Help Me Grow Marin

Families in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library get to experience the joy of free books arriving in the mail every month. But the sweetest moment comes at the very end of their journey with the library.

When a child reaches the end of the program, their final book includes a special note written by Dolly Parton. It’s a heartwarming reminder of how much they’ve grown, all the quiet moments they shared with their parent or caregiver reading together, and the big step into kindergarten ahead. 🥹📚

Thank you for your generosity, Dolly. We will always love you.

What’s making them itch, squirm and squint…

Getting ready in the morning for school or dashing off to an event may be causing contention (or even yelling) in your home.

A child who has sensory sensitivities may give you a harder time about being ready because their nervous system gets overloaded by a number of things that create a fear of going out.

Do any of these sensory challenges seem familiar?

👚Refuses to wear certain clothes, belts, zippers or pants tight around the waist
👗Won’t wear sleeves and pulls at shirt with itch tags
🕶Prefers to wear sunglasses inside buildings
👂🏻Cries and fights when having to use a public bathroom with flushing toilets and loud hand dryers

If you have a child or student who is overly sensitive to getting ready, this may be why.

Here’s where you may also find sensory challenges and some you may not realize are connected. Check it out here or in our profile.

🔗https://ilslearningcorner.com/sensory-processing-disorders-tantrums-tags-sounds-light-sensitivity/?
utm_source=Google%20Ads&utm_medium=Test2&utm_campaign=Test3

When you support young children's emotional regulation, you help them develop the critical skills they'll need for school readiness and lifelong mental health!

These quick tips were adapted from Uniting Infant Mental Health and the Pyramid Model, a timely guidebook that debunks misunderstandings around IMH and PM and illustrates how these two approaches can combine to support better outcomes for children and families. Explore the book here: https://monkeylink.co/6dcc48

let's talk about pencil grasp development and FUNCTIONAL grasps: https://www.theottoolbox.com/pencil-grasp-development

🌹 The ROSE Program Series for Expectant Moms 🌹
📅 Tuesdays, May 5 & 12
🕡 6:30–8:30 PM
💻 Live Online (Free!)

The ROSE (Reach Out, Stay Strong, Essentials for New Mothers) Program is a free, evidence-based class series designed to help expectant moms feel supported and prepared for a smoother transition to parenthood.

What to Expect:
🧠 Conversations about postpartum mental health
🤝 Navigating role changes and relationships after becoming a parent
💗 Tools for self-care and goal setting
✅ Proven strategies to reduce the risk of postpartum depression
👩‍🍼 A supportive space led by trained facilitators and surrounded by fellow moms-to-be

Join this empowering series and build your emotional toolkit before baby arrives!
✨ Open to all expectant moms or those planning pregnancy. Register today at [email protected]

We are pleased to invite you to the 3rd Annual Maternal Mental Health Forum & Training, a meaningful day of learning, dialogue, and collaboration focused on supporting parents and strengthening families in our community.

This year’s forum brings together providers, advocates, students, and community members committed to advancing maternal and paternal mental health.

Register today to reserve your spot!

Event Highlights:
💜 Film screening of More Than Blue, a documentary on maternal mental health
💜 Facilitated group discussion following the film
💜 Panel discussion with local providers, moderated by Maria Ni**le (First 5 Marin)
💜 Training on engaging fathers and partners in perinatal mental health
💜 Training on substance use in pregnancy and postpartum
💜 Opportunities for networking and cross-sector collaboration

Event Details:
💜 Free community event
💜 Lunch provided
💜 Open to providers, students, and all community members interested in supporting families

This event is presented by Postpartum Support Center, First 5 Marin, County of Marin, and Dominican University of California. We hope you will join us for this important community conversation!