November 2021

You’re not alone

Connecting for Kids (CFK) provides education and support to families who have concerns about their child. We serve all families, including those children with
and without formal diagnoses. CFK offers educational programs, support groups, a Parent Match Program and numerous resources.

Designed for your family

Programs are designed to educate and support families of children (birth - 12 years) who are struggling. Look for these icons to choose programs for your family:

Y

E

A

Families with young children (0-6 years)

Families with elementary-aged children (7-12 years)

All families with children (0-12 years)

Free programs

All Connecting for Kids programs are free and open to the public. For more information:

Call/Text: 440-570-5908 info@connectingforkids.org connectingforkids.org/register

NOVEMB
	ER PROGRAMS: ADULTS

Speaker Series

Join us for presentations on various childhood topics by local pediatric professionals.

connectingforkids.org/speakerseries

Connect With Us

It’s free to join Connecting for Kids and start connecting with other Greater Cleveland Area families on a similar path.

connectingforkids.org/joinus

facebook.com/ connectingforkids

@connectforkids

Help! My Young Child Doesn’t Listen Y
How can you help your young child become a better listener and make sense of what they are hearing? Children may hear us, but are they really listening to and understanding what we are saying? Join CFK Early Intervention professionals Neysa McKenney, MA, CCC-SLP, and Paula C. Papp, MAEd, as they share
ideas about how to foster effective listening behaviors and support a child’s understanding.

Tuesday, November 9, 7:00 pm Virtual

Addressing COVID Behaviors A Is your child struggling to transition back to a more normal routine? Are you finding that your child is now fearful of others after being told to stay six feet apart for so many months? Is your child too attached to electronics and having a hard time connecting with friends? Join Meghan Barlow, PhD, of Meghan Barlow and Associates, as she discusses behaviors that your child may have picked up during the COVID-19 crisis
and ways to address them. The presenter will give you strategies to help your child make positive behavior changes.

Tuesday, November 16, 6:30 pm Westlake Porter Public Library

Register at connectingforkids.org/register

finding reliable information and
Virtual
NOVEMBER PROGRAMS: ADULTS

Coffee and Chat

Join our interactive support group and meet other families facing similar
struggles. connectingforkids.org/support

Interactive Workshops

Interactive workshops are designed to help families gain in-depth knowledge on a topic. connectingforkids.org/workshops

Families Building Partnerships for Success (for Black American Families)

Dealing with health and education	Advocacy & Allies A

issues can be tough. It’s important for	This two-day workshop covers what it Black families to develop skills to help	takes to be a good advocate and how to them navigate these complex systems.	gather a team of allies.
Do you want to learn how to find	Wednesdays, Nov 3 & 10, 7:00 pm solutions for your child when working	Virtual
Problem-Solving & Providers
This two-day workshop focuses on
A
with health care providers, therapists and educators? If so, register for one or both of the workshops that focus on
dealing with challenges. The workshops
led by Nikki Montgomery, MA, MEd
a prerequisite to take this workshop.
7:00 pm
families working with professionals and ,	problem-solving. Advocacy & Allies is not GPAC, are designed for parents and ,	Wednesday, Nov 17 & Tuesday, Nov 23, caregivers of children ages birth - 12
years to talk about challenges and work on solutions.

SOCIAL SERIES
	
Wrapping Up Social Skills for the Holidays E

Does your child have a dificult time attending holiday functions? Could you use some tips to make the upcoming holiday season better for your child? The holidays are a fun and exciting time but can also become overwhelming and confusing for those who struggle with social skills. This program, led by Ellen Spear, MA, CCC-SLP, of Lakeshore Speech Therapy, LLC., is designed to help navigate the many social situations, hidden rules and potential problems related to the holidays. Join us as we discuss how to make conversation with relatives and friends, tips for handling holiday parties and appropriate ways to give and receive gifts.
Wednesday, Nov 17, 7:00 pm Virtual

Music for Mental Health A
This program is open to any caregiver who needs support, regardless of how much their child is struggling. Join us as the music therapist focuses on coping with seasons of stress and dificult times both at home and in society. Come and connect with other families as we use music to cope with our ever-present struggles. Attendees will listen to live music and engage in discussions,
group songwriting and other fun music experiences.

Thursday, November 18, 6:30 pm Westlake Porter Public Library

Talking To Others About Your LGBTQ+ Child A
Will you be seeing family and friends over the holidays that you have not seen in a while? How should you navigate questions about your child’s gender identity while still being supportive and afirming? Join Kristen Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, and Lisa Pepera, MEd, LPCC-S, of Colors+, for a short presentation
on gender nonconformity. Afterward, they will lead a discussion on ways to be an advocate for your child and be prepared for dificult conversations with others, especially with the holidays approaching.

Thursday, November 18, 7:00 pm Virtual

Connecting for Kids provides families with resources so they can make an informed decision for their child.

BEHAVIOR SERIES
	
Behavior Chat A

Join us each month to learn how to use the tools in our Behavior Toolkit to help your child ages 18 months – 12 years control behavior and manage emotions. This program is designed for children with or without developmental concerns. connectingforkids.org/behavior-chat

Do you want strategies	your questions on a variety of
to motivate your child	topics, which can be asked during toward positive behavior?	the program or submitted upon Do you wish you had a	registration.
kit filled with proactive
“tools” you could use to	How Structure Can Prevent
get ahead of meltdowns	Meltdowns
before they start?	Wednesday, November 10, 6:30 pm
At each session, Ochanya	Cuyahoga County Public Library, McRoberts-Wells, MEd,	Solon Branch OR Live Stream will discuss the theme of
the month and answer

	NOVEMBER PROGRAMS: ADULTS

	NOVEMBER PROGRAMS: WITH MY CHILD

Music Therapy & More Y

This program is designed for families and their children, ages 0-6 years, who are struggling in an area of development. Join us for a hands-on program designed to teach families how to use music to improve their child’s academic, motor,
communication and social skills as well as behavior. This program is led by a Board-

Certified Music Therapist. connectingforkids.org/music

There Are Lots of Ways to Connect with CFK! Our Family Resource Specialists are happy to help you find resources and support.

Have Questions? Call/Text: 440-570-5908 info@connectingforkids.org

With Our Thanks Programming is made possible in part by support from local organizations.

Middleburg Heights and Solon Programs
Presented in partnership with Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Social Series Program
Supported by a grant from the Knights of Columbus at St. Ladislas.

Westlake Programs
Presented in partnership with Westlake Porter Public Library.

Middleburg Heights Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library Sessions begin at 10:30 am.

• Saturday, November 20

Solon Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library
Sessions begin at 10:30 am.

Westlake Porter Public Library Sessions begin at 9:30 and 10:30 am.

• Friday, November 12
• Saturday, November 13

Music Therapy & More is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

• Friday, November 19