Family Services sets spring programs

A variety of free workshops and classes are being offered in the coming months by Ozaukee Family Services.

  Playgroups are being held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday and third Thursday of each month through May 18.

The group is for parents and caregivers and children from birth through age 5 using books and activity stations centered around themes.

The Diaper Bag Club will meet from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month through May 24.

This group is for parents and caregivers and children from birth to age 1. Adults can share their joys and challenges and receive input from each other and the facilitators. The group will incorporate monthly topics such as sleep, infant massage, first foods, temperament, brain development and sensory play.

Let’s Play to Learn programs include Come Along on a Bear Hunt from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 12.

The program, intended to help stimulate children’s learning and creativity from ages 2 to 4, also provides bonding time as parent and child participate together.

The “Parenting: You Are Not Alone” series includes Parenting Your Young Child from birth through 5 years on Thursday, Feb. 16; The Parent-School Partnership on Thursday, April 20; and Navigating the Middle School Years on Thursday, May 11.

These programs from 6 to 7:30 p.m. include informative presentations followed by breakout sessions allowing for sharing and open discussion.

“How Mindfulness Empowers Us” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9.

The program will includes ways to promote mind-body and good brain health, connect to the present, reduce stress, anxiety and the intensity of negative emotions, feel more grounded, let go of what you can’t control, improve sleep and reduce the likelihood of conditions related to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

“The Incredible Years” will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays from April 3 to May 22.

The parenting program is designed to help promote the social, emotional, and academic success of kids ages 2 to 10. Parents will learn to prevent, reduce and treat emotional challenges in children through a positive and nurturing approach.

The program also allows parents to build a support network with other parents experiencing similar challenges.

“Human Trafficking in Ozaukee County” will be presented from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4.

The program will provide indicators of sex trafficking, examine recruitment tactics, identify misconceptions and explore what you can do to help. The presenters will be Anna Ackerman, a child protection worker with the Ozaukee County Department of Human Services; Michael Buechler, an Ozaukee County Sheriff’s detective, and Shaina Buckner, a community sexual assault advocate at Advocates of Ozaukee.

  Free limited childcare is available for many of the workshops. Advanced registration is required.

For more information, email info@ozaukeefamilyservices.org or call (262) 376-7774.

Ozaukee Family Services is at 4922 Columbia Rd., Cedarburg.