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Children and Youth Services Winter Service Guide E E FR Foundational Family Services

New dates and times added!

Join our Bethesda Community We are here for you

February to

March 2024

How do I get started with Bethesda’s Free Foundational Family Services? Create your account through Bethesda’s membership portal.

Step 1

*Your account will be approved within three (3) days. If you already have an account, log in.

Step 2

Step 3

Review the events in this guide to find the best programs for you and your family. Please note there is a limit of one recreational and one clinical group service per child. Register for your selections. If your preferred group is full, register for that group’s waitlist. Service Coordinators review and confirm registrants before each group begins and room may become available for you.

A Service Coordinator is available and ready to help! Contact a Service Coordinator by filling out this Request a Call Back form or by calling 905.684.6918 ext. 170 or by emailing serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com 2

Tonya White Service Coordinator/Interventionist Children and Youth Services

Table of Contents

Workshops

Recreational Group Services

Family Events

Family Support Groups

From the first contact we made, everyone at Bethesda makes you feel welcome, supported and validated. I cannot stress how fantastic the services are and the level of caring individuals that are connected to Bethesda. - Bethesda Caregiver 3

What is a Brief Consultation Brief Consultations are single or time-limited (1-3) individualized sessions that are focused on a specific need or goal. Examples of topics that can be discussed during a brief consultation appointment include, but are not limited to:

Behaviour concerns

Learning about community resources

Increasing independence

Teaching new skills

Completing OAP registration and funding applications

Parents/caregivers can meet with a clinican to discuss strategies for : • social skills • life skills • communication skills • behaviour concerns • and much more Consult appointments can be with a variety of clinicians including: • Behaviour Therapist • Applied Behaviour Analysist (ABA) Therapist • Speech Language Pathologist • Occupational Therapist • Registered Early Childhood Educator • Service Coordinators

Workshops and Caregiver Learning Series Understanding the Ontario Autism Program Service Coordination and Funding Options Meet one on one with a Service Coordinator to help parents and caregivers navigate Autism services in the Niagara Region and the province. The Ontario Autism Program (OAP) and one-time funding, and evidence-based services, including Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), will be reviewed. DATE/TIME

Available by individual appointment upon request. Phone 905.684.6918 ext.170

LOCATION

Caregiver Workshops

Virtual, phone, or in-person appointments available.

Relationships and Sexuality Workshop This workshop introduces parents to issues related to sexuality and relationships for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Parents will learn about a variety of areas that their teen may need to learn to navigate, areas like private and public behaviours, consent, boundaries, and sexual health. DATE/TIME

Tuesday February 20 6:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

Virtual

Social Services at Home (SSAH) and Assistance for Children with Severe Disabilities

12:00pm1:30pm

Our Service Coordinators will help to provide support with completing applications online for families who have not applied. Families are encouraged to bring their laptops and iPad’s to complete applications, laptops will also be available on a first come, first served basis. This workshop is appropriate for families applying for the first time only.

DATE/TIME

Thursday February 22 12:00pm -1:30pm or 5:30pm - 7:00pm

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

5:30pm7:00pm

Internet Safety Workshop This interactive workshop designed for caregivers who are interested in learning tools and strategies to support their teens in using the internet safely. DATE/TIME

Tuesday February 27 6:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

Virtual

Understanding Grief This workshop for parents and caregivers explores the complex state of grief and grieving. The process of grieving will be explored through multiple lenses, as well as highlighting the best ways to talk to children about grief and death, and how to support children who are grieving. Additional information on where to find support around grief will also be shared. DATE/TIME

Monday March 4 6:00pm - 7:00pm

LOCATION

Virtual

Helping Your Teen Cope with Depression A psycho-educational workshop designed for parents and caregivers of teenagers who are struggling with depression and/or depressive symptoms. This workshop will explore depression from a mental health perspective, highlighting the differences between depression and other emotions such as sadness or grief, as well as the criteria that indicate a potential clinical diagnosis of a depressive disorder or episode. Some basic coping strategies for depression will be shared, as well as providing some general tips for caregivers who are supporting a teen with depression. DATE/TIME

Tuesday March 5 6:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

Virtual

These groups are amazing! My son has learned so much, skills I am not equipped to teach him myself. I am so grateful to Bethesda for offering such a wide range of learning and social groups that my son can participate in. - Bethesda Caregiver

Picky Eating This workshop is designed for parents, caregivers and clinicians to cover a variety of positive behavioural approaches to introducing new foods or expanding food repertoires of children who are picky eaters. Strategies are covered in a practical step-by-step manner to address a range of feeding issues. DATE/TIME

Tuesday March 26 6:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

Virtual

Community Speaker Spotlight Series Quest Quest Community Health Centre (Quest CHC) is a non-profit registered charitable organization providing primary health care, health promotion, and community capacity building to residents of the St. Catharines area and Niagara Region. This Spotlight Speaker presentation will highlight Quest’s Rainbow Niagara 2SLGBTQ+ Services as well as the other programs and services that Quest offers that would be appropriate for the clients and families that attend Bethesda. DATE/TIME

Tuesday March 5 6:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

Virtual

Dental Clinics Do you have concerns about your child’s teeth? Is it difficult for your child to attend dental appointments? Does your child require support in seeing the dentist? We can help! Bethesda has partnered with the Niagara College Dental Program to provide priming tools and support for children with a developmental disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis, during a dental appointment and cleaning procedure. Children must be registered with the Ontario Autism Program or Children’s Behaviour Service at Bethesda in order to participate. • Children (age 5 – 18) receive a complete oral examination, cleaning, polishing and idividual oral hygiene instruction. • Radiographs and fluoride treatments are provided as required. • Fee is $30.00. • Sealants are available at no charge. • ABA Clinician from Bethesda will be present to support you and your child.

Monday, March 11 1:30 pm and 5:30pm Niagara College Dental Clinic- Welland Campus

To find the Dental Clinic, enter the main entrance of the Welland Campus off of First Avenue. The clinic is located on the left side of the main lobby once you enter the building.

Cost is $30

For children 5-18 years of age. Receipt of payment may be submitted to individual insurance plans if applicable

To register

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment for your child, please call 905.735.2211 ext. 7758. You may also contact the Dental Clinic by email at ncdentalclinic@niagaracollege.ca Please specify that you would like an appointment for the Bethesda clinic day.

Children and Youth Recreational Group Services Please note that there is a limit of one recreational group per child. Please review the age requirements and skill levels in the descriptions for each group to make your selections.

Coding Club Children will learn the basics on how to code using block-based coding in the Tynker app. They can create and modify fun games, including creating mods and resources for Minecraft, then test and play them! This camp is created for youth who can follow multi-step instructions and are comfortable with a ratio of 5 youth per 1 staff, limited spots available AGES 11-14 years LOCATION In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre DATE/TIME Mondays 3310 Schmon Parkway (excluding March Break) Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6 February 26, March 4, March 18, March 25 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Dance and Movement Children are encouraged to dance and move in this fun movement class. Children should be comfortable in a ratio of 3 children to 1 staff, limited spots available.

AGES

5-7 years

DATE/TIME

Tuesdays (excluding March Break) February 27, March 5, March 19, March 26 6:00pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

Games Group This group is designed for children and youth to practice their social skills through play and to meet likeminded peers. Children should be comfortable in 1:3 ratio, limited spots available. AGES

8-10 years

DATE/TIME

Wednesdays (excluding March Break) February 28, March 6, March 20, March 27 6:00pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

Lego Club In this group children will work collaboratively to build creative structures and practice their social skills. This group is designed for children who can work in groups with minimal prompting and support - collaborative play is present. Children should be comfortable in 1:3 ratio, limited spots available. AGES

9-12 years

DATE/TIME

Thursdays (excluding March Break) February 29, March 7, March 21, March 28 6:00pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

Family Events Spring Family Day Spring is in the air! Join us on Saturday, March 23 to meet some members from our team, have your face painted and jump on the bouncy castle. We can’t wait to see you!

AGES

All Ages

DATE/TIME

Saturday March 23 9:30am - 11:30am OR 1:00pm - 3:00pm

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

Family Support Groups Coffee Chats Parent Support Group Coffee Chats are a parent support group in which parents/grandparents/guardians come together virtually to learn, grow and find connections. This group is led by our service coordinator Tonya White and runs throughout the year to offer emotional support to families. It is an opportunity for families to meet and make meaningful connections with other families, some who are just starting their journey in receiving a diagnosis. Families share and gain practical advice and insights from one another in a safe, non-judgemental space. AGES

Parents of children and teens all ages

DATE/TIME

Mondays bi-weekly Morning Groups: 10:30am - 11:30am February 12, March 4 Evening Groups: 6:30pm - 7:30pm February 26, March 25

LOCATION

In person at Bethesda Niagara Family Centre 3310 Schmon Parkway Thorold, ON L2V 4Y6

Bethesda always exceeds my expectations with the preparations of the staff for their camps. - Bethesda Caregiver

Create a Membership Membership needs to be confirmed before you can begin registering for events. Create your membership here

Follow these steps to create a membership account through Bethesda’s portal: 1. Navigate to bethesdaservices.com > Select Children & Youth Services in the menu bar > Select Client Login from the secondary menu bar. 2. Select Membership Level > Family/Child/Youth Services - Free > Click Next. 3. Enter your Email Address > Click I’m not a robot > Click Next. If you will be creating accounts for more than one child, please register each child with a unique email address. 4. Enter the requested client information for your child > Click Next. 5. Review and confirm the membership information > Click Confirm. 6. Once your membership application has been reviewed and accepted by a Service Coordinator, you will receive an email from admin@portal.bethesdaservices.com with a temporary password. 7. Please log in using provided temporary password and immediately chnage your password to one you will more easily remember by clicking the Change password button. 8. Enter your current and new password (new password must include at least 12 characters, upper and lower case letters, at least one number and at least one special character.) > Click Save. Your website membership application is now complete! If you require assistance with creating your membership account, please connect with a Service Coordinator at 905.684.6918 ext. 170 or serviceinfo@bethesdaservices.com

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