Parenting Today/Stress and Reward – Diane Charles (SCAN of Northern Virginia) and Tonya Fulwood (Maryland-based National Center for Children and Families) discuss the stresses and the rewards of parenting. The main point is that children don’t come with instructions so it is OK to seek help. They talk about local resources such as parenting classes, support groups and talking with other parents. They also offer specific suggestions for getting through stressful times as a parent and for celebrating the good times.
Easter Seals/Autism – Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability in the world, affecting more than 1.5 million Americans. Bernie Lucas and Katy Beh Nees, V.P. Government Relations, Easter Seals Headquarters in Washington DC, discuss symptoms and behavioral indicators of autism, genetic and environmental causes. There is no cure for autism but it is treatable. They also talk about local support services provided by Easter Seals, including centers in Silver Spring, Hagerstown and Baltimore, and the Quixtar/Amway Beauty Begins With Heart project with Easter Seals. More info: www.easterseals.com.
Dr. Post/Remembering 9 11 – Bernie Lucas and clinical psychologist Dr. Cynthia Post discuss the seventh anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. They talk about how adults in our area reacted then and how they process those memories now; and look at how children who were very young then and are now high school age remember that day and what it means now.
Volunteer Fairfax/Emergency Preparedness – September is Emergency Preparedness Month in Fairfax County. Samantha Watson (Volunteer Fairfax) discussed aspects of this issue relating to both individuals and businesses with Marcelo Ferreira, Emergency Response Program Coordinator at Volunteer Fairfax and Eugene Jones, Prince George’s County Homeland Security Liaison. Mr. Ferreira explained how volunteer reception centers take of some of the stress off of first responders. Mr. Jones talked about volunteer coordination programs including CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) and Teen CERT. They also provide tips for making a ready kit. More info: www.ready.gov, www.co.pg.md.us, www.princegeorgesvolunteer.org and www.volunteerfairfax.com.
© 2008