Family Newsletter

The holiday season tends to present many changes in routine, which can be very dysregulating for children. New decorations, dietary changes, disrupted sleep schedules from holiday festivities, the switch to daylight savings time, and travel to visit family can be some of the factors that can make this season challenging for families. Some indicators of dysregulation could be pickier eating, a harder time transitioning between activities, sleep challenges, or bigger feelings than normal.

Here are some ideas to help your child with regulation during this busy season:

• Pre-teach changes in routine. Talk to your child beforehand, or consider using a visual schedule, to let them know about any big changes in routine that are happening that day.
• Protect sleep schedules as much as possible. The more you can stick to a consistent bedtime for your child, the better. Also if your child still takes naps, build nap or quiet time into your holiday schedule. If you're visiting relatives, talk to them beforehand about a space in their home where your child can nap or take a break if they are overstimulated.
• Offer preferred foods along with new foods. It's okay to serve your child cereal during the holiday meal if that's what your child will eat.
• Be flexible and keep expectations low. Set boundaries with people who are asking too much of you or your child. It's okay to say that this year you can't travel or can't host a big gathering.
• Practice your own self-care and reduce your own exposure to activities or events that make you feel overwhelmed. You can shop online to save time and avoid crowds, and serve holiday meals in containers that can be directly placed in the fridge to cut down on dishwashing. Have a scheduled end time for any gatherings you are hosting and also ask guests to bring a dish and help with clean up.

We have two more fall playdates scheduled with Adventure! Children's Museum at the Valley River Center in Eugene. Join us for free play time for families currently receiving services with Early Childhood CARES, from 9-11 am on Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20.

Please note that Adventure! is not able to offer free play times to our families at times other than the scheduled group playdates. However, Adventure! participates in the Museums for All program, offering discounted admission rates for families receiving EBT benefits. Visit this link to learn more about general admission to Adventure! Children's Museum.

Join a welcoming space each second Wednesday of the month, 6-8 pm. Connect with parents, learn about resources with Escudo Latino and Bridging Communities, and discuss special education with FACT Oregon. Contact Rosa Belem Ochoa Consulting to learn more: (541) 601-9113 rosabelemochoaconsulting@gmail.com

Beyond Behaviorism: Supporting Children Through Connection, Collaboration, and Neuroscience - FACT Oregon

Join this exciting special presentation with Guy Stephens on how behavior is communication and how to better connect with and support children. You will learn: Why children's behavior is so often misunderstood; Why many common methods of addressing behavior are not working; How trauma-informed, neuroscience -aligned, and neurodiversity-affirming approaches can change how we see and respond to behavior. Online via Zoom on Saturday, November 7th from 9am - 12pm. Register Here.

For the full list of FACT Oregon trainings, visit their website here.

Center for Family Development is offering a 7-week group to support parents of 3-6 year olds, on Mondays at 5:30pm, starting Nov 2. See attached flyer.

With fall settling in, it’s a great time for parents and caregivers to slow down, enjoy a warm cup of coffee and connect with others who understand the joys and challenges of raising a child with a disability. Families Connected hosts two Parent Coffees each month, allowing families in Eugene and Florence a welcoming place to take a break, share experiences and build connections.

Eugene Parent Coffee: November 18, 10 am–noon, Southpine Bakery & Café

Florence Parent Coffee: November 20, 10 am–noon, Old Town Coffee Company

November 21: “I Spy” Bottle Crafting (2–4 pm)

Get creative with us as we make our own “I Spy” bottles! Families will fill bottles with rice and hidden treasures to create fun, hands-on sensory activities that kids and adults can enjoy together. Shake, explore and see how many hidden surprises you can find! Families Connected will provide all the crafting supplies and snacks. Just bring your smiles and get ready for a fun afternoon! Register online in advance so we can make sure we have enough bottles for everyone.

November 28: Free Family Fishing Event (11:30 am–2 pm)

Grab your family and join us for a fun day of fishing. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hosts free fishing days the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Come take advantage of this free event, enjoy the outdoors and connect with other Families Connected and Familias en Conexión families. We'll provide poles, volunteers and instruction; you just need to bring some chairs to sit in while you wait for the fish to bite.

Preparing for Kindergarten: Free Virtual Learning Series for Families

Is your child with a disability or support needs starting kindergarten in Fall 2027? Disability Rights Oregon (DRO) is launching the Kindergarten Inclusion & Transition (KIT) Learning Series, a free, statewide virtual program designed to help families prepare for this important milestone.

This eight-session learning series will help parents and caregivers build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to support their child’s learning, belonging and inclusion at school. Families will explore tools to better understand their child’s educational needs, communicate effectively with school teams and participate meaningfully in their child’s education.

Through shared learning and practical activities, participants can strengthen their advocacy skills, connect with other families and prepare for a more successful transition to kindergarten and beyond.

Register online by November 12, and space is limited. Families with children entering kindergarten in Fall 2027 are encouraged to learn more and reserve their spot!

Wraparound is a planning process to help children and their families realize their hopes and dreams. This introductory training will help families gain an understanding of the Wraparound process, including the 10 Wraparound principles, the value of family voice and choice, and how Wraparound can be used to improve outcomes for youth and families with high-level mental and behavioral health challenges. You can register for this training on the training's eventbrite webpage. WHERE: Online; WHEN: Tuesday, November 3 from 6:30 pm - 8:30pm

Oregon Lifeline is a federal and state government program that provides a monthly discount on phone or high-speed internet service for qualifying low-income Oregon households. Learn more here.

Safe Lane Transportation Coalition provides offers free child passenger safety checks to families in Lane County. Caregivers can schedule an appointment for a one-on-one safety check. See this page to submit a request for an appointment.

Need help finding emergency shelter? Lane County has a Shelter Finder website to assist individuals and families looking for shelter. Click here to visit the site.

Parenting Now has a comprehensive community resource guide available for families with information on basic needs, counseling, family education & support, and more. You can download a PDF of their 2026-27 resource guide below.

Email: eccares@uoregon.edu
Website: https://earlychildhoodcares.uoregon.edu
Location: 1500 West 12th Avenue, Eugene, OR, 97402 USA
Phone: (541) 346-2578
Facebook: facebook.com/earlychildhoodcares