News You Can Use (And Where To find It)

RAISING AWARENESS:  Human Trafficking/Abuse:Note: View the digital version to activate hyperlinks – www.parmaobserver.com/read/news >  K N O W   T H E   S I G N S  <
> Pay attention if a person:  > Be alert if a young person:
    *  Appears submissive, afraid or nervous.                                                            *  Has a much older “boyfriend / “girlfriend.
    *  Tells a well-rehearsed or inconsistent story.                                                   *  Has new jewelry, new hairdo or polished nails (not paid for
    *  Is not in control of his/her identification papers                                                 by the youth’s parent or guardian/s.
    *  Shows signs of physical or mental abuse.                                                        *  Has sporadic or poor school attendance.
    *  Is not able to come and go as he/she pleases.                                                *  Possesses multiple hotel cards or cell phones.
    *  Does not want to tell you about a tattoo which may be                               *  Wears clothing inappropriate for his/her age or for the
        a trafficker’s branding.                                                                                              weather.
> Signs a friend or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking:
    * Someone has isolated your friend from you and other loving & supportive people.
    * Someone makes decisions for your friend about when he/she is free, where they can go, or who they can hang out with.
    * Your friend left town suddenly or disappears from time to time with little or no explanation.
    * Your friend is highly secretive about a new relationship or their whereabouts.
    * Your friend has received expensive gifts.
    * You never see your friend anymore or you can never get time alone with them.
    * Your friend seems frightened or nervous.
    * Your friend seems malnourished or ill and isn’t allowed to get the treatment they need.
>>  Know who to contact….a trusted adult, your local police department, the County's Regional Human Trafficking Task Force at 216.443.6085, or if you feel it's an emergency dial 911. Should services and/or support for a victim be required, a call to the H. T, Collaborative, 440.872.6500 can result in the appropriate connection/s being made w/any of its 70+ partner organizations or agencies. 

O  From Cleveland Rape Crisis Center... Click here to learn about support for survivors who are d/Deaf and hard of hearing.  Check out the video presented in American Sign Language  w/English sub-titles describing services available.

O  From The Collaborative to End Human Trafficking:
      >>  “Fundamentals of Human Trafficking” presentations are scheduled for 7:00 pm on Tues, Nov 15th, and again at 10:30 am on Tues, Dec 6th. These hour-long presentations are both free and virtual. Note that Social Workers completing this program are eligible to receive 1 free CEU. Get details & register here.
 
LOCAL EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:
O  Grant Sources for Nonprofits...Here is another set of five grantors identified by the MyCom network:  >  Colibri Grants  > Classics for Kids Foundation  > The Edward E. Ford Foundation  > The Fordham Street Foundation         > The Global Fund for Children.  If you’re affiliated with a family/youth-serving organization visit these funders’ sites to see if your program/service fits their mission.  
 
O  From Parma City Schools: 
      >>  Go hereto learn more about how PCSD has & is responding to the mental health crisis, the notoriety the program has received, and how its efficacy has attracted key sponsorships & the support of Cav’s player Kevin Love.
      >>  Proposed new school boundary maps for the 2023-2024 School Year have been drafted. Go here to view & learn more.
     >>  In partnership with PSE Credit Union, K-4 students are now able to open an actual savings account & "bank" weekly! The “PCSD Pennie Club” program is student-run & staff facilitated at each of their elementary buildings.  Staff training is now complete and they’re ready for bankers!
      >>  If you’re not already aware, new Senior Discount cards qualify Senior citizens for 20% off of services offered by Normandy’s  Cosmetology program and meals served by the Sword & Shield Culinary restaurant! Senior discount coupons are available at the central office on Longwood. Learn more here.     
      >> If you’re a local business owner, go here to learn more about the district’s Workforce Learning Program. Find out why and how your business can participate to help build a local workforce pipeline.
     
O From Ohio Dept of Education (ODE):
      >>  RecoveryOhio has partnered with several state agencies to create a new public awareness campaign focused on warning middle school, high school, and college students and their families of the dangers of counterfeit pills. Download the materials to share today.
      >>  Click here to learn more about a new Community Wellbeing: Social Determinants of Health dashboard available on the DataOhio Portal. Explore the dashboard to gain insight that can help inform local decision-making.
      >>  Are you working with students and families displaced by conflict, environmental disasters, and other extraordinary circumstances? Go here to review ODE’s new “Enrolling and Supporting Displaced and Newcomer Students” webpage containing requirements and considerations to best support displaced newcomer students with immediate enrollment and more.
      >>  If you’re a tutoring vendor or looking for a professional tutoring service click here to learn more about ODE’s just released high-quality tutoring program directory.

O  From All Faiths Pantry...The organization is in need of delivery volunteers. For more information call Megan at 216.406.4329 or visit their website athttps://allfaithspantry.org/

O  From Medworks of Greater Cleveland...They are hosting a FREE DENTAL CLINIC on Friday, Nov 18th and again on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Huntington Convention Center, 300 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland.  No questions asked; walk-ins only. Patients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Go here for details.

O  From The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (NEOBHC)...Visit their website here and click on the COMMUNITY tab to learn more about the more than 20 activities, events, and projects currently underway. DATA RESOURCES are also available by clicking on the ABOUT tab.

O  From Search Institute:
      >>  Go hereto review the results of their 2015 study, “Don’t Forget the Families – The Missing Piece in America’s Effort to Help All Children Succeed.” There’s a lot of good stuff here – well worth more than just a cursory visit. Among its many TIPS is a reference to Parent Further, Search Institute’s website for families to find quizzes, conversation starters, activities, and other tools to strengthen developmental relationships in families. Learn more & check it out here.
      >>  Sign up for this free, 1-hour webinar: The State of Developmental Assets coming up on Wednesday, November 16 at 10:00 am, CST.  SI’s CEO will be sharing new data around Developmental Assets, discussing the state of Developmental Assets throughout the pandemic, and how Assets lay the foundation for building meaningful relationships with young people to ensure they feel seen, heard, and valued. Register here.

O  From ASSE-Intn’l Student Exchange Program...ASSE is looking for local representatives to help assist local families and high school exchange students who will be attending high schools during the 2023 – 2024 school year. To learn how to apply visit their website by clicking the hyperlink above. For more specific information contact our state coordinator, Holly Hawk at holly@asse.com, ph: 937.418.6779.

O  From OCALI...For folks working (or living) with clients (kids mostly but adults as well) on the autism spectrum and/or who may have some type of physical or sensory challenge. OCALI’s annual 4-day, all-virtual conference is scheduled to start on November 15th. If registering as a parent/student the cost is only $50; if as a professional it's $250. They're quoting > 15,000 registrants so far & at $50 a pop it may be worth considering. Go here to visit the conference website.

O  From the Down Syndrome Assoc. of NE Ohio (DSANEO):
      >>  For families interested, DSANEO will be hosting its Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 4th at the Holiday Inn on Rockside Rd. Visit their website for more information.
      >>  While there, a) check all the activities planned for this month on the Calendar page and b) visit their Publications page to view among others, a list of all the programs and services they offer, and view a copy of “Life with Down Syndrome – A New & Expectant Parent Guide”

O From Lake Erie Ink (A writing space for youth)...Visit their website to learn more about how this local organization offers programs for students ages 6 to 18, as well as providing off-site creative writing experiences for students in schools and other youth-serving organizations.  Go here to view and/or register for any of their extensive list of fall programming opportunities.

O  From Ohio Dept. of Insurance... The Life Insurance Policy Locator tool from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners helps to connect consumers with their deceased loved ones' lost life insurance policies and annuity contracts if there are any. The online tool is free & available to anyone.

O  From Cuyahoga County Public Library (CCPL):
      >>  Student Success Centers (formerly called Homework Help) & the 1-2-3 Read programs are in need of more volunteers. Go here to learn more about the programs and how you can sign up.
      >>  Looking for information about a library service? Click on the red ASK US link located on the right side of the  CCPL home page to display their redesigned list of FAQ’s, email your questions directly, or request a CHAT w/a CCPL reference representative (available during normal office hours).
      >>  Check out these new recently added digital resources:
            > Point of View Reference Center                 > Home Improvement Reference Center
       >>  Go here to view when specific Branches will be hosting a Cleveland Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry. Locally, Parma-Snow will host their Food Pantry from 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Tues., Nov. 1st  (if you have the time, they do need more volunteers);  Parma Hts mobile pantry will take place from 10 – 12 noon on Wed, Nov. 16th.  
      >>  Use your CCPL library card (or get one here) to take advantage of just some of these more unique services/programs available at your library.
            > WiFi Access & Computer Classes– A full complement of free, in-person & online computer classes are now available including Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Prep courses.
            > One-on-one tech help is available from the Digital Navigator service.
            > Learn how to hold a conversation in over 70 languages
            > Digital Newstand - Enjoy digital versions of your favorite news publications and magazines
            > Take your pick from thousands of streaming movies & TV shows from Hoopla, Kanopy & Overdrive
            > Design something & use the 3D printing capabilities of the Parma-Snow Innovation Center            
            > Learn more about Library2You, their homebound delivery service
            > Passport services are now available.
            > Check out programs for pre-school & school-aged youth. Scroll down for Teacher resources.
            >Cuyahoga Works: Job and Career Services, ESOL, GED, Citizenship classes
            > Sign up to receive the Library's weekly e-Newsletter
            > Click here to visit CCPL’s Home Page