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HAPPENING TONIGHT!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Promoting Racial Healing and Equity in Kankakee County

The existence of systemic racism and disparities in access to mental, emotional, and behavioral healthcare keep some youth from flourishing. Project SUN’s Racial Equity Initiative offers Kankakee County an opportunity to identify and address the underlying structural barriers to equity that, by their very nature, impact the mental health of children of color and the adults who care for them.

Project SUN is launching the My Piece in the Puzzle program to create stepping-stones towards racial and ethnic healing and equity in our community.

The initial component of this initiative began this summer with collecting data through a racial equity assessment survey. Kankakee County residents will continue to have the opportunity to complete this survey until mid-November by going to the Project SUN website. The survey is available in English and Spanish.

CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RACIAL EQUITY INITIATIVE HERE

The young man in the purple knows just how important the difference between
equality and equity can be.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join our team of locally certified System of Care Community Navigators by attending an upcoming training! This program helps participants learn more about Project SUN and how to assist families in identifying community resources to meet their needs. Click a link below to register:

Wed, Oct 20, 2021 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Fri, Nov 19, 2021 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Join us for a fun activity to help with stress reduction for caregivers of children receiving mental health services in Kankakee County. This month we will be crafting a blush floral pumpkin. Next month, we will be making ribbon trees. Materials will be provided.

Prior registration is required.

Fee: $10

Mon, Oct 25, 2021 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Mon, Nov 15, 2021 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

October is ADHD Awareness Month:

Did you know there has been a 42% increase in ADHD diagnoses over the past eight years?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that often occurs in children but can also be diagnosed in adulthood.

If your child has trouble with attention, concentration, memory, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and social skills they may have a form of ADHD.

Signs of ADHD

Doesn’t listen when spoken to directly
Difficulty organizing tasks
Easily distracted even from activities they enjoy
Loses important items that relate to everyday activities
Talks excessively
Interrupts or intrudes on others
Difficulty waiting their turn in structured situations

If you suspect your child has ADHD or is showing signs and symptoms, reach out to our office and we would love to connect with you and walk you through the steps you should take to help your child.

Additional Resources for You to Explore

Ideas on How to Observe National ADHD Awareness Month

What is ADHD - Short Clip

Parenting Kids with ADHD: 12 Tips to Tackle Common Challenges

CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING YOU

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Louisiana Gonzalez. I joined the Project SUN Team in September as the Community Connections Coordinator. You will be hearing plenty from me. In addition to publishing the monthly newsletter, I will be sending notifications about upcoming events and offering training for System of Care Community Navigators. I would love to hear from you too! Please send me information about resources that you have found useful, as well as ideas about topics you would like to see Project SUN address.

Joining Project SUN gives me the opportunity to take part in important community initiatives that benefit children and families in Kankakee County. I am bilingual and happy to help anyone who needs Spanish interpreting services.

I grew up and went to school in Kankakee. Prior to Project SUN, I worked in marketing and communication roles, after attending Governor’s State University where I received a BA in Communications. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing photography and videography.

I look forward to getting to know you! Contact me through email at louisiana@cfkrv.org
or call 815-304-5933.

Our monthly newsletters are intended to inform family members and those working with families. You are all valuable members of the Strong and Unified Network (SUN) we are building to support the children's mental, emotional, and behavioral health system of care in Kankakee County. We want to encourage and equip you to help others to become involved in our efforts to help children flourish. Please share this newsletter with those who may find this information useful. Suggest they visit projectsunkankakee.org and sign-up to receive their own copy and become a member of the Network.

HAPPENING TONIGHT! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

UPCOMING EVENTS

HAPPENING TONIGHT!
HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!