Centering Kids: Advice from the experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood

As a child, Scott Ehrenpreis was awkward, shy, and had trouble making friends. But when he got on stage, all inhibitions disappeared and he felt empowered, untouchable, and capable of anything. In Season 3, Episode 3 of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews Joel Ehrenpreis on how he discovered his son's talent and nurtured his dream to one day be an actor, all while educating the public about what it means to live with disabilities, disorders, and mental health challenges. The one-man show they produced together, Clowns Like Me, will premiere at Asolo Theater in Sarasota on May 18, 2023.

Show Notes:
To purchase tickets to Clowns Like Me, click HERE.
To learn more about L.E.A.P., click HERE.
Click here to learn more about The Florida Center for Early Childhood. 

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When it comes to creating a culture of care in the workplace, it's all about feeling supported from CEO to entry-level positions. This trickle-down effect essentially leads to better client care.  In Episode 2, Season 3 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Dr.  Kristie Skoglund about her journey leading one of the largest nonprofits in Sarasota, Fla. through a global pandemic, major hurricane and housing crisis. 

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When it comes to navigating a child's Individualized Education Plan,  or IEP, parents can sometimes feel confused, powerless, or simply overwhelmed which can make their participation in the process less meaningful. In this episode of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews parent advocate Jen Werden about her new YouTube series, Different Children, Different Approach. Jen teams up with Amy Weinberger of The Lean on Me Project in the series, set to premiere March 1, 2023, to give parents much-needed tools to successfully navigate their child's IEP.

Show notes:
For more information on The Lean On Me Project, click here.
To learn more about Jen Werden and view her full bio, click here.
To subscribe and follow The Florida Center's YouTube page, which will host the new series, Different Children, Different Approach, click here. 

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There's a lot happening at the only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic in Florida. It's not just for helping individuals living with FASD find answers and solutions regarding their disorder, but it's also about finding companionship, even in canine form. In season 2, episode 10 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Bailey Jackson, a mental health therapist and assistant director of The Florida Center's FASD clinic. She discussed how she and her best friend Poppy help families and individuals living with FASD. 

Show notes: 

• To learn more about our furry friends visit Canine Companions for Independence or FASD Furfighters. 
• To learn more about our FASD-related trainings, visit www.FloridaCenterTraining.org 
• To learn more about our FASD Diagnostic Clinic, visit www.TheFloridaCenter.org.

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Receiving the diagnosis that your child has a delay or disability can have an emotional impact on the entire family. In Season 2 Episode 9 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood,  host Merab Favorite interviews Gigi Gillis and Kaitlyn Aland, two parents who are raising children with exceptionalities. Tamra Cajo, a licensed mental health counselor and director of The Florida Center's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic also provides insight into the many emotions parents feel after receiving their child's diagnosis. 

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A good night's rest can affect a child's mood, performance, and behavior, but it's often not considered a factor if a child is acting out or struggling in the classroom. In Season 2, Episode 8 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite and special guest Allison Phinney, a mental health therapist, discuss how parents can help ensure their children get a good night's rest. They discuss proven sleep aids for every age group and more.

Show Notes:
Click here for more information about The Florida Center's School-Based Mental Health Therapy program.

To learn more about trauma-informed care, Click here. 

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In Season 2, Episode 7 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews school-based mental health therapist Margaret Ross, who serves elementary-age children at Fruitville Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla. The two women discuss ways parents and early childhood professionals can build up a child's self-esteem so they are able to overcome feelings of anxiety that are often tied to starting a new school or entering a new classroom.

Show Notes:
Learn more about Margaret's presentation at our Mind Matters Symposium
Listen to Margaret's previous podcast about Mindfulness.
Support this podcast  The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

Have recommendations or ideas for a topic? Please email us at [email protected]! 

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In Season 2, Episode 6 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Kim Williams, a speech-language pathologist and The Florida Center's Director of Development Services, and Tamra Cajo, who heads the agency's Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Clinic. The three women discuss how negative environments, or a traumatic disruption in one's circumstances, I.E. the Covid-19 Pandemic, can significantly impact early childhood development and how services will be impacted by the "Pandemic Generation" or those children born during the pandemic. The conversation also includes information about the 2nd Annual Mind Matters Symposium on June 22, as both Williams and Cajo will be presenters at the event.

Show Notes:
Mind Matters Registration: https://tinyurl.com/MindMattersSymposium 
More info about the FASD Clinic: https://www.thefloridacenter.org/what-we-do/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-clinic/

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In Season 2, Episode 5 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Thiesen interviews children's mental health counselor Michele Duss, who works with preschool-age kids. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Week, the two discuss ways parents can model positive approaches to mental health, recognize signs of trauma and be there for their children in their time of need. 

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In Season 2, Episode 4 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Alba Colmenares Moore, Supervisor of School-Based Mental Health Services in North Sarasota County. The two discuss Alba's upcoming training on Compassion Fatigue, which can limit a caregiver's ability to feel empathy or sympathy for their client. This serious condition can lead to more critical situations but is treatable with mental health counseling.

The training mentioned in this podcast, Overcoming Compassion Fatigue, occurs on Wed., May 4, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm (EST). Interested? Register here.

For more information about The Florida Center's participation in the Giving Challenge, which is hosted by the Sarasota Community Foundation with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, CLICK HERE. All donations of $25-100 to The Florida center during this 24-hour giving event will be tripled! 

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