Centering Kids: Advice from the experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood

As a child, Scott Ehrenpreis was awkward, shy, and had trouble making friends. But when he got on stage, all inhibitions disappeared and he felt empowered, untouchable, and capable of anything. In Season 3, Episode 3 of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews Joel Ehrenpreis on how he discovered his son's talent and nurtured his dream to one day be an actor, all while educating the public about what it means to live with disabilities, disorders, and mental health challenges. The one-man show they produced together, Clowns Like Me, will premiere at Asolo Theater in Sarasota on May 18, 2023.Show Notes: To purchase tickets to Clowns Like Me, click HERE. To learn more about L.E.A.P., click HERE. Click here to learn more about The Florida Center for Early Childhood. Support the show

When it comes to creating a culture of care in the workplace, it's all about feeling supported from CEO to entry-level positions. This trickle-down effect essentially leads to better client care.  In Episode 2, Season 3 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Dr.  Kristie Skoglund about her journey leading one of the largest nonprofits in Sarasota, Fla. through a global pandemic, major hurricane and housing crisis. Support the show

When it comes to navigating a child's Individualized Education Plan,  or IEP, parents can sometimes feel confused, powerless, or simply overwhelmed which can make their participation in the process less meaningful. In this episode of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite interviews parent advocate Jen Werden about her new YouTube series, Different Children, Different Approach. Jen teams up with Amy Weinberger of The Lean on Me Project in the series, set to premiere March 1, 2023, to give parents much-needed tools to successfully navigate their child's IEP. Show notes: For more information on The Lean On Me Project, click here.To learn more about Jen Werden and view her full bio, click here. To subscribe and follow The Florida Center's YouTube page, which will host the new series, Different Children, Different Approach, click here. Support the show

There's a lot happening at the only Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Clinic in Florida. It's not just for helping individuals living with FASD find answers and solutions regarding their disorder, but it's also about finding companionship, even in canine form. In season 2, episode 10 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews Bailey Jackson, a mental health therapist and assistant director of The Florida Center's FASD clinic. She discussed how she and her best friend Poppy help families and individuals living with FASD. Show notes: To learn more about our furry friends visit Canine Companions for Independence or FASD Furfighters. To learn more about our FASD-related trainings, visit www.FloridaCenterTraining.org To learn more about our FASD Diagnostic Clinic, visit www.TheFloridaCenter.org.Dunlap and Moran Attorneys at Law Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Receiving the diagnosis that your child has a delay or disability can have an emotional impact on the entire family. In Season 2 Episode 9 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood,  host Merab Favorite interviews Gigi Gillis and Kaitlyn Aland, two parents who are raising children with exceptionalities. Tamra Cajo, a licensed mental health counselor and director of The Florida Center's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders clinic also provides insight into the many emotions parents feel after receiving their child's diagnosis. Support the show

A good night's rest can affect a child's mood, performance, and behavior, but it's often not considered a factor if a child is acting out or struggling in the classroom. In Season 2, Episode 8 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite and special guest Allison Phinney, a mental health therapist, discuss how parents can help ensure their children get a good night's rest. They discuss proven sleep aids for every age group and more. Show Notes: Click here for more information about The Florida Center's School-Based Mental Health Therapy program.To learn more about trauma-informed care, Click here. Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 7 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite interviews school-based mental health therapist Margaret Ross, who serves elementary-age children at Fruitville Elementary School in Sarasota, Fla. The two women discuss ways parents and early childhood professionals can build up a child's self-esteem so they are able to overcome feelings of anxiety that are often tied to starting a new school or entering a new classroom. Show Notes: Learn more about Margaret's presentation at our Mind Matters SymposiumListen to Margaret's previous podcast about Mindfulness. Support this podcast  The Florida Center for Early Childhood. Have recommendations or ideas for a topic? Please email us at info@thefloridacenter.org! Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 6 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Kim Williams, a speech-language pathologist and The Florida Center's Director of Development Services, and Tamra Cajo, who heads the agency's Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Clinic. The three women discuss how negative environments, or a traumatic disruption in one's circumstances, I.E. the Covid-19 Pandemic, can significantly impact early childhood development and how services will be impacted by the "Pandemic Generation" or those children born during the pandemic. The conversation also includes information about the 2nd Annual Mind Matters Symposium on June 22, as both Williams and Cajo will be presenters at the event. Show Notes:Mind Matters Registration: https://tinyurl.com/MindMattersSymposium More info about the FASD Clinic: https://www.thefloridacenter.org/what-we-do/fetal-alcohol-spectrum-disorders-clinic/Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 5 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Thiesen interviews children's mental health counselor Michele Duss, who works with preschool-age kids. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month and Children's Mental Health Week, the two discuss ways parents can model positive approaches to mental health, recognize signs of trauma and be there for their children in their time of need. Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 4 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen interviews Alba Colmenares Moore, Supervisor of School-Based Mental Health Services in North Sarasota County. The two discuss Alba's upcoming training on Compassion Fatigue, which can limit a caregiver's ability to feel empathy or sympathy for their client. This serious condition can lead to more critical situations but is treatable with mental health counseling. The training mentioned in this podcast, Overcoming Compassion Fatigue, occurs on Wed., May 4, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm (EST). Interested? Register here. For more information about The Florida Center's participation in the Giving Challenge, which is hosted by the Sarasota Community Foundation with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation, CLICK HERE. All donations of $25-100 to The Florida center during this 24-hour giving event will be tripled! Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 3 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Merab Favorite, filling in for Kristen Theisen, interviews Occupational Therapist Melissa Cox and Mental Health Therapist Lisa Klein. The three early childhood professionals discuss the causes of autism, its signs, and symptoms, and how we as a society can be more inclusive of those living with the disorder. Show notes: Autism Speaks explanation of World Autism Month & World Autism DayThe Florida Center Giving Challenge Page Support the show

In Season 2, Episode 2, host Merab Favorite, (filling in for Kristen Theisen) interviews Dr. Johnna Brynn, a mental health professional, and director of training and professional development of The Florida Center for Early Childhood. They discuss Flip-It, a strategy developed by a preschool teacher who created it to help deal with a little girl in her class that exhibited very challenging behaviors that impeded the learning of her peers.  The process is simple, when one wants to change the behavior of a child they should acknowledge the child's feelings (F), set positive limits (L), inquire about what they're going through (I), and prompt (P) them with a solution. Show Notes: Flip It: Transforming Challenging BehaviorJewish Family and Children's Services websiteThe Florida Center Training Institute Video: Far from the Tree Disney Short Trailer Support the show

In Season 2 Episode 1 of Centering Kids: Advice from the Experts at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, host Kristen Theisen consults mental health therapist Jeanie DeLa about peripartum depression, also known as postpartum depression. The two discuss signs, symptoms, and treatment for this mood disorder that's more common than you might think. Show Notes:Jeanie recommended the website Postpartum Support International or PSI for updated information about pregnancy-related mood disorders. To register for Jeanie's training on Peripartum Depression on Monday, April 4, 2022, click here. Support the show

In Season 1, Episode 13, host Kristen Theisen and The Florida Center CEO Dr. Kristie Skoglund,  interview  Dr. Harleen Hutchinson, president of the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health, or FAIMH, and Dr. Christine Hughes Pontier, who is also involved with the organization. In this podcast, the guests discuss the importance of infant mental health and how they are promoting Celebrate Babies Week (October 18-22).Show Notes: For more resources for Celebrating Babies Week, visit www.FAIMH.org  Support the show

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month which has been amplified, especially in Sarasota County Fla., as a result of the high-profile Gabby Petito case. As the story unfolds, our host, Kristen Theisen, uses the opportunity to discuss the warning signs and effects of domestic violence on families, particularly young children. In Season 1, Episode 12, Theisen interviews mental health therapist, Jeanie DeLa, who specializes in helping high-risk families through potentially violent situations. The two talk about warning signs, coping strategies, and the chance for change. Show Notes: Child-Parent Psychotherapy resource: https://childparentpsychotherapy.com/resources/roster/The CPP Roster is maintained and housed by the Child Trauma Research Program, which is the development site for Child-Parent Psychotherapy.Abuse Hotline: Call 1-800-799-SAFE,  text START to 88788, chat at https://www.thehotline.orgSupport the show

In this episode of Centering Kids, host Kristen Theisen kicks of Fetal Alchohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) awareness month by interviewing author and activist Lucas Boyce. Boyce, who now serves as the Assistant to the County Administrator of Orange County, one of the largest counties in Florida, discusses growing up in foster care, overcoming countless obstacles including early childhood in foster care, living with FASD, and navigating the world as a black man. In addition, Boyce discusses how he managed to accomplish his childhood dream of flying on Airforce One and working for the National Basketball Association. Show notes:You can find a copy of Boyce's book  here "Living Proof: From Foster Care to the Whitehouse and MBA"For more information about wearing red shoes on September 9, 2021, and other ways to bring awareness to FASD, visit www.redshoesrock.comClick here to learn more information about the FASD Respect Act. Sunset Auto Group Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

Besides a basic list of school supplies, it’s important for parents to mentally and emotionally prepare children to go back to school or face other new beginnings. In this episode, host Kristen Theisen interviews school-based mental health therapist Tia Nagel on how parents can create a mental health checklist to help ease any anxiety their child might face when navigating new beginnings.   Show Notes: Read Nagel's blog, How to Mentally and Emotionally Prepare Your Child for Back-to-School Support the show

Team parenting seems like an obvious endeavor for adults, but more often than not, parents and caregivers can disagree on parenting philosophies, especially when their romantic relationship has ended. In this episode of Centering Kids, host Merab Favorite discusses parenting and caregiving as a team with mental health therapists Michele Duss and Stephanie Essex. Support the show

As parents, we are sometimes made to feel we are being overprotective or too sensitive when it comes to our concerns for our children. But what happens when our gut instincts are right? In this episode, host Kristen Theisen,  interviews the parent of a child who struggled with speech and language but was hesitant to seek additional services. She realized her concerns were valid when she found The Florida Center for Early Childhood.Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSunset Auto Group Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

When you think of speech and language therapy,  you might instantly think of a means to correct a lisp or a stutter.  However, the therapy is used in the treatment all types of different delays and disabilities including mutism, apraxia and even autism.  In this week's episode of  Centering Kids, your host Kristen Theisen interviews Speech and Language pathologist Kim Williams and Gigi Gillis, a mom who's son is navigating life on the autism spectrum and utilizing speech therapy as part of his treatment. Background Music for podcast: https://www.soundotcom.comSupport the show