family success alliance logo and web address

June 2019 Newsletter



Table of Contents

  • FSA NEWS
  • Partner Spotlight
  • Community Events
  • Education
FSA New
Farewell to Coby Jansen Austin

Farewell to Coby Jansen Austin


As I head into my last week with the Family Success Alliance, I’m already relishing all sorts of fond memories from these past 3 years. I’m remembering the time when I learned that one of our newly hired navigators had such deep connections in the community that she was actually in the delivery room when several of our moms from Burma gave birth. I’m remembering the love I felt when I was pregnant with my second child and taking a parenting class with some of our families – and my water broke during a role play. By the time I walked out the door, they had food packed and words of encouragement to get me through the night. It seems fitting to say that Orange County has given birth to something beautiful in creating FSA. And, like any new child, we are learning every day and becoming more grounded in our relationships and our vision for the future.
 
It has been and will continue to be such an honor being a part of this community. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this collective movement. It is with sadness that I transition off the amazing staff team, but I do so knowing that this work is in good hands. As I embark on new adventures, I look forward to maintaining ties with the Family Success Alliance and our community. We’re just starting to plan FSA’s Five Year Celebration this fall – and I hope to see you there!

Coby Jansen Austin
FSA Director of Programs and Policy


Conversations on Equity


On May 21st, 2019 FSA was the featured topic at "Conversations on Equity." This monthly series takes place at the Chapel Hill Public Library and is hosted by The Campaign for Racial Equity in our Schools. FSA partners, navigators and backbone staff told the crowd about the work of FSA and the whole group worked on an art project that highlighted the fact that as a community many of us have similar aspirations but unfortunately also encounter many of the same barriers that currently keep us from reaching these goals. Please view the video so that you too may join in on this essential conversation. 

VIEW THE VIDEO


conversations on equity video
happy birthday
Table

TABLE's mission is to provide healthy, emergency food aid every week to hungry preschool, elementary, and middle school children living in Chapel Hill and Carrboro, NC.

TABLE’s Goals:

  • Provide healthy food to our participating children, encourage healthy eating and expose them to new, healthy foods.
  • Bring together UNC-Chapel Hill college students and community members to prepare and distribute healthy food to local kids who go hungry on weekends and other times of the year when subsidized, “free” school meals are not available.
  • Raise public awareness of local childhood hunger.
  • Provide programs and activities through which local people can help local hungry children.
  • Increase the number of children we serve every year.
community events
Orange County Schools

OCS School Board Seeks Public Input on Superintendent Search


The Orange County Schools Board of Education has hired the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA) to help facilitate its search for the next superintendent of the Orange County Schools (OCS). To that end, the board is seeking direct input from interested students, parents, other members of the community, and staff to help shape the search process and to assist in defining the qualities and characteristics desired in the next OCS superintendent.

Community Survey. The board invites students, parents, and other community members to participate in a community survey that can be accessed and completed online by clicking the superintendent search survey link on the main OCS webpage: http://www.orangecountyfirst.com/. For students, parents, and other community members without personal access to the internet at home, the Orange County Public Library has computers with internet access available for public use. All surveys must be completed by Monday, June 10, 2019, with results to be compiled, summarized, and presented by NCSBA at the regularly scheduled board meeting on Monday, June 24, 2019.

Staff Survey. In addition, all employees of OCS will have an opportunity to complete a separate online staff survey. Details about completing the employee version of the superintendent search survey will be communicated via school system e-mail.

Community Forums. Students, parents, other members of the community, and staff also are invited to attend one or more upcoming community forums, which are scheduled for: Tuesday, June 4th at the Orange High School Media Center, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; and Saturday, June 8th at the Cedar Ridge High School Media Center, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The community forums will further allow the board to hear directly from stakeholders about the qualities and characteristics desired in the next OCS superintendent. Please mark these dates on your calendar and plan to attend one of the community forums at your convenience.


2nd Annual Strong Fathers Resource Fair

Strong Fathers Make Strong Families


When: June 12, 2019  6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where: Orange County Department of Social Services 
            113 Mayo St, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Enjoy an informative listening session, light fare, refreshments and have an opportunity to visit partner booths to learn more about vital resources, such as workforce readiness, housing resources, visit the mobile health clinic, healthy eating on a budget, small business start-ups, parenting classes and much more. This event marks the Father’s Day holiday celebrated on the third Sunday of June.


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Domestic Abuse Survivors

“What Do I Do? ~~ How Can I Help?”
Someone I Know is in an Abusive Relationship!


When: June 17, 2019 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Where:
210 Henderson St, Chapel Hill, NC
             

This workshop will help family & friends understand domestic violence; why someone stays in an abusive relationship; how to help and how to help safely.  As the person on the outside watching someone suffer through domestic violence, it is a common response to want to do anything you can to make it better, and also common to feel like there is nothing you can do to make it better.  Join us to find answers to some of your questions and a deeper of understanding


Join the NC Public Health Youth Network to become a Youth Public Health Advisor


Attention youth: North Carolina Public Health (NCPH) works to promote and contribute to the highest possible level of health for the people of North Carolina statewide. 

As they work to create programs, campaigns, or educate others about teen health, they need your opinion on what makes sense, what you like, and what is important to you. Your experiences and opinion as a Youth Public Health Advisor will help shape the way they approach and improve teen health statewide.

Find out more about becoming a Youth Public Health Advisor here.
Youth Public Health Advisor

Free Planet Fitness membership for teens all summer–sign up starting May 15


Teens, ages 15-18, can work out for free all summer at any Planet Fitness location from May 15th to September 1st, 2019.

In addition, all teens who sign up are entered into Planet Fitness’ Scholarship Sweepstakes. At the end of the summer, 51 teens across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. will be randomly selected to receive a scholarship for college, including a $5,000 grand prize. Find out  more here.


Free Planet Fitness membership for teens all summer–sign up starting May 15




Orange County Library

Free Special Summer Programs at the Library


Summer Learning Kick-off | All ages
June 1, 2019, 9:00 AM?-?12:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough.
Kick-off our Summer Learning Program with a morning of fun-filled space themed activities at the Main Library! Register for Summer Learning then Explore the Library and Beyond! All ages welcome.
Hogwarts in the Library | All ages
June 1, 2019, 3:00 PM?-?4:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The library’s Teen Advisory Board invites kids, adults, & teens alike to a Hogwarts in the Library celebration! Get sorted into houses, fashion your wizarding wand, play trivia games and more! Harry Potter cosplay is encouraged but not required.
Teen Hogwarts Ball | Middle and High Schoolers
June 1, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:30 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The library’s Teen Advisory Board invites middle and high schoolers to put on their dress robes and gowns to attend a special, teen-only Hogwarts Ball. Registration required.
Puppet Show “The Little Red Hen” | Ages 4 and up with a caregiver
June 8, 2019, 10:30 AM?-?11:30 AM @ Carrboro Branch Library, McDougle School
Puppet Show Inc. presents a re-imagining of the classic tale “The Little Red Hen.”
Pathfinder RPG Meet Up | Second Saturdays of the month | Ages 18+ June 8, 2019, 2:00 PM?-?4:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Join us for epic fantasy storytelling and imaginative adventures over snacks with a new role playing game group for ages 18+ led by Juan Sanchez. Participants will be playing Pathfinder First Edition.
Gaming Tournament | Middle and High School ages
June 8, 2019, 3:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The library’s Teen Advisory Board invites you to meet up with other gamers to mingle, snack, and test your skills for prizes! Guests are welcome to bring their own controllers/fightsticks. Registration required. #geekvent
Summer Mondays Storytime | Preschool and kindergarten ages
June 10, 10:30-11 am Carrboro Cybrary, activity room 4.
Drop by the Cybrary for storytime with a librarian. No registration necessary.
Spice it Up! A Cooking Class for Young Chefs | Grades 3-5
June 13, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Sharpen your culinary skills and learn some new ones during this cooking class for would-be chefs. Call or stop by to register 919-245-2532 to register. Space is limited.
Classic Film Screening | Adults
June 16, 2019, 3:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The Hillsborough Classic Film Society hosts a series of classic, foreign, and independent film screenings. Each screening is accompanied by short discussions of pertinent themes. This program is FREE and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://www.hillsboroughclassicfilms.com/
Mad Science of the Triangle, “Walking on the Moon” | Best for ages 5 and up with a caregiver.
June 17, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Travel 238,900 miles above the earth as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of humans’ first landing on the moon. What's it like to travel in space? With the help of some volunteers, kids will learn what it's like to explore space and the space technology used on earth today!
Carrboro Branch Yarn Club | Ages 16+
June 19, 2019, 6:00 PM?-?7:30 PM @ Carrboro Branch Library
Drop by and knit, tat or crochet with us. We have supplies. For more information call, 919.969.3006.
Tech Classes at the Cybrary | Library Masterclass: Search Like a Librarian | Adults
June 20, 2019, 3:00 PM @ Carrboro Cybrary
Learn tips and tricks for better Google and other search engine results.
Blast off! Rocket Science | Grades 3-5
June 20, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough. Learn how rockets work and then build and launch one of your own. Registration required.
Poetry for Everybody with Dee Stribling | All Ages
June 26, 2019, 6:00 PM?-?7:15 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The library invites you to celebrate and enjoy poetry with a series of events for all ages hosted by Hillsborough’s Poet Laureate, Dee Stribling! On the last Wednesdays of the month throughout the year, hear poems written by well-known authors, sign-up to read a poem of your own if you’d like, and participate in the experience of writing a poem as a group.
Puppet Show “The Little Red Hen” | Ages 4 and up with a caregiver
June 27, 2019, 10:30 AM?-?11:30 AM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Puppet Show Inc. presents a re-imagining of the classic tale “The Little Red Hen.”
Last Fridays Classic Movie, “ET” | Sponsored by the Friends of the OC Library
June 28, 2019, 6:00 PM?-?9:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Movies @ Main: Into the Spider-Verse | All ages
June 29, 2019, 2:00 PM?-?4:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Join us for a showing of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (rated PG)! Refreshments will be provided.
Professor Whizzpop’s Blast Off to Books | Best for ages 4 and up with a caregiver.
July 2, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Join us for this cosmic supernova of reading, magic and audience participation!
Spaced Out! |Grades 3-5
July 11, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Explore our amazing solar system through observations and hands-on astronomy activities.
Family Trivia Night | Best for kids ages 8 and up with a caregiver
July 12, 2019, 6:00 PM?-?8:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Join us for our first ever Family Trivia Night. Test your knowledge of pop culture, books, music and more. Pizza and drinks provided.Registration required.
Rags to Riches “Universal Stories” | Best for ages 4 and up with a caregiver.
July 15, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Enjoy an interactive and engaging collection of classic folklore from different cultures that demonstrate the similarities of world stories.
Friends of the Orange County Public Library Pop-up Book Sale | All Ages
July 19, 2019, 9:00 AM?-?July 21, 2019, 6:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Community Art Project Reception: No More Stolen Sisters | All Ages
July 20, 2019, 12:00 PM?-?1:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Beginning last October on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the library invited the community to create a collaborative art piece to remember and raise awareness about the disproportionate number of indigenous women, girls, transgender people, and two spirit people in the Americas who have gone missing or have passed on due to violence. On Saturday, July 20th from noon to 1 pm, we invite participants and art lovers to meet and view the installation over refreshments. The art piece can be seen on the 2nd floor of the Main Library, Sat, June 15-Sun, July 28.  
Puppet Show “Froggy Does a Puppet Show”| Best for ages 4 and up with a caregiver
July 22, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Puppet Show Inc. presents a re-telling of “Froggy Does a Puppet Show.”
Exciting Writing | Grades 3 and up
July 25, 2019, 6:30 PM?-?7:30 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Join award-winning children's book author John Claude Bemis as he shares fun activities for how to come up with exciting characters, settings, and plots. Bring a notebook and paper. You'll go home with lots of ideas for your next story! Registration required.
Last Fridays Classic Movie, “Wally” | Sponsored by the Friends of the Orange County Public Library
July 26, 2019, 6:00 PM?-?9:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Summer Learning Finale! | All ages welcome
July 27, 2019, 1:00 PM?-?2:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Come celebrate all your Summer Learning Success with us during this final Summer Learning Event! We will draw for raffle prizes at 1:15 p.m. (All raffle tickets must be submitted on or before Friday, July 26th to be eligible for prizes.
Pajamas, Pancakes, and Captain Marvel | All Ages
Saturday, July 27th, 2:00-4:30 p.m. @ Main Library, HIllsborough
The Teen Advisory Board invites you to put on your favorite pajamas and enjoy pancakes and a showing of a Captain Marvel (PG-13).
Classic Film Screening | Adults
July 28, 2019, 3:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
The Hillsborough Classic Film Society hosts a series of classic, foreign, and independent film screenings. Each screening is accompanied by short discussions of pertinent themes. This program is FREE and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP, visit https://www.hillsboroughclassicfilms.com/
Magnet Mania | Grades 3-5
August 15, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Doesn’t every refrigerator (or metal surface) need a new magnet? Design then create a magnet using clay and a lot of imagination!
Designer T-Shirts | |Grades 3-5
August 22, 2019, 4:00 PM?-?5:00 PM @ Main Library, Hillsborough
Head back to school with a T-Shirt designed by you! We’ll provide all you need to create your own t-shirt. Call or stop by to register: 919-245-2532.

All registration and event information can be found at OrangeCountyLibrary.org
Library Locations
Main Library | 137 W. Margaret Lane | Hillsborough, NC 27278 | 919.245.2525
Carrboro Branch | 900 Old Fayetteville Road | Chapel Hill, NC 27516 | 919.969.3006
Cybrary | 100 N. Greensboro Street | Carrboro, NC 27510 |  919.918.7387
Cedar Grove Library Station | 5800 N. Highway 86 | Hillsborough, NC 2727


Volunteers Needed for Community Health Assessment

Every four years Healthy Carolinians of Orange County completes a community health assessment in which the top health priorities for Orange County are determined. Volunteers are needed in May and June to go door to door to ask community members to fill out an anonymous survey.

All volunteers will receive a gift card, a t-shirt and a meal!


To sign up to volunteer:
https://forms.gle/endYcZD2WiwySSpN6

volunteers needed for community health assessment
Education

Take Simple Steps to Practice Water Safety and Protect Against Drowning, Health Officials Say 


RALEIGH — Heading to a beach, lake, river or pool this holiday weekend? Officials at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services caution swimmers to take steps to ensure water safety, including keeping a close watch on children and young adults and avoiding rip currents at the coast.

Drowning deaths among young children often happen when children access pools without supervision or when adults are distracted. These were the findings of 12 swimming pool drowning deaths of children ages 1 to 7 investigated by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in 2018.

“These deaths are tragic and preventable,” said Susan Kansagra, M.D., Chief of the Chronic Disease and Injury Section of the Division of Public Health. “Now is the time to take simple steps to prevent drownings wherever you and your family or friends gather for water recreation activities.”

For pool security, close and lock or latch gates or doors every time they are used. Never prop a gate or door open. Remove or lock ladders when above ground pools are not in use. For pool safety, monitor all children around pools. Designate one responsible adult for every five children in the water. Unlike the flailing depicted on television or in movies, a drowning child is more likely to slip silently underwater, which can be barely noticeable until it is too late. More details available at www.safekids.org/other-resource/water-watcher-card.

Along the North Carolina coast, there have already been more than six drownings this spring related to rip currents. Coastal communities post signs to alert beach goers about conditions.

“Swimmers should always observe warnings about rip currents and other potential hazards,” Dr. Kansagra said. “When swimming in ocean waters, never swim alone and choose areas of the beach where lifeguards are on duty.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers tips for surviving rip currents here. If you get caught in a rip current, remain calm to conserve energy, do not fight against the current, but try to swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the shoreline. When out of the current, swim toward shore.

The U.S. Forest Service has more tips for those planning to visit waterfalls, rivers, lakes and streams at https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/water-safety.



Undefeated by Kwame Alexander

Book Review by Susie Wilde

Undefeated written by Poet Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Ages 6-10
 
This astounding picture book, based on a poem originally penned by the author, is a perfect blend of the text with illustrations by Kadir Nelson. It remembers people and events of history because to “truly know who we are as a country, we have to accept and embrace all our woes and wonders.” Illustrations and words honor those who are unforgettable, those “who survived America by any means necessary. And the ones who didn’t.”
 
Can you explain the title of this book?
What do you think is the most powerful page in this book? Why?
Why do you think the author thought it was important to write this book?
Why do you think the author doesn’t identify people in the front of the book?
Did you see people you recognized?
This book was once a poem.  How do the pictures aid the meaning of the words?


Choosing Quality Child Care Seminar

Choosing Quality Child Care Seminar



When: Monday, June 10, 2019
            6:30- 8:00 pm


Where: Women's Birth and Wellness Center
              930 Martin Luther King Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC


Choosing Quality Child Care Seminar
Meet the Staff
Events at the Library

Make the most of the Orange County Public Library’s SEA (Student Easy Access account)

Orange County Schools
If your child is in the Orange County Schools district but does not have a SEA account, please contact your school’s media center specialist and they will help your child get an account set up. Once they have a SEA account, you and your child can come to any Orange County Public Library location and check out books, movies and more. And your child can access any of the library’s digital resources from home. 


Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
If your child is in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools district they already have a SEA account. This means you and your child can come to any Orange County Public Library location and check out books, movies and more. And your child can access any of the library’s digital resources from home. 


Find out everything you need to know about SEA accounts here



Hora de Espanol

Reading Opportunities at the Library

Hora de Espanol
Main Library, Second Tuesdays @ 4:30 p.m.
Join ISLA (Immersion for Spanish Language Acq uisition) for 45 minutes of stories, games, songs and great fun! Native and non-native Spanish speakers are welcome. Best for children ages 3-7 and their families.
Vengan para 45 minutos de cuentos, canciones, y juegos en espanol para ninos y sus familias. Ideal para ninos de 3-7 anos.

More Reading Opportunities in January:

ORANGE COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS CALENDAR.

CHAPEL HILL PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENTS CALENDAR



racial equity commission logo

Our Vision:

Break the cycle of poverty so that ALL children and families in Orange County thrive in school, jobs, and life. 

Our Mission:

Through collaboration on shared goals, connect families in poverty to resources and uncover their power in driving equity and systems change.

Want to know more? 
Read the FSA Strategic Plan


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family success alliance logo

Family Success Alliance

300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-245-2071
www.FamilySuccessAlliance.org



FSA backbone staff work at the Orange County Health Department.

Director of Programs and Policy: Coby Jansen Austin
(919) 245-2070 or caustin@orangecountync.gov

Program Director: Meredith McMonigle 
(919) 245-2071 or mmcmonigle@orangecountync.gov

Manager of Family Engagement: Dana Crews 
(919) 245-2458 or dcrews@orangecountync.gov

Health Informatics Manager
919-245-2409 or jsheridan@orangecountync.gov

Zone 4 Navigators
Antonia Cortes Sanchez - (919) 695-5982 or acsanchez@orangecountync.gov
Claudia Yerena - (984) 209-3864 cyerena@orangecountync.gov
Rhonda Morales -  (919) 698-3925 or rmorales@orangecountync.gov

Zone 6 Navigators
Erika Cervantes - (984) 209-3723 or ecervantes@orangecounync.gov
LaKaya Craig - (919) 695-2271 or lcraig@orangecountync.gov
Mariela Hernandez - (919) 695-6969 or mhernandez@orangecountync.gov
Ling Oy - (919) 257-9960 or loy@orangecountync.gov
Jena Dolby -  (919) 698-9152 or jdolby@orangecountync.gov

Community Outreach Specialist: Dominika Gazdzinska
(919) 245-2468 or dgazdzinska@orangecountync.gov

Informatics Manager: Juliet Sheridan
(919) 245-2409 or jsheridan@orangecountync.gov

Communications Manager: Kristin Prelipp
(919) 245-2462 or kprelipp@orangecountync.gov

Communications Specialist: Zannie Gunn
(919) 245-2410 or agunn@orangecountync.gov




FSA PARTNERS

FSA Partners
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