Welcome to the FamilySPEAK Blog! Our main blog is below, and you may also visit our special blog categories by clicking on a topic: Emotional Well-Being, Health, Nutrition, and Learning at Home
Resources for Supporting Children’s Emotional Well-being during the COVID-19 Pandemic
The following guidance, recommendations, and resources are provided by child trauma experts at Child Trends and the Child Trauma Training Center at the University of
Free Prenatal Series Offered by Nurse-Family Partnership & PPLD
Are you expecting and have so many questions? Join Pikes Peak Library District and Nurse Family Partnership for a series of prenatal classes. Free virtual
Promoting Social-Emotional Skills During Virtual Learning
Social-emotional development is especially important during early childhood. Promoting social skills in young children can help prevent challenging behavior and support the development of relationships
Resource Guide for Instructional Learning Pods
The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) are providing parents and caregivers with guidance regarding joining a learning
Employment Resources and Money-Savings Tips for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
If you’re one of the millions who’s struggling financially right now, use these resources and money-saving tips from CouponChief.com to help you through this time.
AspenPointe Offers FREE Crisis Counseling
AspenPointe is excited to announce a new COVID Response Crisis Counseling Team that is offering free, short-term services. Support is available and is free and
Why Does Inflammation Matter to Child Development?
The immune system defends the body against infection and other challenges that can cause harm. One of the most important parts of the immune system’s
LENA | 10-Week Program for Parents Begins in September
Have you ever wondered how much you talk to your baby/toddler? Would you like to learn ways to increase talk and get your child ready
When Grandma is Caring for Your Child during COVID-19
Grandparents are advised to physically distance themselves from their grandkids. However, this might not be possible for some families where grandparents play a pivotal role
Bilingual COVID-19 Testing & Food Pick Up at Southeast YMCA
There is a new bilingual COVID-19 testing site that corresponds with free meal pickup offered by Care and Share at the Southeast YMCA. About 250-300
PPLD offers Dial-a-Story for Children!
There are stories available for different age groups (pre-K, kindergarten through second grade, and grades three through six). Call (719) 531-6333, x7150 to hear stories
Mobile Food Pantry Coming to Deerfield Hills | June 26th
Dear Mobile Pantry Participant, Even in the face of challenges, the Deerfield Hills Community Center Mobile Pantry will be able to provide food to our
Get Ahead Colorado | FREE Tax Assistance and Resources to Help Move Families Forward
Get Ahead Colorado is the largest and longest operating Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) public information campaign in the nation. They seek to increase the
Virtual Summer Camp | Wednesdays
Through a combination of Zoom meetings, at-home fun activities, and videos posted on the Family Connections Facebook Group, families can attend virtual summer camp to
Virtual Playgroup | Fridays
Each week we will have stories, fun activities for families to do at home, and a unique time for parents and kids to connect while
Motheread/Fatheread | Tuesdays
Motheread/Fatheread is going online. We will share the joy of reading with parents and kids through this fun, early literacy program using great children’s books
New Circle of Fathers Group | Thursdays
Men, sometimes you just need to talk, especially now. We’re excited to share a brand-new Circle of Parents group for fathers and male caregivers all around
Resource Round-Up from Colorado DHS
The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood’s new Family Resource Round-Up is a five-page guide to help with parenting during a pandemic and
Circle of Parents | Mondays
Social connections are especially challenging for families right now – but remain key to reducing stress. As one of the five protective factors for Strengthening
FREE Virtual Support & Resources for Family, Friend and Neighbor Caregivers
If you are a family member, friend, or neighbor providing regular child care for children other than your own during the COVID-19 crisis, Alliance for
Free Learning at Home Resources
If you’re a parent wanting to help your child learn at home or a teacher looking for activities to send home with students, Lakeshore has
Pikes Peak Library District | COVID-19 Resources
If you are looking for easy to find resources, the Pikes Peak Library District has a new Emergency Aid and COVID-19 Resources page on its
Social Connections – NOW and Every Day
Social connections are especially challenging for families right now – but remain key to reducing stress. As one of the five protective factors for Strengthening
Supporting Your Child’s Social & Emotional Health
FamilySPEAK has compiled resources to support families and their child’s social and emotional well-being. As one of the five protective factors for Strengthening Families, being
Video Library, Vroom, Bright by Text!
You are in the right place to learn more about parenting and child development! The FamilySPEAK.org website has a special video library for parents/families based
Parental Resilience Strengthens Families
As the weeks go by, you may be wondering if you will be able to “bounce back” from all the changes that have happened to
Community Resources for Families
Having concrete supports in times of need is one of the five protective factors for Strengthening Families. Call 2-1-1 for Information & Referral (Pikes Peak
What Builds a Strong Family?
Everything has changed for families over the last month. In an effort to be #DoingMyPartCO, Alliance for Kids will focus on the positive things EVERYONE
Local & State Resources for Mental Health Support
If you find yourself needing assistance managing stress and anxiety, local resources are available. NAMI of Colorado Springs At NAMI, calls to 719.473.8477 are being
Celebrity Read Alouds are Changing Things Up!!
Celebrities reading children’s books aloud is catching on…and the playlists are growing by the minute! Hearing stories out loud is great for a child’s early
Preparing for Emergencies | Brain Building Tips for Families
It is important to ensure that you and your family are well-prepared and ready should disaster strike; preparedness and planning are key. Children have unique
Nurse-Family Partnership for First-Time Parents
Public Health nurses provide home visits that improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children in El Paso and Teller
Catch All Editions of The Buzz!
If you’ve missed an edition of The Buzz or want to see all editions, visit our Buzz Page! Click HERE!
Video | Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Health
Dr. Barbara Stroud presents COVID-19 Tips for Parents A member of ZERO TO THREE’s Academy of Fellows, Dr. Stroud provides parents with information and skills
Tips to Stay Connected! Resources for FUN!
Ideas for Ways to Stay Connected while Socially Isolated: Without physical contact, creating some kind of shared experience seems crucial. Eating at the same time,
Working & Learning from Home
To help contain COVID-19, many schools are moving children to online learning at home. In addition, many parents are being asked to work from home.
Academic & Wi-Fi/Smartphone Resource List
From the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families: Bright by Text provides free tips, information, and resources to help all parents and caregivers give every child
Children’s Books Explain Coronavirus
Corona Virus KIDS English 3.2020 Corona Virus KIDS Spanish 3.2020 Dear families and educator all over the world, I have created this short book to
Emotional Resilience During the Coronavirus Crisis
A psychologist’s science-based tips for emotional resilience during the coronavirus crisis From the Washington Post By Jelena Kecmanovic March 16, 2020 at 2:55 p.m. MDT
AspenPointe Supports | Public Health Press Conference
AspenPointe has a crisis hotline available and telehealth for new and existing clients. Their website provides a button to request an appointment. Behavioral telehealth is
Caring for Preschoolers at Home
From the Harvard Graduate School of Education Many of us suddenly find ourselves at home for weeks with our preschool-aged children. The Saul Zaentz Early
Foods to Keep Children Healthy
You know your kid should be eating healthy to stay healthy, but how? We’ll give you the lowdown on which foods to give them, which
7 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Immunity
7 Ways to Boost Your Child’s Immunity There are healthy eating habits you can adopt that will give your child’s immune system a boost. Read
Learning at Home and Homelike Environments
Children receive the message that they are in a kind and loving place when caregivers and family members are intentional about the environments they create.
Math at Home!
Resources to encourage your child’s math learning at home! This resource has everything from “math in the bath” to cooking and music! Visit NAEYC (ENG/SP)>>
Keeping your School Rhythm and Routines
This article is part of the guide Navigating Uncertain Times: How Schools Can Cope With Coronavirus. As schools shift to remote learning models for the
HealthyChildren.org on Social Distancing
HealthyChildren.org, a website from the American Academy of Pediatrics, is your place for trusted information about ages & stages, healthy living, safety & prevention, family
KidsHealth Resources to Stay Healthy
Health Resources for Parents, Kids, Teens, and Educators The KidsHealth website has information for finding out how to take care of your body, eat healthy,
The Germ Experiment for Kids
This is a hands on activity that parents/care providers can do with their children to teach the importance of how handwashing keeps germs away. Learn more
The Importance of Self-Care
Self-care is not selfish or indulgent—it’s how we keep ourselves well to ensure we are physically, emotionally, and mentally capable of being there for our
COVID-19 Fact Sheet
Knowing important information about the outbreak and learning how to be prepared can reduce your stress and help calm likely anxieties. This resource from the
Emergency Preparedness
Watch a video featuring Devereux Center for Resilient Children Early Childhood Specialist and National Trainer Nefertiti B. Poyner, Ed.D., as she helps her 5-year-old daughter
Resources from ReadyRosie
A Toolkit for Supporting Families Impacted by COVID-19 With the growing impact of the COVID-19 virus, ReadyRosie (The Creative Curriculum) has developed a free toolkit
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