GRG of Brevard May 2014 Newsletter

GRG of Brevard

MAY 2014 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.

ISSUE # 155

WONDERFUL GRANDMA Grandma, you’re so wonderful On Mother’s Day I think of you The unconditional love you give, The sweet and generous things you do You’ve made a difference in my life; I love you more than I can say.

That’s why I give this poem to you’ To wish you

Happy Mother’s Day! One hundred years ago, on May 8, 1914,

the

U.S.

Congress

established the second Sunday of May as Mother’s Day. The next day, President Wilson issued a proclamation urging Americans to display flags “as a public expression of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country”.

Mother’s Day is a time for family celebration, and a chance to honor the important role Mothers, Grandmothers and Aunts play in children's lives.

GRANDMA (græˌmɑ) n.

1 a grandmother 2 a woman who loves unconditionally 3 one who teaches, motivates, and encourages 4 one who gives big warm hugs, tells great stories & bakes cookies -See Also; Saint

OLDER AMERICAN’S MONTH Each May, the nation celebrates Older

Americans

Month

to

recognize older Americans for their contributions and provide them with information healthy

to

and

help

them

stay

active.

This

year,

focusing on injury prevention with the theme Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow!

By the year 2020, the U.S will have more than 55 million adults over the age of 65. Older Americans Month promotes safety across the lifespan.

Older adults are at a much higher risk of unintentional injury and

Administration for Community Living plans to use this opportunity to raise awareness about this critical issue.

By taking control of their safety, older Americans can live longer, healthier lives.

Regular exercise can help protect the body from injuries.

During Older Americans Month and throughout the year, help the older Americans in your life prevent falls and increase their strength and mobility – attend a yoga, water aerobics, or dance class together.

This May, help ensure that YOU have a safe today, and a healthy tomorrow. Safety tips like the ones in the CDC checklist A Home Prevention Checklist for Older Adults http://go.usa.gov/BzXA

even death than the rest of the population. Unintentional injuries to this population result in at least 6 million medically treated injuries and more than 30,000 deaths every year. With a focus on safety during Older

Americans

Month,

the

[Pick the date] [Edition 1, Volume 1]

Page 1

Issue 155

GRG of Brevard

SUMMER CAMP What are your grandchildren doing when school is out for the summer? Have you thought about summer camp?

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren will assist you with summer camp fees. You select the camp, notify GRG of the registration or intent and cost and we will help you with the expense. You will have to supply us with your receipt and a copy of the registration. Please contact the office with the child’s name, your name, and the camp that you have selected with the dates of attendance. 321-631-7776

E-NEWSLETTER Are you interested in receiving an online version of our newsletter rather than a printed version? Please send an email to grg.brevard@gmail.com and include your name, email address and mailing address to insure we update your record accordingly!

Thank you for helping us save on printing costs so that more of each dollar can benefit children and families.

UPCOMING EVENTS! Saturday, May 17th GRG will have a table at SPACE COAST MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY. This event is for the Space Coast to show its appreciation for the veterans and all they have done for us. The hours are from 7:00 AM -5:00 PM at Searstown Mall in Titusville. There will be a 5K run-walk, food booths, marching bands, displays and fun for the whole family.

Sunday, May 18th The Spectrum Resource Committee presents BEYOND THE SPECTRUM, a resource fair from 1-5 PM at Palm Bay Senior Center, 1275 Culver Drive NE. The fair offers new ways you can help your children that are affected with Autism, Aspergers, ADHD and other physical, mental or developmental disabilities. Expert presenters will be there with information on finding new programs that focus on children with special needs. There will be something for everyone at the fair. There will be activities for the children. You can win prizes & services from local vendors.

Parents & caregivers and anyone interested in learning are encouraged to attend this resource fair.

****************************************************************************************************************************************** If you are feeling down and thinking you are the only grandparent raising your grandchildren; you are the only person with that situation…..why not come to a support group meeting! You're Stronger When We're Together!

Come and get support for parenting the second time around!

MAY 2014 ~ SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Thursday, May 8th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting Libscomb Street Community Center 10:00 – 11:30 am.

(This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Tuesday, May 13th – Titusville Support Group Meeting 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Tuesday, May 20th – Central Brevard Support Group (note time change) GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge 9:30 – 11:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Wednesday, May 21st – South Brevard Support Group Meeting (note DAY change) Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Wednesday of each month) Thursday, May 29th – Beach Side Support Group 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)

Page 2

Issue 155

GRG of Brevard

PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES

•Learn where your gas, electric and

FROM THE HEART OF LEXIE

water shut-off locations are for your

When I lived with my mom she did

home, and how to shut them off.

Hurricane Season is coming, what

bad things, such as drugs. That

•Make sure your fire extinguisher is

can you do to prepare for an

brought me down a lot and it also

maintained and family members

emergency?

brought her down. She wasn’t the

know how to use it.

mom she was supposed to be. So

In the event of a natural disaster,

The National Institute of Mental

it is important to follow the direction

Health has a website with helpful

of

grandparents I made my life the

recommendations

what

discussion with children in the event

best it could be. My mom went to a

parents can do to help children and

of a disaster, sharing facts and plans

bad place for a while, then she

adolescents

to keep them safe. However, the

moved away to Texas. All I can do is

and disaster:

CDC also says that seeing repeated

think of the best times we had and

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/to

images in the media over and over

hope she will be okay. I realize it isn’t

pics/copingwith-traumatic-

again may cause distress in children

what happens to you in life. What

events/index.shtml

counts is how you take it, and what

and

local

authorities.

recommends

Have

that

a

parents

The

about

cope

National

with

Child

violence

Traumatic

when

you

I

moved

make

of

in

it.

with

Thank

my

you,

consider limiting the amount of

Stress Network also has a great deal

exposure to these images.

grandmamma & granddaddy for

of information about how to help

•Make sure you identify an “In Case

loving me.

children manage stress related to

of Emergency” in- state and out-of-

Lexie

disasters, community violence or

state

this

Ronnie & Robbie Black

child abuse and neglect. You can

social/case

find additional information here:

contact,

updated

for

and your

keep

worker.

http://www.nctsnet.org/resources/a

•Go over your evacuation plan with

udiences/parents-caregivers/what-

every child who lives with you. Make

is-cts

sure all children know how to call 911.

•Practice your evacuation plan with your family.

•Make sure you are CPR and First Aid trained and certified.

•Put together an emergency supply kit. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends an emergency supply kit for your home and your vehicle. A list of what should be in the

kit

can

be

found

here:

http://emergency.cdc.gov/prepare dness/kit/disasters/ Remember •to rotate your supplies and replace batteries.

YOU NEED TO KNOW: We have received a supply of infant and children’s socks. There are various sizes and colors. Thanks to Dr. Valerie Allen and The National Association of School Psychologists for their generous donation. The socks are first come first served basis. We also have some infant and small children sandals, too. Come to the office if your grandchild needs these items.

In order to stretch your EBT (SNAP) dollars purchase your fruits & vegetables from the Farmer’s Market, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne on Thursday evenings from 3 to 6 p.m.

is

the

granddaughter

of

RENEW YOUR GRG MEMBERSHIP! Don't miss out! Join GRG of Brevard for important support and events focused on informing and improving the lives of relative care families in Brevard County GRG of Brevard provides programs and services to meet the urgent and ongoing needs of grandparents and other relative caregivers raising children at risk.

THANK YOU! A great big THANK YOU to all that attended Target Training. I hope that you were informed about changes and things that are affecting your life. If you missed this session of Target Training; don’t be sad, we will have another session in August and September. Believe me you will learn something new. DCF is making changes as we speak.

Creating a world where children and families are nurtured, valued and safe.

Page 3

Issue 155 Raising Grandchildren Grandparents of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd.

Rockledge, FL 32955

GRG of Brevard NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID MELBOURNE FL PERMIT NO. 495

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 [ ] Aunt / Uncle

Date:

[ ] Sister / Brother

Address:

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

City/State: Zip: Phone: Email: [ ] Annual Membership $20

[ ] 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

Page 4