Counselor Connection

ECLC Counselor News

January Group Guidance- Safety!

Hello Parents/Guardians,

Last year Governor Mike DeWine signed Ohio’s Senate Bill 288 into law,

mandating that school districts notify parents about the required curriculum on child

sexual abuse and sexual violence prevention.

Senate Bill 288 requires that school districts provide students in grades kindergarten

through six developmentally appropriate instruction on child sexual abuse prevention,

including information on available counseling and resources for children who are

sexually abused.

During the month of January your child will participate in a lesson about how our bodies are special and how to keep our bodies safe. I will be talking with the students about keeping their body parts private, setting boundaries for their personal space, and who they can talk to if something inappropriate ever happens.

I encourage you to talk with your child about this at home as well so that they know how to keep themselves safe and feel comfortable. Here are a couple of online sources that you can look over to get additional information on how to talk to your child.

· https://brightside.me/inspiration-family-and-kids/7-ways-to-teach-your-child-about-safe-and-unsafe-touch-799198/

· https://www.cfchildren.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/activities/teaching-touching-activity.pdf

· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNTUMNKSNwk

· https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y3JHm524E4

· Great read aloud story option: Only for Me, by Michelle Derrig

Please feel free to contact with me questions or concerns!

Stacy Eberwein

School Counselor

Building Courage in Kids

Believe it or not the scariest things for children aren't spiders or monsters. Not fitting in, not being prepared, change, failure, and the unknown are even scarier. It's important to talk to kids about what it means to be brave and have courage, at a young age. Here are a few picture book idea to help facilitate conversations about bravery and courage. These stories help kids understand that they’re strong, they can cope, and they’re not as fragile and small as they might sometimes feel.

* The Day You Begin

by Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by Rafael López

* Shy

by Deborah Freedman

* True Colors

by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, illustrated by Sarah Walsh

* Little Tree

by Loren Long

RESPECT

Respect is admiring or looking up to someone because that person has done something extraordinary or possesses impressive abilities. Respect is also an act of giving attention or showing care.

It's important to not only to teach respect but we also need model it for young kids.

Check out these online resources for more insight on respect!

https://www.parentingforbrain.com/6-controversial-tips-teaching-kids-respect/

https://aatozz.com/how-to-teach-kids-respect/

Also here are some great books to read with your little ones!

* 'The Recess Queen' by Alexis O'Neil

* 'What If Everybody Did That?' by Ellen Javernick

* 'I Just Don't Like the Sound of No!' by Julia Cook

* 'Whoever You Are' by Mem Fox

Being Mindful

Being a parent is the toughest job out there! But practicing mindfulness can significantly reduce the stress that goes along with it. Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a way of being. Mindfulness is a coping strategy!

Check out this blog on how to practice becoming a more Mindful Parent.

https://www.gottman.com/blog/mindful-parenting-how-to-respond-instead-of-react/

For Parents

Family Resources

Happy Parents make Happy Kids! We all know that parenting is probably the hardest job there is. And with everything you have going on in your busy life it's easy to get overwhelmed and behind on the things you need to get done. This causes added stress which can lead to shortened tempers, feelings of failure, being overwhelmed, experiencing anxiety, and therefore feeling unhappy.

I get it! I've been there too! So in order to keep myself feeling my best, I work to make things easier in other areas where I can! At home, I've been using things like grocery pickup and delivery, packing lunches and meal prepping for the week ahead of time, and laying out clothes for the week on Sunday. Also you can make prioritized to-do lists, and have a visual calendar that the whole family can see! Just small things like these make life easier!

Child Abuse and Safety Resources:

* National Center for Missing & Exploited Children https://www.missingkids.org/

* Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs http://www.wcsap.org/resources-parents-address-childsexual-abuse

* Prevent Child Abuse America http://preventchildabuse.org/resource/child-sexual-abuse-prevention/

* TODAY Parenting Team http://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/10-child-abuse-preventionresources

* National Sexual Violence Resource Center https://www.nsvrc.org/publications/websites/caring-kids-whatparents-need-know-about-sexual-abuse  Childhelp https://www.childhelp.org/story-resource-center/child-abuse-education-prevention-resources/

* Child Welfare Information Gateway https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionprograms/sexualabuse

Free Programs for families:

Connecting for Kids (CFK) provides education and support to families who have concerns about their child. CFK offers FREE educational programs! Check out the link below for all of their fall programming!

https://www.connectingforkids.org/behavior-chat

https://www.connectingforkids.org/Joinus

Music Therapy:

https://connectingforkids.org/music

NRCS FAMILY RESOURCES WEBSITE

The school counseling department has compiled a website full of resources for families. Included are topics such as:

Community Resources
Hardship information
Social/ Emotional support and information
Mental Health support and information
Suicide Prevention information
Behavior supports for distance learning
Information on implementing Ranger STRONG at home

Please go to https://sites.google.com/nrcs.net/nrcsfs/home to access these resources.

Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS)

MRSS is a short-term, intensive community-based support program that can include: safety assessments, de-escalation skill building and linkage to ongoing support. This is a FREE service to Lorain County families with children ages 2-20. Crisis assistance may include: Physical or emotional trauma, substance use concerns, mental health issues, and escalating emotional or behavioral issues. Should you need crisis support please call the 24/7 Crisis Hotline at 888-418-6777. Someone will assist you within 60 minutes of your call.

*Applewood Center

If your child is in need of EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, Applewood Center is available to respond in crisis situations. They can provide in-person crisis assistance at your home within 60 minutes! Contact the Crisis Hotline at 1-888-418-6777

* OHIOGUIDESTONE Behavioral Health Agency

Should you or your child need mental health services, Ohio Guidestone Counseling Services will be available. They have a number of options to provide services to families and individuals. Contact them at: 440-260-6100