A delicious mud pie, a

good-luck rock, a friendly

frog — just some of the

types of goodies kids love

to bring home. But these

adorable gifts also can

bring millions of germs

with them.

Kids don't always listen

when parents tell them to

wash their hands before

eating, after using the

bathroom, or when they

come inside from playing.

But it's a message worth

repeating — hand washing

is by far the best way to

prevent germs from

spreading and to keep kids

from getting sick.

First Line of

Defense Against

Germs Germs can spread many

ways, including:

touching dirty hands

changing dirty diapers

through contaminated

water and food

through droplets in the

air released during a

cough or sneeze

on contaminated surfaces

through contact with a

sick person's body fluids

When kids come into con-

tact with germs, they can

unknowingly become in-

fected simply by touching

their eyes, nose, or mouth.

And once they're infected,

it's usually just a matter of

time before the whole

family comes down with

the same illness.

Good hand washing is the

first line of defense against

the spread of many illness-

es — from the common

cold to more serious infec-

tions, such as meningitis,

bronchiolitis, the flu, hepa-

titis A, and most types of

infectious diarrhea.

Washing Hands

Correctly

Here's how to scrub those

germs away. Teach this

routine to your kids — or

better yet, wash your

hands together often so

they learn how important

this good habit is:

1. Wash your hands in

warm water. Make sure

the water isn't too hot for

little hands.

2. Use soap and lather up

for about 20 seconds

(antibacterial soap isn't

necessary — any soap will

do). Make sure you get in

between the fingers and

under the nails where

germs like to hang out.

And don't forget the

wrists!

3. Rinse and dry well with

a clean towel.

To minimize the germs

passed around your fami-

ly, make regular hand

washing a rule for every-

one, especially:

before eating and cook-

ing

after using the bathroom

after cleaning around the

house

after touching animals,

including family pets be-

fore and after visiting or

taking care of any sick

friends or relatives

after blowing one's nose,

coughing, or sneezing

after being outside

(playing, gardening,

walking the dog, etc.)

Don't underestimate the

power of hand washing!

The few seconds you

spend at the sink could

save you trips to the doc-

tor's office.

Reviewed by: Rupal Christine

Gupta, MD

Date reviewed: August 2014

www.kidshealth.org

Kin Care is part of the State of

California Kinship Support Network

California Family Life Center

Kin Care Support Services

program is funded by the Riverside

County Department of Public

Social Services.

Article: “Why is Hand Washing so Important” 1

What’s Happening 2

Staff Directory 2

Community Resources and Activities 3

Ongoing Services and Activities 4

Inside this issue: Kin

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Volume 8, Issue 4

Apr. / May / Jun. 2015

“Why is Hand Washing So Important?”

Page 2

What’s Happening at Kin Care . . .

KI N CA RE NE WS

Mary Jo Ramirez Director 951-791-3557

Rachel Babcock Lead Community Resource Counselor / Services 951-791-3557

Kathy Williams Lead Community Resource Counselor / Programs 951-791-3586

Kathy Hadley Community Resource Counselor 951-791-3587

Sonia Lopez Community Resource Counselor - Spanish Speaker 951-791-3584

Diane Tropper, MFT Therapist 951-791-3583

Melanie Petter Tutor / Childcare / Recreation 951-791-3557

Kin Care Staff Directory

Perris, Rubidoux and Indio Offices: By appointment only. Please call your Community Resource Counselor to schedule.

Counseling services are available by appointment only. Call your Resource Counselor for a referral.

Kin Care’s New Support Group!

Join us to share stories, receive support, ob-

tain resources and meet other caregivers!

Mead Valley Support Group Mead Valley Family Resource Center

21091 Rider Street, Perris, CA 92570

Third Wednesday of Each Month from 10:30-12pm

Starting January 21st, 2015

Support Groups are open to all grandparents and relative

caregivers. Please call your Resource Counselor for more

information or to RSVP.

Teen Day Pool Party

Kin Care is having our 5th Quar-

terly Teen Day! Come join in on

the fun with an evening swim party

and Dinner! Teen day is all about

you, FUN, FOOD and FRIENDS!

Friday, June 5th, 2014

From 4:30pm to 7:30pm at the Diamond Valley

Aquatic Center 1801 Angler Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Please call 951-791-3557 to RSVP if your teen or

Pre-Teen is interested.

Must be 12 and up to participate.

Clothing & Toy Exchange

Kin Care is holding it’s first Clothing and

Toy Exchange! Donate “Gently Used”

clothes and toys for all ages and come se-

lect “New to You” items that

have been donated by others!

This is a great way to get rid of clothes and

toys that are not being used and recycle

them to other families who can use them.

Saturday, May 23rd 2015, 10am - 12pm

Empower Youth Center,

930 N. State St. Hemet, CA 92543

Please drop off your gently used clothes and toys

in advance to the Kin Care office at 749 N. State St.

Hemet, CA 92543 between 8am - 4pm, Monday,

May 18th through Thursday, May 21st. Items must

be in good condition and will not be accepted after

Thursday. For more information contact your Com-

munity Resource Counselor.

Saturday, May 9, 2015

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

California Family Life Center

Kin Care Family

Outreach Picnic

Saturday, May 9, 2015

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Mary Henley Park

801 S. Kirby St. Hemet, CA 92545

Come spend a fun filled day with us! Games,

Crafts, Food and Fun! Bring your own lawn chairs

or blankets and umbrella for shade. We will be

located on the side of the park near Cypress St.

RSVP by May 4th to 951-791-3586

V OLU ME 8, IS SU E 4 Page 3

HOUSING ASSIISTANCE PROGRAM provides both hous-ing assistance and shared housing matching in when funding is available. Housing Assistance is a partial payment toward a monthly rent or mortgage pay-ment. For more information and to see how to qual-ify, visit www.connectriverside.org.

VALLEY HEALTH CENTER is a non-profit organization providing FREE Individual and group counseling services. If you are struggling with relationship is-sues, familial disputes, abuse or addictions of any kind, Valley Health Center can help. Call the 24 hour Hotline at (951) 468-5211 or visit www.MyValleyHC.com

FEELING BLUE? LATE LIFE DEPRESSION PROGRAM held by Catholic Charities, offers free counseling services for persons 60 an older using tested and effective methods to deal with depression. Call 951-801-5282 to ask for help in your area!

EES EDUCATION PROGRAM (Educate, Equip & Sup-port) A County Wide, Free of Charge, Parent-To-Parent Education Program presented by RC Dept of Men. Hlth. Program consists of 10-12 sessions de-signed to provide caregivers with general education about childhood mental health illnesses, parent to parent support and community resources. Call the Parent Support and Training Program to Register at 951-358-5862.

FOSTER AND KINSHIP CARE EDUCATION PROGRAM: Provides continuing education workshops in English and Spanish and offer morning, evening and Saturday classes in or-der to meet specific needs of care providers. For details on upcoming workshops visit www.rcc.edu or call 951-222-8198 to register for a workshop. P.R.I.C.E. - Positivity Responsibility Influence Conse-quences Encouragement - PRICE is a parenting skills course with six sessions designed to teach the basics of positive parenting. Skills taught: Assertive Communica-tion, Limit Setting and Follow through, Logical Conse-quences and Building Self Esteem. For more infor-mation please call (951) 765-5100 ext. 3530

MFI RECOVERY CENTER Being a teenager isn't easy. Being a parent isn't easy either. If you suspect your teenager might be using alcohol, pot or another substance, inter-vene now. The quicker you act, the faster change can happen. Call us today at 866-218-4697.

KIDS 1ST PROGRAM: Dedicated to the promotion of social competence among children by preventing disruptive behavior disorders. For ages 0-5 experiencing behavior-al issues and/or concerns. Parenting classes, case man-agement, therapeutic services. Services provided at no cost to qualifying families. Contact (951)686-2920 for more information.

THE ENERGY SAVINGS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM helps income-qualified households conserve energy and reduce their electricity costs. SCE pays all the costs of purchasing and installing energy-efficient appliances and equipment, which are free to eligible customers. For more infor-mation call (800) 736-4777 or visit www.sce.com/esap.

TEEN GIRLS SUPPORT GROUP is a support group for teen girls ages 13-17 that addresses issues such as Managing Feelings, Communication, Self-Esteem, Social Skills, Handling Stress, Anxiety, Future dreams/Goals and Body Image. Every Wednesday from 6:30pm-7:30pm All De-sert Wellness Centers. Call 760-797-5151 for details.

Caregiver Resources and Community Activities . . .

Kinship Support Group Meetings

211- iFoster Kinship Navigator

iFoster is a free, national online community whose

primary goal is to assist Foster and Kinship fami-

lies in navigating and obtaining needed free and

discounted resources in your area to better support

your family. Sign up today and visit the website at

www.ifoster.org or call 1-855-936-7837

Hemet Support Group 3rd Tuesday of the Month

From 10:30am - 12:00 pm

Hemet Service Center

749 N. State St. Hemet, CA 92543

English and Spanish Session Availa-

ble at Hemet Support Group

Si Habla Espanol

Beaumont Support Group 2nd Tuesday of the Month

From 10:00am to 11:30am

Chatigny Community Center, 1310 Oak

Valley Pkwy. Beaumont, CA 92223

Perris Support Group Last Thursday of the Month

From 10:30am to 12:00pm

Perris Valley Family Resource Center

371 N. Wilkerson Ave., Perris, CA 92570

Corona Support Group 2nd Thursday of the Month

From 10:30am to 12:00 pm

Corona Public Library Desert Room

650 S Main St., Corona, CA 92882

Mead Valley Support Group 3rd Wednesday of Each Month

From 10:30am to 12:00pm

Mead Valley Community Center

21091 Rider St, Perris, CA 92570

Ongoing Services and Activities . . .

Spanish Support Group El grupo de apoyo en español ya está disponible cada

mes durante el grupo de apoyo de Hemet. Por favor,

únase a nosotros cada tercer Jueves del mes de 10:30 am

a 12:00 pm ubicado en el Centro de Servicios Hemet.

Para obtener mas información o para confirmar su asis-

tencia, por favor llame a

Sonia Lopez al (951) 791- 3584.

CALIFORNIA FAMILY LI FE CENTER

Kin Care P.O. Box 727, Hemet, CA 92546

Phone: 951- 791-3557

Fax: 951-791-3554

www.cflckids.org

Office located at:

Hemet Service Center

749 N. State Street

Hemet, CA 92543

Kin Care Tutoring K-12 Will be resuming in January 2015

Tutor will call to set up appointment times to children currently enrolled in tutoring program.

Mondays and Tuesdays from 3-6pm

Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3-5pm Kin Care tutoring provides small group sessions for chil-

dren in grades K-12 and is by appointment only. Each

appointment is set for one hour. Please contact your Re-

source Counselor for more information.

Kids Corner Crafts, games, fun learning and more! Bring your

child to join in for some fun recreational activities

every Friday! Held at Empower Youth,

930 N State Street, Hemet, CA 92543

Kids 5 & Under: 10am-12pm

Kids 6yrs to 12yrs: 3pm -5pm

Kin Care Respite Childcare Respite Child Care is available every Tuesday and

Thursday Morning from 10:00am to 12:00pm. These few hours a week are perfect for running er-

rands or providing you with a well needed break!

Bring your little ones, ages 0-5 to the CFLC Foster

Family Agency, located at:

701 W. Esplanade Ave. Suite F,

San Jacinto, CA 92582 Call your Community Resource Counselor to

reserve a spot for your child.

Family Support Nights

Join us for an evening of fun and food! The last Fri-

day of every month from 4:30 to 6:30pm, At the

Empower Youth Center

930 N. State St. Hemet, CA 92543

Contact your Resource Counselor to RSVP.