Early Childhood CARES

Children are eligible if:

• Their household already participates in SNAP, TANF or OHP
• They go to a school that offers the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP) and their household meets the income requirements for free or reduced-price meals
• They attend a school that offers the NSLP or SBP and is enrolled in migrant programs, experiencing homelessness, participating in Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, or attending Head Start

About 70% of children will have streamlined access to Summer EBT, but around 30% will need to apply. Summer EBT payments should begin in June of this year.

Check out the ODHS Summer EBT website in Spanish and Summer EBT website in English for more information on the Summer EBT program.

OPRD offers free camping and day-use parking to Oregon foster parents, guardians and parents who have adopted Oregon foster children. The foster children must be present during the park visit. Please note this fee waiver is for state parks only, other campgrounds and parks will still charge you a user fee. If you have any questions about the program or the ID card, please call 1-800-551-6949, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or email us at special.access@oprd.oregon.gov.

More information can be found here.

Complete information, including information on financial assistance, is available here.

With summer fast approaching, it's time for your kids to get their free summer bus passes! All K-12 students in Lane County who attend public schools or private charter schools, or who are homeschooled, are eligible for a free bus pass through Lane Transit District.⁠

⁠

Get your free student bus pass today. Students can stop by their school’s office before summer break to request one. The passes are valid until Oct. 15, and they can be renewed for the next school year!

More information here.

My name is Kristi Stutesman, I am the Program Manager for Families Connected Arc Lane County. I wanted to reach out and introduce myself to those who do not already know me. I am a bio, foster, and adoptive mom. My family has received services from Early Childhood CARES for children in our home for roughly 15 years. My position with the Arc is to provide support and advocacy for parents and families with children who experience a developmental or intellectual disability. I am unique in the fact that I have lived experience as a parent of children with higher support needs. I hope to connect with families prior to transitioning out of your program. We feel we are the next step in support for families utilizing your services. We advocate with parents at IEP/504 meetings, developmental disability services intake process and beyond. We hold parent support meetings, family fun events, and offer free respite twice per month. I am open to suggestions on how to best connect with your families. I am happy to attend meetings, send out program information, ect. I look forward to working alongside you.

Kristi Stutesman

Program Manager Families Connected

Work Cell: 458-867-1885

4181 E Street Springfield Oregon 97478

Website: www.arclane.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1174036092785720 Facebook(Spanish)

https://www.facebook.com/FamiliesConnectedCommunityCalendar/ (English)

The Lane County HUB has compiled useful resource lists for summer meals, camps, home activities, and summer learning on their website. Click here for complete information.

Free & Web-Based for Oregon Parents! Presented by Riverview Center for Growth. All current classes are offered via Zoom and generously funded by the Oregon Health Authority. More information here.

The Riverview Center for Growth is offering a virtual 8-week Collaborative Problem Solving Parenting Class starting on July 9ththat will have a focus on Autism and Developmental Disability. More information here.

The next Lighthouse meeting is Monday, June 10th from 9:30 – 11:00 am at the Early Childhood CARES main office – 1500 W 12th Ave, Eugene 97402. Email kprice1@uoregon.edu or ecparent@uoregon.edu for more information.

When I was still in the hospital recovering from my emergency c-section and the traumatic emotions of delivering a 30 week baby were fresh, I found the social media page called Dear NICU Mama. To say this online community of past and present NICU Mamas saved my life may be a hyperbole, but it did light the flame of hope within me. Reading through the feeds filled with letters and comments of others who had been in my same situation made me feel less alone. I had others who I could turn to who truly understood the depth of emotions I was feeling and the strong pull of grief and despair that was weighing me down.

Once we were discharged I was met once again with an entirely new set of difficult emotions. The fear of taking care of our preemie at home, the fear of introducing our baby to others after they had been kept safe from the outside world for the past two, adjusting to three kids at home and all of the additional medical needs and care taking. I once again turned to Dear NICU Mama to validate my experience and shine hope that things won’t always be like this. It will be easier.

As I write this, my NICU baby is now 18 months old, and I can say that most days it feels like our NICU experience was a lifetime ago. I have been able to grieve, process, and accept what happened to us because of the amazing support I had from the other mothers I met. I have also been able to be a mother who has connected and shared my story of hope with others who are currently in the thick of their storm. Being the lighthouse on the other side has also helped in my own process of healing.

Because of this, I know the importance of connecting with those around you who have gone through the similar traumatic experiences. This connected healing is the driving force of creating Lighthouse. Our goal is to create a place where NICU and families who have faced childhood medical trauma do not have to walk alone.

Kelly is a specialist working for Early Childhood CARES, who acts as a resource and safe space for others who are on the journey to healing after having a child with medical trauma.

Are you looking for a full or part time position working with young children ages birth through five? Early Childhood CARES is seeking qualified candidates to work in our classrooms as Early Childhood Assistants.

Shifts are flexible and can accommodate working parents and provide on the job training as well as scheduled professional development throughout the year. Permanent employees receive a tuition discount at the University of Oregon.

If you are interested scan the QR code for more information on how to apply. Feel free to share with your networks, as well.

Early Childhood CARES provides early intervention and early childhood special education to infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children in Lane County. Services are individually designed to address the needs of the young child with developmental delays or disabilities. All services are free of charge to eligible children

Email: eccares@uoregon.edu
Website: http://earlychildhoodcares.uoregon.edu
Location: 1500 West 12th Avenue, Eugene, OR, USA
Phone: 5413462578
Facebook: facebook.com/earlychildhoodcares