Programs aim to strengthen families

Ozaukee Family Services is offering a number of programs to support children and families this fall.

A program on social media and internet safety will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The program, facilitated by Ruba AlSaman and Jenny Strom, will teach families about the power, potential and risks of screens and devices and help them acquire tools to reduce the risks and maximize the benefits. 

Anxiety management and self-regulation are the topic for a 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, program for parents and school-age children. 

The program will teach parents how to support a child struggling with anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety, different types of anxiety and ways to help both parent and child will be discussed.

The program will be facilitated by  Anna Ackerman.

Stress management through humor and play is the topic for a 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, program facilitated by Melissa Nelson.

The program is intended to help families discover how play and laughter boost health, ease pain and improve mood while

managing daily stress.

Limited free childcare is available.

Advance registration is required for the programs, which will be held at the Ozaukee Family Services offices.

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

Other programs this fall include Play to Learn sessions for children. 

On Oct. 29, a session for children from birth to 5 will follow a Halloween theme with activities, crafts and trick-or-treating.,

The Nov. 11 session for children ages 1 and 2 will follow a theme of sensory music and movement.

Advance registration is required.

A Parent Cafe will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8.
The theme will be “Navigating Stress and Anxiety: Understanding It in Ourselves and Our Kids” and those attending will learn who it affects, what it looks like, why it shows up and practical ways to help​​ those experiencing it.

“The Incredible Years: Fall Edition,” is held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. Tuesdays through Nov. 18. 

The Rainbows program runs on Oct. 20 and 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24, Dec. 1, 8 and 15 and Jan. 5, 12 and 19. In case a session is canceled due to inclement weather, the final session will be Jan. 26.

Fall Playgroups for parents and children through age 5 will be held on Oct. 2 and 17, Nov. 6 and 21, and Dec. 4 and 19

To register for any of the programs, call (262) 376-7774 or visit ozaukeefamilyservices.org.

The agency is at 4922 Columbia Rd., Cedarburg.