July 23, Transformation: Exceptional Child to Exceptional Adult
Presented by Children with Special Healthcare Needs: A program of the Cortland County Health Department

6 - 9 pm, Center for New Careers OCM BOCES-Classroom 7, 250 Port Watson Street, Cortland. FREE Informational Workshop open to all parents and guardians of children with any type of disability or suspected disability. Are you the parent or guardian of a child with disabilities, suspected disabilities or special needs?

Empower yourself with knowledge and network with other parents
Learn how to navigate the educational, mental health, legal & foster care systems
Guide your child to be an independent adult.

This is a free workshop; however, registration is required by calling (607) 758-1111. Childcare is available with advance registration and notification only.

Asthma Action Plans:

A written customized plan can help you and your family manage your asthma and prevent it from getting worse. Treatment plans help you know what medication(s) to take and how to adjust your medication when your asthma gets worse.

If you take medication for asthma – you should have an action plan. School aged children should share the asthma action plan with the school nurse. Download an Asthma Action Plan Form from the Asthma Coaltion of the Southern Tier.

May is National Mental Health Month. To raise awareness about the stigma associated with mental and behavioral health issues, a local task force has launched the Think Again! about Mental Health campaign. The task force consists of people from area health and human service agencies, as well as interested community members.

Throughout the month look for billboards, posters, and newspaper ads featuring the Think Again! message, as well as weekly articles on various aspects of mental health in the Cortland Standard. The Cortland Free Library is also hosting a table with books and various resources about mental health in the main reading area.

Specific areas of behavioral health are the focus in the coming weeks:

May 7-13, Children's Mental Health Week
May 14-20, National Alcohol and Drug-Related Birth Defects Week
May 21-27, National Schizophrenia Awareness Week
May 21-27, Older Americans' Mental Health Week

April Mass Meltdown Blood Screening Results Now Available

Family Fun Nights at the YMCA

We hope you and your family will join us for a fun series of evenings at the YMCA at 22 Tompkins Street. Family Fun Nights feature arts and crafts, games, and a healthy snack, all centered around a monthly theme. Cost is $5 per family. You do not have to be a Y member to attend, but Y members are free. Scholarships are available — if interested, please contact the YMCA at (607) 756-2893. See poster.

Central New York Diabetes Prevention Partnership

Seven Valleys Health Coalition is home to the Central New York Diabetes Prevention Partnership, CNY-DPP. Grant funding from the New York State Department of Health for diabetes prevention and management is used to present workshops for diabetics, sponsor support groups, and diabetes education programs. Funding also covered a diabetes update for medical providers, which was held this past spring.

Anyone interested in adding their name to the mailing list to receive the annual diabetes newsletter or workshop flyers should call Seven Valleys Health Coalition at (607) 756-4198.