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September 2020 | Volume 19 | Issue 5

Fall Newsletter

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Program Manager Minute - by Heidi Lester, M.Ed

Warm Greetings to all families and friends! Back to school is here once more, and it looks unlike anything most of us have ever seen! In this issue of our newsletter we are offering resource and support suggestions to help kinship caregivers and their families during this stressful time. A few updates:

• We have gone virtual! We do check both voice and email daily; for a quicker response, please leave an email address - otherwise we will respond as soon as we can. The office remains closed.
• Support Groups changes: as we continue to find the most effective way to prevent the spread of this virus, in-person support groups will continue to be paused. We are, however, working on two statewide online support group options for Kinship Caregivers and their families.
• Missoula Aging Services (MAS) and The Montana Kinship Navigator Program is kicking off VIRTUALLY from Missoula on the third Wednesdays 12:30-1:30PM beginning September 16. The support group will meet each month through May. People may participate online or by phone at no cost, using ZOOM. An email confirmation with the ZOOM meeting id, password, and instructions will be sent to participants upon registration. The support group will continue to be led by Kelly Moore, MSU Extension Missoula County and Leandra Kelleher, RSVP Volunteer at Missoula Aging Services. Registration is required. Register online or by calling MAS, 406-728-7682 M-F 8am-5pm
• MTKNP and MSU Extension Agents are offering an online option for the parenting curriculum “PASTA” (Parenting A Second Time Around) via ZOOM! This will be open for Relative Caregivers, as well as those who support them! Class begins Oct. 8 and runs 8 weeks (with a break for Thanksgiving). An official announcement and registration details will be announced SOON! For questions contact Heidi Lester, Program Manager at [email protected].

Stay Safe and Be Well!

Mental Health Moment:

Mental Health & Social-Emotional Wellbeing Considerations

~ Heidi Lester, M.Ed. MTKNP Program Manager

Whether in person or online, the back to school experience will be very different for students, teachers, and families alike. As school swings into session, you may want to talk with your children to help ease the anxiety this pandemic creates.

A few simple-ish suggestions:

• Talk with your child about how school will look different (e.g., physical distancing, lunch routines, recess, etc). 
• Talk with your child about how school is going and about interactions with classmates and teachers. Find out how your child is feeling and let them know that what they may be feeling is normal. • Anticipate behavior changes in your child. Watch for changes like excessive crying or irritation, excessive worry or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating, which may be signs of your child struggling with stress and anxiety.
• Create a schedule with your child and make a commitment to stick with it. Structure and routine can greatly help your child from falling behind with assignments. Plan a family-oriented physical activity, such as walks outside. A family calendar or other visuals could be useful for keeping track of deadlines and assignments.
• Try to find a space where you live relatively free of distractions, noise, and clutter for learning and doing homework.
• Identify opportunities for your child to connect with peers and be social—either virtually or in person, while maintaining physical distance.
• Remember: Taking care of YOURself will need to become a priority to help keep anxiety and stress at bay! You can be a role model for your child(ren) by practicing self-care (take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, eat well, stay socially connected.
• And remember, we are all in this together – compassion, understanding, and patience will win this race.

Here we go….BACK TO SCHOOL 2020!

And now, a Special Note from our former Program Director!

“Greetings Kinship Caregivers!

I hope you are all well and managing during these challenging times. Many of you may remember me, as I started the Montana Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) Project in 2002 and directed the project until my retirement in November of 2019. I am enjoying retirement, however, I do miss working with Montana families! The GRG project has evolved over time and is now named the Montana Kinship Navigator Program. The new director is Dr. Brianna Routh, MSU Extension Food and Family Specialist. Heidi Lester continues in her role as the Program Manager. In July, I came back to the project part time to assist with special projects. Specifically, I am working to strengthen our partnerships with our Native American communities; examine ways that we can hold virtual support groups and educational programming during COVID; and to assist with some evaluation.
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I hope to connect with you! Please feel free to email me at [email protected] to say “hello” or if I can be of any assistance. You can also call our main phone number, 406-994-3395, and I will return your call. I am working virtually and do not maintain an office on campus.

~ Dr. Sandy Bailey

Food/Nutrition/Safety:

Yummy Harvest!  Zucchini Au Gratin

Contribution by Dr. Brianna Routh, PhD, MSU Extension, HHD

COVID-19 Special Circumstance Scholarship for Families Requiring In-Home Child Care!!

The COVID-19 Pandemic has created unique challenges for Montana’s families who are working to balance returning to the workforce with childcare and support needs. The scholarship is available for families with children aged 0-18. The scholarship aims to provide opportunity for families that include children or family members with special needs which may include health or safety needs requiring in-home care. This may also include foster families and kinship families with unique in-home needs.
Please contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for more information. https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/ChildCare/ChildCareResourceandReferral