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Each month, PEI shares a variety of information for professionals, families, parents and children to support strong and thriving families.
For more information about PEI and its programs visit us online.
Bryan/College Station
The Texas A&M University School of Nursing's Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) team continues to grow as they enter their 2nd year of programming! With four full-time Home Educators and a Community Relations & Education Manager they are serving 80 families in the Brazos County and are continuing enrollment for 3- & 4-year-olds. Their Home Educators attended several national conferences and seminars and continue to work towards their goal of supporting 110 families this upcoming year.
HIPPY's aim is to increase Kindergarten readiness and family involvement in the Bryan/College Station community.
Brazos County
 Congratulations to Texas A&M’s first graduate of the Nurse Family Partnership Program in Brazos County! The video features the first family who graduated, the Nurse Home Visitor, and Dr. Robin Page A&M’s Principal Investigator.
Each month, one of ten PEI Innovation Grant recipients will be spotlighted to share about their innovation and what they have learned along the way with the broader prevention community.
City of Laredo Public Health Department is February’s spotlight Innovation Grant recipient.
Laredo Public Health provides NFP programs, and is implementing a Parental Crisis Support Project designed to alleviate and mitigate parental crisis situations. The project will address this issue by providing direct access to professional counseling services and group-based health education. These group health education sessions focus on parental stressors, such as navigating relationship dynamics or financial uncertainty.
While hiring professional counselors presented an early challenge, the effort has paid off tremendously. Through implementing this innovation, Laredo Public Health has seen a noticeable increase in families accepting referrals for counseling related services. Staff member Reynol Vela highlights this by saying “…there was an increased level of comfort in accepting referrals [through this project] compared to a referral that resulted in a one-to-three month waitlist for services, which is typical of our area.” Laredo Public Health, in launching this project, learned that investing in mental health support is needed, and has continued to do so by integrating mental health services into primary care services in a more structured fashion.
 Check back next month for the next Innovation Grant Spotlight!
The 2024 Calendars are now available for order. This free family resource is filled with helpful tips for parents and caregivers of children of all ages. It’s available in English and Spanish, and endorsed by The Texas Pediatric Society.
Calendars can be ordered in multiples of 100 with a maximum order of 500.
Sex Trafficking Study of the Greater Dallas Area
On Feb. 22, the Health and Human Services Commission’s Human Trafficking Resource Center (HTRC) will host a webinar to discuss the recently published findings in “Responding to Sex Trafficking in the Greater Dallas Area: A Needs Assessment.”
HTRC partnered with the City of Dallas, Dallas Police Department, and the Institute of Urban Policy Research at The University of Texas at Dallas to develop a comprehensive sex trafficking prevention needs assessment of the Dallas metroplex. Representatives from the Dallas Police Department and The University of Texas at Dallas will join HTRC to discuss their findings and recommendations.
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What: “Responding to Sex Trafficking in the Greater Dallas Area: A Needs Assessment”
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When: Feb. 22, 2024; 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Central time
- Presenters:
- Dr. Denise Paquette Boots, professor of public policy, senior research fellow, and associate dean of undergraduate education in the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas
- Dr. Timothy M. Bray, professor of practice within the Program of Public Policy and the director of The Urban Policy Research Institute
- Jacqueline Laymance, human trafficking caseworker, Dallas Police Department Special Investigations Division
Background
Texas has the second highest number of reported sex trafficking cases among the 50 states, and Dallas is one of the top 10 cities nationwide for sex trafficking cases. However, Dallas confronts the prevalence of sex trafficking proactively through collaborative efforts involving city leadership, law enforcement, and community organizations.
The report outlines the prevalence of sex trafficking crimes in the municipality, strategies for reducing the number of sex trafficking crimes, and recommendations for additional funding for prevention programs and collaborative initiatives.
The needs assessment was conducted in compliance with Texas Health and Safety Code, Section 50.0051.
To read “Responding To Sex Trafficking In The Greater Dallas Area: A Needs Assessment,” visit the website for The Urban Policy Research Institute at The University of Dallas.
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Governor Abbott Launched the “One Pill Kills” Statewide campaign to combat the growing national fentanyl crisis. We are sharing the attached information to help you spread the word in your local communities about fentanyl and provide you with resources. According to the latest information:
- Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is the leading killer of Americans between the ages of 18-45.
- More than 2,000 lives were lost to fentanyl in Texas last year.
- Texas has experienced a 500% increase in fentanyl-related deaths since 2019 (according to provisional data from the Texas Department of State Health Services).
- Under Operation Lone Star, Texas law enforcement alone has seized over 380 million lethal doses of fentanyl since 2021—enough to kill every man, woman, and child in America.
Share the QR Code above to spread awareness of Narcan locations in your community, and click the link below to access additional resources for the "One Pill Kills" campaign.
As parents we want the best for our kids. GetParentingTips.com is here to support you with tips from infants to teens.
Safe Riders Distribution Partner Site Application
The DSHS 2024 Safe Riders distribution partner site application is now available. Please visit DSHS Safe Riders website for more details. A complete application is due by 5:00 p.m. (CST) on Thursday, February 29, 2024. Applications will not be accepted after the due date.
If you have any application questions, call or email Safe Riders at 1-800-252-8255 or saferiders@dshs.texas.gov.
Safe Riders will provide an application status notification to all applicants by Friday, March 15, 2024.
Virtual Field Trips for Families
 No permission slips required for these virtual field trips! Virtual field trips can be great for a rainy day or to open doors for your family that was never thought could be possible. Below are different sites that offer virtual field trips for all ages.
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Virtual Field Trips for Elementary - These short clips and virtual field trips for PreK-Kindergarten can help to introduce concepts, prepare for an upcoming field trip, or reinforce ideas.
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The Best Virtual Field Trips - You'll find that this site offers 40 virtual trips for all ages to different places including outer space, trips to museums from different parts of the country, and other interesting places!
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Interactive Field Trips - Virtual Field Trips are not only for younger children but can be enjoyable for your older children too! Discovery Education features different subjects, such as STEM, Technology, and Sports. There are options to watch live trips or pick an on-demand video.
Can't get enough virtual field trips? Cick on the button to get more ideas!
Standing Handprint Heart Tree Craft
Materials You'll Need:
- Cardboard Roll
- Cardstock - Dark Brown, Pink, and Red
- Brown Acrylic Paint
- Heart Paper Punch (scissors can be used for this step)
- Glue
- Scissors
- Optional: Felt, Glitter, or other fun supplies!
Instructions:
- Begin by tracing your child's hand onto a sheet of dark brown cardstock. Cut out.
- Paint the cardboard roll a darker brown that better matches the handprint. Let it dry.
- Punch or cut out with scissors a bunch of hearts out of the red or pink cardstock. Glue around the handprint.
- Once dry, make about an inch slit on the corresponding sides of the cardboard roll. Slide the handprint into the slits.
5 Ways to Help Your Child Deal with Childhood Trauma
 In an ideal world, all children have supportive adults in their lives who can encourage them along the way. With this support, children feel more confident and more easily overcome their fears. Unfortunately, many children don’t have this experience. Some have had difficult life experiences that make it harder for them to manage their stress, feel comfortable around others, and to learn and thrive. Overcoming these fears can help children build pride and resiliency, which will help them deal with other challenges later in life.
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