Newsletter for October 27, 2006
HELP Center Announcements
Save the Dates: Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:00
Student Parent HELP Center Group Updates:
The Student Parent HELP Center Parent Group meets weekly on Wednesdays from 12-2 in Room 24, Appleby Hall. We provide a nice lunch for FREE for those folks who attend (you do not have to stay for whole group, but we ask that students do not ‘eat and run” so that the food goes around).
The weekly discussions are based on the input we receive from student parents throughout the course of the semester. Each week, we will try to provide as much information and sharing as possible among student parents, as we feel you are the experts on your experiences as parents. The input you receive from group can be used, or not used, based on your discretion; some tips will always work better for some than others. We love to have you share and we look forward to hearing from you throughout the semester!
Although we always have time for sharing each week, there are some times that we bring in outside speakers or guests to provide specific information on topics you are interested in. We want you to come as much as possible every week, but please also SAVE THE DATES for the upcoming outside speakers:
Wednesday, November 1, 1-2: Dr. Amy Sussman-Stillman, (University of Minnesota, Institute for Child Development) professor in child development and mother of two young children, will be coming to talk about age-appropriate discipline strategies. She is also prepared to field specific questions during this time.
Wednesday, November 8, 1-2: Stacey Bostwick, from the Powderhorn Residents Group, and Jeff Washburn, from the City of Lakes Land Trust, will be coming to talk about home buying options and home buying counseling opportunities for those interested in buying their first home or are just curious about what to do in order to prepare for home buying in the future.
***Wednesday, November 29, 1-2: Linda Aaker, from the University of Minnesota, Legal Services, will be coming to provide updated information about the significant changes that will occur in 2007 in regard to child support laws in the state of Minnesota.
Wednesday, December 13, 12-2: Stress Free Day! Massage therapists from Centerpoint School of Massage will be coming in to offer special massage treats to keep you relaxed through finals --- a small reward for getting through the semester! J
Please look out for upcoming amendments to the schedule, as we are waiting to hear back from a few outside speakers!
We Need You…
The Student Parent Association (SPA) is a University student group specifically designed to address the issues facing student parents on campus. As the new academic year gets underway, SPA is looking to enroll new members and officers. Membership and officer application forms are available on their website under the “Links” tab. Complete applications can be returned to Susan Warfield, via email attachment sent to her direct email address. This type of engagement looks wonderful on a resume and goes a long way toward increasing the visibility of student parents at the U of MN. Please visit their website to learn more: www.tc.umn.edu/~umspa/
Student Parent Success Stories:
We would like to begin featuring announcements of student and family successes as regular newsletter items. If you will be graduating at the end of fall term, are welcoming a new child, purchasing a new home, getting married or experiencing any related event that you would like to have us post in the newsletter, please send the details to the SPHC email address, spch@umn.edu . We would be proud and honored to share in celebrating these wonderful life transitions with you and your families.
Parenting Information
MN Science Museum
Did you know…families who receive any assistance in the form of WIC, MFIP, GA, MA, MN Care, SSI, FS, or Section 8 qualify for reduced admission rates at the MN Science Museum. Just bring along current proof that you receive any of the assistance forms listed above, and you and your family can enjoy the Science Museum for the following prices:
Exhibits: $1.00
Exhibits + Omni Theater: $3.00
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit: $3.00
Exhibits + Body World Exhibit + Omni Theater: $3.00
Please contact the museum with any further questions:
651.221.9444, www.smm.org
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday 9:30-7:00, Thursday-Saturday
Also, Museum Adventure Passes are now available for check-out at over 100 metro public library branches. The pass allows you to visit a number of local museums and attractions, including the MN Zoo for free!
http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/museumpasses.asp
Fun Fall Events
Information about area Apple Picking:
http://twincities.citysearch.com/find/results/twincities
/apple%20orchard/page1.html?init_search=1
University of Minnesota Homecoming Parade:
November 4th at 9:00 am, check the website for more details: http://www.homecoming.umn.edu
Soap 101
Cold and flu season is upon us again. Research has proven the best line of defense to protect ourselves and our children is hand washing. The following is what the MN Department of Health has to say about which soap to use:
http://www.health.state.mn.us/handhygiene/toolkit/howwash/bestsoap.html
Regular soap?
Soap and water is very effective and is necessary if soil is visible. To really work, handwashing must be done frequently and properly. Washing with plain soap and water will eliminate most bacteria.
Alcohol hand sanitizers?
“Using hand sanitizers is an excellent method for hand hygiene and can be alternative to soap and water, particularly when a sink isn’t available” according to Harvard Medical School. Alcohol based sanitizers kill 99.99 percent of the most common germs, they work within seconds and without water. In order to prevent drying effects of the alcohol, the sanitizers need to contain moisturizers.
Antibacterial soap?
The American Medical Association and the CDC do not recommend use of antibacterial soaps. Many scientists fear widespread use could lead to a strain of resistant bacteria or "super bugs." There is no need to use anti-bacterial soaps, which may actually do more harm than good. The antibacterial compounds need to be left on hands for about two minutes in order to have any effect on bacteria.
*Health experts recommend people wash their hands for 20 seconds. Challenge your children to sing the Happy Birthday song while they are washing their hands to make sure they are spending enough time to keep the cold and flu germs away!
Grants Update
The lists for both the CCAMPIS Grant and the Post Secondary Child Care Grant CCAMPIS Grant are closed, there is no other funding available at this time..
All programs of the SPHC are available to undergraduates only
Cool Web Link:
http://www.mncollegesavings.com
The Minnesota College Savings Plan, the 529, is an opportunity for Minnesota parents. The program allows you to save for your children’s future college expenses without paying a Minnesota or federal tax when you withdraw it for qualified expenses. The money is good at thousands of colleges. It is never too early to start saving for your children’s future. Visit the website or call 866.664.7451 for more details.
Tasty Recipe:
Lasagna
Ingredients:
3 jars spaghetti sauce (any kind you like), 2 packages lasagna noodles, Garlic, 1 onion (diced), 48 oz. mozzarella, 3 lbs. ricotta cheese, 1 cup milk, 3 eggs, 1 cup parmesan
Directions:
Mix together the cheeses, milk, eggs, onion, and a little dash of garlic.
This makes one of the layers. Pour a bit of sauce into the bottom of the crockpot to prevent burning and then begin layering the noodles, then cheese filling, then sauce; repeatlayers (noodles, cheese filling, then sauce). Continue layering until you reach the top of the crockpot. At the top, end with a little sauce and some leftover parmesan cheese to sprinkle over the sauce. The lasagna noodles donot have to be cooked before they go in the crockpot; they will cook while
they're inside. The dish usually can be on high for 4 hours or so. The recipe can be altered for smaller portions.
Who’s Who at SPHC
Susan Warfield, MSW, LICSW
As the Director of the SPHC, I am responsible for overseeing all programs of the Student Parent HELP Center and supervising SPHC staff. This has meant that I have had to step back from having the degree of direct contact with students I have always enjoyed having. This has been a difficult but necessary step for me to take in order to meet the needs of our growing program. If you have an issue that absolutely cannot be addressed by another SPHC staff member, you may schedule an appointment with me. These appointments should be booked through the SPHC front desk. Intakes and basic questions about services offered should be directed to Jerri Wagner, Melissa Schmidt, Ali Cain, or Zer Xiong. I am entering my 7th year with the HELP Center and during this journey have moved from staff, to Coordinator and now Director. With this evolution has come an increase in responsibilities and duties. Please know that even though you may not see as much of me in the actual Center as you may have in the past, I continue to work each and every day to bring you the programming, funding and visibility on campus that student parents need to have a successful experience at the U of MN. We are experiencing a bit of a crisis on the private child care funding side and I really need to devote most of my attention this year to finding more child care assistance and emergency grant funding in order to keep up with demand. Have no fear; you will continue to hear my raucous laughter echoing through the SPHC!
Jerri Wagner, MSW, LGSW
I am the new Direct Service Program Coordinator for the Student Parent HELP Center. Originally from New York State, I graduated from Syracuse University in 2000 with an undergraduate degree in theatre, with minors in sociology and women’s studies. After undergrad, I was an AmeriCorps volunteer for one year in Chicago, teaching arts integration on the west side in a Chicago Public School. In June of 2003, I graduated with my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago. While in graduate school, I served as a therapist with Chicago’s Metropolitan YWCA, working with survivors of sexual assault and their families. From 2003-2006, I coordinated two statewide youth violence prevention programs for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention in Chicago. Prior to relocating to Minneapolis, I spent March-June of 2006 traveling and learning abroad in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. I would love to talk about any of these varied experiences with you and really look forward to working with such an amazing and resilient population at the SPHC!
Melissa Schmidt
Hello, I am one of two social work interns at the HELP Center this year. I am in the Masters of Social Work program here at the University and am really excited to be involved in the HELP Center this year. Along with graduate school, I am also an employee at The Aurora Center here on campus. I have one son, Aiden, who was born 10/5/05. I am excited to celebrate his first birthday next month!
Ali Cain
I am pleased to be completing an internship at the Student Parent HELP Center. I am in my last year of the Masters of Social Work program at the U of M, where I also completed my undergraduate degree in Family Social Science. I have worked at a large family homeless shelter for the past five years. I am looking forward to an exciting year, working on campus alongside a great staff and motivated student parents!
Zer Xiong
Hi! It is my pleasure to be the undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA) for the Student Parent Help Center. I am also a student parent myself. I have a son who was born on 11/27/06. Currently, I am pursuing a bachelor of arts in the Inter-College Program in the following three areas: Sociology, Family Social Science, and Public Health. Feel free to ask me any questions if you need help in the Student Parent Help Center.
Comments, questions or ideas about useful information for this newsletter can be directed to Ali Cain at sphc@umn.edu.