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COVID-19

Photo of a child holding a pen and notebook with red text over the image that reads "Self-reflection is scary but necessary for growth."
COVID-19, Intentional, Uncategorized

Set an Intention to Reflect on the Past Year and Allow Yourself to Grow and Move On

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Set an Intention to Reflect on the Past Year and Allow Yourself to Grow and Move On. Guest Blogger Craig Dobson, Team Lead Beyond the Classroom Reflection is a healthy, appropriate activity for you and your family to complete regularly. This might be something you do on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. You may also find that you are too busy to even make dinner between work, school, and activities, let alone time to reflect on your day. But intentional, mindful reflection is so important and can have a big positive impact on your life.   When we reflect, it helps our brain connect our memories to our emotions and provides valuable perspective on our experiences. Regular reflection helps us to understand why a situation happened the way that it did and what we can learn from it. This is all part of the learning experience. If you set an intention to allow your mind time for reflection you are more likely to have less stress, reduce resentment over past situations, and increase positive emotions.  Thinking about life since the pandemic began until today, here are some powerful questions to ask yourself. How often are you reflecting on your life? Do you have a conversation with your children about self-reflection? Do you have conversations about COVID-19 with your children? Are you both sick of hearing about it? What are your children sharing about how they feel?  If your children are younger, do they remember before March 2020, aka “the before times”? Do you? What strengths have they been using to cope?  What strengths has your family relied on this year? As a parent, what is something you learned about yourself as a parent?  What is something you are proud of from this past year? Set aside some time to reflect on these questions. Use a journal or a notes app on your phone to jot them down. This allows you to be intentional about your reflections. Someday you also may want to go back and read some of your reflections 10, 20, 30, or 50 years from now and remember “What was it like to live through and experience Covid-19 in 2020-21.” Of course, you might not want to, as well. In fact, you may want to throw these reflections and the whole year right in the trash. The power of reflection time is allowing your mind space to sort, embrace, and deal with your emotions. The past year has brought sadness, pain, anger and regret to many. If you are feeling this way, do this activity slowly, give yourself grace, and permission to step away from your reflection, and return when you are mentally ready.  “Self-reflection is scary but necessary for growth.”

COVID-19

Beech Acres Parenting Center to Implement New Virtual Service Delivery Initiative Thanks to a Generous Grant From Bi3

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Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we found ourselves needing to accelerate plans to implement a technology-based solution to continue to serve families in the community with the highest level of service possible. Thanks to bi3 for supporting our investment in a Learning Management System with a generous grant of $50,000! This new system will allow us to expand our reach and serve more kids and families. Because of this grant, we will be able to meet parents, families, and children where they are at and where they need us most. The new Beech Acres Parenting Center Learning Management System is made possible in part by a grant from bi3.

Photo of an indoor playset with a slide with children running and playing in it
Adoption, COVID-19, Foster Care

One Family Builds Creativity and Perseverance During the Pandemic

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We LOVE the creativity and perseverance of our foster care families!  Check out how one family is finding a way to have some FUN during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Ryans built these amazing play spaces for their kiddos to enjoy inside and outside! Chris & Kim Ryan talked to us about their adventure in creativity. Looks like you found a way to have fun while you’re stuck at home during quarantine? Tell us what inspired you to be creative during this time. On March 7, two more littles joined our household bringing our kid count to 6 ages 13, 11, 3, 3, 2, and 1. When everything began closing and the shelter at home order went into effect, my husband and I began thinking of ways to turn our playroom into a PLAYroom.  We started talking and saying, “what if” and “wouldn’t it be neat if”.  It didn’t take us long to make the jump from thinking about it to acting on it. We decided what we’d like to see in the room, made a plan, and started building!  It has been wonderful to have a place that our little ones (and the bigger ones too!) can burn off some energy without worrying about the weather or germs. In August, we had two more children join us, ages 8 and 2.  After several months of limited activity, we again knew it was time to better utilize the space that we had.  This time it was the backyard.  We again started dreaming and searching the internet for ideas.  We found a set of plans that fit what we wanted and we started building.  The outdoor playset has turned our backyard into a neighborhood hot spot and it has been amazing to see all the kids playing together until dark, being creative and inventing games, and just being kids. How are the kiddos holding up during this extraordinary time? We have kept things as normal as possible for the whole family.  The older kids felt the impact of life changes due to Covid the most but we strived to find ways to give them balance and make the time at home full of positive memories.  For our little ones, it was life as usual.  They did well with the switch to tele-visits and enjoyed having the big kids around to play with them more. 🙂 November is National Adoption Month. What would you say to families considering opening up their homes and hearts to kids in need?  If you are thinking about opening your home to children in need, contact an agency (Beech Acres is amazing!)…ask the questions you have. We are so glad to be part of the Beech Acres family and truly appreciate the support and training they provide. Seek out those who have already opened their homes and talk to them…This journey isn’t always the easiest, there are times of tears and heartache but there is also much joy! If I may quote an old Nike advertisement, “Just Do It” November is National Adoption Month. Click here to learn more about foster care and adoption.

Photo of a young girl typing on a computer keyboard while looking at a computer screen
ADHD, COVID-19

Remote Learning Tips for Students With ADHD

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NEW! Learn more about ADHD with this five-day text-based course. Parenting Tips for Remote Learning for Students with ADHD Children with ADHD need routines in their lives. This routine may be more difficult to maintain during remote learning. However with some simple tips, your student can succeed with distance learning.  Create simple routines throughout the day. Foster independence so you don’t take on the task of being the “homeschool” police. Set up schedule for the right time of day and length of time for learning.  Create a balance of learning and free time to increase motivation based on your child’s age. Use the best tool and resources available to you even if you don’t have any background in teaching.  References  Keeping Kids with ADHD in “Study Mode” by ADDITUDE Magazine Strategy and Support for ADHD & LD Ann Dolan, M. Ed

Photo of. young girl wearing a face mask with mermaids on it
COVID-19, Uncategorized

Help Your Children Become Comfortable Wearing Masks To Protect Themselves and Others

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Wear A Mask To Protect Yourself and Others Among the most significant impacts the coronavirus pandemic has had on our culture has been the shift to wearing face masks to protect ourselves and those around us. While wearing a mask is not uncommon in other parts of the world, specifically in regions that have previously battled respiratory outbreaks such as SARS or MERS, the concept is relatively new for Americans. Recent surges in the number of cases and the latest science have The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging all Americans to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As states look toward the start of a new school year, many, including Ohio are also imploring their residents to wear masks. The fact is wearing a face mask is a big change and can be inconvenient, uncomfortable, and a little scary, especially for kids. Consider how you feel about wearing a mask to the grocery store, the bank, or anywhere you’re going to be around others. Your child’s anxiety and confusion are likely much worse. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are currently “advising the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.” Wearing a mask, along with social distancing, is important to mitigating your risk of being exposed to or spreading the virus. Your kids, like you, are probably ready to get out of the house, so before you head to the store, or out to exercise, or anywhere you are going to be around others, prepare your kids to wear their mask safely and to be ready to see others wearing masks. Pro tip: Model the behavior you are seeking to create. If wearing a mask is important to you, make sure you are wearing yours as well.  Prep Your Younger Kids Start by checking out photos of different types of masks. You may be wearing a mask you purchased online, a friend or family member made for you, or even one you made yourself, but it’s a good idea to familiarize your younger child with masks. Look up characters in movies like Batman, Spider-Gwen, or Darth Vader. Explain that they may see lots of different types of masks but explain to them that whatever the mask looks like the person is wearing it to protect themselves and you. Explain to them why you are wearing a mask. It is essential that they understand the risks of getting sick and how a mask may protect you and your family. This may be a good opportunity to discuss your family’s values of health, safety, and respect. After all, one of your main goals as a parent is to keep your children safe and healthy. Also remember that kids are great at overusing their strength of creativity to create their own stories that may be far scarier than reality.  Finally, have them try their mask on a favorite doll or stuffed animal before trying it on themselves. Make sure they are comfortable wearing their mask and keeping it on for the amount of time you will be out. This PDF from Affinity Consulting can help. Pro tip: Masks with their favorite characters, familiar design, or favorite colors can help your child feel more comfortable wearing their masks.  Make Sure Your Tweens, Pre-Teens, and Teenagers Are Safe Your older children probably have a better understanding of how viruses are transmitted and may know more about the severity of the current pandemic. They may also have more anxiety because of this. Start by having a conversation with them about the pandemic and make sure you are sharing as many easy to understand facts as you can. Answer their questions and offer reassurance where you can. Make sure they understand how to put on and remove their masks safely. Make sure they only touch the straps or ear hooks. If they touch their masks or are wearing a bandana or buff-type cover, make sure they wash their hands for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer immediately afterward. Finally, if your teen leaves a trail of their possessions across the floor when they come home (their backpack, their shoes, their coat, their keys, their phone) they are probably going to toss their mask as soon as they walk in their door. Make sure they don’t leave their masks lying around. Either throw away disposable masks or wash cloth ones regularly. Pro tip: Keep your conversations brief and to the point while addressing any questions they may have. While this is important you want to make sure your child is not overwhelmed.  Getting Back To The New Normal Social distancing, caution, and masks are likely going to be part of our lives for a while as we learn more about COVID-19 and move toward decreasing the spread or finding a vaccine. As government restrictions, including stay-at-home orders, are lifted you may find your family getting “back to normal”. This may include going shopping, attending church, going out to eat, attending camp, or playing sports. This may put them in situations where they are wearing their masks for extended periods of time and where they are around others. Make sure they understand if they need a break from their masks, take a few GIANT steps away from everyone else, safely remove the mask using the straps or ear hooks, and take a break. Before they are near others, make sure they put their mask on correctly and wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. Wearing a mask in public can help mitigate the risk of spreading droplets that may contain the coronavirus or other infections. While it may be different and scary, it is an important and responsible way to protect your family and those you may encounter. Having open conversations with your children, answering their questions and addressing their fears, and making sure they are comfortable

Photo of a woman hugging a young girl as they both cry
COVID-19, Grief, Parenting Tips, Uncategorized

A Family Guide to Dealing With Loss and Grief

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A Family Guide to Dealing With Loss and Grief Guest Blogger: Christy Honschopp LISW-S There is no right or wrong way to grieve but there are healthy ways to deal with the grieving process- these tips and information may be able to help. What Is Grief? Grief is a natural response to loss. It’s the emotional suffering you feel when something or someone you love is taken away-often the pain of loss is overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of different and unexpected emotions from shock or anger to disbelief, guilt, and profound sadness. The pain of grief can also disrupt your physical health making it difficult to sleep-eat or even think straight. These are normal reactions to loss- and the more significant the loss the more intense your grief will be. Coping with the loss of someone or something you love is one of life’s biggest challenges. You may associate grieving with the death of a loved one which is often the most intense type of grief-but any loss can cause grief including: Divorce or a relationship break-up Loss of health Losing a job Loss of financial stabilization A miscarriage Retirement Death of a pet Loss of a cherished dream Loss of safety after a trauma Selling or losing the family home The Grieving Process Grieving is a highly individual experience- there is no right or wrong way to grieve. How to grieve depends on many factors. Depending on your personality and coping style, your life experience, your faith and how significant the loss was will determine how you will mourn your loss. Inevitably the grieving process takes time. Healing happens gradually; it can’t be forced or hurried and there is no ”normal” timetable for grieving. Some people start to feel better in weeks or months. For others, the grieving process is measured in years. Whatever your grief experience its important to be patient with yourself and allow the process to unfold naturally. How To Deal With The Grieving Process While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life there are ways to help cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief and eventually find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life. 1. Acknowledge your pain 2. Accept that grief can trigger many different unexpected emotions 3. Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you. 4. Seek out face to face support from people who care about you. 5. Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically. 6. Recognize the difference between grief and depression. The Stages of Grief Elizabeth Kubler Ross in 1969 introduced what became known as the stages of grief. She based her work on studies she conducted with patients facing terminal illnesses but many people have generalized the stages to other negative life changes and experiences/losses. The 5 stages of grief were outlined as follows: 1. Denial- This can’t be happening to me 2. Anger- Why is this happening to me- who is to blame? 3. Bargaining- Make this not happen and in return I will_____? 4. Depression- I am too sad to do anything 5. I’m at peace with what happened If you are experiencing any of these emotions following a loss it may help to know that your reaction is natural and that you will heal in time. However, not everyone who grieves goes through all of the stages- and that’s okay. Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to go through each stage in order to heal. In fact, some people resolve their grief without going through any of the stages. And if you do go through these stages of grief, you probably won’t experience them in neat sequential order, so don’t worry about what you “should” be feeling or which stage you are supposed to be in. Kubler Ross herself never intended these stages to be a rigid framework that applies to everyone who mourns. She made a point of saying before her work ended to say there is not a typical response to loss as there is no typical loss. Our grieving is as individual as our lives. Use of Social Media to Grieve Memorial pages on Facebook and other social media sites have become popular ways to inform a wide audience of a loved one’s passing and to reach out for support. As well as allowing you to impart practical information such as funeral plans, these pages allow friends and loved ones to post their own tributes or condolences. Reading such messages can often provide comfort for those grieving the loss. It is important to be aware that posting sensitive content on social media has some inherent risks. There have been cases where well-intended people have posted opinions or comments that were insensitive and inappropriate and likewise, trolls have been known to post cruel and abusive messages on memorial pages. It is recommended that to gain protection a closed Facebook group be created for memorial purposes where people have to be invited to post comments on the site. Taking Care of Yourself When you are grieving it is more important than ever to take care of yourself. The stress of a major loss can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through a difficult time. Face your Feelings Express your feelings in a tangible or creative way Try to maintain your hobbies and interests. Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either Plan ahead for grief triggers i.e. anniversaries, holidays, birthdays and other milestone dates. Look after your physical health What If Grief Lingers? As time passes following a significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, its normal for feelings of sadness, numbness and anger to gradually ease. These and other difficult emotions become less intense as you begin to accept the loss and start to move forward with your life. However, if

Photo of a mother clapping as her daughter washes her hands
COVID-19, Parenting Tips

Talking To Your Kids About Coronavirus

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Talking To Your Kids About Coronavirus Guest Blogger Kerry Brown, Parent Connext Parenting Specialist, Beech Acres Parenting Center Uncertain Times During these uncertain times, it might feel overwhelming to share information about COVID-19 with your children. As parents, we sometimes think we are protecting by not telling them about scary things; as if shielding them will protect them from the bad feelings or discomfort in this stressful time. In reality, our children pick up on far more than we give them credit for. This is why it is important to share information with them but in an age-appropriate manner. Clarify Facts for Your Kids Sharing facts about COVID-19 can be done in a non-threatening way and actually alleviate some misconceptions they may have created in their minds by not telling them. When children hear something they don’t understand, they tend to create a story that makes sense to them. For example, I worked with a 6-year-old patient in the hospital who had edema. When I assessed his understanding of why he was in the hospital, he thought he had a demon in his body. He had heard the word edema said by the medical staff and his parents, but he had no context for that word, so the word that he did have a context for was a demon. Sometimes a child’s interpretation can be far more terrifying than if we had just explained what was going on. Start The Conversation If you have not had a conversation with your child about coronavirus or COVID-19, start with asking what they have heard about why we are staying home, or if they’ve heard the words coronavirus or COVID-19. If so, ask what they know and if they are wondering about anything. If not, start by explaining that it is a disease or illness that can make people feel sick. Coronavirus is very contagious. Contagious means it can spread or be shared between people very easily when we cough or sneeze. For kids, the virus has mostly been mild or not really bad, but it can be harder for older people (like grandma or grandpa) or people who are already sick, so to help keep them healthy and safe, we are staying home to not share or spread germs.   Explain What You CAN Do There are things we can do and ways we can help, and one is by washing our hands a lot and sneeze or cough into our elbows. It’s also important to keep things clean, like doorknobs, faucets, tables, and counters. You can help at home by helping clean and keep your hands clean. You can also help by making cards for family members we aren’t able to see, or writing notes with chalk on the sidewalk to neighbors. We can also write thank you notes for doctors, nurses, grocery store staff, or anyone who still has to go to work to help us stay safe and healthy. Ask your child what they might want to do to help people feel better. Here are some links for great resources on talking with your children: Resources https://beechacres.org/beech-roots/ https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/02/28/809580453/just-for-kids-a-comic-exploring-the-new-coronavirus https://www.facebook.com/tellnowhitelies/videos/234834407639510/UzpfSTEyMDM5ODYxMTc6MTAyMjI3NjE2OTEzMjk5MTY/

Photo of a mother turning on a sink faucet as her two children hold out their hands to wash them
COVID-19, Parenting Tips

Talking to Your Children About The Coronavirus: Tips from Margaret R. Mauzé, PhD, ABPP

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Talking to Your Children About The Coronavirus Guest Blogger: Margaret R. Mauzé, PhD, ABPP Emotions are running high. Schools are closed. People are working from home and uncertainty about the next few days and weeks is at an all time high. As adults, many of us are feeling the stress that comes from so many unknowns. For children and teenagers, stress levels may be even higher as they are out of their routines, not able to see their friends and not able to go many places. Below are some tips on how to talk to your children and teenagers about Coronavirus and how to cope with the days and weeks ahead. Preschoolers and Kindergarteners Provide your children with basic facts and information that they are likely to understand. You can explain very simply that there are many germs around and to help stop the spread of these germs, schools are closed and people are staying home to try to keep everyone healthy. Emphasize the importance of handwashing. There are some fun experiments online you can find that show how well soap works at repelling different substances. Elementary School Children Children in elementary school have a better understanding of how germs spread and some of the risks associated with becoming ill. Answer your children’s questions with fact based information and focus on what you as a family are doing to help minimize the spread of germs, by staying home, washing hands and not visiting with friends or family. Adolescents Between their overall understanding of germs and access to social media, online materials, and so forth, adolescents may have the most information of the children in your house. Help them to distinguish between fact-based information versus fear-based information. The Center for Disease Control website (cdc.gov) has a helpful list of facts versus myths. Focus on what information we do know and again, emphasize what we can do to help keep our loved ones and ourselves healthy. Validate Emotions Individuals of all ages may be feeling anxious or nervous about the uncertainty around us. If your children express fear, anxiety, anger or frustration, validate those feelings. Let them know that it’s okay to feel this way. You can acknowledge your own feelings (“I’m frustrated we can’t go see our friends too. I feel nervous about this sometimes too”) and share with your child or teen how you are managing that feeling (“When I feel myself getting frustrate, I go for a walk. I stop reading news stories when I feel myself worrying.”) Remain Open and Available for Questions or Thoughts As the situation with coronavirus continues to unfold, your children and teens may have questions at various times. Let them know you are available to talk with them anytime they need it. Minimize Exposure to News and Social Media The news is very focused on Coronavirus. Social media sites are overwhelmed with photos of empty toilet paper aisles and rumors about how long things will be shut down. This can increase anxiety. Be careful about watching the news in front of your children and teenagers. Minimize time and exposure even to reputable sites like the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. Older children and teenagers may slip into the rabbit hole of reading story after story or sharing online information with their friends. Encourage them to limit their exposure and to come to you, not other kids, with questions or concerns. Establish a Routine One way to manage anxiety is to focus on what you can control. Stick to your schedule. Keep waking up at the same time. Get dressed everyday. Encourage regular, consistent bedtimes and rest times. Encourage children and teens to engage in academic activities first, perhaps while you work from home, and then do fun activities when academic activities are finished. Try to implement positive family time into this period at home. Maybe everyone plays a game together after dinner or watches a favorite show or movie. Get Outside Exercise keeps us healthy physically and emotionally and breaks up the monotony. Go for family walks or runs. Take a family bike ride. Play soccer or baseball in your yard. If it rains, go play in the puddles with your little ones. Do family yoga together. Have a family dance party while making dinner. Get your bodies moving to help decrease stress and anxiety. Identify Social Outlets Isolation is hard. We are social creatures and for older kids and adolescents their social group is extremely important. Allow for Face Time or texting times for teens to be in touch with their friends. Encourage phone calls or Skype for kids. As always, you want to be cautious about screen time limits and be aware of with whom your kids are interacting but recognizing and enabling your kids to connect with their friends while distancing themselves physically is important. Monitor Your Own Emotions Our kids are watching and listening to us all the time. If you are panicking, they likely will too. If you are demonstrating good self-care, by staying physically active, sticking to a routine and managing your own emotions in a healthy way, they will follow this too. These are trying times but the more you try to keep your own emotions in check, the more you show your children how to do the same. Keep Your Perspective Is life challenging right now? Yes. Is it inconvenient for everyone? Absolutely. But we have been given the unexpected gift of slowing down together as a family and finding some time together. Show grace to those around you. Smile at people in line at the grocery store. If you are out walking, greet your neighbors enthusiastically. Try to embrace this time together as a family to carve out enjoyable time with each other. However, if you or your family members are experiencing anxiety that feels hard to control or out of proportion to the situation, contact your pediatrician or medical provider for additional resources. Remember that our current situation

Multi-colored Beech Acres Parenting Center Strength Spotting Certificate
character strengths, COVID-19, Natural Strength Parenting™, Parenting Tips, Parents

Strength Spotting Certificate

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Everyone has their own individual unique strengths inside them (24 to be exact!). While you may be home with your children why not set an intention to spot your kid’s strengths and let them know when you see them using them? This strengths-based approach helps your child build resilience and be more confident. Start by learning more about the 24 character strengths by completing the VIA Character Strengths Survey with your family. Once you know your child’s strengths, take the time to be aware of those strengths and point them out every time you see your child using them. Download and print our Strength Spotting Certificate as an easy way to recognize and celebrate your child’s strengths. Want to learn more about a strengths-based approach to parenting? Visit our website to learn more about Natural Strength Parenting, our unique approach to parenting.

A Message to Our Community graphic for BAPC
COVID-19

A Message To Our Community

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To our community of Greater Cincinnati & beyond, we’re here for you. Beech Acres Parenting Center remains committed to the parents, children, students, teachers, schools, and families we serve, as well as to the physical and mental well-being of our clients, partners, and of course our own employees. During this time of uncertainty, we draw on the unique strengths of our individual staff members and teamwork to persevere. To protect the health of our employees and everyone we work closely with, Beech Acres Parenting Center has moved to a “virtual” service delivery method where appropriate in all areas of our business. Parent Connext™ Parent Connext™ is committed to supporting you, especially during this challenging time. Parenting Specialists are available to support parents with your specific parenting challenges. During this time, we invite parents to meet virtually with their Parenting Specialists. Virtual sessions can be done over the phone or via video chat. Parents who have experienced one of these options, have found these methods of connecting to be supportive and have appreciated the flexibility and ease of engaging with their specialists virtually. We’ve added complimentary parent coaching for front line responders from TriHealth as well as all TriHealth patients.  Contact Katie Helmes at khelmes@beechacres.org or 513.233.4715 to get connected. Foster Care and Adoption Our Foster Care and Adoption teams are committed to serving currently engaged families wherever they are in the process. To comply with governmental recommendations to limit the spread of the coronavirus, we will be piloting online training sessions until we can resume in-person sessions safely. Current Foster Care families should continue to monitor their email inboxes for updated information and are encouraged to stay in touch with their social workers. For those not currently engaged with our Foster Care and Adoption teams, but curious about fostering, now is a great time to learn more. Get started by visiting our website or contacting Ryshel Bowling at rbowling@beechacres.org. Kinship Connections If you are a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other relative taking care of a loved one’s child full-time… we are here for you! Our in-person Kinship Connections groups have been postponed for now to comply with government recommendations to limit the spread of the coronavirus. We believe safety is especially critical to protect our brave grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren! All groups will continue virtually, and any new kinship caregivers who would like to join us are welcome.  Please visit our website and watch our social media for more information. Our Kinship Connections team is available to support and help you navigate kinship parenting. Visit our website or connect with Dawn Merritt, at 513-233-4846 or DMerritt@BeechAcres.org. Parent Enrichment Program Currently, our in-person Parent Enrichment Program classes have been postponed to comply with governmental recommendations to limit the spread of the coronavirus. We are working closely and taking guidance from Hamilton County’s Job and Family Services. Our staff is reaching out to our clients individually. Beyond The Classroom Families currently receiving services through Beech Acres Parenting Center at your child’s school have the option to meet with our providers by phone, or virtually. We have recently implemented telehealth (telephone, online) options for those who have been meeting in-person with our staff. Additionally, team members will be available to help families access other community resources if needed. We are following all governmental recommendations as well as the advice of medical professionals. We are committed to ensuring continued support and care for students currently receiving services and making sure the needs of families are also met. Current services available include: Therapists are providing virtual counseling via phone and telehealth options. Team Leads are reaching out to assess family and school needs. Team members are helping families navigate resources and helping with community relief efforts. Our medical team is available to meet behavioral health medication needs.  We invite you to contact the Beech Acres Parenting Center Team Lead in your child’s school to learn more. The Character Effect™ The Character Effect™ Specialists remain committed to the self-care of teachers and to the social and emotional needs of students in schools where we serve. If you have any questions or concerns or just need a mindful moment, please reach out to your TCE Specialist or visit our website at www.thecharactereffect.org Parents We understand that you and your family may be dealing with a heightened level of anxiety based on the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus/COVID-19. With school closings, job losses, work from home mandates, and government requirements, many families find themselves at home together with lots of time on their hands.  It can be very stressful…and also enriching. See this as an opportunity to connect with your family in new ways! Each day we will share activities you can do together and mindful moments you can do for yourself. Beech Acres Parenting Center was built on a foundation of hope during a public health crisis over 170 years ago. Since then we’ve evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of parents, families, and children and remain committed to doing so. During this challenging time, we believe that every parent and family has the strength to persevere. Set an intention today to be more mindful of the gifts of your children and yourself, and how you can use this national crisis to strengthen your family’s resilience. We will be here to support you on your journey. With gratitude, The Beech Acres Parenting Center Team Blog Newsletter Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Linked In

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