Children dance with DJ Michael Lee at Mercer County’s 5th Annual Early Childhood Disabilities and Health Resource Fair, sponsored by CHSofNJ’s Early Head Start Home-Based Program.
A young girl has her face painted by CHSofNJ EHS Home Visitor Adriana Costello at Mercer County’s Early Childhood Disabilities and Health Resource Fair, sponsored by CHSofNJ’s Early Head Start Home-Based Program.
The Children’s Home Society of New Jersey (CHSofNJ) Early Head Start home-based program welcomed children, parents and families to the 5th Annual Early Childhood Disabilities and Health Resource Fair on August 8, 2015.
Often, parents raising a child with known or suspected disabilities are unaware of the support network and resources available to them. CHSofNJ’s Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) staff works tirelessly to ensure parents always know where they can turn, should they have questions or concerns regarding their child’s development. As the only event of its kind in Mercer County, the Early Childhood Disabilities and Health Resource Fair has proven a tremendous asset for CHSofNJ’s HS/EHS programs and the greater community.
The decision to move this year’s event to an outdoor venue was well-received by volunteers, vendors and the community and likely played a role in the tripling attendance for this year’s fair. 275 guests explored over 25 vendor tables at South River Walk Park, learning about the resources available within their community for children, teens and adults with disabilities or suspected disabilities. Autism Speaks, Disability Rights New Jersey, the New Jersey Early Intervention System, Statewide Parent Advocacy Network, Inc. and Special Olympics New Jersey were just a few of the helpful community partners CHSofNJ brought together for this important event.
The 5th Annual Early Childhood Disabilities and Health Resource Fair was an overwhelming success thanks to the coordination of CHSofNJ’s HS/EHS Disabilities Manager Elaine Rodriguez, HS/EHS Family and Community Engagement Manager Natalie Young, HS/EHS Mental Health Specialist Melanie Shaw and HS/EHS Administrative Assistant Jodie Ottilie.
In addition to the exciting new outdoor venue, this year marked the first time the Resource Fair featured a live DJ. Attendees enjoyed the talents of DJ Michael Lee as they spoke with CHSofNJ HS/EHS staff and their community partners, had their faces painted by Family Fun Face Painting and enjoyed the “Bouncy House” and complimentary water ice provided by Bry-Sha Bouncer House & Party Rentals. Raffle prizes were awarded throughout the day, by both CHSofNJ and vendors.
Trenton Education Dance Institute, a program of CHSofNJ, taught children some of their fun dance routines during the event and St. Anianus Kids Ministry provided healthy snacks and nutritional information to guests. Employee volunteers from Bloomberg greeted families and vendors and assisted with various projects throughout the day and Capital K-9 Association donated bags for families to collect information and resources from the fair that will make a difference in their children’s lives.
