PORTAGE COUNTY:

COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT FOR
FAMILIES

PORTAGE COUNTY LIBRARIES

Aurora Memorial Library
Garrettsville Library
Kent Free Library (*Kent Rotary Early Literacy Center)
Pierce Streetsboro Library
Randolph Library
Windham Library

Each library has a free storytime available for young children to

attend with their parents. During storytime, children will sing, listen
to music, dance/movement, and hear stories. The library is a place
that early intervention services could take place with families.

NORTHWEST BRANCH AKRONSUMMIT LIBRARY

Sensory Storytime
December 19th from 10:30AM to 11:30AM or December

19th from 11:30AM to 12:30PM (Third Saturday of every

month)
Incorporates: Visual Schedule Board
Books read aloud and demonstrated interactively through

flannel boards
Sensory opportunities through bubbles, songs, movement
Half hour of playtime for all
http://northwestakronbranch.akronlibrary.org/programs/se

nsory-story-time
/

HATTIE LARLHAM
Toys and Technology Library: Free community library of

toys, communication devices, mobility devices, and

learning devices adapted to meet needs of children with
developmental disabilities. Provides families with the
opportunity to try out devices first before purchasing
them. They also loan switches out to adapt toys for
children.
Respite Care or Private Nurse Care: Able to provide

respite care in your home. Also, private nurse care

available in own home provided by licensed professionals.
http://www.hattielarlham.org/

FAMILY SWIM AT HAPPY DAY

SCHOOL
BOARD ELIGIBLE FAMILY SWIM NIGHTS

Will be every Tuesday evening from 6:00-7:30 PM

at Happy Day School beginning on 9/23/14.
A lifeguard will be on duty. An adult must accompany
each swimmer. We hope to see you there!

KENT PLAZA THEATER

Movie theater that shows a sensory-friendly

movie the 2nd Saturday of each month at

9:30AM. The movie is family friendly and open
to families of children with special needs.

PARENT COUNCIL FOR PORTAGE COUNTY

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Parent Council exists to support and advocate

families with individuals with developmental

disabilities who are eligible to receive services
throughout Portage County.
Provides a list of different contacts in the
community to empower families to ask
questions and learn about the resources out
there.
http://www.pcbmrdd.org/?q=node/270

CARING SANTA AT SUMMIT MALL

Sunday, November 22nd and December 6th from 8:00am to 10:30

am.
Caring Santa is an event that takes place when the mall is closed.

Must have a reservation for picture/visiting time. There are no loud

noises or large crowds during this event.
It is arranged by the Autism Society of Greater Akron but open to

all families with special needs.

Picture with Santa, crafts, refreshments, and free train rides will be

provided.
Located at 3265 W Market St,

Fairlawn, Ohio 44333

(330)867-6997

All-Star Training Club

(A program of UDS
United Disability
Services)
Bowling and Basketball

leagues available to families.

Many different seasonal

sports leagues available to

children with special needs.
http://

www.allstartrainingclub.org/p/
registration.html

GENETIC SERVICES
Funded by Akron Childrens Hospital, Genetic Center
At Happy Day School in Ravenna, once a month, a child is

discussed where the clinical geneticist comes to Happy

Day to talk about the childs diagnosis.
Thorough assessment of family history, child history,

medical records are analyzed prior to discussion.

Physician discusses educational implications and medical

implications.
By having more information about developmental disability

for teachers and families, able to plan more appropriately

for proper supports and needs.

CAMP HUDDLE IN MACEDONIA

Our mission is to create a day of sports and play for

individuals with and without special needs by fostering

acceptance and inclusion of all people.
Sports Clinics
Art Express Classes
Summer Camps
http://camphuddle.webs.com/

STREETSBORO PARKS AND

RECREATION
Open Toddler Gym, 5 yrs old and under
Every Friday, from 11:00AM to 12:00PM
$1.00
Great place to work on interventions with family.
Little Leapers Gymnastics for ages 18 months to 3 years

old
Mom and me class
Interventions could take place during this movement and

music class

KENT STATE UNIVERSITY

Swimming poolAdaptive swimming lessons or mom and

me swim lessons.
Swimming pool is a wonderful place for interventions for

young children such as kicking legs, moving arms, singing

songs, and engaging with parent.
The Speech and Hearing Clinic at KSU offers affordable

sessions for families.

(330)672-2672

REED MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Public library in Ravenna
They offer a baby story time. Babies and Books ages 6

months to 23 months.
They offer a Play, Learn, and GrowTogether program

which they also call the Young and the Restless. Lots of
movement and songs. Ages 2-5 years old accompanied
by parent.
Reed Memorial Public Library has a program in place for

babies up to 5 year olds. 1,000 Books Before

Kindergarten The library provides data collection sheets
for parents to keep track of how much they read to their
child before kindergarten. Child will win a t-shirt if 1,000
books are read prior to kindergarten.

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUNDS

IN PORTAGE COUNTY AND SURROUNDING
AREAS
Ravenna Community Playground in Chestnut Hills Park
SOAR=Stow Outdoor Accessible Recreation playground.

Playground that is fully accessible to all children.

Promotes all children to play together. Provides
opportunities for self-directed, challenging, and
stimulating playtime for all children.

HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR FAMILIES

Early Intervention Excellence

www.eiexcellence.org
Toddler Approved website

www.toddlerapproved.com
Interest Based Everyday Activities Checklist

http://earlyliteracylearning.org/ta_pdf/int_bsd_evday_lit_act_
chcklist.pdf
Visual Pictures for Schedule or Choice-making

http://do2learn.com/

HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR FAMILIES

Red Treehouse: Program of Ohio Family and Children First

with the Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland, Ohio.

http://www.redtreehouse.org/main
Vroom app or Facebook page

http://www.joinvroom.org/
Portage County Family Resource Book

http://
www.co.portage.oh.us/omj/pdfs/Webpage%20Resourc
%20Book.pdf

DEC RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

How does community engagement activities align with

DEC Recommended Practices for Early Intervention?

Why is community engagement activities important for

families?
The DEC Recommended Practices are important to our

field because: they bridge the gap between research and

practice to promote better outcomes for children and
families, birth to five years old; they provide guidance to
us (practitioners) about best ways to improve learning
outcomes and to better promote the development of
children; and, they support childrens access to and
participation in inclusive setting and natural
environments.

DEC RECOMMENDED PRACTICES

Environmental Practices (all of them)
Family Practices (all of them)
Instructional Practices (all of them)
Interaction Practices (all of them)
Teaming and Collaboration (all of them)