Paul Szmal: Julie Champion is here with us now from Child and Family Resources. Julie, good morning. How are you this morning?
Guest: Good morning, Paul. I'm doing pretty well.
Paul Szmal: We have a few things to talk about here. And the first one is revisiting something that we mentioned last month, but it is coming up this month, specifically in 10 days time. That's the community baby shower.
Guest: Yes. Our second shower this year takes place June 27th at the Geneva Community Center. And we have, oh, I think we have about 25 people signed up so far. We have room for more. The shower actually takes place from 2 to 3.30 PM. And we also have a birth and baby class that's happening before the shower starts at 11.30 to 1.30, and that's in the same location.
Paul Szmal: Beautiful. How did the donations come together for the supplies that are going to be handed out as part of this community baby shower?
Guest: Well, we, as part of our showers, we invite a lot of community agencies and other vendors to join us. So along with their presence and displays, they also donate to, for some of the supplies, we also are funded through our healthy families program. And that's the project that hosts the shower for us. And we have some funding to provide some of the items that parents might need, like diapers and Porter cribs and some special prizes for coming. So luckily we have some great support to help provide those items. And that's also a support is something that's part of this because expecting families can also meet with other people who are going through the same stuff.
Paul Szmal: Exactly. It's a great networking opportunity, especially for those first time parents.
Guest: And I think it allows them the ability to ask some questions or share stories. And hopefully it will create an opportunity for them to then also look into some of our other projects and parenting groups, like our family connection circle, which supports new parents coming together and just talking about their baby's needs.
Paul Szmal: And this community baby shower again, is that the Geneva community center gym. This is going to be on June 27th from two to three 30, the birth and baby class. That's going to happen beforehand in the black box theater. That's inside the Geneva community center. And that runs from 1130 until one 30. Now you mentioned the children's centers and we want to remind people that there is a children's center open at the Yates County courthouse.
Guest: Yes. Um, we've been operating the children's center at the courthouse for gosh, almost, well, I think since 2008 and, um, what's nice is this program is funded by the unified court system of New York state, and they recognize that families need supports, um, to care for their children while they have to take care of some court business. So the, the Yates County, um, when they built the new courthouse, they incorporated a room for a children's center and our center is small. Um, we can only take up to six children at a time. And, um, we have two staff present at all times. They're both trained in CPR and child development and best practice for childcare. And, um, the, uh, the center is open, uh, when most family court sessions are open. So it's a convenient time and it's right in the courthouse. So it's easy for parents to drop them off and then pick them right up when they're done.
Paul Szmal: And by the way, for more information on that, you can call this number 3 1 5 5 3 1 3 4 3 8. That's 3 1 5 5 3 1 3 4 3 8. Julie Champion is with us this morning from child and family resources here on FLX morning. Uh, in Yates County, Julie, as well as Ontario County, uh, understand that there are car seats still available.
Guest: Yes, we do still have car seats. Um, and those are funded by the governor's traffic safety commission. Uh, we have two certified car seat technicians on staff and a third, um, is in training this week, who is also bilingual so we can help out families who are, um, Spanish speaking. And, um, the program is designed to identify what kind of seat families need, help them understand how to install it and, uh, why it's important to have the seat. Um, and then we actually help them fit and install the seat while they're present, um, so that they know exactly how it's supposed to be locked in to make sure it's tight enough and at the proper angles and such, so it's great opportunity for families, um, who can't really afford to get a seat. And even as children grow and transition, sometimes they need a, uh, a different type of seat and we can also provide those as their child grows.
Paul Szmal: Yeah. And of course, you know, New York state law does require car seats for, you know, certain specific ages. And as you said, Julie, uh, as kids transition, become a little bit older, you know, they outgrow one car seat and they migrate to a different car seat before they eventually just get to sit in the back seat with the seatbelt on.
Guest: Exactly. Um, cause we, we have the booster seats and children, um, are required to have those through up through age eight. Um, and depending on their height and their weight as well. Um, but we have these, it is, um, low income based, um, and proof of income is required. And, um, we, excuse me, we usually plan for about an hour of a family's time so that they can go through the education piece, watch a video about seat installation, and then have time to go ahead and have the tech help them install it in their vehicle.
Paul Szmal: And coming up July 4th weekend, it's canal fest in Seneca falls, traditional event that happens every year and child and family resources is going to have a presence there.
Guest: Yes, we are. Um, we actually have some staff who said, Hey, we've never done this before. And we hear it's a, uh, huge event. So we really wanted to step up and join in the community. And we have a, we'll have a display table along with children's activities, um, in the children's area of the canal fest. So we're looking forward to our first year there.
Paul Szmal: Yeah, that should be a good time. Hopefully, uh, I'll put in a word now for good weather for July 4th.
Guest: We're hoping.
Paul Szmal: And you know, this would be a good time since we have a minute, we talk about the specific programs that are going on things like the community baby shower, the community children's center at the Yates County courthouse and so on, uh, but we should probably take a minute to talk about some of the basic services that child and family resources offers too.
Guest: Yes. Um, we have a lot of services. Um, we have, uh, if families are looking for childcare or information, um, what quality childcare looks like and what the regulations are. They can give us a call. We have referral specialists who are there to help gather information and help them find childcare that meets their needs. And, and granted it is hard sometimes because most of the programs are full and there's always a need, but we do have a database that we use, um, that we update regularly to find out who has vacancies. Um, so we try to match families with a care, a care program that meets their need there. Um, we also provide support to childcare programs by offering training onsite technical assistance, as well as, um, uh, inspection. And if like, if there's a complaint about a childcare program, we can accept those calls and we also investigate homes and school age programs.
Paul Szmal: So, yeah, go ahead, go ahead.
Guest: Well, I was just going to say, as far as the childcare component goes, we also work with folks, uh, family or friends who want to care for a family member's child and receive, um, childcare assistance program funding to cover the costs for that. We also help enroll those folks.
Paul Szmal: So there's a lot going on at child and family resources, by the way, the website where you can find out more about this information is cfresources.org. cfresources.org and you serve Ontario, Seneca and Yates counties.
Guest: Yes, that is correct. We serve all three counties and we still have offices in all three counties and folks can give us a call at our 1-800 number it's 800-881-5786. And it rings to all of our offices. So whoever's available, we'll answer and can get you to the person that you need or the service that you're requesting.
Paul Szmal: And again, if you want to partake in the community baby shower coming up on June 27th at the Geneva community center gym, uh, you do have to register for that, correct?
Guest: Um, yes, we prefer people register and they can give us a call at 315-412-4527. That's 315-412-4527.
Paul Szmal: And again, that community baby shower is June 27th at the Geneva community center gym. And for more information on the organization, go to cfresources.org. Julie pleasure as always.
Guest: Thank you.
Paul Szmal: We'll see you next month.
