• March Mental Health Workshop for Parents 

    "When Your Child Refuses to Go to School"

    School refusal is not just a problem for children, but a family issue. Join Becky Thomas, PhD, from Thriving Minds, as she discusses school refusal and what works to support children in overcoming the stress and anxiety of attending school. We'll explore personal actions adults can take to help children build confidence, respond effectively to discomfort, and take gradual steps towards consistent school attendance. 

    Tuesday, March 11th 2025 on Zoom at 7-8:30pm 

    Click here to register

    See Flyer Here 

  • February Mental Health Workshop for Parents  

     

    “What We Wish Parents Knew”

    Hear from the Corner Health Center’s Youth Leadership Council about what they wish parents knew about mental health. How much stress do they have? Do they want to hear stories about when you were a kid? What is essential to having a connection with your teenager?

    Tuesday, February 11, 2025 on Zoom at 7-8:30pm

    Click here to register

    See Flyer Here

     

  • 2024 Winter Clothing Giveaway 
     
    THIS IS THE WEEK of the WINTER CLOTHING GIVEAWAY!
    Please remind your clients, students, patrons, and friends that you have shared vouchers or publicised flyers with to:
    COME GET FREE WINTER CLOTHING, BOOTS, BLANKETS, COATS
    941 Grove Rd in Ypsilanti
    FRIDAY, OCT 18 from 9am-6pm bring the voucher and a LARGE bag at their allotted time
    SATURDAY, OCT 19 from 9-12noon, OPEN to the PUBLIC
     
  • TalkAbility a WISD Free Program 

     

    The WISD is happy to share that we are offering a new parent education class targeted to parents of autistic children. The TalkAbility™ program is designed for parents of autistic children ages 4-8 who are speaking in sentences and having conversations.  We need your help getting this new program to families in your community.  Please share widely!  

     

    TalkAbility™ strategies help parents:

    • Understand their child's perspective and help them understand the perspectives of others.
    • Support their child to have longer, more meaningful conversations with both adults and peers.
    • Encourage their child to understand non-verbal messages within the social context in which they are communicated.
    • Foster their child's friendship skills.

    The program may be offered either in-person or online and includes:

    • A pre-program consultation for you and your child.
    • 8 practical and interactive classes for small groups of parents.
    • Individual video feedback sessions of you interacting with your child, followed by reflection and discussion on what is helping and what else you could do.

    Please share this information with those families you feel may benefit from participating. Encourage these families to attend a virtual orientation to find out more about the program and if it is a good fit for them and their child. During this session, parents will get a chance to learn more about the program, ask any questions, and meet other parents interested in the program. We believe the information your families will learn in this program will complement the services their child receives at school. See details below and the attached handouts for more information!

     

    WHAT:TalkAbility

    WHO: For parents of autistic children ages 4-8 who are speaking in sentences and having conversations.

    WHERE: TalkAbility Orientation Zoom link

    WHEN: Wednesday, October 30; 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

    FEE: Free!

     

    If parents are unable to attend a virtual orientation session, but are interested in learning more about the program, please have them email Micki Kollman at mkollman@washtenawisd.org 

  • October Mental Health Workshop for Parents 

    "We're Doing The Best We Can: Self-Compassion for Parents" 

    Join Joy Aleccia, MPH, Health Educator at the Washtenaw Health Department as we explore how we as parents can have more compassion for ourselves throughout our parenting journey and the impact that self-compassion can have on our children! 

    Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 On Zoom 7:00-8:30 PM 

    All workshops are free and open to Washtenaw County parents, caregivers, and school staff. 

    Visit https://bit.ly/MHParentWorkshops

  • Curious about the health impacts of vaping, drug, and alcohol use? 

    Let’s talk: Why substance use happens, when it starts, and how to make smart choices moving forward.

     

    Join Cayla Yuhn, Substance Use Counselor Michigan Medicine, for a conversation about vaping, drug, and alcohol use. 

    5:00 PM -7:00 PM 

    Multiple dates available:

    October 14, 2024 

    November 11, 2024 

    December 9, 2024 

    January 13, 2025 

    February 10, 2025 

    March 10, 2025 

    April 14, 2025 

    May 12, 2025 

     

    Zoom details 

    umich.zoom.us/j/93590639570 

    Meeting ID: 935 9063 9570 

    Passcode: 12345

  • Suicide Awareness and Prevention: A presentation for caregivers and communities

    TRAILS invites you to attend an upcoming presentation: Suicide Awareness and Prevention for Caregivers and Communities. 

    The free presentation will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, October 23 5:30-7pm ET / 3:30pm-5pm MT

    Space is limited to the first 1,000 registrants.

    The presentation is geared toward families, caregivers and community members and will include:

    • An overview of suicide and suicidal behavior in children and adolescents, including risk and protective factors 
    • Guidance on identifying suicide risk and warning signs and practical steps to address them, including safety planning in the home
    • Recommended language to use when talking about suicide

    The presentation will be facilitated by Natalie Burns, LMSW, MA. Natalie leads the tier 3 crisis intervention work at TRAILS, and has expertise in the assessment and treatment of suicidal youth, psychosocial interventions with children and families, and suicide prevention in K-12 schools. Additionally, she has a background in infant mental health and perinatal mood disorders. Natalie also serves as a senior consultant for the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality where she trains mental health providers across US and internationally in suicide-specific assessment and intervention. 

    If you have any questions about this training, please contact the TRAILS Trainings Team at trainings@trailstowellness.org

    We look forward to your participation!

    See the linked Flyer 

Resource Spotlight

  • The Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County offers a Grandparents as Parents (GAP) group, open to any person age 55+ who is the primary caregiver to a child under the age of 18 in Washtenaw County. They can connect individuals with resources and referrals in a variety of areas in which you may need assistance. GAP also provides a support group that meets virtually twice a month on Tuesdays at 11am.

    Access these services by calling: 734-531-8273

    Visit the website here.

    Comments (-1)
  •  

    Gathering for Good - Honoring Local Heroes, Ending Child Abuse

     

    The Washtenaw Area Council for Children (WACC) is proud to announce this year’s "Gathering for Good," where the community is invited to come together to help end child abuse and neglect, and to honor our local heroes for their outstanding commitment to protecting children and ensuring their safety throughout Washtenaw County. The event will be held October 4, 2024, beginning at 6pm at Lake Forest Golf Club in Ann Arbor. 

     

    Award winners this year include:

    Safe Kids Award - Paddock Elementary School in Milan

    Champion Salute Award - Mike and Suzi Coghlan

    Community Hero Award - Ann Arbor Skyline Teacher Ms. Anne Bezeau

     

    Local comedian Brandi Alexander will kick off the evening with the humorous and sometimes unpredictable side of family life and raising children. 

    For tickets and more information about Gathering for Good, please visit washtenaw children.org.

  • TalkAbility 
     
    The WISD is happy to share that we are offering a new parent education class targeted to parents of autistic children. The TalkAbility™ program is designed for parents of autistic children ages 4-8 who are speaking in sentences and having conversations.
    TalkAbility™ strategies help parents:
    • Understand their child's perspective and help them understand the perspectives of others.
    • Support their child to have longer, more meaningful conversations with both adults and peers.
    • Encourage their child to understand non-verbal messages within the social context in which they are communicated.
    • Foster their child's friendship skills.
    The program may be offered either in-person or online and includes:
    • A pre-program consultation for you and your child.
    • 8 practical and interactive classes for small groups of parents.
    • Individual video feedback sessions of you interacting with your child, followed by reflection and discussion on what is helping and what else you could do.
    Please share this information with those families you feel may benefit from participating. Encourage these families to attend a virtual orientation to find out more about the program and if it is a good fit for them and their child. During this session, parents will get a chance to learn more about the program, ask any questions, and meet other parents interested in the program. We believe the information your families will learn in this program will complement the services their child receives at school. See details below and the attached handouts for more information!
     
    WHAT:TalkAbility
    WHO: For parents of autistic children ages 4-8 who are speaking in sentences and having conversations.
    WHEN: Wednesday, September 18th 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
    FEE: Free!
     
    If you are unable to attend a virtual orientation session, but are interested in learning more about the program, please email Micki Kollman at mkollman@washtenawisd.org 
Free Diaper Program - Aid in Milan & Monroe County Opportunity Program