GRG of Brevard November 2014

GRG of Brevard

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

ISSUE # 161

HAPPY THANKSGIVING Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard wishes each and every one of you a Happy Thanksgiving! This is a time to be very thankful for our grandchildren being able to live safe in our homes. It is also a time to thank each and every one of you for the great job you are doing in keeping the children safe. Pat yourselves on the back!

You deserve it; you are doing a great job!

As part of this organization each of you have given me so much that I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for being a part of my family.

Mary Ann Sterling Family Time Make the Thanksgiving about more than cranberry sauce. Spend time with your grandchildren, pass on traditions or make new ones!

7 Turkey Crafts for Thanksgiving These easy turkey crafts for kids are colorful, inexpensive, and most of all, a whole lot of fun to make. http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/holidayactivities-and-crafts/turkey-crafts

HOLIDAY NEWS! GRG of Brevard will have a limited amount of holiday meal assistance for Thanksgiving and Christmas; please sign up early at the office or support group meeting to ensure availability.

If you are in need of holiday assistance for your grandchildren you will need to complete an application. Applications are available at the GRG of Brevard office or at the Support Group Meetings. You need to turn it in as soon as possible!

Please contact us at 321-631-7776 with grade/age/gender of child(ren) first name of child, grandparent’s name, clothing size, and wish list.

GRG of Brevard’s Children’s Christmas Party will be Saturday, December 13, 2014 at Kiwanis Island Park, Merritt Island. The party will be from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. We will provide the meats and the drinks. You bring a covered dish to complete the meal.

Please contact the office with the number of family members attending so we will be sure to have plenty to eat!

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

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Issue 161

GRG of Brevard

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.

THANK YOU! With the recent grant funding from Brevard Family Partnership and Brevard County CBO GRG of Brevard will enabled grandparents to give safe haven to their grandchildren.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! SENIOR COUNSELING with Cliff Valentine If you are feeling all alone, thinking that you are the only person in this situation, thinking that you failed as a parent….STOP! You are not alone. Call the office 631-7776 and make an appointment to have a session with Cliff Valentine. Cliff Valentine, LMHC, has volunteered his time each Friday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Each session lasts an hour and is held at our office located at 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge, FL. Please call (321) 631-7776 to schedule an appointment.

FREE DENTAL CARE EVENT The Brevard County Dental Society is participating in the American Dental Association’s annual event for improving access to care for children. The screening for this event will take place on the following dates:  Friday, January 30, 2015, 8:30 am -3:30 pm at the Melbourne Health Department  Tuesday, February 3, 2015 8:30 am-3:30 pm at the Rockledge Health Department  Thursday, February 5, 2015 8:30 am-3:30 pm at the Rockledge Health Department  Friday, February 6, 2015 8:30 am -3:30 pm at the Titusville Health Department THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR EXAMINATION & TREATMENT Your child may qualify if the following applies; Your family is financially disadvantaged, Your child does not have dental insurance , Your child is not currently under the care of a dentist, Your child does not qualify for Medicaid coverage or Florida Healthy Kids, Your child is between the ages of 3-17.

YOU MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO BE SEEN. Contact Kandace at the Brevard County Dental Society at 636-1820 or bcdssectary@msn.com for more details or to schedule the appointment.

You're Stronger When We're Together! Come and get support for parenting the second time around!

NOVEMBER 2014 ~ SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Tuesday, November 11th – 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) Thursday, November 13th – 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, November 18th – Central Brevard Support Group GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge 9:30 -11:00 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Wednesday, November 19th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting 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, November 20th – Beach Side Support Group Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) PLEASE NOTE: Date change due to Thanksgiving this meeting is usually held the last Thursday of the month.

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Issue 161

GRG of Brevard

ACCESS FLORIDA

LEGACY CLUB

30 DAYS OF GIVING

You just submitted your application for Access Florida Assistance, what’s next?

It may take up to 30 days to process your application (longer if you need a disability determination) Please allow 5 days before you contact us with questions.

Step 1: Your application is being reviewed to see if you need and interview.

If you need an interview: We will call you within 5 days at the phone number you provided. If we can’t reach you we will leave a message & send a notice with our contact information Step 2: You may need to provide additional information.

We will give or send a notice to you showing what is needed.

Step 3: Your information is received and your application is being processed.

Your needs are important and we want to ensure every family receives the correct benefit, but it may still take up to 30 days to finish your application (longer if you need a disability determination).

Step 4: Your eligibility is determined.

If you are eligible for: Food Assistance or Cash Assistance: You will receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card by mail within a few days.

If you are eligible for Medicaid: You will receive a Medicaid gold card in the mail If you are not eligible for one or all benefits: You will receive a notice in the mail and in your MYACESSS Account explaining the reasons why you are not eligible

The Legacy Club is a program for Brevard residents 55 and older. Legacy Club members will have free (65 and older) or reduced (55 to 64) admission, on a space available basis, to Brevard Public schools athletic events (excluding FHSAA playoff games) as well as musical and theater performances.

In addition, all members will have access to free Lecture and Learning events throughout Brevard County.

During the month of November the Kennedy Space Center is offering 70% off admission to all Brevard County residents. Every day in November the adult admission will be $15.00 and children admission will be $10.00.

(Normal admission is $50 & $40).

You will need to bring a nonperishable food item and proof and residency.

You need to fill out an application to become a member of the Legacy Club.

Applications are available at the GRG of Brevard office or the Brevard County School Board. If interested, call 321-631-7776 or come by the office.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE (provided by IMPOWER, Inc.) Brevard County has one of the highest rates of parental substance abuse in the State of Florida. In fact, between July 2013 & June 2014, more than 5,000 intake reports involving substance abuse affecting nearly 3,700 of Brevard’s children were conducted by the Department of Children and Families. To better address these high incidences of substance abuse and positively impact the lives of children and families involved in Brevard County’s Dependency System, IMPOWER recently designed and implemented a new model for case management services.

Admission includes the new Space Shuttle Atlantis, Kennedy Space Center Tour, Shuttle Launch Experience, Astronaut Encounter, IMAX movies, Exploration Space and the U. S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

PASSING OF A FRIEND Amy Oliver passed away on Sautrday, October 25th. She was a loving grandmother and a dedicated volunteer and member of GRG of Brevard.

Amy will be truly missed! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Oliver family.

ATTENTION MEMBERS This is a special request to all grandparents raising their grandchildren. Please try to attend our support group meetings. We have speakers with very helpful information and hope that you will consider coming to these events.

If we have assisted you in anyway, please come and share how we have helped you and tell us how this assistance has provided much needed information to help you in the rearing of your grandchildren.

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Issue 161 Raising Grandchildren Grandparents of Brevard County, FL, Inc. 123 Barton Blvd., Suite 102 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 Date: Address:

I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle [ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify)

City/State: Zip: Phone:

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

Email: [ ] 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

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