Think About Becoming A Mentor! 

Opportunities abound:            
           
           -your child's school
           -4H, Scouting, or Youth Sports
           -Parent Enhancement Program (PEP)--541-766-6713
           -Mentoring Works!--541-753-4170
           -Start Making A Reader Today (SMART)--541-791-8860
           -Lunch Buddies--Ann Marek, 541-757,5938
           -Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)--541-753-9197 or   917-4476
           -Y Mentoring--541-926-4488

The Benton County Parent Education Network
Develops and strengthens services and supports which promote strong nurturing families and wellness in children and youth. Monthly, providers update each other about new or changing resources, gaps in services and prioritized projects to refine the system of parent education in Benton County. Contact Linda Donald at 541-917-4909.

Community Building Developmental Assets - Next Steps How are the Kids? Community forums in Scio, Sweet Home and Central Linn reported the results of a student survey measuring 40 developmental assets children and youth need for healthy development this fall. These “community report cards” have spurred groups in these communities and in Lebanon to work together to increase the number of assets youth experience. Groups in each community are focusing on ways to provide more creative activities, to increase the number of adults in the lives of youth, and to find opportunities for youth to be a resource to the community. Businesses, organizations and individuals can join with other asset builders in their community by contacting: Central Linn - Cyndi Anderson (541) 367-3471 Lebanon - LINK (541) 451-1840 Scio - Becky Badger (503) 394-2371 Sweet Home - Loanne Hushka (541) 367-3877

.Lifespan Respite Care
A new support for families in Linn and Benton Counties. Helping families take a break when caring for a senior, a special needs adult, or a special needs infant or child. Before you reach the end of your rope, call Family Connections for respite help. Community partners are working together to ensure lifespan respite are for all families. Contact Family Connections at 541-917-4899 or 1-800-845-1363.

Outreach Services Return to Old Mill Center
Old Mill Center for Children and Families has recently received funding through Benton CCF/Yes for Kids and Benton County Mental Health to reinstate their Outreach Program for young children with behavioral or emotional difficulties. Services include: consultation, parent education and support, assessment and intervention, case management, referrals to community resources and other mental health services. Parents, childcare providers and other professionals working with children ages 2-6 in Benton County may make referrals to the Outreach Program by calling Carla Denner, Outreach Consultant at 541-757-8068.

Parenting Classes now forming. Check the class schedule.

Call Family Connections for more ideas on activities and for child care, too:

541-917-4899 or 1-800-845-1363