February 2009
Kenosha County Prevention Services Network (PSN)
Building Community Relationships that Strengthen Families
Prevention Services Network is a community wide collaboration In this issue: dedicated to strengthening families, and helping them become Black History Month resilient to child abuse and neglect. This newsletter is designed Valentines Day to reach out to families and providers with current research and PSN has moved! information about community resources that support prevention.
February: A Month to Celebrate Black History & Love
“Black History Month began as ‘Negro History Week’ “according to the History Channel’s website ( www.history.com ). Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian created the holiday in 1926. It first became a month long celebration in 1976. February was chosen because both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass celebrate their birthday’s in this month.
On February 12, 2009, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will celebrate its 100 th anniversary. Read a short history of this incredible organization. The date of February 12 th was chosen, because it is also the centennial anniversary of the birth of Lincoln. Look for other facts related to Black History on the monthly calendar at the end of this newsletter.
Besides being Black History Month, we celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14 th . This day, with origins that date back to Roman times, brightens up the drab winter landscape with dreams of love and the exchange of cards. It is estimated that 10 million e mail valentines will be sent and one billion will be mailed. (www.ask.com). Learn a little bit about the history of this holiday possibly started by a priest who lived in the third century in Rome.
Part of this month’s newsletter is dedicated to relationships, with an emphasis on building strong relationships, renewing the ones that already exist, and building intimacy within your family unit.
A Child’s Place Child Care Center, (located at the Kenosha County Human Services Building), Celebrates Black History Month on Tuesday, February 10 th from 10:00 to 10:30. Bring your talents, dance, poetry, songs and music. Call Patricia Woods at 697 4754 for details.
The Founding of the NAACP Mary White Ovington wrote a letter in 1914 to describe her work as the self-described first member of the NAACP. The following information is taken from her letter and can be found on the NAACP website at www.naacp.org Please note some language is taken directly from the letter. In the summer of 1908 there was a large race riot in Springfield, Illinois, the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. People described as the town’s “best citizens” contributed to the violence that lasted for two days, and during which scores of Blacks were killed, wounded and driven from the city. Articles in newspapers and magazines across the country decried the violence, and called out for action stating, “the spirit of the abolitionists must be revived.” In early 1909, in New York City, Mr. William English Walling, an author of one of the critical articles, Mary White Ovington, a tenant in a New York Negro tenement apartment, and a Dr. Henry Moskowitz, an expert on the living conditions of immigrants, met in a tiny apartment and birthed the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. There are no minutes of the first meeting. Mr. Walling’s wife had spent several years in a Russian prison because she supported the revolutionist movement, and he believed that the Blacks were treated with greater inhumanity in the United States than the Jewish prisoners in Russia. Ms. Ovington had studied the treatment of Blacks in the north including their lack of employment opportunities. Dr. Moskowitz was and advocate for human rights across races and nationalities. This tiny group decided to launch their campaign on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12 th , to seek a “large and powerful body of citizens” to attend a national conference on what they called the “Negro question.” With the aid of the president of the New York Evening Post Company, they published a letter that was widely distributed as a call to action. It begins with the following statement: “The celebration of the Centennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, widespread and grateful as it may be, will fail to justify itself if it takes not note of and makes no recognition of the colored men and women for whom the great Emancipator labored to assure freedom. Besides a day of rejoicing, Lincoln’s birthday in 1909 should be one of taking stock of the nation’s progress since 1865.” Now, 100 years later, with Lincoln’s bicentennial birthday upon us, Barack Obama is president of the United States. These early pioneers of equal rights would be pleased. You can read the rest of the call to action letter first published in 1909 at the NAACP website: www.naacp.org
Happy Valentine’s Day The history of Valentine’s Day is a mystery. What we do know is that February has long been a month dedicated to love and romance. The celebration of the holiday has both Roman and Christian roots. The Catholic Church has at least three St. Valentine’s or St. Valentinus’ that were all martyred. (www.history.com ) One story states that St. Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome. Emperor Claudius decided that single men made better soldiers and outlawed marriage for young men. Valentine thought this practice to be cruel and unjust, and performed secret marriages. When Emperor Claudius discovered Valentine’s actions, he had him killed. Other stories suggest St. Valentine helped Christians escape Roman prisons, and probably the most popular legend states that Valentine sent the first ‘valentine’ message while in captivity himself to his jailor’s daughter, and signed it ‘from your valentine’, an expression still used today. Some believe we celebrate this holiday in February to commemorate Valentine’s death believed to have occurred around 270 AD. Others believe that it may be held in February to “christian-ize” the pagan holiday of Lupercalia. February marked the beginning of spring for the Roman and was a time of ritual purification. No matter how the tradition started, it is certainly one that is easily celebrated. Children enjoy making Valentines, and with some construction paper, glue, paper doilies and glitter, they can make some great creations. Encourage them to write a poem. Rhyming is a good early learning skill. Take time yourself to send a valentine to someone who may not be expecting to receive one. Winters in the Midwest are long, and the elderly or disabled may experience long days of being shut in because of poor weather. Receiving a valentine would certainly brighten up a drab day. If you are sending valentine’s to school with your child, make sure there are enough for the entire class. If you are not sure, ask the teacher or send extras. Let your child know that although she may have very special friends, that it is kind to give a valentine to everyone. Be prepared to talk to your children if he feels slighted, or did not receive a card from someone he likes. Avoid saying anything mean about the other children, but instead acknowledge that your child feels sad, and encourage him to concentrate on the valentines that he did receive.
Building a Healthy Relationship Right from the Start
If February is a month to celebrate love, then it is also a month to celebrate relationships. Successful long term relationships require effort and commitment by both partners involved. Building healthy patterns in the beginning helps get through the harder times to come.
Begin with a foundation based on appreciation and respect. Happy couples look for opportunities to say ‘thank you’ for the considerate things and not focus on their partner’s mistakes.
Explore what interests you both, so you can find things that you enjoy to do together. Maybe you can find something new that you have never tried before.
Establish a pattern of apologizing when you make a mistake that results in hurt feelings. Taking responsibility for your own actions and words builds trust.
Let one another know what your needs are. Your partner may not be able to meet all your needs. This is normal. Some needs can only be satisfied outside the relationship. Maybe he loves to read and you do not. Understanding that he needs time alone will avoid hurt feelings.
Try to see things from another perspective. You may disagree on things, but a strong relationship requires that you at least appreciate and accept your differences. Remember, the foundation of your relationship is made up of appreciation and respect.
WE’RE SO EXCITED!
Prevention Services Network (PSN) staff has relocated to a new area within the Human Services Building at 8600 Sheridan Road. We are now in the North East section of the building across from the child care center. We are in the process of equipping the area to become the PSN Family Resource Center. We have materials to catalogue and displays and furniture yet to be assembled, but we are too excited to keep our plans to ourselves.
You are cordially invited to drop in and check out our new home on Monday, February 16 th from 9:00 to 11:00. Meet the PSN staff, enjoy some refreshments and see our progress thus far.
To view previous issues of the Prevention Services Network Newsletter, log on to the Kenosha County PSN webpage at http://www.co.kenosha.wi.us/dhs/Divisions/CFS/Newsletter/index.php
LOVE GROWS at HOME
A celebration of what we love about each other should begin in the home with our children and families. This year began with a message of change coming from the White House. Why not make a commitment to make some positive changes within your family? Make this the year you renew your relationships and reconnect with family members.
Do you feel sometimes that you have lost your children to cyberspace? With email, cell phones, Facebook, and YouTube, real face to face time becomes hard to find. Make the best of what may be the limited time you get to spend together as a family. Investing time to build intimacy within the family unit requires that we unplug from these distractions.
Here are some tips supplied by “Parents.The Anti Drug” website to build better relationships with your children:
1. Learn to listen. Let the kids do at least half the talking and listen closely to details about their friends and activities and their likes and dislikes. Practice making eye contact, so they get the message that what they have to say is important and they have your undivided attention.
2. Ask questions. Find out what pressures your children face on a daily basis. Try to keep an open mind, and let them know they can tell you anything, and that you will work on it together. You will learn a lot by asking questions such as: What is your greatest fear right now? What do you worry about? Is there more of something I can do to make your life easier? What do you get really angry about? These open ended questions give insight into how your child thinks.
3. Reinforce rules and expectations. Look for time to remind kids about your rules concerning drinking, drugs, and online activities. Kids need clear rules with clear consequences.
We live in such a busy time that we schedule everything. Why not schedule family time? Children will feel valued and loved if they know that they are as much a priority in your life as your job, your bowling night or your favorite television show. As parents, it is important to recognize that a loving relationship in the home helps our children become resilient in a world where much of their contact is electronic and not human. Give them the hand written Valentine, instead of the electronic one, and include a personal message about a specific trait or strength they have that you truly appreciate.
“Sick Day Guidelines: Making the Right Call When Your Child Has a Cold” The National Association of School Nurses and Triaminic ® have partnered to help parents make smart choices this cough and cold season.
Consider keeping your child home from school if he: • Has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher • Has been vomiting • Has symptoms that prevent him or her from participating in school, such as: − Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite − Productive coughing, sneezing − Headache, body aches, earache − Sore throat A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Contact your pediatrician as your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat. Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and expose others unnecessarily to illness.
Does my child have the flu? • The flu is serious! Call your pediatrician at the first sign of flu symptoms, which typically come on suddenly, including: − High fever − Chills − Head ache, body aches, ear ache − Nausea, vomiting − Dry cough If you’re unsure about the best way to treat your child’s cold or flu, ask your school nurse, doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
How can I prevent my child from getting a cold? • Teach your child to wash his or her hands frequently using plenty of soap and warm water. Proper hand washing should take about 20 seconds or the time it takes to sing “Happy Birthday” twice • Teach your child to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or his sleeve • Keep the child’s environment tobacco free • Try to minimize the time your child spends with other children who have cough or cold symptoms • Keep all of your child’s immunizations up to date (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines now recommend a flu vaccine for most children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday) • Serve a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Giving a daily vitamin may be recommended by your pediatrician.
Parent Talk Lunch Parent Talk Lunch is a community collaborative lunch sponsored by Prevention Services Network, the Kenosha County Division of Health, Goodwill Industries, Early Head Start and Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services, Inc. These organizations provide funds and staff time to bring a weekly lunch to parents served at the Kenosha County Human Services Building, 8600 Sheridan Road, Kenosha, WI 53143 in Room North Two. Wednesdays from 12:00PM to 1:00PM in Room N2 Each week a nurse from the Kenosha County Division of Health presents on a health related issue and the other partner agencies present on other issues of interest to families. February Topics February 4th : Healthy Lifestyle—Health tips and keeping track of health information. February 11 th : Heart Health—Blood Pressure screening & heart healthy foods, plus make a Valentine craft. February 18th: Caffeine! How much is in our foods and what it does to our bodies. February 25 th : 7 bad habits to break, and how they take a toll on the mind and body, plus talking to children about feelings. LUNCH is FREE but you must register by calling A Childs Place Child Care Center 697-4754 to reserve a spot. There is no guarantee of lunch if you are not pre-registered. Child care is free if available and is reserved in the same way. Call Kathy Burns, PSN Service Coordinator with questions: 697-4628.
CALLING ALL MEN! As you maybe aware, Prevention Services Network (PSN) has hosted a series of Women’s Circle Groups for the past 18 months. The groups are facilitated by PSN service coordinators, and touch on topics such as trust, stress, forgiveness, friendship and others. Recently, I received an inquiry from a single Dad who questioned why there are no Men’s Circles. I answered that the reason is that PSN has no male facilitators. This Dad persisted and said he would attend even if the Circle was facilitated by women. I promised him that I would send out a note in this newsletter to see if there is any interest in such a group. If you are a male parent, who would be interested in attending an hour long, usually 8 week discussion group, please call me. If there is enough interest, I will see if we can host a session. Kathy Burns, PSN Outreach Specialist 262- 697-4628.
*Some facts listed in the calendar celebrate Black Americans’ accomplishments. They do no all occur in February, but are in recognition of Black History Month. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1. February is 2. Ground Hog 3. First soft 4. Rosa Parks 5. National 6. *In 1908, Jack 7. Switzerland Black History Day. Is spring landing on the born, 1913. Weather Johnson became granted Swiss Month. coming, or do Moon by Russia Read about this Persons’ Day. the first African- women the right we have six in 1966. brave woman Keep track of the American man to to vote in 1971. more weeks of who dared to sit weather for the hold the World winter? in the front of month and be Heavyweight the bus. your own Boxing title. weather person. 8. Jules Verne 9. Toothache 10. * Thurgood 11. Thomas 12. Abraham 13. * John Mercer 14. Valentine’s was born in Day. Get an Marshall, was Edison was born Lincoln was born Langston was the Day. 1818. appointment to the first African in 1847. 200 years ago first black man to get your teeth American to be today in 1809. become a lawyer cleaned. appointed the in Ohio in 1854. US Supreme Court in 1967. 15. Galil eo was 16. President’s 17. Random 18. * Shirley 19. *George 20. John Glenn 21. Love your born in 1564. Day. Acts of Chisholm was Washington orbited the Earth pet day. Read about his Kindness Day. the first black Carver 3 times in 1967. remarkable woman elected developed 300 discoveries. to the House of derivative Representatives products from in 1968. peanuts. 22. George 23. * W.E.B. 24. “Fat” 25. Quiet Day. 26. Tell a Fairy 27. Polar Bear 28. Congress Washington’s DuBois was Tuesday and Try to find time Tale Day. Make Day. Draw a authorized the birthday, 1732. born in 1868. Mardi Gras to listen to up one of your polar bear or Lewis and Clark begins. silence. own. read a book Expedition in about one. 1803. Find out what it was.
Some facts for this calendar were taken from www.history.com , www.enchantedlearning.com , and www.holidayinsights.com