Southgate's Best After School Program & Summer Camp or Metro After School Program and Summer Camp They are in the E-Learning camp 1-734-225-6230 Please be aware that Allen Park Public Schools does not examine, determine, warrant or endorse the information on any of the sources in the resource list. Use of this resource is voluntary and will not result in any liability against Allen Park Public Schools
Downriver Foster Closet is a 501c3 organization with a goal is to help foster families in need. Some of the items we can help with are clothing from infant sizes to adult sizes, hygiene products, furniture such as cribs/beds, baby equipment, formula, etc. We can also help birth parents who are being reunited with their children with any of these items. If it's something we don't have "in stock", we have built an incredible base of donors so it usually only takes a few days to gather needed items. Everything we have to offer is FREE and has been donated. We want to help in any way possible to make these kids feel good about themselves and take a little financial burden off the foster families. All the items the kids pick out, they get to keep; nothing needs to be returned to the closet!
The closet also runs yearly programs that would be beneficial to your families, a few examples are: In May we did a bike drive, September we did a book bag drive when we filled the book bags with new school items, in October we are doing a winter coat/hat/boot drive, then in December we will be doing our 1st ever Christmas drive! Right now we have started taking applications for foster parents to sign their kids up for Christmas. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfw6TAAFzs.../viewform... These tips are from an Article on Additude Magazine by ADHD EDITORIAL BOARD, LIDIA ZYLOWSKA, M.D., ERINA WHITE, PHD, MPH, MSW Please visit this link for the full article. www.additudemag.com/explain-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-adhd-child/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parent_october_2020&utm_content=101020&goal=0_d9446392d6-dd4f9f2841-287414773 #1. Focus on the facts, understand the fear. “What can help parents to manage anxiety is understanding the concept of intolerance of uncertainty,” Zylowska says. “Intolerance of uncertainly can drive worry and anxiety up the wall. It means that when something is uncertain, we tend to see it as dangerous, unsafe, or overwhelming. We can react with fear and avoidance or with frantic efforts to prepare for the unknown. As much as possible, focus on the facts as we know them right now. Don’t try to predict the future or share Doom’s Day scenarios with your children. Projections aren’t helpful when no one knows for certain what’s ahead, and trying to guess may cause anxiety to run rampant. At the same time, understand that we are living in uncertain times and that will, naturally, cause justified worry. “In the end, it is important for parents to acknowledge to themselves and to their children that anxiety, worry and, fear may be present; accept these feelings with compassion, and also learn to step back (at least a bit) from these fearful reactions. Focus on hope more than fear.” #2. Acknowledge and manage your own anxiety. “Children naturally look to parents to understand if they should fear something,” Zylowksa says. “Children are very good at picking up parents emotional energy, so it is really important to manage your own fear and anxiety and not amplify your child’s fears. This is even more important for parents of children who have an anxious temperament or have significant worry about something. #3. Bow out or be quiet when your anxiety spikes. “We are our own kids’ first anxiety defense,” says Erina White, Ph.D., a clinical researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital and therapist in private practice who specializes in ADHD and anxiety. “They take their cues from us on how worried to be by the tone, pace, pitch, and volume of our voices. “If you sense your own anxiety rising (or you notice yourself stuffing a million rolls of toilet paper into a closet) try (and I know this is hard) to take a deep breath and bring your own heart rate down. Over the last few days, when my anxiety was heightened, I tried to take frequent walks in nature, forcing myself to hear the birds, pat the animals, and feel the ground under my feet. I also hold my hand on my heart (or on the veins of my wrist) and try to lower the rapidity of the beats. When I’m in a good place I return to my family. If I’m not, I wait.” #4. Start with a question. Follow with facts.“Ask gently (don’t yell or over question) how your child is doing,” White says. “Let them tell you if they are worried or scared or have questions about COVID-19. If they do, have a well-informed discussion. “Go to the CDC website (or another trusted source) and show them what the scientists are saying. Help them to understand that there are experts working on things as we speak and let them learn how to seek this knowledge in a scientific and thoughtful way. Try to discourage them from buying into social media posts, rumors or over-done media outlets.” #5. Limit news exposure. Remember, bad news is compelling and drives viewership. It drives up ratings, which in turn brings in more advertising dollars. #6. Don’t over-share. Children may have questions about germs and sickness and, in some case, even death. But unless they ask you directly, try to minimize conversation on the topic of illness. The best thing you can do is reassure them that legions of responsible adults are working hard to keep everyone safe and healthy. #7. Maintain a routine. Children with ADHD thrive on routine. A sustained school disruption can be extremely upsetting for them. To offset this enormous change of schedule, try to put in place a reliable daily home routine. Wake at the same time each day; carve out blocks of time for academics, exercise, and entertainment; eat regular meals together, and remember that regularity is calming and reassuring. #8. Expect non-verbal signs of anxiety. In young children, anxiety often manifests as behavior that is extra clingy, weepy, or irritable. Keeping diet and sleep routines as normal as possible will give children a sense of security. Extra hugs (and bedtime stories) along with some additional one-on-one attention will go a long way toward making an anxious child feel better. #9. Try to play — and laugh. #10. Remind your children of the altruistic purpose of self-quarantining. “Oftentimes when kids understand the higher purpose of things, they can do some ‘meaning-making,’ which allows them to feel some control over their conditions,” White says. “For example, some may say, ‘We have to stay home now so that we don’t pass on the virus to others. We are going to be OK. Children are not at risk, but if we stay home we can make sure that grandma and grandpa stay healthy too…” #11. Remember that this, too, shall pass. Coronavirus Basics Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t remind parents of the coronavirus basics: If you have symptoms, reach out to your doctor.For specific questions regarding individual health, contact your physician. Congestion, fever, and breathing difficulty should be brought to the attention of a healthcare provider. Understand however, that the flu is still a bigger concern than the coronavirus. Be proactive in seeking treatment but keep things in perspective. Teach proper hand-washing techniques. Regular and frequent hand washing is the number one way to kill the spread of germs. The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (two rounds of the “Happy Birthday” song or saying the alphabet twice). If soap and water aren’t available hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol is an acceptable substitute. Help your child remember to wash hands before and after eating, after petting cats and dogs, after touching garbage, after using the toilet, and especially after blowing their nose. Practice good, basic hygiene. Avoid touching your face with your hands. Demonstrate how to cough or sneeze into a tissue and make tissues readily available throughout the home, especially in bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen. Discourage sharing food and beverages, and remind children to avoid people who are sneezing or coughing. Handshakes are another no-no right now. Instead, greet people with a wave or challenge your family to make up their own healthy version of a no-contact greeting. Clean and disinfect your home but don’t overdo it. Wear disposable gloves when cleaning and disinfecting and discard them after each cleaning. Clean surfaces (counters, frequently touched cabinets, and drawers) with mild soap and water. Disinfect with diluted household bleach or alcohol solutions (follow manufacturer’s instructions.) Vacuum and dust as you normally would. Clean your cell phone as well, according to its manufacturer’s instructions. Launder with care.If someone in your home is ill, launder their clothing separately and use disposable gloves — designated for this purpose — when handling their clothes, linens, and towels. Explain to children that this is temporary and special treatment during the next few weeks and that things will go back to normal eventually. Again, this is sections of an article on Additude Magazine by ADHD EDITORIAL BOARD, LIDIA ZYLOWSKA, M.D., ERINA WHITE, PHD, MPH, MSW Please visit this link for the full article. www.additudemag.com/explain-coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-adhd-child/?utm_source=eletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parent_october_2020&utm_content=101020&goal=0_d9446392d6-dd4f9f2841-287414773 Laughter {A fun & easy self-care strategy} BY RACHEL · PUBLISHED MARCH 28, 2017 · UPDATED APRIL 25, 2017 http://www.socialworkcommunity.com/2017/03/laughter-fun-easy-self-care-strategy/ "Wanted to share a simple and easy self-care strategy that we often overlook—laughter! We all know how good it feels to have a good laugh, whether with our friends, hearing a funny joke, or because something ridiculous happened and you just can’t help yourself. Letting out a good ole belly laugh or laughing until we cry just feels so good. But, did you know that laughter has proven health benefits?!? According to this article: http://time.com/3592134/laughing-health-benefits/, laughter can help reverse the body’s reaction to stress! It states: “…Laughter appears to cause all the reciprocal, or opposite, effects of stress,” Berk explains. He says laughter shuts down the release of stress hormones like cortisol. It also triggers the production of feel-good neurochemicals like dopamine, which have all kinds of calming, anti-anxiety benefits. Think of laughter as the yin to stress’s yang.” Now I know with certainty that I am not the only social worker who is stressed (ha! Aren’t we all?!?!). Regularly. Both at work and at home. And dealing with information on a daily basis that is often downright depressing. Sometimes, to be honest, it feels strange to even think about laughing with such heaviness surrounding us day to day. Yet, we need to maintain our humanity and take care of ourselves. Laughing is one key way to help take care of ourselves. Apparently, just one minute of laughter can boost your immune system for over 24 hours. Not sure about you, but my immune system can use any boost that I can give it! And one that requires no strange foods, vitamins, etc??!! Well, that’s a clear win! So, how can you find some laughter in your day? You know yourself best—what makes you laugh?!? SNL skits? Memes? Telling knock-knock jokes with your kids? Whatever it is, take some time today and make yourself laugh. Your health will thank you. And if you are struggling with how to bring a little laughter into your life, here are some tips!
What a great article from the social work community! Wellness, self care, caring for kids, no laughing matter.... or is it?
The Guidance Center offers support, counseling, medication guidance and parenting classes. Call them directly to inquire about their programs (on our tab for "Resources for Mental Health Counseling"
10 Comfort Games That Encourage Kindness, Community and Well-BeingĀ By Paul Darvasi Apr 224/27/2020 This is an article from Mindshift, the link to the article is here: ARTICLE
"In the world’s first history book, Herodotus recounts how the ancient Lydians faced a prolonged period of food scarcity. Months passed without relief and despair set in, spurring the desperate Lydians to implement an unusual solution. Life was organized according to a two-day schedule, where they fasted on the first day and played games to distract from hunger, while on the second day they ate and abstained from play. Herodotus writes that the people lived according to this pattern for eighteen years, survived the famine, and invented some of the games that we enjoy today. Three thousand years later, we stand to learn much from the Lydians. Games might be a timely balm as we grapple with our own social crisis. French philosopher David Émile Durkeim believed that games are a cornerstone of human bonding, while their power to absorb and distract helps ease our thoughts from the troubles at hand. Also, digital games can simulate vast navigable virtual spaces, an attractive commodity when access to real world space is restricted. But, unlike the Lydians, we already have tens of thousands of games ready to go, many of which have been designed to dissolve physical distance. "As we adjust to a prolonged sojourn in the great indoors, the games included here may help ease the burden of confinement. Players can draw comfort from bridging distance through online collaboration, traveling the virtual world, sharing struggles, or getting a daily fitness fix, all without having to step outside. Kind WordsKind Words’ core mechanic is meaningful human contact. Players can anonymously write short letters to share their struggles or respond to others with supportive words. After the tutorial, all letters and responses are produced by real people. This little game with a big heart seems ideally suited to our current circumstances as it transcends space with its anonymous virtual network that encourages positive interactions, mutual comfort and support. It’s also a fun way for kids to exercise reading, writing and emotional intelligence through empathetic engagements. Not surprisingly, many recent letters address social distancing issues which grant ample opportunity to connect on the foundation of shared experience. Journey Doesn’t it feel like a good time for a mystical pilgrimage across the desert? Journey is a striking work of video game art where a player traverses a surreal desert landscape as they make their way to a distant mountain. The soothing soundtrack, austere expanses and calming rhythm of play are a powerful antidote to the doldrums of social isolation. The best part is that you are not alone. At every level, one might encounter another anonymous player with whom they can exchange magic scarves and form a temporary alliance. Communication is limited to avatar motion and nonverbal chimes or “pings.” Strangely, these constraints deepen the emotional connection between players as it impedes potentially toxic behavior. Journey is a powerful metaphor that binds inward and outward voyages, but perhaps the most relevant message it delivers is its persistent reminder that less is more. Stardew Valley The pastoral life calls in Stardew Valley, where you’re an urban office worker who inherits an abandoned plot of land from your grandfather. Fed-up with the city grind, you decide to take the plunge and start a new life in Pelican Town, an idyllic 16-bit farming community. Soon, you’re clearing land, managing crops, monitoring your sleep cycles, visiting the general store, socializing with the townsfolk and exploring the surrounding countryside. The surprise hit of 2016 is a refreshing tend-and-befriend game with throwback graphics and diverse tasks that will keep you blissfully occupied for hours. You can also farm with friends: there’s a multiplayer co-op version that lets up to four players work together, share an income and even tie the knot. Animal Crossing: New HorizonFresh off the press, Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest installment of the enduring life simulation franchise where players explore a cartoony paradiscal island and build a thriving community of cutesy animal citizens. The open-ended sim is a highly customizable sandbox where players build, collect, craft, grow, fish, trade, play and socialize. Time on the island is tied to the real world clock, the weather is in flux and the flora and fauna change according to the seasons. Four can collaborate on the same system and up to eight online players can meet to work and play on the island. GeoGuessrWhile we await regularly scheduled flights to resume, GeoGuessr lets us explore the world from the comfort of home. It leverages Google Maps and Street View technology to drop you somewhere on the globe to wander around searching for clues to determine your location. Street signs, landscapes, flora, fauna, company logos, store signs and architecture all provide clues to help you figure out whether you’ve been beamed to the heart of Mongolia or deposited in downtown Nairobi. There are diverse challenges available and those who aren’t ready to go global can choose to materialize at landmarks, specific countries, or U.S. capitals. Once you’ve satisfied your wanderlust, hand it over to the kids for an entertaining boost to their geographic knowledge and critical thinking skills. The Outer WildsAfter you’ve exhausted your virtual tour of the world, you might consider heading off planet to the Outer Wilds. The recent winner of BAFTA’s Best Game of 2020 award is sci-fi on the surface, but Outer Wilds is a gentle, carefully crafted masterpiece that rewards careful exploration. This time, you’re a rookie alien astronaut caught in a 22-minute time loop that always ends with a massive supernova, blackout and you wake up at the campfire starting position again. Rinse, but not quite repeat, as every churn of the Groundhog Day cycle reveals a new piece of the puzzle as you learn why you are trapped in the loop. It is ultimately a story about community and connection that caused one reviewer to confess that “Outer Wilds’ final revelations left a mark that will be on my soul...one that pulls at me every time I hear its simple, enthralling theme music.” Dungeons & DragonsIn case you didn’t notice, Dungeons & Dragons is back and bigger than ever. The iconic sword and sorcery tabletop role-playing game (RPG) with the eccentric dice has enjoyed a massive resurgence as an embodied alternative to online socialization. Besides its mainstream popularity, educators, therapists and parents have leveraged D&D to encourage literacy, STEM and social and emotional wellbeing. The pen-and-paper game was designed to be played around a table; however, it takes more than a lockdown to subdue. Wizards of the Coast curates a wealth of free tools and resources to help transition your D&D campaign online, and Polygon offers a guide to help make the shift with other RPGs. Roleplay is cathartic, and tabletop RPGs are ultimately collaborative storytelling experiences, a fundamental human impulse to strengthen social cohesion. MinecraftMinecraft is in a category all its own, and a mainstay of every video game list ever. It’s the second best selling title of all time, the commercial video game most widely used in education and it remains enormously popular with players of all ages. Blockish avatars explore, mine and build structures ranging from simple homes to sophisticated circuits. Geographically distanced friends can collaborate on projects, and it’s even possible to build a computer or stage a live performance in the virtual world. For tens of millions of youth (and adults) around the world, Minecraft is a safe and familiar place to converse, compete, collaborate and, best of all, create. Ring Fit Adventure and Just DanceFinally, physical exercise is a cornerstone of wellbeing, and games can help with that too. There is no end to online fitness videos but, let’s face it, sometimes the motivation just isn’t there. Some may be more willing to build up a sweat if they have to battle monsters and clear obstacles in a dungeon. Nintendo’s Ring Fit Adventure, the spiritual successor to Wii Sports, uses motion sensors, a plastic ring peripheral and an RPG narrative to incentivize a workout. It also includes more traditional guided exercise routines. If you prefer to boogie, Just Dance curates classic and contemporary dance hits and scores players on how well they can execute the guided moves, while co-op mode allows for dance offs and collaborative routines. Dutch historian John Huizinga believed that games are magic circles whose self-contained rules and protocols separate them apart from the real word. Today, it might be more applicable to think of games as magic networks rather than circles, meaningfully connecting people far and wide through designed experiences, and offering a refuge from our refuge. A wayward Danish prince who was also trapped at home once said, “I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count myself a king of infinite space.” With a little help from modern technology, so can we. We need to know what is happening, these are the websites that are good resources for more information.
Important COVID-19 Websites:
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has temporarily suspended evictions in Michigan. This is from the State of Michigan Freddie Mac -- Offering mortgage relief options for those who are unable to make their mortgage payments due to a decline in income, including forbearance for up to 12 months, waiving penalties and fees, halting foreclosure sales/evictions of borrowers in Freddie Mac-owned homes until May 17, and more. myhome.freddiemac.com/own/getting-help-disaster.html Fannie Mae - Homeowners who are adversely impacted by this national emergency may request mortgage assistance by contacting their mortgage servicer. Foreclosure sales and evictions of borrowers are suspended for 60 days. Homeowners impacted by this national emergency are eligible for a forbearance plan to reduce or suspend their mortgage payments for up to 12 months. https://www.fanniemae.com/portal/media/corporate-news/2020/covid-homeowner-assistance-options-7000.html The Homeless Shelters Directory is a directory of shelters and other homeless services for people with urgent housing needs. You can find support close to you. HUD Resources/Links: www.hud.gov/coronavirus
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