New Therapeutic Childcare Classrooms in Cincinnati

Some children need additional supports in developing ways to cope with feelings and form positive relationships. Early intervention services provided in a classroom setting ensures they develop critical skills needed for future success in school and life. To meet an increasing need for early intervention and support, CoStars Early Childhood Services recently launched a new Therapeutic Child Care (TCC) program at their Westwood and Madisonville preschool centers. Designed to promote children’s social and emotional development, CoStars Therapeutic Child Care (TCC) integrates quality early care and education with Best Point’s Early Childhood Mental Health expertise. Learn more about this new model of care by clicking here!

5 Ways to Build Resilience Book List

The Joining Forces for Children Early Childhood Channel “Messages of Hope” work group created 5 tip sheets for building resilience with children. These tip sheets outline easy, every day actions that help children build resiliency and develop strong, stable relationships. We know that creating safe, stable nurturing relationships are the key to helping kids overcome life’s challenges. Many librarians started to use these tip sheets in conjunction with story times by pairing the books they read to children w/a tip sheet for the caregiver! This concept was so awesome that we’ve compiled a list of the books that align with the theme of each tip sheet. Click to download the booklist for each tip sheet today!

“Truth & Equity Cincinnati” Documentary Now Streaming

Dr. Wendy Ellis and the Center for Community Resilience partnered with Joining Forces for Children, All In Cincinnati, the University of Cincinnati Center for Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation, Cincinnati Public Schools, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center to create, “America’s Truth: Cincinnati,” a documentary exploring how structural racism in policies and practices harmed four Black communities in Cincinnati. This documentary was created as part of our cross-coalition effort to bring truth and racial healing to our community in 2021. The documentary features many Joining Forces for Children partners, including the Avondale ROOT Ambassadors. The documentary offers a vision for policy and practice transformation in support of racial equity here in Cincinnati and beyond.  You can now view the documentary for free by registering at https://ccr.publichealth.gwu.edu/americas-truth with your email address!

5 Ways to Build Resilience- Now in French!

The Joining Forces for Children Early Childhood Channel “Messages of Hope” work group created 5 tip sheets for building resilience with children. These tip sheets outline easy, every day actions that help children build resiliency and develop strong, stable relationships. The tip sheets are now available in French!

Click here for the French tip sheets/Cliquez ici pour la version Française. French_Tip Sheets

Bouncing Forward Series for Early Childhood Professionals

The Consortium for Resilient Young Children (CRYC) launched a new virtual program for early childhood professionals and families as they balance all the new transitions and stresses from the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on children birth to age 5, CRYC has traditionally offered coaching and consultation services to child care programs. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic- CRYC is expanding access to their programming.

Bouncing Forward is a new set of resources and programming that is flexible and virtual. Bouncing Forward provides opportunities for professionals and parents to gain some practical guidance on lessening the impact of stress and adversity being experienced by so many during this pandemic. For more information or to register for Bouncing Forward events email mlindner@costars.org. Joining Forces is pleased to collaborate with CRYC on this exciting effort!

Parent Conversation Guide

This guide is intended to help professionals engage parents and caregivers in supportive conversations that assess risks and needs, with the ultimate goal of supporting family wellness. Establishing rapport and using the tips outlined on the guide will help build trust, even if the conversation must happen virtually. It may take multiple conversations for parents or caregivers to feel safe enough to share their concerns or ask for help. Across our region, providers have been using these strategies to regularly engage families.

If you have questions about the guide or would like additional training in motivational interviewing basics, please contact the Joining Forces for Children training team at alison.savage@cchmc.org.

Joining Forces for Children Early Childhood Resilience Tip Sheets

The Joining Forces for Children Early Childhood Channel “Messages of Hope” work group created 5 tip sheets for building resilience with children. These tip sheets outline easy, every day actions that help children build resiliency and develop strong, stable relationships. We know that creating safe, stable nurturing relationships are the key to helping kids overcome life’s challenges. Many parents and caregiver will find they’re already doing many of these things! The work group hopes these tip sheets will help parents and caregivers feel confident in helping children build resilience skills.

Thank you to Julie Herrmann MS, LPCC-S, who led the work group through this production process and continues to serve on the Joining Forces for Children Steering Committee.

Co-Regulating: Parenting with Power

Researchers have found that when a person observes the experience of another person, the same areas of the brain light up as the person having the experience. Simply put, mirror neurons are linked to our ability to connect with other’s experiences and develop empathy. This resource lists 5 ways parents and caregivers can help a child deescalate by using a “mirror” technique called co-regulating.

Tips for Parenting at Different Ages and Stages

Parenting a teen is definitely not the same as parenting a newborn! Knowing your child’s developmental needs makes parenting a little easier because it will give you ideas on how to strengthen your relationship with your child at any age. This tip sheet outlines strategies for positive parenting with kids & teens of all ages.