly and accurately as others
Struggle to follow instructions.Children who have symptoms of hyperactivity may:
Fidget and squirm in their seats
Talk nonstop
Dash around, touching or playing with anything and everything in sight
Have trouble sitting still during dinner, school, and story time
Be constantly in motion
Have difficulty doing quiet tasks or activities.Children who have symptoms of impulsivity may:
Be very impatient
Blurt out inappropriate comments, show their emotions without restraint, and act without regard for consequences
Have difficulty waiting for things they want or waiting their turns in games
Often interrupt conversations or others' activities.

ADHD Can Be Mistaken for Other Problems

Parents and teachers can miss the fact that children with symptoms of inattention have the disorder because they are often quiet and less likely to act out. They may sit quietly, seeming to work, but they are often not paying attention to what they are doing. They may get along well with other children, compared with those with the other subtypes, who tend to have social problems. But children with the inattentive kind of ADHD are not the only ones whose disorders can be missed. For example, adults may think that children with the hyperactive and impulsive subtypes just have emotional or disciplinary problems