Long Beach parents and caregivers, mark your calendars for a series of free educational workshops focusing on early childhood development. The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Long Beach Public Library, is rolling out the second year of their Parent Informational Workshop series. This initiative addresses developmental concerns for children aged from infancy through 8 years and aims to connect families with services swiftly and effectively.
Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his enthusiasm for the program, "We’re excited to offer families more opportunities to learn, connect and grow together through our Parent Informational Workshop series," as reported by the City of Long Beach's official press release. Richardson highlighted the city's dedication to nurturing the potential of its youngest residents. Topics to be explored include early childhood mental health, special education processes, and early intervention strategies.
Local experts are set to conduct the sessions at various library branches across the city. The flexible format allows attendees to engage with multiple topics of interest. Coming first is "Guiding Positive Behaviors," scheduled for August 16 at the Mark Twain Neighborhood Library. Following close behind, "Understanding Social Interactions & Behaviors" will be held on September 10 at the Burnett Neighborhood Library. Attendees can join without prior registration, making these workshops accessible for all interested parties.
The Long Beach Public Library plays a pivotal role in the education of local children outside of school hours. As Library Director Cathy De Leon puts it, "We believe learning begins long before a child starts school and that parents and caregivers are a child’s first and most important teachers." The synergy between the Health Department and the public library ensures that participants gain access to reliable resources and expert advice. Full details on the workshop dates and the Dive into Learning initiative can be found on the library’s website or through the Beanstack Tracker app.
This collaborative effort between Long Beach Public Library and the Health Department is part of a broader commitment to fostering early learning and literacy in the community. The workshops receive funding from programs such as LBPL's Dive into Learning and the Early Childhood Mental Health grant, which is part of the California Department of Health Care Services' Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. For more information about the health and educational resources offered by the City of Long Beach, interested individuals can explore longbeach.gov/health and lbpl.org or follow their updates on various social media platforms.
