Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Free Parenting Classes: Jefferson, Shelby Counties


Children’s Aid Society’s E.P.I.C. Program is providing FREE S.T.E.P. Parenting trainings to Jefferson or Shelby County parents with children between the ages of 0 and 5 years. Groups will be held weekly for 8-10 weeks at the CAS Birmingham office and the materials will be available in English and Spanish.

Sessions address a range of important topics:
  • Understanding Young Children 
  • Understanding Young Children's Behavior
  •  Building Self-Esteem in the Early Years 
  • Communicating With Young Children 
  • Helping Young Children Learn to Cooperate 
  • Effective Discipline 
  • Nurturing Emotional and Social Development 
The classes are designed to help strengthen each group member’s parenting by providing skills training to parents. The program encourages a more democratic parenting style of providing children choices and fostering responsibility, improving communication between parent and child, and helping children learn through natural and logical consequences. Additional topics including Shaken Baby Prevention, Safe Sleep, and Smoking Cessation will also be discussed.
  • Food and Childcare Available 
  • Day and Evening Class Options
  • Available in English and Spanish 
  • Certificate Upon Completion 
  • Door Prize Opportunities for Attendees  
New Classes Begin: 
  • Monday, December 3, 10am
  • Tuesday, December 4, 6pm
To Register or Get More Information - Click Here.

 

Monday, September 10, 2012

September 18 Referendum: Vote Yes


CAS joins Governor Bentley and other groups who care for vulnerable children, youth, and families to urge its supporters and friends of children to go to the polls and vote YES for the amendment to move $437.4 million over three years from the Alabama Trust Fund to the General Fund to bridge support for Medicaid, Human Services, and Mental Health. This special referendum will take place September 18.

According to a recent article in The Birmingham News,
“voters will decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment taking $437 million out of a state trust fund to use in balancing the General fund budget for the next three years. Proponents say it will prevent big cutbacks in state services, while opponents say state officials are trying to delay tough spending decisions until after their election in 2014.” 
Without this temporary shift of resources, innocent children who live below the poverty level will suffer even more, likely hindering each family’s ability to shelter, feed, and clothe their children and to seek needed medical care for them.

We encourage our elected and appointed officials to continue to seek long term solutions to address ways to reduce burdens for Alabama citizens living in poverty so these kinds of crises can be avoided.


Detailed information about the special referendum can be found at Alabama Arise: www.arisecitizens.org. For a review of the issues at stake and an explanation of the Alabama Arise position, see their updated fact sheet (PDF).

Children’s Aid Society joins Children’s Hospital and many other child and family serving agencies in support of the Amendment.

Supporters:
  • Children’s Hospital
  • Alabama Association of Realtors
  • Alabama’s District Attorneys
  • Alabama Education Association
  • Alabama Hospital Association
  • Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Fighters
  • Alabama Nursing Home Association
  • Business Council of Alabama
  • Manufacture Alabama
  • Alabama Retail Association
  • Alabama State Employees Association
  • Birmingham News
  • Huntsville Times
  • Governor Robert Bentley
  • Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston
  • House Speaker Mike Hubbard, R-Auburn
  • Senate Minority Leader Roger Bedford, D-Russellville