988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States

Virtual Parent Support Group Meeting

Please join our Parent Support Group on February 19, 2025 at 4:30 pm

Jen Klein, Registered Dietician from Monmouth Medical Center will discuss the topic of picky eating and will have a cooking demonstration. This is a virtual meeting and link will be on the RDS website.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UjMsR5OP1_iQOrjivN16DVMTgEoX7N3Y/view?usp=sharing

Link to updated mental health resource guide

Article on screens and children:

https://www.childrenandscreens.org/learn-explore/research/digital-addictions-a-family-guide-to-prevention-signs-and-treatment/

Article on improving impulse control skills

https://veryspecialtales.com/impulse-control-activities-kids/

Transition services

https://www.arcocean.org/what_we_do/vocational-services/employment-supports.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=click%20here&utm_campaign=October%202024%20Newsletter

https://july-8-2024-ciacc-newsletter.my.canva.site/ocean-county-ciacc-resource-guide#cover-page

CIACC resource guide 

Parenting article

https://www.newportacademy.com/resources/mental-health/what-is-lighthouse-parenting/?utm_source=eloqua&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nh_lighthouse-parenting_dtc_both_november-2024

Setting up calm down corner at home

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wi6KEzvYXB_repS5ATe7I53_K7kUW_NJ4vJWi5hq4aQ/edit?usp=sharing

Article on Gentle Parenting

https://therapist.com/families/gentle-parenting/?utm_campaign=tcom_articles&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9Ua_Y9zJiLTY1FydPQRDUPN2E3Za5NEXRaO-0KvNZVW3Vf2M5DUmwZbvPgEi2UWbjgRbAt8zxdRc_MFI7mI8p_jyWsgAghGDuizKHFZnDat1TCBmw&_hsmi=342326480&utm_content=342326555&utm_source=hs_email

SPECIAL CHILD HEALTH SERVICES AND INTERVENTION

732.806-3930

The Early Intervention Program focuses on children under the age of 3, experiencing a developmental delay, disability, or has a diagnosis that has a high probability of resulting in a developmental delay. A service coordinator will talk with you about your concerns. Evaluations are provided at public expense with no cost to the family. If the child meets eligibility criteria for the early intervention program, we will work to assure access and availability of individualized early intervention services. If you suspect that an infant or toddler may be experiencing a developmental delay(s) or may have a disability, seek help early. A referral can be made by calling the Regional System Point of Entry toll free number at 1-888-653-4463.

Special Child Health Services (SCHS) of Ocean County has made a commitment to assist families in caring for their children with complex, long-term medical and developmental disabilities and for children experiencing a developmental delay. For young children, prompt attention to their condition early in life helps assure they will lead healthier lives when they are older.

The program will assist families by coordinating resources for the child with special needs under the age of 22. With parental consent, case managers will work with the child's parent(s) and/or guardian(s) and the physician, to evaluate a child's strengths and needs and develop an Individual Service Plan for the child and the family. Medical, educational, development, social and economic needs of the child and family are targeted. For more information on this program, call 732-806-3931. Caseworkers will also help parents access the New Jersey Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund. Information on this service can be found by calling 1.800.335.3863 or at http://WWW.NJCATASTROPHICFUND.ORG

Ocean County Health Dept.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/10w9k-sDRV59bNxjJhbGQJctDcTGjnpgp/view?usp=sharing

Ocean County's Mental Health Resource Guide 2024-25

Bonding With a Dog: Fun Tips To Build Trust, Calm and Companionship

Dec 31, 2024 09:22AM ● By Ruth Roberts, DVM, CVA, CVH, CVFT, NAN

Photoboyko from Getty Images/CanvaPro

Engaging with the family dog can strengthen the relationship, improve well-being and bring joy. With a little planning, each interaction offers dogs and their owners a chance to exercise, bond, explore and have fun.

Benefits of Interacting With Dogs

In a 2020 study published in Scientific Reports involving 35 dog owners and 58 dog-human activities, researchers concluded:

• Physical interactions with dogs, such as playing, training exercises and being greeted by the dog, increased the owners’ positive emotions, including happiness, joy and contentment, while at the same time reducing feelings of stress, anxiety and fear.

• Owning and caring for a dog was linked to an increased sense of purpose, meaning, responsibility and fulfillment, as well as a positive feeling of companionship.

• While not directly tied to dog-human activities, the general experience of having a dog contributed to a more positive outlook on life.

Dog-Owner Bonding 

According to the National Institutes of Health, a strong bond with the family pet can lower a person’s blood pressure and decrease levels of cortisol, an stress-related hormone. Playing or relaxing with a dog engenders a sense of safety, while also allowing the dog to feel calm and less reactive. Dogs that regularly share activities with their owners tend to show more affection, trust and excitement. 

A 2024 Finnish study published in Science Daily determined that during interactions, dogs tended to be in sync with their owners’ stress levels, as measured by heart rate variability. This suggests that a close bond between a dog and their companion can build an emotional connection and even affect underlying physiological responses. What we do with our pets can have an effect on their emotional disposition, and ours.

Fun Activities

Carla Brown, a dog trainer and holistic pet health coach in Truckee, California, offers these tips to keep dogs happy and healthy.

Play and Exploration: Dogs are happiest when they can play and explore off-leash. This time is essential for their physical and mental growth. If off-leash spaces are not available, find other ways for the dog to play and explore.

Running and Playing: Running and playing release a dog’s endorphins—hormones that can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. These activities also improve brain function, support immune health, reduce inflammation and help regulate appetite. Varying the activities keeps them mentally and physically healthy.

Mental Stimulation: Teaching the dog basic nose-work skills is a great way to challenge their mind and provide calm, enriching experiences. Start nose work by tossing a treat for the dog to find. Use simple phrases like “Find it” or “Search.” As the dog gets better at finding the treat, make the search more challenging by hiding treats in different spots. Dog puzzles, snuffle mats and frozen stuffed toys that hide a treat inside are other ways to teach nose work.

Safety Tips for Dog-Dog Play: Dog-dog play can be rough and scary to the inexperienced observer. They rear up, wrestle and use open mouths. When dogs play together properly, no one should get hurt. Good playmates take self-imposed breaks when play escalates too much. On the other hand, puppies need help to calm down and stop playing. 

Tips for Human-Dog Play: Set clear rules and follow through to ensure play is fun and safe. Teach cues like “Sit” and “Give a hug.” Don't allow rough play that promotes bad mouth habits. If a dog is used to roughhousing at home, they won’t understand that it is not okay with others. Allowing the dog to jump on their owner when they come home might suggest that it is okay to jump on strangers.

Safety With Kids and Seniors: When it comes to playing with children or older people, the rules are stricter. Dogs should be discouraged from using their mouth or jumping on people. This is why controlling play is important. Giving the dog a cue to sit, wait, take or drop will help them calm down. If the dog has trouble calming down, give them regular breaks. The reward is playing by the rules. 

Ruth Roberts is an integrative veterinarian and holistic health coach for pets, as well as the creator of The Original CrockPet Diet. Learn more at DrRuthRoberts.com.

Regional Day School at Jackson 

Regional Day School’s 

MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE  GUIDE 

Nationwide Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988

PESS (Psychiatric Emergency Screening  Services) for crisis intervention  732-886-4474 

Mobile Response & Stabilization for immediate interventions 877-652-7624 

Family Crisis Intervention Unit  732-240-3638 

DCP&P (DYFS) for abuse and neglect  877-NJABUSE

Perform Care for needs assessment and  referrals 877-652-7624 

Bright Harbor Healthcare  outpatient mental health  treatment for central and  southern ocean county 732-575-1111

Preferred Behavioral Health for  outpatient services (northern Ocean  County) 732-367-4700 

Ocean Harbor House, services for troubled youth, 732-929-0660 

Catholic Charities (counseling) 800-360-7711

POAC (autism services and resources)

732-785-1099

Dial 211 for essential community resources

Ocean County Board of Social  Services 732-349-1500 

The Family Resource Network  732-262-8020

Ocean County Health  

Department 732-341-9700 

Ocean County Department of  Human Services  732-506-5374 or  www.co.ocean.nj.us/ocdhs/ index.html 

Department of Human Services  Division of Disability Services NJ Resources 888-285-3036 or  www.state.nj.us/

humanservices/dds