Local Pediatrician Headlines Unique Event for Parents

 

Pediatrician Dr. Christian Canzoniero will headline a special Pregnancy & Infancy Summit at Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, November 19^th, 10:00 a.m. – noon. This unique event will spotlight critical issues faced by expectant and new parents during pregnancy and through a child’s early years; free baby items, valuable prizes, and giveaways will also be offered to attendees. Free and reduced cost activities for families and other topics related to early childhood health, safety and education will also be explored. Lunch will be provided; childcare is available upon request. Photographer Julian Huarte will take professional photos of parents and children.

 

“The Pregnancy & Infancy Summit invites expectant parents and mothers and fathers of young children to gain valuable information about pregnancy and child development, along with expert advice about health and wellness,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Chief Executive Officer of Project Self-Sufficiency. “We are excited to be able to offer an opportunity for these families to gain the information and resources they need to become successful parents.”

 

In addition to pediatrician Dr. Christian Canzionero, representatives from numerous organizations will be in attendance including Project Self-Sufficiency’s Nurse Family Partnership team; the Center for Family Services; DASI; DAWN Center for Independent Living, Early Intervention Program; Family Connects NJ, Universal Home Visitation program; Ginnie’s House; Partnership for Maternal Child Health; Safe Kids Northern New Jersey; SIDS Center of New Jersey; Sussex County Library; Wellness Center Pediatrics; Zufall Health Center; and others.  Several agencies will also offer brief presentations about their services.

 

The Pregnancy & Infancy Summit supplements Project Self-Sufficiency’s robust programs for pregnant women and parents of young children, including home visitation programs, Baby Beginnings events, Mommy Parties, and Parent Cafes. To register for the Pregnancy & Infancy Summit, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500.

Workshops Promote Trauma Prevention, Support Survivors

 

To facilitate the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, Project Self-Sufficiency will offer the “Connections Matter” workshop in English, Tuesday, November 17^th, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, November 18^th, 2:00 p.m.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will be discussed. The workshops are free, hosted on Zoom, and open to the public; interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 to receive log-in details. 

 

Speakers will address the impact of adverse childhood experiences on social, emotional, and cognitive development, and offer tips and strategies for building resilience.  Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are widely recognized as falling into three distinct categories, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction.  Examples of negative behavior said to result from ACEs include smoking, alcoholism, drug use, absenteeism, and lack of physical activity.  These behaviors can cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems, from diabetes to cancer to suicidal thoughts.  It is estimated that approximately 67% of the population has experienced at least one adverse childhood experience.

 

The Connections Matter curriculum invites providers, parents, and community members to build caring connections to improve resiliency.  Discussion during the workshops will focus on understanding adverse childhood experiences and demonstrating how caring connections can serve as a primary buffer in the negative effects of trauma.  The training is appropriate for parents and providers raising and teaching school aged children.  The workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

Project Self-Sufficiency is bringing together professionals, providers, and parents who are committed to increasing awareness of the impact of childhood trauma on juvenile development, future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity.  “Our goal is to help make our community a place in which every child can thrive by providing education and training on adverse childhood experiences and assuring safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments,” explains Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Officer Deborah Berry-Toon. “Protection, prevention, and resilience promotion can profoundly improve health according to recent discoveries in neuroscience, epigenetics, and epidemiology. The tools identified in these workshops can positively impact public health, safety, and productivity, and reduce public and private costs now and for future generations.”

Pregnant Women and New Mothers Invited to Monthly Gatherings

 

Pregnant women and those with young children are invited to monthly educational gatherings hosted by Project Self-Sufficiency in Sussex and Warren Counties. Along with information sessions about a variety of topics related to early childhood development and maternal-child health, the Mommy Parties feature food and interactive activities for mothers and children. The events are free and open to the public; the Sussex County Mommy Party will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency on Wednesday, November 11^th, noon, while the Warren County event will take place on Tuesday, November 17^th, 11:00 a.m., at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Hackettstown.  The Warren County events are designed to coincide with the arrival of the agency’s mobile services vehicle, Journey, which visits the Warren County location twice monthly.

 

The Mommy Parties are an important component of Project Self-Sufficiency’s outreach to pregnant women and parents of young children; other services include home visitation programs, monthly Baby Beginnings Fairs, semi-annual Pregnancy & Infancy Summits, and Parent Cafes.

 

“These monthly gatherings invite women in Sussex and Warren Counties to forge relationships with others in similar circumstances while learning crucial parenting skills and connecting with resources for additional support,” commented Project Self-Sufficiency Chief Executive Office Deborah Berry-Toon.  “We are grateful to be able to offer an opportunity for these families to gain the information and resources they need to become successful parents.”

 

To register for the Mommy Parties, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500, or visit https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/pregnancy-help-sussex-warren-nj.