Welcome to the CKF/SB6 Newsletter for April 2015.

Single Parent Employment Initiative

Effective September 1, 2015, single parents on income and disability assistance will be able to continue to receive income assistance for up to 12 months while they train for a new job. They will also have access to a range of supports through WorkBC Employment Service Centres, including:

Tuition and education costs for approved training programs that last up to 12 months for in-demand jobs
Transportation costs to and from school, as needed
Full child care costs during training

Single parents who participate and are eligible for child care subsidy will continue to have their full childcare costs covered for one year after they leave school and enter the workforce. More info.

Government of BC News Release

Temperament

Children are born with their unique personalities and temperament. Some smile and reach out to explore. Others are irritable and fearful. Even week-old babies have differences. A child's temperament has an impact on how they get along with others, their mental health and how well they do at school. Although children are born with a given temperament, they can learn to overcome the more challenging aspects. Get more information on the following sheets for:

Parents Practitioners

Top 3 Tips To Prevent Tooth Decay

Source: Health Matters Online! April 2015

It's Oral Health Month, the perfect time to talk about taking care of those pearly whites. Good oral care is important and can help keep teeth healthy for a lifetime. Healthy baby teeth help your child eat well and speak clearly and they guide permanent adult teeth into proper position.

Here are our top three tips to prevent tooth decay:

#1- Beware of sticky foods: Offer healthy foods for snack times. Sticky, sugary, or starchy foods between meals can increase the risk for decay. Fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, meats, and grains are better dental and nutritional options.

#2- Limit juice: Limit juice to meals or scheduled snack times. Juice should be unsweetened and served in a regular cup. Offer plain water between meals and snacks.

#3- Begin daily oral care early: Keep your own mouth and teeth healthy during pregnancy. This helps with your baby's tooth development and reduces the risk of decay-causing bacteria being transferred from mother to baby. Daily oral care should start before your baby has teeth. Wipe your baby's gums with a clean, wet baby facecloth once a day. Once teeth appear and up to age three, start brushing twice a day, morning and bedtime, with a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Increase to a pea-sized amount after age three.

Preschoolers Learn Cultural Diversity Using Locally-Designed Dolls

Handmade, multicultural dolls called the Backpack Kids are being used in Enderby childcare centres to bring a message of diversity and acceptance to young children.

Capital Funding Opportunity

The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) AgriSpirit fund is about enhancing rural communities. Non-profit organizations raising money for a capital project in a city or town with less than 150,000 people may qualify for a donation between $5,000 and $25,000. Online applications are not open until May 18,2015. Successful projects have included hospitals and medical centres, childcare facilities, fire and rescue equipment, playgrounds, food banks, libraries, recreation centres and community gardens. The website provides complete information on eligibility criteria and the application process.

Setting Limits on Screen Time

"Media" is the term used to describe the many ways we communicate. Electronic media includes television, computers, cell phones, video games and movies. The amount of time we spend using them is sometimes called "screen time".

Children have access to more kinds of electronic media than ever before. They can develop healthy media habits by monitoring their screen time and teaching them to use media safely and wisely. Encouraging good media habits when children are young can be easier than enforcing limits and influencing their choices as they get older.

Tips for limiting screen time.

Come Read With Me Workshop

Parents with children in elementary school are invited to attend a free Literacy Now SO-S workshop to learn how to support early learning at home. May 2, 2015 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at 508 Main Street, Penticton. Children are welcomed.Each family will receive a free reading package. For more information or to register, contact Dannielle Hyde at literacynowsos@gmail.com or 250-770-0029. Website. Want a glimpse at other conferences and workshops being offered for parents and service providers? Check out the CFK/SB6 website.

Questions, input, topic ideas?

Connect with us!

Spotlight on Services

We'd like to help you find out about services in your community for children aged 0 to 6 and their families. Each month we will let you know about a different agency and the resources they offer. In the meantime, you can always check out the CFK/SB6 online at

Community Directory for a list of services in your community.

Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs

The Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs is a charitable, non-profit organization that provides a safe, supportive place where children, youth & families can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.

Through donations, contributions from governments and fund raising efforts, the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs is able to offer the following vital programs in the South Okanagan.

FAMILY RESOURCE PROGRAMS

At the Penticton Club there are a variety of programs that provide support, community resource information, prenatal & parent education, and assistance for expecting parents and parents with young children.

INTEGRATED FAMILY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

This program offers counselling, support, parent education, conflict resolution, and community connections for children, youth and families to increase healthy family life and develop positive life skills. Counsellors may meet with participants at their home or in the community. This program is available from Summerland to Osoyoos.

INFANT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

This is a home-based program designed to support families who are raising children from birth to 3 years who are either at risk for developmental delay, or who have identified delays. A family-centred service is used to encourage positive parent-child interactions and to facilitate the child's progress.

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS (Ages 5-12 years)

Give kids a chance to belong in a Club setting that is safe and supervised by positive adult role models. The Club creates opportunities to form new friendships, learn new skills, be active and learn to make healthy choices. These programs are offered at the Penticton Club, Carmi Elementary School and at the Summerland Club.

AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS (Ages 5-19 years who live in Summerland)

Delivered at the Summerland Club (Harold Simpson Youth Centre) and in the community, this program embraces equality and inclusion. Individual and group programs offer recreation and leisure experiences that promote physical, emotional and social learning that teach life skills & independence.

PROGRAMS FOR TEENS (Ages 13-19 years)

Free recreation drop-in program is offered at the Oliver Cadet Hangar Friday nights 5 to 10 pm.and at the Naramata Elementary School on Thursday nights from 6 to 8 pm until the end of June.

For more information contact the Club nearest you.

Penticton - 250-493-0512

Summerland - 250-404-0440

Oliver - 250-498-8844