Author Archives: letstalkadmin

  1. Local COVID-19 Resources, 5/1/2020

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    There are many resources to help during this time. Here are a few local ones. Sign up for updates where possible to keep up with the latest info.

    • New: Face coverings must be worn in public places, businesses and common areas of residential buildings. Details including where to get masks or how to make them: https://bit.ly/35k6EIP
    • Latest news from City: www.cambridgema.gov/covid19. You can sign up to get regular updates.
    • The City is providing information in multiple languages related to important COVID-19 content. A multilingual help resource is now available in Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19/multilingualhelp.
    • Pandemic Unemployment Insurance for people who can’t work because of a COVID-19 reason but are not eligible for regular unemployment: https://bit.ly/3aDQv1I
    • CEOC (Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee) is providing support to people around filing for unemployment and health insurance, in Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish & English:  www.ceoccambridge.org or 617-868-2900.
    • Updated 4/21: Food resources compiled by Cambridge in Motion: Link

  2. COVID-19 Local Resources, 4/24/2020

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    There are many resources to help during this time. Here are a few local ones. Sign up for updates where possible to keep up with the latest info.

    • The topic of collective grief has been coming up a lot recently as we all manage this stressful time. Here are two resources:
      • In the short video, Dr. Perel coaches us through the losses and collective grief we are all experiencing: https://nyti.ms/3cWsPYf
      • Article: That Discomfort You are Feeling is Grief: bit.ly/35266Hn
    • Parents – remember you are doing an amazing job!!

    • New: Pandemic Unemployment Insurance for people who can’t work because of a COVID-19 reason but are not eligible for regular unemployment: https://bit.ly/3aDQv1I
    • CEOC (Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee) is providing support to people around filing for unemployment and health insurance, in Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Amharic, Spanish & English:  www.ceoccambridge.org or 617-868-2900.

    • Updated 4/21: Food resources compiled by Cambridge in Motion: Link

  3. Supporting Our Children During COVID-19

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    It’s a challenging time for all of us and it can be hard to know how to support our children during this time. Here are a few resources to help.

    #COVIBOOK, a story to support and reassure our children, under the age of 7, regarding coronavirus. Available in English, Spanish, and 20 other languages at https://mindheart.co/descargables

    Children’s book for 6-11 year olds from the World Health Organization: With the help of a fantasy creature, Ario, “My Hero is You, How kids can fight COVID-19!” explains how children can protect themselves, their families and friends from coronavirus and how to manage difficult emotions when confronted with a new and rapidly changing reality. Book: https://bit.ly/2y6zzTU All languages: https://bit.ly/3aUzykF

  4. Virtual Reading Challenge Spring 2020

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    Cambridge moms, dads and kids – Join us for a virtual reading challenge starting March 30, 2020! It’s easy & fun!

    How to participate:

    Read books with your child(ren)!

    Submit a post letting us know the title of the book and something you and your child enjoyed about it. Photos welcome! Choose how to submit your post:

    • Facebook – @LetsTalkCambMA
      • Submit on our Facebook page by writing a post.
    • Twitter – @LetsTalkCambMA
      • Mention us in your tweet using @LetsTalkCambMA.
    • Text Let’s Talk!
      • Text your response to 617-800-9154.
      • (standard text messaging rate apply)

    Participating in the Reading Challenge gives us permission to post and share responses on social media including responses sent via text message.

    Have a chance to win a prize! A submission enters you in a weekly raffle for a chance to win a swag pack and a pack of five books for your child (to be delivered after schools open). Extra posts welcomed! Max 1 entry per week counts in raffle.

    Have fun reading!

    Reading Challenge Flyer 2020 Download

    Dates:

    • Week 1: 3/30-4/5 – Winner announced on 4/6
    • Week 2: 4/6-4/12 – Winner announced on 4/13

    If you have questions, reach out by email: jbaily@challiance.org or call/text 617-800-9154.

    Sponsored by Cambridge Dads, Center for Families and Let’s Talk!

  5. Early Childhood Development Discussion Series

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    Join us for a 2-part series: Thursdays 3/5 & 3/19 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM at Peabody School, 70 Rindge Ave. For Cambridge moms and dads with children 1-5 years old.

    Parenting is an intense experience. Children are fantastic, frustrating, imaginative, loving & challenging (sometimes all in 1 hour!). Sharing experiences with others who are raising children can offer relief, new ideas and helps us to see humor in all of it.

    Join us for a time of honest sharing of our stories and hear concrete strategies from Amy Bamforth, a local Early Childhood Specialist.

    To register, call Center for Families at 617-349-6385 or email Christine at cdoucet@cambridgema.gov. Limited childcare is available upon request.

    FlyerDownload

    Sponsored by the Center for Families.

  6. Tax Prep from CEOC

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    Don’t Pay To Have Your Taxes Prepared!

    CEOC provide FREE tax preparation.

    Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC) provides help with basic tax returns, particularly for taxpayers with limited income.

    CEOC can file your taxes electronically, you get your refund back quickly and you keep all of your money!

    They speak Spanish, Haitian Kreyol, Amharic and Portuguese.

    Call 617-868-2900 for an appointment.

    CEOC tax flyerDownload

    CEOC also provides assistance on: SNAP (food stamps), health insurance, housing services, financial coaching and FAFSA completion.

    • Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc. (CEOC)
    • 11 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
    • 617-868-2900

  7. Community Playgroups Spring 2020

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    Registration is now open for the spring session of Cambridge Community Playgroups.  Playgroups meet weekly for 7-8 weeks starting in April.   Children and their moms, dads or caregivers attend and get to play and learn together through songs, books, and fun activities.

    Playgroups are held in different locations around the city.  There are three groups for children 2-5 years and two Tiny Tots groups for children 15-23 months. Details about the times and locations of groups are on the registration form.

    To sign up, fill out the registration form below and return it by Friday, March 20, 2020.

    Community Playgroup Forms Spring 2020Download

    By mail: Center for Families, c/o DHSP, 51 Inman St., Cambridge, MA, 02139  In person: Give it to anyone at the Center for Families (70 Rindge Ave. or 51 Inman Street) or the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative (119 Windsor St., ground floor). You will hear from us by March 25th to know if you are in a group or on the waitlist.

    Questions?  Contact Natalia at 617-665-3825 or nmartinez@challiance.org.

    Playgroups are sponsored by the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.

  8. Children’s Dental Health Month 2020

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    February is Children’s Dental Health month! Here are some tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Healthy Smiles program for keeping children’s teeth healthy. Check out the downloadable tip sheets at the bottom of the list.

    Dental Health Tips for Parents of Young Children

    • A tooth needs to be cleaned as soon as it can be seen in the mouth.
    • Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes.
    • For infant care, use a washcloth, small soft toothbrush, or finger brush.
    • Brushing:
      • Use a pea size amount of toothpaste on the brush.
      • Use a soft small toothbrush.
      • Brush in circles.
      • Brush your gums and teeth.
      • Open your mouth and brush top and bottom separately.
      • Brush all surfaces of all teeth.
      • Don’t forget to brush the tongue.
      • Rinse out thoroughly with water.
    • Replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or after your child has been sick.
    • It is recommended that parents help children with brushing until they are 7 years old.
    • Bring your child to the dentist for their first visit at age one.
    • Tooth decay is caused by bacteria, which can be transferred from family members. Don’t share toothbrushes, cups, or utensils.
    • To prevent tooth decay, only give young children formula, milk, or water to drink.
    • Once teeth are present, only give your child water during the night.
    • Limit drinks that contain high amounts of sugar (like juice) and snacks that stick to the teeth (like crackers and gummies). They increase the likelihood of tooth decay. 
    • Rinse with water after eating when you do not have a brush. This washes away food and mouth germs.
    • Cambridge water contains fluoride, which prevents decay by making your teeth stronger.

    Downloadable Tip Sheets:

    Dental Health Tips for ParentsDownload
    Oral Health Resources Download
    Tips for Cold SeasonDownload
    Tips for Oral Health in School Download

  9. Managing Screen-Time Series, Winter 2020

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    Join us for Managing Screen-Time with Young Children: A 2-part Series for Cambridge Dads and Moms with Children Birth to 5 Years

    We live in a world filled with screens that is constantly changing. How do we help our children navigate it in a positive way? Learn concrete strategies and resources to help.

    Share your successes and challenges with other Cambridge Dads and Moms.

    • Thursdays, January 30 and February 6, 2020 (Snow date: 2/13)
    • 6:30-8:15 pm
    • Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass Ave, Cambridge

    Limited child care available upon request. Light snacks served.

    To register contact Christine at 617-349-3003 or cdoucet@cambridgema.gov.

    Co-sponsored by Let’s Talk! and Center for Families.

    Screen-Time Series 2020Download

  10. Dads and Kids Reading Challenge 2020!

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    How to participate:

    • Read books with your child!
    • Submit a post letting us know the title of the book and something you and your child enjoyed about it. Photos welcome! Choose how to submit your post:
      • Facebook – @CambridgeDads
        • Submit on our Facebook page by writing a post.
      • Twitter – @CambDads
        • Mention us in your tweet using @CambDads.
      • Text Cambridge Dads
        • Text your response to 857-209-4964.
        • (standard text messaging rates apply)
      • Participating in the Reading Challenge gives Cambridge Dads permission to post and share responses on social media including responses sent via text message.
    • Have a chance to win a prize! A submission enters you in a weekly raffle for a chance to win a Cambridge Dads coffee mug and a pack of five books for your child. Extra posts welcomed! Max 1 entry per week counts in raffle.
    • Have fun reading!

    Dates:

    • Week One: January 13-January 19 – Winner announced on January 21
    • Week Two: January 20-January 26 – Winner announced on January 27
    • Week One: January 27-February 2 -Winner announced on February 3

    Dads and Kids Reading Challenge FlyerDownload

    If you have questions, reach out to John by email at cambdads@cambridgema.gov or call/text 857-209-4964.

    Cambridge Dads is a program of the Agenda for Children Literacy Initiative and the Center for Families.