Family Engagement Fridays Podcast by ELV

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Discover the joy of gardening, whether you have a small balcony or a big backyard! Vail Shoultz-McCole will share creative ways to garden in any space and fun activities to get your kids involved. Learn fascinating facts about fruits and veggies, and find out how to start affordable gardening projects.

Gardening with your children is a wonderful way to "Plant Memories" together. Plus, it might even encourage them to try new foods! 🌱🍓🥕

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to grow, learn, and bond with your little ones!

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In today's episode, we are thrilled to have Tracey Maruyama, Health Promotions Manager for the American Lung Association in Colorado, join us. Tracey will share valuable resources for parents and caregivers to help keep children's lungs healthy, especially when they are around people who use tobacco, smoking, and vaping products. 

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Colleen Roahrig had a conversation with Christie Caster who is with the Colorado/Wyoming Region of the American Red Cross and the Western Colorado Chapter Executive Director. Christie shared about the American Red Cross’s National Free Smoke Alarm Program. The American Red Cross provides needed smoke alarms to individuals, installs the alarms and provides free home safety tips including helping families to develop a home escape plan. 

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In honor of National Nutrition Month we are replaying this great episode.   Jennifer talks to Paul Soderstrom and Brigid Hunt, Cooking Matters facilitators, about how to feed your family healthy foods on a budget.   The conversation includes talk about comfort food and how we can embrace all ways of eating for balanced health.    

Mentioned in this conversation:    

SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks: 

If you are a SNAP user, then you are automatically enrolled in the Double Up Food Bucks program!   Swipe your EBT card at a participating location and you can double your money to spend on locally grown produce. 

This national program has different double up limits for different states so visit their site to find the details and participating locations near you: https://doubleupcolorado.org/where-its-at/ 

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Join first-time working moms Faith, Morgan, and Elsa as they share their personal journeys of navigating birth plans amidst the guidelines and recommendations from doctors and nurses.  They discuss the challenges, surprises, and triumphs they faced while balancing their own preferences with medical advice. Tune in to hear their stories, gain valuable insights, and feel empowered to make informed decisions for your own birthing experience.

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Join Julie Mendenhall and special guest Colleen Roahrig as they explore effective strategies for teaching children how to respond when others are mean to them. In this insightful episode, Julie introduces the powerful skill of "Look at them, name it, and walk away," a simple yet effective technique that children of all ages—and even adults—can use to handle confrontations. Tune in for practical advice, real-life examples, and empowering tips to help your child navigate conflicts with confidence and grace.

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Mary and Andy, Early Literacy Librarians from Arapahoe Libraries, discuss ways that caregivers can help young children get ready to read.  They share Five points: Read, talk, sing, write  and play. 

Vroom: https://www.vroom.org/ 

A free resource for helping adults build strong brains in their little ones. Hundreds of example activities that are research-based and include how they support brain development. Available on a computer and available as a smartphone app. 

Healthy Children: https://healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx 

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ELV's first time moms are back!   This week, they're diving into the world of teething. From the first signs to the sleepless nights, join them as they share their personal experiences, tips, and tricks to help you and your little one navigate this challenging phase. Whether you're a new mom or just looking for some extra support, this episode is packed with practical advice and heartfelt stories. Tune in and let's tackle teething together!

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ELV Monthly Newsletter - Early Learning Ventures

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Welcome back to Early Learning Venture’s podcast, Family Engagement Fridays! In this episode, we are excited to have Monica DeWitt from the Community Resource Center join us to discuss valuable resources for tax preparation. Monica will share insights on federal and state tax credits, as well as free and secure tax filing options available for 2025. Tune in to learn how you can maximize your tax benefits this season! 

Resources

• MyFreeTaxes.com: For those earning $84,000 or less.
• GetYourRefund.org: Virtual IRS-certified tax help for those earning $67,000 or less.
• VITA Sites: In-person assistance for eligible filers.
• TAXES2GO: Mobile tax help for underserved areas in Colorado.
• BUT Tax Help Colorado- is the  best place for all of this information! 
• GetAheadColorado.org, 
• dial 2-1-1, or 
• check IRS and state tax department resources for official guidance
• They can also reach me by email for additional information! [email protected] 

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Julie Mendenhall is joined by Colleen Roahrig to discuss “Two techniques to help children calm down”. These two techniques help children to calm down and be better thinkers in order to solve problems. Julie will discuss the importance of children being calm in order to hear instructions and be able to communicate with the child during times of stress. Please below attachments for your review.  

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ELV Monthly Newsletter - Early Learning Ventures