Parent Resource Guide Highlands County 2015 April - United Way of Central Florida

Parent A Special Publication of

Resource Guide Sunday, April 26, 2015

Read to them every day.

TRIPLE THEIR CHANCES OF GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

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Look inside to find out how to win $100 to shop at

United Way of Central Florida

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UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

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What is United Way Success By 6?

Success By 6 is an initiative to make early childhood development a top priority in Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties.

Success By 6 is mobilizing communities to ensure that all children, by the age of 6, have the physical, emotional, social, and mental foundation to succeed in school and life.

The Hardee/Highlands/Polk initiative, founded in 1995 by Carol Jenkins Barnett of Publix Super Markets Charities and spearheaded by United Way of Central Florida, brings together resources from a partnership of private businesses, government, religious groups, educators, and health and human service organizations.

These organizations are working together to improve our communities and give all children the chance to succeed in school and life.

Why do we need Success By 6? A critical path is laid in the first few years of life. Children who start behind usually stay behind.

could generate a 12 percent public rate of return. If children don’t develop properly when they are young, they are more likely to drop out of school, go to jail, become a teen parent and/or require government assistance.

This results in higher taxes and less personal safety. If we don’t take action now, we will continue to create a permanent segment of society who cannot participate fully in community life.

Success By 6 is people in business, government, labor, education, and health and human services agencies and individuals working together to make sure kids get what they need to succeed.

The common goal is to create a community where all children have the mental, physical, social and emotional foundation to grow into healthy, productive members of the community.

For more information on how you can help, contact Jodi Miller at 863-648-1500 Ext.265 Why should I care? U.S. Federal Reserve Bank research found early learning programs or email successby6@uwcf.org.

Enter to Win!

Beds 4 Babies

A big thank you to the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Avon Park for their generous donation to the Beds 4 Babies Project!

nents: a public awareness campaign and distribution of portable cribs to eligible families to provide a safe place for babies to sleep. For more information on “Safe Sleep PracticThe Beds 4 Babies Project began es” and the “Beds 4 Babies Project” due to an alarming increase in contact the Healthy Start Coalition accidental infant suffocation deaths. of Hardee, Highlands and Polk The project consists of two compo- counties at 863-534-9224.

Send this coupon to Success By 6 and you could win a $100 gift certificate to ...

All blanks must be completed to be eligible: Name _____________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________________________________ City _______________________ Zip Code ______________ Birthdate __________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________ Email address ___________________________________________________________________ I found the Parent Resource Guide helpful.

YES _____ NO _____ Children’s ages ___________________________________________ Where did you get your copy of the Parent Resource Guide? __________________________________________________________________________________ What would you like to see added to the Parent Resource Guide? __________________________________________________________________________________ Mail to Success By 6, P.O. Box 1357, Highland City, FL 33846-1357 Or go to www.uwcf.org/EntryForm

Congratulations Phillips family

RYAN PELHAM/STAFF

Congratulations to Tommy and Amber Phillips, parents of 2 1/2-yearold Anistyn, who won the $100 Publix gift card drawing from the last issue of the Success By 6 Parent Resource Guide.

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RESOURCES FOR PARENTS ADOPTIONS Catholic Charities of Central Florida

highlandstoday.com

CHILD RECREATION/EDUCATION Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast

Avon Park Church Service Center

www.bbbssun.org 863-402-9001

Bartow Church Service Center

www.chsfl.org 863-413-3126

863-385-2782

Florida Baptist Children’s Homes

www.highlandsbgc.com Avon Park 863-452-9700 Sebring 863-385-9652

Heartland for Children

www.ccfhighlands.org 863-382-2905

Little Angels Adoption Agency

www.childrensmuseumhighlands.com 863-385-5437

Children’s Home Society

www.fbchomes.org 863-688-4981

www.heartlandforchildren.com 863-519-8900

www.littleangelsadoption.net 800-279-8498 863-657-2428

A Safe Haven for Newborns

www.asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

WIC Avon Park 863-382-7351 Lake Placid 863-382-7317 Sebring 863-382-7216 Florida Hospital

www.floridahospital.com/heartland 863-402-3258

Boys and Girls Club of Highlands County

Champion for Children Circle Theatre Children’s Museum of the Highlands Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America www.gulfridgecouncil.org 813-872-2691

Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida

www.gsgcf.org 800-232-4475 Ext. 312

Highlands County YMCA

www.highlandsymca.com 863-382-9622

Highlands Little Theatre www.highlandslittletheatre.org 863-385-2175

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER Peace River Center

For additional resources or referrals, dial 2-1-1 or call 863-648-1515

863-452-6464

www.cflcc.org 863-686-7153

863-533-5822

Frostproof Care Center Inc. 863-635-5555

Hardee Help Center,Wauchula 863-773-0034

Help of Fort Meade 863-285-6600

Manna Ministries of Lake Placid Inc.

863-699-0093

Parkway Food Ministry, Sebring

HEALTH INSURANCE ACA Marketplace

www.healthcare.gov 800-318-2596

Florida KidCare

www.floridakidcare.org 888-540-5437

MomCare

www.healthystarthhp.org 866-796-0871

HEALTH SERVICES Central Florida Health Care

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION Champion for Children Advocacy Center

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT/TUTORING Champion for Children Foundation of South Florida State College Highlands County www.southflorida.edu Vision Quest

www.championforchildren.org 863-402-6845

Florida Abuse Hotline

www.myflfamilies.com 800-96-ABUSE

Heartland for Children

www.heartlandforchildren.com 863-519-8900

A Safe Haven for Newborns

www.asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION Barefoot Baby’s

www.barefootbabys.com 863-382-9789

Florida Hospital

www.floridahospital.com/heartland 863-402-3258

Highlands Regional Medical Center www.highlandsregional.com 863-471-5807

CHILD CARE/EARLY LEARNING Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland www.elcfloridasheartland.org Highlands County 863-314-9213 Hardee County 863-494-5233

RCMA

www.rcma.org 800-282-6540

Ridge Area ARC

www.ridgeareaarc.org 863-452-1295

863-453-6661

Webber International University www.webber.edu 800-741-1844

EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING Career Source Heartland

www.careersourceheartland.com 863-385-3672

Job Corps

www.jobcorps.gov 800-733-5627

Al-Anon

FAMILY SUPPORT

www.nofldist9.org 863-678-3800

Emergency Rescue Fund www.championforchildren.org 863-402-6845

Healthy Families Highlands

www.healthyfamiliesfla.org/highlands.asp 863-402-6628

Healthy Start

www.cfhconline.org 863-452-3000

www.ccfhighlands.org 863-402-6845

Highlands County Health Department

www.highlands.floridahealth.gov 863-386-6040

HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

LITERACY ORGANIZATIONS Highlands County schools www.highlands.k12.fl.us 863-471-5555

Al-Anon

MENTAL HEALTH

www.nofldist9.org 863-678-3800

Alcoholic Anonymous 863-382-2694

Bethany Center (Good Shepherd)

www.chaptershealth.org 800-464-3994

Drug Free Highlands

www.drugfreehighlands.org 863-382-2138

Healthy Families of Highlands County

www.healthyfamiliesfla.org/highlands.asp 863-402-6628

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency www.ncadd.org 800-622-2255

Peace River Center

peace-river.com 800-627-5906 Domestic Violence Services 863-386-1167

A Safe Haven for Newborns

www.asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

863-452-3803

Tri-County Human Services

DeSoto County Public Library

863-993-4851

Glades County Public Library

863-946-0744

Hardee County Public Library

863-386-1167

www.tchsonline.com 863-452-0106

MENTORING Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast

863-773-6438

www.bbbssun.org 863-402-9001

863-699-3705

PARKS Highlands County Parks and Recreations Department

Lake Placid Memorial Library Okeechobee County Public Library

863-763-3536

Sebring Public Library 863-402-6716

www.asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

Habitat for Humanity

www.agapefeeds.com 863-665-7074 Ext. 0

Florida Rural Legal Services

www.frls.org 800-277-7680

Sebring Safe House

Avon Park Public Library

HOUSING Affordable Housing

FOOD BANKS Agape Food Bank

www.hofla.org 863-402-6983

www.myhlc.org

www.highlands.floridahealth.gov 863-382-7233

A Safe Haven for Newborns

www.myflorida.com/dor/childsupport 800-622-5437

863-382-3552

www.peace-river.com 863-386-1167

863-655-6617

LEGAL SERVICES Child Support Enforcement

Faith Lutheran Church Food Bank,Sebring Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society

La Leche League

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www.affordablehousingonline.com

www.habitathighlands.org 863-385-7156

Highlands County Housing Office

863-402-6648

www.hcbcc.net 863-402-6812

Highlands Hammock State Park

5931 Hammock Road, Sebring www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock 863-386-6094

Jack Creek

4501 Grand Concourse Road, Sebring www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/jackcreek. html

RESOURCES, Page 7

President Barack Obama White House 1600 Pennsylvannia Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500 202-456-1111 www.whitehouse.gov

U.S. Senate

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson 801 N. Florida Ave., 4th Floor Tampa, FL 33602 Phone – 813-225-7040 Fax – 813-225-7050 www.billnelson.senate.gov

Gov. Rick Scott 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399 850-488-7146

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399 850-717-9331

State Rep. Cary Pigman District 55 205 S. Commerce Ave., Suite B Sebring, FL 33870 386-6000

Lake Placid town officials

District 2 – Sebring

Vice Mayor Raymond Royce 381-8551

Jim Brooks office – 402-6500 cell – 443-1226

District 2 – Lorida Don Elwell office – 402-6515 cell – 381-5622

District 3 – Sebring

Charlene Edwards 443-1992 Donna Howerton 655-0282

District 3 – Sebring Jan Shoop 381-4338

Mayor John Holbrook 381-0451

Councilman Steve Bastardi 465-4076 Councilman Arlene Tuck 465-3234

Ron Handley office – 402-6840 cell – 381-2842

District 4 – Lake Placid Bill Brantley 465-0881

Councilwoman Debra Ann Worley 441-1935

District 4 – Lake Placid

District 5 – Sebring

Town Administrator Phil Williams 699-3747

Avon Park City Hall

368 S. Commerce Ave. 471-5100

Jack Richie office – 402-6840 cell – 464-0026

District 5 – Sebring

Greg Harris office – 402-6840 cell – 381-8201

County Administrator June Fisher 402-6517

Sheriff

Jill Compton 441-2806

110 East Main St. 452-4400

Avon Park city officials Mayor Sharon Shuler 452-4403

Deputy Mayor Brenda Giles 873-1138

Susan Benton 402-7213

Councilman Parke Sutherland 452-6900

Tax Collector

Councilman Terry Heston 443-1635

Eric Zwayer 402-6685

Property Appraiser

Raymond McIntyre 402-6659

Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine 402-6565

Councilman Garrett Anderson 443-0608 City Manager Julian Deleon 452-4403

Sebring City Hall

Sebring city officials Mayor John Shoop 385-8700

Councilman, President, John Griffin 385-4796 Councilman Lenard Carlisle 471-5100 Councilman, Pro-tempore, Scott Stanley 385-8242 Councilman Mark Stewart 385-9403 Councilman Bud Whitlock 471-1900 City Administrator Scott Noethlich 471-5100

Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg 402-6655

Highlands County School Board

426 School St. Sebring, FL 33870 471-5555

“C

hildren need models rather than critics.”

— Joseph Joubert

highlandstoday.com

State Sen. Bill Galvano District 26 1023 Manatee Ave. W., Suite 201 Bradenton, FL 34205 941-741-3401

District 1 – Avon Park

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State Sen. Denise Grimsley District 21 205 S. Commerce Ave., Suite A Sebring, FL 33870 386-6016

Highlands County Commissioners District 1 – Avon Park

311 W. Interlake Blvd.

699-3747

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Florida officials

Lake Placid Town Hall

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U.S. Rep Tom Rooney District 17 226 Taylor St., Suite 230 Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Phone – 941-575-9101 Fax – 941-575-9103

Superintendent of Schools

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015

U.S. Representative

Wally Cox 471-5565

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 106 Tampa, FL 33612 Phone – 813-977-6450 Fax – 813-977-6593 www.rubio.senate.gov

600 S. Commerce Ave., Sebring FL 33870 402-6500

Highlands County Commission Office

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

President

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CONTACT YOUR ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Happy children learn better!

Watermelon season is here!

Forget the chips.

Kids want to dip watermelon!

Take 8 ounces of sour cream, mix in ¼ cup of sugar and one teaspoon vanilla extract.

Cut your melon into sticks or small wedges and you are ready to start dipping!

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Understand and respond to your child’s needs.

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your child.

Watch your child. When she cries, go to her. Try things like feeding, holding and hugging or singing.

This teaches her that you care about her and that she can trust you.

Being a parent can be very tiring.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. You can get support from friends, family or community groups.

Create regular routines for your child.

Teach kids about money

Preschoolers are ready to learn the difference between wants and needs and the idea of pricing. At the grocery store look at what the same dollar can buy.

Which is a want? Which is a need?

At the grocery store play “I Spy.” Ask your child what food you are looking at.

Say: “I spy something small, red and sweet to eat.”

Then let her give clues and you guess.

Sing and play during bath time. Tell stories before bed. Talk with your child during meal times. Routines give your child a sense that the world is safe and that he can depend on you.

Children are born learning.

Together, we shape their learning.

Born Learning SM is a public engagement campaign helping parents, caregivers and communities create early learning opportunities for young children. Designed to support you in your critical role as a child’s first teacher, Born Learning educational materials are made available through the efforts of United Way, United Way Success By 6 and Civitas. For more information, visit us online at www.bornlearning.org.

Civitas thanks Parents as Teachers, an international early childhood parent education and family support program, for their ongoing support.

This Civitas tool was adapted for the Born Learning campaign. © 2006 Civitas

Talk, sing and read with your child.

Let your child hear your voice as much as possible. Share books every day. Point out words and letters.

Words and sounds are the basis of language and learning.

Make a warm and loving home.

Spend time with your child. Hold and hug her. Listen to her. When you make a child feel safe and secure, you help her grow and develop. A child who feels loved has an easier time learning.

M ar k J o s ep h p h o t o gr a p h y / C h i C ag o

Every child is born learning.

Here are five ways you can help them learn better.

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From Page 4

POISON INFORMATION Florida Poison Information Center – Tampa www.poisoncentertampa.org 877-252-6094

SMOKING CESSATION Florida Hospital

www.floridahospital.com/heartland 877-252-6094

SPECIAL NEEDS Central Florida Speech and Hearing

Florida Division of Blind Services

www.dbs.myflorida.com 800-500-6412

Heartland Horses & Handicapped www.heartlandhorses.org 863-452-0006

Kinsley L. Cox Living Memorial Fund

Air Conditioning & Heating

Serving Highlands, Polk & Hardee Counties y ur famil Keep yo h Clean Air! wit e healthy ive Maintenanc t g a t in Preven our unit work keeps y -top shape! in tip

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Sales, Service, Repairs & Replacement Factory Trained Technicians NOW Over 20 Years Experience OFFERING Preventative Maintenance FINAN CIN CALL FOR G Heat Pumps DETAILS Duct Cleaning Commercial & Residential

www.ccfhighlands.org 863-381-4040

Ridge Area ARC

www.ridgeareaarc.org 863-452-1295 www.ccfhighlands.org 863-382-2905

QUALITY WORK AT A FAIR PRICE GUARANTEED!

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Vision Quest

highlandstoday.com

www.heartlanded.org/fdlrs 863-531-0444 Ext. 234

America First

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Florida Diagnostic Learning and Resources System

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800-222-1222

www.epilepsyservices.com 863-686-5880

28 percent say cell phones 25 percent say siblings

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Poison Control

Epilepsy Services of West Central Florida

62 percent of kids asked say their parents are sometimes distracted when they are trying to talk to them. By what?

SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015

800-423-1476

www.cfshc.org 863-686-3189

According to a survey by Highlights magazine:

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Jack Creek (continued)

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

There are many activities to improve your child’s fine motor skills, but the main key to success is still all about practice, practice, practice and… make it fun!

Use paper with different texture and thickness, newspaper, typing paper, thin cardboard, etc.

Let your child tear or cut them into strips. You can also use children’s craft scissors that cut different patterns.

Draw outlines in various shapes with a thick magic marker and let them tear or cut out the different shapes. Use these shapes to make a picture, and glue them onto a different piece of paper.

Choose a topic and find pictures in magazines to tear or cut out, stick them onto another piece of paper as a collage.

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Fun for special needs children — and all children: tearing and cutting!

Thank you Florida’s Natural Growers Foundation for your support of early childhood literacy!

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Hand In Hand, We Can Help Them Succeed. .

Publix Super Markets Charities is proud to join hands with United Way and Success By 6 in their campaign to build a brighter future for children everywhere.

PUBLIX S UPER MARKETS

CHARITIES

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