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Our Oakland County CSCHS team members have years of experience in CSHCS, public health nursing, public health client representation, and caring for families. We are excited to introduce you to one of our case manager nurses, Celeste DiParvine.
Celeste DiParvine - CSHCS Spotlight
How long have you worked at Oakland County? 27 years
What departments have you worked in? 13 years with Field (now Community) Nursing prior to transferring to CSHCS
How long have you been with CSHCS? 14 years
What is one of the best parts of working with CSHCS?
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The CSHCS team - they are kind, thoughtful, and supportive.
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The families we serve - they are a testament to strength, resilience, and devotion.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Spend time with family
What is your favorite food? Pizza and pasta
What is your favorite book or movie? Enjoy holiday movies because they culminate in happy and hopeful endings.
Stay tuned to upcoming newsletters to meet more of our team!
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Where everyone belongs.
On any given afternoon at Friendship Circle's Meer Center in West Bloomfield, you might find a group of children playing in the sand, water, or sensory rooms, teens playing basketball alongside their peers with special needs in the Elkus gym, or adults learning job skills at Soul Cafe or Dakota Bakery.
Founded in 1994, Friendship Circle was created to address a challenge many families know all too well, the isolation that can come with having a child with special needs. What started as a small effort to bring children together has grown into a community pillar serving thousands across Michigan.
The organization's mission is rooted in the belief that within each person is a soul that is equal and worthy of boundless love, and that we have a responsibility to bring people from isolation to community by revealing the shining soul within each individual.
The Friendship Circle's philosophy comes to life through diverse programming. The Fetter Children and Teen Division can be found participating in everything from pickleball to life skills in the realistic Elkus village, or field trips in the community.
For students across Michigan, the Lessons for Life program transforms learning. Instead of just reading about budgeting or job interviews, students from 81 different schools visit the Elkus village to practice these skills hands-on in realistic environments.
And, at the heart of Friendship Circle is something remarkable, the connection between volunteers and program participants. Through the Morrie and Sybil Fenkell Volunteer Club, teens form meaningful one-on-one relationships with peers with special needs.
These aren't superficial interactions. Teen volunteers become trusted friends, and the relationship is life-changing for all those involved.
Friendship Circle might have started with children, but the organization has grown with its first members and provides incredible opportunities for adults with special needs.
The Soul Studio offers members the opportunity to unleash their creativity and artistic voice, share their talents, and become working artists. Through workshops in fine art, mixed media, fibers, ceramics, wood, and other media, there’s something for everyone.
Meanwhile, Soul Café and Dakota Bakery provide real-world vocational training where adults can build job skills in a supportive environment.
Friendship Circle just finished expanding with a new 11,000-square-foot indoor park at the Elkus Village in the Meer Center and is constantly growing, adapting, and innovating.
For Oakland County families navigating the challenges of special needs, Friendship Circle offers a place where everyone belongs.
For more information: Visit friendshipcircle.org or call (248) 788-7878. Friendship Circle has three West Bloomfield locations: Meer Center (6892 West Maple Road), Farber Center (5586 Drake Road), and Dakota Bakery (6879 Orchard Lake Road).
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Looking to connect with other families, professionals, resources, and services? Oakland County’s CSHCS is piloting a new Family Engagement series featuring virtual and in-person events.
Stay tuned for upcoming Family Engagement opportunities for 2026! Have an idea for a topic or event to be covered? We would love suggestions on what YOU would like to see from this series! Call 248-858-0056 for more information or ideas for upcoming topics and events.
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The Family Center is a statewide, parent directed center that serves children and youth who have or are at an increased risk for physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions regardless of CSHCS enrollment.
The Family Center offers:
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Support and information
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Parent mentoring
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Camp and conference scholarships
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Helpful virtual learning opportunities for families. Sign up for Family Center newsletters and learning opportunities at https://bit.ly/43Ncphz.
- And much more!
Attending a conference related to your child’s condition can help you to connect with other families and learn more about your child’s diagnosis. The Family Center offers scholarships to apply for funds to attend conferences! To learn more and apply, visit the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services website.
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The Family Center can be reached at:
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Sign up for the Family Connections Newsletter:
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Did you know that the Children with Special Needs Fund (CSN Fund) may be able to assist you with specialty equipment and services not covered by insurance or other programs?
The Michigan CSN Fund also provides scholarships to attend camp! Camp scholarship applications should be available starting January 1, 2026. Stay tuned to the CSN Fund website for more details!
Contact Oakland County CSHCS for more information at 248-858-0056.
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Respiratory virus season is upon us and getting vaccinated is the most effective way to protect yourself and those you care for against flu, RSV, COVID-19, and other respiratory illnesses.
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Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine.
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RSV vaccine is recommended for people over age 75, people between age 50-74 at increased risk of severe RSV disease, and people who will be 32-36 weeks pregnant between September and January.
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RSV monoclonal antibody is recommended for infants born during or entering their first RSV season, which begins in October, if their mothers did not receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy.
- Everyone 6 months and older should receive a COVID-19 vaccine – look to see if your provider has the 2025-2026 formulation in stock.
Take the following steps to prepare:
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Schedule your vaccine appointments with a health care provider, health department, or pharmacy
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Find out what you need to bring – ID, insurance information (most vaccines are fully or mostly covered!)
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Set a reminder
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Wear a short-sleeved shirt or something easy to roll up at your appointment
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Discuss which vaccines and types are best for you and your family
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Ask questions and talk about common effects after the shots: mild soreness at the injection site, mild fever or chills, head and body aches, and tiredness
- Rest and know you and your family are protected against serious respiratory illness!
A reminder to continue to vaccinate for MMR (measles/mumps/rubella) and Varicella (chickenpox) once children turn age one! These vaccines have demonstrated extremely high levels of safety and effectiveness throughout decades of use. Discuss options with your health care provider to continue to protect your children against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox.
Autumn may be winding down, but the Adaptive Recreation opportunities at Oakland County Parks (OCP) are still in full swing.
Teens (16+) and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are invited to the holiday fun favorite Jingle Bell Ball on Thursday, Dec. 11 or Friday, Dec. 12 at the Waterford Oaks Event Center. Enjoy music, dancing, visit from Santa and pizza party! The holiday season will wrap up with the Kick Start 2026 event on Friday, Jan. 9 at the Royal Oak Mahany/Meininger Community Center. For more information and pre-registration details about these events, visit OaklandCountyParks.com, call 248-221-8040 or email OCPRecreation@oakgov.com.
The 2026 outdoor adaptive recreation schedule will be released soon. Outdoor adventures are a great way to appreciate the seasons and with so many adaptive recreation programs across Oakland County Parks, there are new experiences for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities around every corner. OCP’s Adaptive Recreation offers exciting programs, accessible facilities and adaptive equipment for individuals with disabilities across our parks.
Don't miss the next Adaptive Recreation Experience on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. Explore hands-on activities like archery, curling, golf, wheelchair basketball and more during this free event at the UWM Sports Complex in Pontiac. Registration opens Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.
The Adaptive Recreation Experience is sponsored by Strive Recreational Therapy in cooperation with Disability Network Eastern Michigan, Oakland County Parks, Reimagine Life Foundation, Wheels in Motion and UWM Sports Complex. Print the Save the Date Card and post on your refrigerator. See you on March 27!
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WIC (Women, Infants & Children) is a no-cost health and nutrition program available to eligible individuals. The program is available to the following individuals who meet income eligibility, or are enrolled in Medicaid and/or SNAP/EBT.
- Pregnant women
- Infants
- Children until age 5
- Women who recently had a baby (up to 6 months after delivery, including miscarriages)
- Breastfeeding women (up to 1 year after delivery)
- Supplemental healthy foods
- Nutrition counseling and education
- Growth and development screenings
- Breastfeeding support
- Opportunities to catch up on immunizations or receive a lead screening
- Referrals to health care, public health nurses, registered dietitians, and many other helpful services
Please call 248-858-1272 for eligibility and appointments.
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