Learn about Oral and Dental Health for Moms & Kids

 

Expectant parents and those with young children are invited to receive up-to-date information about oral and dental health for parents and children at a free Baby Beginnings Fair offered by Project Self-Sufficiency, Thursday, September 24^th, 1:00 p.m. Representatives from Zufall Health will discuss prenatal and postpartum dental health, cavity prevention, and oral health strategies for infants and children. Attendees will also be able to access the resources they need to be successful, including free and reduced cost activities for families, information about early childhood health and development, positive parenting techniques, and other topics. Lunch will be provided along with free baby items, prizes and unique giveaways. The Baby Beginnings event is part of a Family Connects NJ program which supplements Project Self-Sufficiency’s robust programs for pregnant women and parents of young children, including home visitation programs, monthly Mommy Parties, and Parent Cafes. Pregnant women and parents of young children are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register.

 

“Accurate information about early childhood and development is crucial for the success of new parents and we are grateful to offer this information session to the community,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “In addition to free items for baby and family, the Family Connects NJ Baby Beginnings Fairs allow pregnant women and new parents to engage with area experts and meet others in similar circumstances.”

 

To register for the Family Connects NJ Baby Beginnings Fair, to discuss your early childhood parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500. 

Job Skills Training Program for Women Starts in October

 

Project Self-Sufficiency announces that the next session of its popular employment skills training program, Higher Opportunities for Women (HOW), will launch October 6th.  The 16-week “HOW” Program combines intensive computer skills training with classroom instruction and on-the-job experience.  Curriculum prepares women who have been out of the work force or underemployed to seek entry-level office administrative positions.  Classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the agency’s campus, located at 127 Mill Street in Newton.  Open Houses about the Higher Opportunities for Women program will be held Thursdays at 4:30 p.m., September 17^th, 24^th, October 1^st, 8^th, 15^th,^, and Fridays at noon, September 18^th, 25^th, October 9^th and 16th.  Interested participants are invited to call 973-940-3500 or visit https://www.projectselfsufficiency.org/higher-opportunities-for-women to enroll.

 

Women who take part in the agency’s HOW program can expect 80 hours of computer skills training, including instruction in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other applications.  The HOW program also includes 40 hours of classroom instruction and 120 hours of an unpaid externship at a community employment site, which further prepares participants to successfully venture into the job market.  Additional coursework focuses on workplace navigation, life skills training, resume preparation, and interviewing strategies. 

 

Since the HOW program’s inception, more than 1,000 women have gained self-confidence and learned marketable skills which placed them on the path to economic self-sufficiency.  Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency explains that the HOW program is more than just a job-skills program.  “The job market is constantly evolving, and the Higher Opportunities for Women program gives participants the skills and confidence they need for success.”

Learn about the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will offer three workshops regarding adverse childhood experiences with the goal of educating the public, supporting trauma survivors, and offering tips for prevention and healing within the community.  The workshop and discussion series, “Connections Matter”, which facilitates the conversation about issues surrounding childhood trauma, will be offered virtually in English, Tuesday, September 22nd, 2:00 p.m., and in Spanish, Wednesday, September 23rd, 2:00 p.m.  Tips for protection, prevention, and promoting resilience within the community will also be discussed.  A virtual “Understanding ACEs: Building Self-Healing Communities” presentation on Thursday, October 22^nd, 2:00 p.m., will address the neurological and biological effects of adversity on development and its corresponding impact on the health of the overall population. All 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. 

 

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.  All three workshops are funded by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families and led by Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey. 

 

During the Understanding ACEs workshop, parents, caregivers, and other community providers will learn how childhood trauma impacts physical and neurological development and discuss methods for improving health and well-being across the lifespan.

 

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.

 

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 Executive Director 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.”