Parent Resource Guide Highlands County 2014 September - United Way of Central Florida

Parent A Special Publication of

Resource Guide Sunday, September 21, 2014

Read to him every day.

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TRIPLE HIS CHANCES OF GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

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

United Way of Central Florida

What is bornleaning all about?

Does anyone remember the days before we had TV, movies and video games in our cars? No cell phone? What in the world did parents do to make a car ride bearable? They may not have known at the time, but all those games, songs and actually talking to their children helped them learn new things and improved their chances of succeeding in school!

Everyday life is a learning experience for children. Born Learning is a public engagement campaign that helps us explore ways to turn everyday moments into fun learning opportunities for children.

For example: At home: Turn everyday activities at home such as laundry, meals, and bedtime into

learning experiences for your child. This tomato is round and red. What else is round? Red? Traveling: Going places is often exciting for children — learn how to make riding in the car, taking public transit, and walking educational for them and fun for you too. I spy something yellow. Do you see it?

Public places: Being out and about exposes children to many learning opportunities. Learn how you can turn excursions to the market, library, and playground into learning. We’re picking up fish for supper.

Where do fish live?

Just remember. Have fun and talk to your kids! Put that annoying cell phone away. No blah, blah, blah phone call is as important as your child!

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Everyone knows you must set aside a time for daily reading, whether you are reading aloud to your toddler or your older children are reading on their own.

Here are some fun tips: 1. Turn out the lights and use a flashlight. Feel like you are on an adventure with books!

2. Take turns being the bedtime reader. Kids love to read to each other.

3. Remember that magazines make great bedtime reading too.

Have a reading tip for us?

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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

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UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

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Let us know at successby6@uwcf.org

Enter to Win! 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 Baker family

RYAN PELHAM/STAFF

Congratulations to Philip and Lisa Baker, parents of Shake, 2, Brody, 6, and Easton, 3, who won the $100 Publix gift card drawing from the last issue of the Success By 6 Parent Resource Guide.

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Need Healthcare?

Open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace starts Nov. 15, but you may still may be able to get health coverage before that if you experience a qualifying life event. This includes such things as getting married or divorced, having a baby or adopting a child, moving to a new area or losing your current health insurance, losing coverage from your student health plan or turning 26 and becoming ineligible to stay on your parents’ health plan.

Learn more and apply at www.healthcare.gov Remember: you can apply for Medicaid or Florida KidCare at any time. Enrollment is open all year round. Children and teens up to 19 can qualify for free or low-cost coverage, and parents may be eligible too. Apply at www.floridakidcare.org

American Academy of Pediatrics has announced recognition that an important part of brain development occurs within the first three years of a child’s life, and that reading to children enhances vocabulary and other important communication skills.

Question: How much TV time is OK for my children to watch and why?

Answer: The American Academic of Pediatrics recommends no TV/DVD/Video viewing for children under the age of 2. Children over 2 should watch no more than 1-2 hours per day.

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Pay attention to these factors when allowing viewing times:

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• Choose quality shows and films: Make sure your child sees and hears positive messages • Have times when TV is off limits such as dinner time or family game night • Watch shows with your child so you can talk about the content and extend the child’s learning.

• Children with a high rate of TV viewing may show delays in both language and learning.

• Children who watch more than 1-2 hours of TV a day tend to be less physically active and are at risk for obesity.

• The less viewing a child engages in, the more creative and imaginative the child tends to be.

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It’s OK to Play in VPK!

highlandstoday.com

Free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) for 4-year olds Parent choice of approved providers

School Readiness Program Financial Assistance for child care for eligible families

Child Care Resource & Referral

Database of legally operating child care programs in the county Support in finding a quality program that meets the needs of you and your child

We are located at: 6432 U.S. Highway 27 South Sebring, FL • (863) 314-9213

Visit our website at www.elcfh.org

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

Spread cream cheese over round crackers.

Break pretzel sticks into pieces and lay as legs on top of the cream cheese.

Lay a second cracker on top. Using dabs of cream cheese as the glue, place raisins or olives for eyes.

Get creative decorating your yummy bugs!

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Buggy Snack

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RESOURCES FOR PARENTS ADOPTIONS

Catholic Charities of Central Florida cflcc.org 863-686-7153 Children’s Home Society chsfl.org 863-413-3126 Florida Baptist Children’s Homes fbchomes.org 863-688-4981 Heartland for Children heartlandforchildren.com 863-519-8900 Little Angels Adoption Agency Littleangelsadoption.net 863-382-0352 A Safe Haven for Newborns asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT

WIC Avon Park 863-382-7351 Lake Placid 863-382-7317 Sebring 863-382-7216 Florida Hospital floridahospital.com/heartland 863-402-3258 La Leche League 863-655-6617

CHILD RECREATION/EDUCATION

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast bbbssun.org 863-402-9007 Boys and Girls Club of Highlands County highlandsbgc.com Avon Park 863-452-9700 Sebring 863-385-9652 Champion for Children Circle Theatre ccfhighlands.org 863-382-2905 Children’s Museum of the Highlands childrensmuseumhighlands.com 863-385-5437 Gulf Ridge Council Boy Scouts of America boyscouting.com 813-872-2691 Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida gsgcf.org 800-232-4475 Ext. 312 Highlands County YMCA highlandsymca.com 863-382-9622 Highlands Little Theatre highlandslittletheatre.org 863-385-2175

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER

Peace River Center peace-river.com; 863-386-1167

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CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

Champion for Children Advocacy Center championforchildren.org 863-402-6845 Florida Abuse Hotline myflfamilies.com 800-96-ABUSE Heartland for Children heartlandforchildren.com 863-519-8900 A Safe Haven for Newborns asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION

Barefoot Baby’s barefootbabys.com 863-382-9789 Florida Hospital floridahospital.com/heartland 863-402-3258 Highlands Regional Medical Center highlandsregional.com 863-471-5807

CHILD CARE/ EARLY LEARNING

Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland elcfloridasheartland.org Highlands County 863-314-9213 Hardee County 863-494-5233 RCMA rcma.org 800-282-6540 Ridge Area ARC ridgeareaarc.org 863-452-1295

EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT/TUTORING

South Florida State College southflorida.edu 863-453-6661 Webber International University webber.edu 800-741-1844

EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING

Career Source Heartland careersourceheartland.com 863-385-3672 Job Corps jobcorps.gov 800-733-5627

FAMILY SUPPORT

Emergency Rescue Fund championforchildren.org 863-402-6845 Healthy Families Highlands healthyfamiliesfla.org/highlands.asp 863-402-6628 Healthy Start healthyhighlands.com 863-382-7233 A Safe Haven for Newborns asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229

FOOD BANKS

Agape Food Bank agapefeeds.com 863-665-7074 Ext. 0

HEALTH INSURANCE

ACA Marketplace healthcare.gov 800-318-2596

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

Florida KidCare floridakidcare.org 888-540-5437 MomCare healthystarthhp.org 866-796-0871

HEALTH SERVICES

Central Florida Health Care cfhconline.org 863-452-3000 Champion for Children Foundation of Highlands County Vision Quest ccfhighlands.org 863-402-6845 Highlands County Health Department healthyhighlands.com 863-382-7272

HEARTLAND LIBRARY COOPERATIVE

myhlc.org/hcls Avon Park Public Library 863-452-3803 DeSoto County Public Library 863-993-4851 Glades County Public Library 863-946-0744 Hardee County Public Library 863-773-6438 Lake Placid Memorial Library 863-699-3705 Okeechobee County Public Library 863-763-3536 Sebring Public Library 863-402-6716

HOUSING

Affordable Housing affordablehousingonline.com Habitat for Humanity habitathighlands.org 863-385-7156 Highlands County Housing Office 863-402-6648

LEGAL SERVICES

Child Support Enforcement myflorida.com/dor/childsupport 800-622-5437 Heart of Florida Legal Aid Society hofla.org 863-402-6983 Florida Rural Legal Services frls.org; 800-277-7680

LITERACY ORGANIZATIONS

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

MENTAL HEALTH

Alcoholic Anonymous 863-382-2694 Bethany Center (Good Shepherd) chaptershealth.org 863-986-1707 800-464-3994 Drug Free Highlands drugfreehighlands.org 863-382-2138

Healthy Families of Highlands County 863-402-6628 National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency 800-622-2255 Peace River Center peace-river.com 800-627-5906 Domestic Violence Services 863-386-1167 A Safe Haven for Newborns asafehavenfornewborns.com 877-767-2229 Sebring Safe House 863-386-1167 Tri-County Human Services tchsonline.com 863-452-0106 We Care Hotline (Teens and children) 800-486-2358

MENTORING

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast bbbssun.org 863-402-9001

PARKS

Highlands County Parks and Recreations Department hcbcc.net 863-402-6812 Highlands Hammock State Park 5931 Hammock Road, Sebring floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock 863-386-6094 Jack Creek 4501 Grand Concourse Road, Sebring swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/jackcreek.html 800-423-1476

SMOKING CESSATION

Florida Hospital floridahospital.com/heartland 863-386-6476

SPECIAL NEEDS

Central Florida Speech and Hearing cfshc.org 863-686-3189 Epilepsy Services of WCFL epilepsyservices.com 863-686-5880 FDLRS heartland.org/fdlrs 863-531-0444 Ext. 234 Florida Division of Blind Services dbs.myflorida.com 800-500-6412 Heartland Horses & Handicapped heartlandhorses.org 863-452-0006 Kinsley L. Cox Living Memorial Fund ccfhighlands.org 863-381-4040 Ridge Area ARC ridgeareaarc.org 863-452-1295 Vision Quest ccfhighlands.org 863-382-2905

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

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

County Administrator June Fisher 402-6517 Sheriff Susan Benton 402-7213 Tax Collector Eric Zwayer 402-6685 Property Appraiser Raymond McIntyre 402-6659 Clerk of Courts Bob Germaine 402-6565 Supervisor of Elections Penny Ogg 402-6655 Highlands County School Board 426 School St. Sebring, FL 33870 471-5555

Reading aloud and talking about what you are reading sharpens children’s brains.

Deputy Mayor Brenda Giles 873-1138

District 3 – Sebring Jan Shoop 381-4338 District 4 – Lake Placid Bill Brantley 465-0881 District 5 – Sebring Jill Compton 441-2806 Sebring City Hall 368 S. Commerce Ave. 471-5100 Sebring city officials Mayor John Shoop 385-5171 City Council Pro tempore John Griffin 385-4796 Councilman Lenard Carlisle 471-5100 Councilman Scott Stanley 385-8242 Councilman Mark Stewart 385-9403 Councilman Bud Whitlock 471-1900

Councilman Parke Sutherland 452-6900 Councilman Terry Heston 443-1635 Councilman Garrett Anderson 443-0608 City Manager Julian Deleon 452-4403 Lake Placid Town Hall 311 W. Interlake Blvd.

699-3747 Lake Placid town officials Mayor John Holbrook 381-0451 Vice Mayor Raymond Royce 381-8551 Councilman Steve Bastardi 465-4076 Councilman Michael Waldron 441-0790 Councilwoman Debra Ann Worley 441-1935 Town Administrator Phil Williams 699-3747

City Administrator Scott Noethlich 471-5100

Books matter.

Kids who don’t have books – or an adult reading with them – don’t read as well.

And kids who don’t read well don’t do well in school.

highlandstoday.com

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

District 5 – Sebring Greg Harris office – 402-6840 cell – 381-8201

District 2 – Sebring Donna Howerton 655-0282

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

District 4 – Lake Placid Jack Richie office – 402-6840 cell – 464-0026

Avon Park city officials Mayor Sharon Shuler 452-4403

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

District 3 – Sebring Ron Handley office – 402-6840 cell – 381-2842

District 1 – Avon Park Ronnie Jackson 453-6178

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

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

Avon Park City Hall 110 East Main St. 452-4400

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

Highlands County Commissioners District 1 – Avon Park Jim Brooks office – 402-6500 cell – 443-1226

Superintendent of Schools 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

Highlands County Commission Office 600 S. Commerce Ave. Sebring, FL 33870 402-6500

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

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

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CONTACT YOUR ELECTED & APPOINTED OFFICIALS

Who is your favorite TV dad and why?

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

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I would have to say Dr. Huxtable played by Bill Cosby. Great role model but still realistic and FUNNY without vulgarity.

Sandi

If you have more than one child, spend time alone with each one.

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Bill Cosby — He was wise, witty, stern, loving, and importantly PRESENT. Kylia

Every child is special.

Andy Griffith – He kept a sense of humor and kept things in perspective.

He made Opie find the solutions to his own problems. And he could whistle really well.

Penny

Phil Dunphy played by Ty Burrell of ‘Modern Family’ because of his LOVE for his family, wife, kids, extended family and his ridiculous sense of humor!!!

Jane

The first and most obvious activity to do with any good book is to read it, and read it again, and read it once more, and then again and again.

If it’s a favorite book, it cannot be read aloud too often.

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Fun activity: Scared Pepper

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Reading aloud regularly is a multivitamin for your child’s mind!

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Daily vitamins A, B, & C

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The reason for this is surface tension.

Water has a very thin “skin” on it (it’s not really a skin, it’s a quality of the molecules of the water at the surface, but it is similar in some ways). The dish soap destroys the service tension bursting it like a bubble. As the tension retreats from the dish soap, it takes the pepper with it.

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DIRECTIONS: 1. Fill the bowl halfway with water.

2. Shake pepper over the water until you have covered most of the surface of the water.

3. Put a drop of dish soap on your finger.

4. Touch your finger to the water and watch the pepper scatter!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

YOU WILL NEED: pepper water small bowl dish soap

Fun activity: Ladybugs!

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Parents are a child’s first teacher. Read to your child every day.

Any time of the day is the right time to read with children, but it is important also to have a ritual about reading aloud every night, in the same place, at the same time, with the same cushions or pillow, the same stuffed animals, and the same books.

Ladybugs are a garden’s best friends. They eat aphids that can harm your plants by feeding on them. Get your kids outside and search for ladybugs. They are easy to spot with their bright red wings and black polka dots. Ask them: Do all ladybugs look alike?

Do they all have the same number of spots?

How do they move from one plant to another?

Are all ladybugs ladies? (No! Even male ladybugs are ladybugs!)

Routines, Routines.

Children like to know what their day will be like. Try to find a schedule that works for you and your child and stick with it.

Grilled Caramel Peaches

Lakeview Christian School

(863) 465-0313

Do birds have feelings?

Answer:

• • • • • •

We Provide:

Education Services Family Services Disability Support Services Hearing, Vision & Dental Screenings Play & Learning Experiences Balanced Meals (USDA Guidelines)

y ur famil Keep yo h Clean Air! wit e healthy ive Maintenanc t g a t in n k r e o v w Pre our unit keeps y -top shape! in tip

Lake Placid CDC

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Sales, Service, Repairs & Replacement Factory Trained Technicians FRE REPLACE E Over 20 Years Experience M E S T IM AT E N T ES! Preventative Maintenance Heat Pumps Duct Cleaning Commercial & Residential

License # C10H10017 540 E. Interlake Blvd.

Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 699-3790

Please Bring:

Our Childcare Centers are • Your child’s Proof of Age now accepting applications • Income Verification (Last 6 weeks of Paystubs, for this season 2014-2015 1040 Tax Statement or SSI EARLY HEAD START/ HEAD START PROGRAMS or TANF)

Give your child a “Head Start” by Applying Now! ****Come sign your child up****

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QUALITY WORK AT A FAIR PRICE GUARANTEED! Se Habla Espanol Licensed & Insured CAC058656

2153 S.R. 64 West • Avon Park

863-453-4741

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License # C10H10522 500 E. Interlake Blvd. Bldg 500 Lake Placid, FL 33852 (863) 699-3794

Serving Highlands, Polk & Hardee Counties

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South Highlands CDC

Air Conditioning & Heating

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Scientists who study birds, ornithologists, say that birds experience emotions, such as fear and excitement. Whether or not birds feel happiness is still being studied.

What do you think?

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America First

Question:

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LVCS admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

License #C10HI0514

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Pre-Kindergarten through 5th Grade

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2014

503 Kent Ave. • Lake Placid, FL 33852 www.LakeviewChristianSchool.org

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The Most Important Learning Years Of Their Lives

UNITED WAY SUCCESS BY 6 PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE

DIRECTIONS 1. Tear off a 14-inch-long sheet of heavy-duty aluminum foil for each peach. Turn up the edges slightly to make a shallow bowl. Put 2 pats of butter (about 1/2 tablespoon each) in the center of each sheet and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of brown sugar over them.

2. Cut the peaches in half and remove the pits. Using a paring knife, take a very small slice off the curved surface of each half so the peaches will sit flat and let the juice leak out.

3. Place 2 peach halves atop the brown sugar and butter on each foil sheet. Top off each pair with another pat of butter and another tablespoon of brown sugar. Pour 2 tablespoons of water into each foil bowl.

4. Close up the packets and place them on the hot grill rack. Cook the peaches for 10 to 15 minutes. While peaches are cooking let the kids toast the marshmallows on sticks until golden brown 5. Open the pouches carefully to avoid escaping steam (a parent’s job). The peaches should be soft and surrounded by a juicy glaze.

6. Put a cooked marshmallow on top of each peach half.

Move the peaches, foil and all, to a bowl and enjoy!

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INGREDIENTS 1 stick butter 1/2 cup light brown sugar 4 ripe peaches 1/2 cup water 8 large marshmallows

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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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