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Encompass, Lending a Helping Hand to Parents

September 25, 2014
Parenting.com recently asked Dr. William Sears (author of 30+ parenting books) to divulge the top 10 concerns new parents approach him about. Leading the way were sleep (or lack thereof), discipline, health (“my baby is always sick”), nutrition, developmental milestones and self-consciousness about being a good parent.

Are you a local parent of an infant with these concerns, too? Encompass provides families in the Snoqualmie Valley and surrounding areas with many programs and resources to help you 
  • Gain confidence in your parenting
  • Create a healthy home environment
  • Develop a network of parent friends
  • Enjoy a date night 
  • Answer your questions about how your child is developing. 
Here are a few specific ways Encompass supports parents of infants!

Free Developmental Screenings
Are you concerned about your child’s development? Through a parent report questionnaire, Encompass will screen children from age 3 months to 5 years old. Screenings take just 10 minutes per child. Results will be available immediately and parents will come away with a list of recommendations regarding motor, speech, self-help,social and cognitive skills. This is a prime opportunity to learn more about your child from the Encompass multi-disciplinary team of therapists and other staff experts. For more information, call Marsha Quinn, Encompass Community Outreach Manager, at 425.888.2777 or via email at marsha.quinn@encompassnw.org

Moms (Parenting Support Group)
Join other local mothers on the 3rd Tuesday of the month (Sep – May) from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Snoqualmie Valley Alliance Church. Mothers are welcome to bring babies in arms (and there is on-site childcare available for children ages 1-5 with registration). The group was such a success in its first year (2013) that it was voted 1st as “Most-Loved Parenting Support Group” by Macaroni Kid. For more information and for daily local mommy inspiration and information, visit the group on Facebook today: www.Facebook.com/MomsSnoqualmieValley

Free Parenting Workshops at Virginia Mason
Help your family thrive by attending the Encompass workshop series at the Virginia Mason Issaquah Clinic presenting the latest scientific research findings on child development in a useful, practical way. On October 2, our parenting education manager will explore the Importance of Play—a topic perfect for parents of an infant! If you need childcare, Adventure Kids Playcare in Issaquah is extending a 30% discount if you present your printed registration confirmation for any of our parenting workshops. Click here for monthly topics and registration.

Feeding Therapy
Encompass offers many pediatric therapy programs for early intervention. One of the most relevant for infants is our feeding therapy. You might need help from a feeding therapist if your child has dropped off his/her growth curve, has not weaned off of baby foods by 16 months, refuses a whole food group (such as no vegetables or meat), becomes upset when presented with a new food or has a food repertoire of less than 20 foods. If feeding is a struggle for your family, contact our pediatric therapy clinic at 425.888.3347. We offer feeding therapy at our newly-opened Snoqualmie clinic.

Parents' Night Out
Need a night out? Need a safe and fun place for the kids to go? Once a month, Encompass offers Parents' Night Out! For children 2+, it is $18/child for 4 hours of care—this is an option if you have slightly older children. Simply register at www.encompassnw.org and bring them to Encompass on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 4-8pm. We provide quality childcare, dinner and dessert, an enriching outdoor and indoor learning and play environment, themed crafts and games, and lots of fun. 

Childcare Provider Workshops
Our parenting education manager facilitates the Snoqualmie Valley Early Learning Alliance, which hosts quarterly workshops to give childcare providers knowledge around developmental milestones and where to refer families when children are not meeting those milestones. On September 24th, Red Flags in Development will be covered. Click here for more information.

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ABOUT ENCOMPASS
What is Encompass? A warm smile when you walk through our doors. First teachers welcoming children to the wonders of learning. Therapists helping with first words and steps. Supporters of mothers and fathers feeling the strain of parenting. New friends for a child struggling with social skills. Architects helping children build dreams and futures. Helping hands towards a better outcome in life. Leaders in childhood development. Magicians who transform “what is” into “what can be”. Caretakers of our community using education to help turn the tide of poverty and its effects.

Encompass is an independent, non-profit organization established in 1966. Children and families in all their diversity throughout the Snoqualmie Valley, Issaquah, Sammamish and the greater Eastside are served by our comprehensive selection of pediatric therapy and education programs. Reach your family’s full potential by getting involved. Website – Connect with us today on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/EncompassNW or by phone at 425.888.2777 (main campus in North Bend).