GRG of Brevard Newsletter - April 2017

Supporting Relative Caregiver Families of Brevard County, FL April 2017

Support Group Meetings Sometimes our children provide us with challenges that we're just not quite ready to handle. And sometimes support groups can help us find the answers we need, or at least make us feel okay about the unique challenges we're facing.

Friday April 7 – North Brevard Indian River City United Methodist Church, 1355 Cheney Hwy. Titusville 9:30–11:00 am (This meeting is always the first Friday of each month)

Tuesday April 11 – Cocoa Beach Riverside Presbyterian Church 3400 N. Atlantic Ave. Cocoa Beach 9:30–11:00 am (This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month)

Thursday April 13 – Club Esteem Club Esteem 3316 Monroe Street, Melbourne 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month)

Tuesday April 18 – Central Brevard GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge 9:30 -11 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month)

Wednesday, April 19 – South Brevard Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00–7:30pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Wednesday of each month)

Thursday, April 27 – Melbourne Beach Side Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30–11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month)

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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

During this month and throughout the year, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard is dedicated to supporting families to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

Building a Community of Hope

Join us at the 5th National GrandRally: Building a Community of Hope on May 10th in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open!

Join grandparents and other relatives raising children on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the critical role relative caregivers’ play in providing safe, loving, permanent families for children. For relative caregivers from across the country this is an affirmative opportunity to meet each other and know you are not alone.

After the rally, state delegations will meet with their Senators and Representative and to talk about policy help relative caregivers need to effectively support children. We hope you and others from your community will join us! If you can’t attend, you can still help by supporting a delegation of caregivers and by spreading the word! If you have questions, please contact Lou Ann Hawes at grg.brevard@gmail.com or register for the GrandRally webinar to learn more: April 5th 1:00pm–GrandRally: Preparing for Your Trip.

GRG of Brevard volunteer, Lou Ann Hawes, received Eckerd Kids’ “Children’s Hero” award at the organization’s Brevard Walk of Fame event on March 11th. The award recognizes the unsung heroes that have selflessly dedicated their time, talent, and treasure to the youth of Brevard County.

These individuals have made outstanding contributions to our community and who, by their achievements and dedication to their work, inspire tomorrow’s generations!

The gala benefits hundreds of vulnerable and disadvantaged youth in Brevard County through programs that focus on anti-violence, as well as preventing substance abuse, child abuse and neglect.

In addition, this event will also benefit Eckerd Kids’ Family Support Services Program, which rapidly re-houses homeless Brevard families and helps them create a plan to remain housed.

Guests were treated to a delicious dinner, live entertainment, and an unforgettable “Walk of Fame” show featuring the night’s honorees.

Summertime Fun! Children often count the days down to summer vacation, while caregivers are scrambling to find childcare, camps, and other activities to keep children busy. When caring for children in DCF care, there's the added complication of getting permission to participate in these normal childhood activities.

Letting Kids be Kids We understand at times you may feel that caring for a child in DCF custody can be difficult. You may feel there are so many rules and requirements to follow and that getting permission to include your child in certain activities, such as sleepovers and Little League, is a long and complicated process. Many have found it so difficult that they have given up or shied away from trying. As a result, many children in foster care miss out on the developmental benefits, and especially, all of the fun of normal childhood activities. In order for children in foster care to have a more normal childhood, Congress passed the Strengthening Families Act (H.R.4980) on Sept. 29, 2014.

This law is aimed at allowing children and youth in foster care more chances to participate in normal childhood activities by allowing kinship caregivers to make decisions using the “reasonable and prudent parent standard.”

What is the "Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard"?

There are many ways to describe what a reasonable and prudent (careful or cautious) parent would do. Parents who are both reasonable and prudent will make decisions carefully, considering the benefits and the possible dangers, to come to a sensible decision that is in the child's best interest.

When using the “reasonable and prudent parent standard,” caregivers must take “reasonable steps” to decide if an activity is a good fit for a child based on the child’s age, maturity, and abilities.

There are many different ways to decide whether an activity is fit for a child in your care.

The following are a few examples of “reasonable steps” that a caregiver may take:  Have information about the child in your care so you can make informed decisions. If you feel you do not have enough information, you are encouraged to speak with the child’s caseworker.  Think about the type of activity as well as the child’s mental and physical health, and behavioral abilities.  Think about where the activity will be held, who the child is going with, and when they should return.  Think about the potential dangers of an activity and what safety issues and supervision may be needed during the activity in order to prevent possible harm to the child.  Think about all the information you have gathered and ask the question: Is this an age- appropriate activity?

The law allows you, with the appropriate information and training, to make decisions that let kids just be kids. It is in effect now, so please find opportunities for the children in your care to join in activities that will allow them to enjoy their childhood!

E-NEWS for Members Monthly news bulletins for all members who receive our information by email. If you currently receive information by postal service just update your preference to email Please email your updated details to GRG.Brevard@gmail.com Page 2

Victory Kids Sports for Spring & Summer Camp

2017 Merritt Island Elks Kids Fishing Tournament Free Event for Kids ages 3 to 17, 7:30 am May 6th at the Cruise Terminal 3, Port Canaveral, FL. Lots of prizes and free hot dogs, drinks and chips.

Contact Nick Skibba at 321-458-4626 for more information and register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2017merritt-island-elks-kids-fishingtournament-tickets-32452803208

Tips for a Safe Spring Walking and Biking Safety Younger children are learning to become independent. They enjoy walking, riding bikes and playing outside, but they don't have the judgment to cope with traffic by themselves yet. Learn to keep your kids safe when they are on the move.

Sun Safety for Babies Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade under a tree, umbrella or stroller canopy.

Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs, and use brimmed hats.

Signs of Overexposure: Heavy sweating – though if heat stroke sets in, the body can no longer compensate and stops sweating. Pale skin. Muscle cramps.

Feeling tired and weak. Altered mental status (confusion or disorientation). Headache. Becoming semi-conscious or passing out. Nausea or vomiting.

Water Safety Provide touch supervision, meaning that an adult is within arm's reach anytime your young child is in or near water.

At the beach, stay within the designated swimming area and ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard. Be aware of rip currents. If you get caught in a current, don't try to swim against it. Swim parallel to shore until clear of the current.

Be aware that pools may have unsafe drain systems. Supervise children closely.

Never leave your child alone, if you leave– take your child with you.

Enroll children 3 and older in swimming lessons, a lesson doesn’t make your child “drown proof”.

Life guards are NOT baby sitters!

http://www.victorykidsports.org/ Camp Victory is an experience that your child will never forget! Camp Victory allows your child to play recreational sports like flag football, soccer and wacky sports. In addition to sports, your child will tap into their creative arts side via multimedia, S.T.E.M., and crafts.

Ted Whitlock Community Center – 370 Championship Cir NW, Palm Bay http://www.palmbayflorida.org/government/departments/parksrecreation/day-camps/spring-break-camp Big City Basketball Spring Break Camp 8705 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne http://www.coachgartrelle.com/ Kiwanis Island Park - 951 Kiwanis Island Park Dr, Merritt Island, http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Camps/Spring-BreakCamps/Kiwanis-Island-Park-Spring-Break-Camp/Visit.html Lipscomb Community Center – 3316 S. Monroe St. Melbourne lipscombcc@melbourneflorida.org Rodes Park - 3410 Flanagan Avenue, West Melbourne http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Camps/Spring-BreakCamps/Rodes-Park-Spring-Break-Camp/Visit.html South Beach 500 Old Florida Trail, Melbourne Beach http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Camps/Spring-BreakCamps/South-Beach-Spring-Break-Camp/View-details.html Viera Rec Center - 2300 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Camps/Spring-BreakCamps/Viera-Rec-Center-Spring-Break-Camp/View-details.html We have funding for camps - GRG will pay registration fee directly to the camp and you must bring us the receipt.

The Titusville Elks Lodge has once again this year offered to send our grandchildren to summer camp. They will pay for a week of camp for your grandchild. The sleep-away camp is open to boys and girls ages 9 -13. Register online – http://www.floridaelks.org/camper-application Your grandchild will need a physical and current shot record to attend camp. When you come to the payment section please put in Titusville Lodge #2113. If you have any questions or need help, please contact GRG Office 321-631-7776 ask for Karen.

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Healthy eating habits for your grandchildren The love, support and knowledge that grandparents bring to family life is absolutely crucial and too often overlooked and underappreciated. We understand the powerful role that you now play in your grandchildren’s lives. There is something incredibly bonding about cooking together – sharing the same goal, working together, the fun, the mess, and the satisfaction of sitting together afterwards to eat what you’ve both created.

There is no time in life when it is more important to eat healthy food than in childhood as the rate of development and growth is phenomenal. Yet it is often a time when it is hard to eat healthily – the intense marketing of junk food aimed at children, the hidden sugars added to children’s food, unhealthy lunch options in schools and fussy eating to name but a few reasons. And this is now being reflected in the health statistics – the rates of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes are staggering, and getting worse year on year.

One in five children start primary school obese and one in three leave obese, and cases of type 2 diabetes have doubled in children in recent years.

FIVE TOP TIPS FOR CREATING HEALTHY EATING HABITS Replace sugary breakfasts (cereal, toast with jam etc) with oatmeal, mashed banana and cinnamon Reduce fruit juice and soft drinks and replace with water (adding a slice of fruit or cucumber can help make it more interesting) Replace sweetened yogurt with Greek yogurt and berries Reduce sugary processed foods (cakes, ice cream, doughnuts) – with alternatives such as homemade smoothies Use butter rather than margarine – margarine is high in trans fats which are harmful to our health

HELP THE GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN OF GRG OF BREVARD BECOME A MEMBER AND/OR FRIEND Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County FL, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

All gifts are deductible on corporate, foundation and individual tax returns to the extent provided by state and federal laws.

Members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. receive our newsletter and invitations to events where they can meet others in similar situations Name

I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent

Date:

[ ] Aunt / Uncle

Address:

[ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify)

City/State: Zip: Phone: Email:

[ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.

[ ] Annual Membership $20 per family or $10 per caregiver [ ] Annual Corporate Membership $500 I want to be a friend of the GRG of Brevard and enclose an additional donation of: [ ] $25

[ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 Other: $

Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard