Cafe By the Bay
A place where Holocaust Survivors gather not only to discuss Holocaust issues, but also to enjoy each other's company, live music, and educational programs. Cafe by the Bay takes place once a month. For more information on Café By the Bay, please contact Bobbi Bornstein at 650-688-3090 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Senior Companion Volunteers
Volunteers are matched by interest and geography and receive ongoing training and support. Minimum commitment is once a week for 6 months. Bobbi Bornstein, 650-688-3090 or BobbiB@jfcs.org.

Become a Compassionate Companion
When people are suffering—whether they are in decline, undergoing challenging treatments, or near the end of their lives—helping them live safely and independently in their homes, and improving quality of life becomes more important than ever. Volunteers play a vital role in carrying out this mission. Seniors-At-Home, in collaboration with CPMC, is offering a comprehensive 25-hour Palliative and End of Life Care Volunteer Training Program beginning October 21, 2008. No prior medical or hospice experience is necessary. To learn how you can make a difference in just a few hours a week, please contact Rachel Kesselman at 415-449-1288 or RachelK@jfcs.org.

Become a Mentor
Become a mentor to a preteen or adolescent and help a child in the community with our On The Mark program. Spend quality time with a young person, ages 8 – 18, one hour, once a week, and be a positive influence in their lives. Male mentors are especially needed at this time. This successful program offers ongoing education and training for mentors. Call Romina Avram at 650-688-3056 or RominaA@jfcs.org.

 Seniors•At•Home helps seniors live safe, healthy, independent lives in their own homes. Our comprehensive range of award-winning services includes: home care, palliative and end of life care, skilled nursing and complete care coordination, as well as a full range of senior services: care management, counseling, personal affairs management, Conservatorship, spiritual care, and volunteer services. For more information, please call 650-688-3000 or email Info@SeniorsAtHome.org.

Mental Health Counseling
We are a non-sectarian mental health center. Our staff of licensed professional therapists and psychologists can assist you and your family through life's transitions and difficulties, help you overcome fears or stumbling blocks in your life, or just provide an expert listener. We offer sessions for individuals, couples, families or children. We can also offer crisis financial assistance. For inquiries or to schedule an assessment, call our confidential intake line at 650-688-3034. Some Medi-Cal accepted and most health insurance accepted.

FREE Support Group for Families Dealing With Serious Mental Illness
In partnership with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, JFCS offers a support group the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be on September 23 and October 28 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm in Palo Alto in Palo Alto. For further information or to sign up please call Don Sussman, LCSW, 650-688-3046 or DonS@jfcs.org.

FREE Support Groups for Single Parents
Our Single Mothers Support Group features supervised playtime separate from adults and refreshments for all. Meets monthly, second Thursday, 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Our Single Parents Social Support group is a fun way to meet other single parents and families. We will share a potluck feast, so bring a dish to share with others. Meets monthly, last Saturday, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Both groups meet at JFCS, 2001 Winward Way, Ste. 200, San Mateo. The support groups are free of charge but pre-registration is required. Please contact Allena Barbato, Single Parent Coordinator at 650-688-3084 or AllenaB@jfcs.org.

Support Group for Parents of Children Living with Juvenile Diabetes
This 6-session support group offers parents with diabetic children a chance to meet and talk about family life with a diabetic child. Meets second Wednesday of each month, 7:30 - 9:00 pm. With Erica Pelavin, LCSW, PhD. $60 for 6-month group. Don Sussman, 650-688-3046 or DonS@jfcs.org. Sliding scale available.

Coping With Chronic Illness and Disabilities
This informative and supportive group welcomes adults ages 18 – 60 who are coping with issues related to chronic illness or disabilities. Meets monthly, second Tuesday, 2:30 – 4:00 pm, ongoing. Interview required. With John Bisenius, LCSW, 650-688-3097 or JohnB@jfcs.org. $5 donation requested. Sliding scale available.

FREE Meal Delivery Program for Adults and Children With Disabilities
"Chicken Soupers" is a program of JFCS primarily for members of the Jewish community with disabilities or chronic illness who would benefit from home-cooked meals and healthy snacks to nourish the body and uplift the spirit. Family members caring for an adult or child with an illness or disability are also eligible. Don Sussman, at 650-688-3046 or DonS@jfcs.org.

All workshops and events listed below will be held at Parents Place, 200 Channing Avenue, Palo Alto.
Pre-registration is required for all events, except drop-in groups. To register call 650-688-3040 in Palo Alto or register for all classes: online at www.ParentsPlaceOnline.org. Workshops are also offered at your agency or business upon request. Sliding scale available for all programs.

New Programs

Bullying Prevention
Parents Place is pleased to announce the opening of its Bullying Prevention Training Center, offering training in the nationally known, evidence-based program, "Steps to Respect" for grades 3 – 6. Training formats include a half-day Teacher Professional Development Program, a full-day staff training for all school personnel, and a two-hour parenting education program. For information, contact Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet, LCSW at 650-688-3037 or GloriaMS@jfcs.org. If you are concerned about bullying behavior at your school, contact Parents Place.

Parent-Child Activity Groups in August and September

Drop-In Play Groups (Birth – age 5), Tuesdays, 10:30 am - Noon, Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5 pm and Thursdays, 10:30 am - Noon. Come enjoy our playroom with your child. $35 for 5 sessions ($5 savings). No pre-registration necessary.

"Ask the Pediatrician" day with Dr. Janesta Noland or Dr. Jane Morton of Burgess Pediatrics. An opportunity to bring your health questions to a pediatrician while your children play. (Healthy children only in the playroom) First Wednesday of the month in the Palo Alto drop-in, 3:30 - 5:00 pm. No Charge.

Your One Year Old – Lunch Club (9 – 15 months)
Discuss the milestones of this dramatically changing time while your children play. Sleep, tantrums, play and more. Bring your lunch. Wednesdays, 9/10 – 11/19, no class 10/1. 11:30 am – 1:00 pm. $200 for 10 sessions. Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

Toddler Social Club (16 – 24 months)
Positive discipline, limit-setting, peer relationships, and more. Tuesdays, 9/9 – 11/25 (no class 9/30 and 10/14), 9:00 – 10:30 am. $200 for 10 sessions. Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

Terrific Twos – Getting Ready for Preschool (2 – 3 years)
Discussion for parents includes development and discipline. Separate playgroup for children: a wonderful first separation experience. Wednesdays, 9/10 – 11/19 (no class 10/1), 9:30 – 11:00 am. $300 includes playcare for children. Karen Friedland-Brown, MA and Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

Music Together (birth – 4 years)
A joyful musical experience for parents or caregivers and children, with singing, dancing, and instrument play. Mondays, 9/15 – 11/17, 9:30 am – 10:15 am OR 10:30 am – 11:15 am or 11:30 am – 12:15 pm. $190 for 10 sessions (includes illustrated songbook and 2 CDs) Heidi Emberling, MA. These classes are full. Call 650-688-3040 to put your name on a waiting list.

Kids Sing (3.5 – 5 years)
An exciting, Kodaly-based music program for preschoolers ready to learn basic music literacy skills through circle singing games, dancing, chants, improvisation and instrument play. CD and songbook included. Parents and caregivers may observe or drop off. Fridays, 9/19 – 11/21, 9:15 am – 10:00 am. $190 for 10 sessions. Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

Parenting Workshops in September

Raising a Highly Sensitive Child (2 – 7 years)
Learn to support this temperament and discuss ways to teach your child coping skills. Monday, 9/22, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $35. Denise Salin, LMFT. Click here to register.

Bye Bye Diapers – Toilet Learning
Learn signs of readiness and strategies to help your child with this important developmental leap. Tuesday, 9/23, Noon – 2:00 pm. $35. Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

It’s Not Fair – You’re Ruining My Life: Positive Discipline (1st – 5th grade)
How to establish and enforce rules, and encourage responsibility while keeping communication open and respectful. Wednesday, 9/24, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, $35 Susan Stone Belton, BSE. Click here to register.

Parenting Workshops in October

Conquering Homework Hassles (3rd – 8th grade)
The parents’ role with homework; how to help, and what to do when problems arise.Tuesday, 10/7, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. $35. Marleen Didech, MA. Click here to register.

Mothers and Daughters: The 3 C’s—Building Caring, Connection and Communication with Your Preteen Daughter
An interactive and informational workshop for mothers and 9 – 12 year old girls together and separately. Wednesdays, 10/15 and 22 (for mothers only), 10/29 for mothers and daughters together and 11/5 (for girls only), 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $120 for 4 sessions. Nancy Rosenbledt, Psy.D. Click here to register.

Juggling Two—The New Baby and the Older Sibling
Tips to help ease the adjustment to the new arrival in the family, before and after birth. Tuesday, 10/21, Noon – 2:00 pm. $35 Heidi Emberling, MA. Click here to register.

Parenting Young Children Through Separation and/or Divorce (Birth – 6 yrs)
Learn information and effective skills on how to manage this challenging process with your child’s best interests in mind. Tuesdays, 10/21 and 10/28, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $60 for 2 sessions. Diana Blank, LCSW. Click here to register.

Boys and Discipline (3 – 8 yrs)
Understand boy energy, explore what is unique to setting limits with boys and learn new strategies for positively guiding your sons. Thursday, 10/23, 7:00 – 9:00 pm. $35. Jomary Hilliard, PhD. Click here to register

Other Parents Place Services

Center for Special Needs
Parents Place on the Peninsula is continuing to develop our Center for Special Needs. In order to best assist families with special needs, we want to hear from you. Give us feedback on classes, groups and services you’d like us to offer. For more information on the Center for Special Needs and to provide input, contact Nirit Zandman, 650-688-3028 or NiritZ@jfcs.org.

Preschool Social Skills Group (3 – 5 years)
This 10-session group is for children who are experiencing difficulty in the preschool settings. The group will incorporate preschool-like activities such as songs, interactive play, games, books, and music. Children will practice and learn how to interact with peers. Thursdays, 9 – 10:30 am. OR 1:30 – 3 pm. Pre-registration is required. Contact Kristin Stent, Ph.D. at 650-688-3095 or KristinS@jfcs.org.

Social Skills Peer Group for Teens
The Center for Special Needs is offering a social skills group, twice a month, Wednesdays, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm. Your child will find this after-school group to be a supportive way to make friends while participating in team building activities and games. $75 for 5 sessions, sliding scale available. To learn more, contact Romina Avram at 650-688-3056 or RominaA@jfcs.org.

Parents Place Community Education Center
Parents Place Community Education Center offers community-based workshops to meet the needs of working parents with babies and small children, those with school-age children, and teens. For information or to schedule one of our 60 different workshops at your workplace, school or other community location, please call Gloria Moskowitz-Sweet at 650-688-3037 or GloriaMS@jfcs.org. You can also view our website for a complete listing of workshops.

Parent Coaching and Consultation
Do you have concerns or questions about your child's development, interactions or behaviors? Our expert parent educators have helped hundreds of families through individual parent and family consultation services. Areas of expertise include behavior and discipline, sleep habits, potty training, temperament, finding quality preschool and childcare settings. Call us at 650-688-3040.