This is an exciting month at C.I.T.Y. of Support! For many months we have been hard at work preparing brand new resources for our community, and we are finally ready to share them with you. One of the most visible developments is the yellow "LEARN" button that is now available at the top of our website.

From that button, professionals are able to access our brand new V.I.P. Professional Development Program that stands for "Valuing the Insight of Parents." This unique program was created over the past year in collaboration with many members of C.I.T.Y. of Support; however, the most notable contributors are PARENTS, who serve as the primary instructors. We hope that professionals will take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity to listen and learn from parents' authentic, personal experiences and reflect upon ways to acknowledge and deeply appreciate their perspective moving forward in their practice.

Plus the course provides 10 hours of IL Early Intervention Continuing Education credits; it's completely remote; and the majority of the course is self-paced, culminating in one virtual group learning meeting. Registration is limited to several small learning groups each month.

If you missed October's classes, check back for options in November/December; although, since this is our debut month, each student registered in October will be entered into a raffle, and ONE lucky person will be reimbursed for the entire cost of the course.

Learn more about how to become one of C.I.T.Y.'s first V.I.Ps.

Click the play button below to get a sneak-peek:

Based on results of our member survey, we have learned that, whether in-person or remote:

• Parents are interested in attending C.I.T.Y.-sponsored education experiences
• Professionals are interested in teaching classes to our C.I.T.Y. audience

We want to take full advantage of our new LEARN button and create possibilities for collaborative information-sharing among both our professional and parent audiences. Currently, we are developing new educational opportunities for the coming year, so be sure to continue following our posts & emails for details.

Check to see if your Local Leader is hosting an in-person playdate in October!

All play dates will be scheduled for the 2nd Saturday morning of the month from 9-10.

Information is posted in our newsletters, on the Events tab on C.I.T.Y.'s website, & on our

C.I.T.Y. Google Calendar. If you have a suggestion for where to host future playdates,

please contact your Local Leader or email: hello@cityofsupport.org.

Friday, Oct. 8th at 8pm

Everyone is welcome: Moms, Dads, Professionals, Family, Friends!

We will start by talking about our most recent Collaborative Blog Post to get the conversation going: "Favorite Apps and On-the-Go Resources." Unwind at the end of the week, participate in the discussion, learn a little something, and make some connections in this casual format. An RSVP is required, either on the Facebook Event Page ("interested" or "going") or via email if you're not on social media, and a zoom link will be sent out a few hours before the call.

RSVP for our next call on Friday, Oct. 8th at 8:00pm

"The library’s new Accessibility Support Collection of print materials, therapeutic toys and tools was made generously possible by C.I.T.Y. of Support (Children in Therapy and You). C.I.T.Y. of Support donated $10,000 to the library, resulting through community donations.

This newest resource features some 250 items, including books for kids and adults, toys designed to support motor, social, cognitive, visual and auditory skill development, therapeutic and adaptive technology tools and more. The collection provides an opportunity for families and therapists to try out specialized items before purchasing them. The collection was developed for and with feedback from these audiences and can benefit many users."

--Arlington Heights Memorial Library (AHML) Newsletter October 2021

Information about the library celebration is below, and here is the registration link. We hope we will have many parents/families/professionals who support C.I.T.Y. in attendance to demonstrate our presence and commitment in the community. We'd love to see you there!

Comment on September's C.I.T.Y. Close-Up post in our Facebook Group featuring Emma & Lucas by Wednesday night, October 13th at 11:59 pm for YOUR chance to win a photography session in October! A winner will be randomly selected and announced on Thursday,

October 14th. We love to celebrate successes with you (whatever they may be!).

Their mom says,

"These two kiddos never cease to amaze us. Despite the challenges of the last year, they have both grown with grace and tenacity (and only the occasional bout of sibling rivalry!). We couldn’t be prouder of the spectacular unique individuals they have become.”

Thank you to those who shared their advice and expertise with our C.I.T.Y! Find resources and learn strategies from parents and professionals all easily compiled in this one publication. Our quarterly Collaborative Blog Posts are easy to find on our website, so families can have access to a plethora of information with a simple search. Let's continue to work together to make these resources rich and substantive for those seeking answers.

This year, we have scaled back our annual holiday shopping event back to take place on:

ONE WEEKEND ONLY: November 13th-14th.

SAVE THE DATE!

During that time, vendors from these unique online shops will generously donate 10-20% of their sales to C.I.T.Y! You will be supporting small businesses AND our nonprofit, all while finding one-of-a-kind holiday gifts to cross off your list from the comfort of your home!

If you prefer to do some in-person shopping, the Kendra Scott store at Old Orchard Mall has graciously offered to host ANOTHER jewelry-shopping experience at their fabulous location on Saturday afternoon, November 13th from 1:00-3:00. Light refreshments will be served.

No RSVP required--just stop by!

**You might want to start browsing now, but try and make your purchases

during our special weekend, Nov. 13-14th!**

Want to feature your information in one of C.I.T.Y. of Support's monthly newsletters?

Contact us: hello@cityofsupport.org

Our mission is to create a dynamic community, both online and in person, that supports all families navigating the needs of their child in therapy, regardless of diagnosis.

Email: hello@cityofsupport.org
Website: www.cityofsupport.org
Location: 733 Hastings Drive, Buffalo Grove, IL, USA
Phone: (224) 409-7150
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/cityofsupport
Twitter: @cityofsupport