Programs for Community Groups
The Family Health and Wellness Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension offers educational programs for adults. These programs are especially designed for community-based organizations such as public libraries, schools, childcare centers and PTA’s. All programs are one session unless otherwise noted. For more details and fee information and to schedule a program, please call 631-727-7850 and the extension of the educator whose name is listed after the workshop description. For Parent-Toddler programs, please call the educator directly at the number listed.
Parent/Toddler Programs for Libraries only
Parenting Toddlers
Parents have many questions about living comfortably with toddlers, from handling discipline and temper tantrums to dealing with toilet learning. Our parent educator offers practical ideas and support.
Educator: Maxine Roeper Cohen, 631-586-3425
Feeding Little Folks
Parents can learn about children's food needs, ways to gain food acceptance and how to get children to accept responsibility for eating on their own while their children enjoy a healthy snack.
Educator: Debby Wroblewski, 631-979-7504
Healthy Lifestyles
The family table
In this workshop you'll learn about the benefits of family mealtimes, tips for getting the family together, and suggestions for preparing simple nutritious meals for your family. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Peaceful meals with young children
Improve your meal-planning skills, your family's nutrition and discover strategies to cope with picky eaters. For parents and caregivers of children ages 2-5. (3 sessions) Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Dinah Castro, ext. 351
In the kitchen with your little ones
Join our program where parents can learn about the feeding relationship, pick up cooking skills and improve communication with their child. For parents and caregivers of children ages 4-12. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Dinah Castro, ext. 351
NEW! - PARENTING STYLES AND THE FEEDING RELATIONSHIP
Does the way you parent your child affect the way your child develops healthy eating habits? Learn how different parenting styles contribute to either healthy or unhealthy eating patterns. For parents and caregivers of children ages 2-12. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Have more FUN with your FAMILY!
Learn how to find time for family fun, plan fun things to do with your family and exercise your funny bone. You will have the chance to share, play and laugh in this workshop.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
NEW! - Energy Drinks: The new eye opener
Learn all about the effects of energy drinks, their hidden dangers, and what they really contain. Workshop offered for youth, adults and in schools.
Educator: Maryann Birmingham, ext. 356
NEW! - Let's Cook
Learn how to select nutritious and low-cost ingredients and prepare them in ways that provide the best nourishment for your family. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Maryann Birmingham, ext. 356
NEW! - Stretch Your Food Dollar
In these are challenging economic times, everyone needs a family food budget. Learn to be a smart shopper and how to eat well for less. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Maryann Birmingham, ext. 356
NEW! - Preserve It Right
Canning and storing jars of fresh-picked produce was once a necessity. Today, it's about enjoying the great taste and goodness of fresh food with your family in your own kitchen. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of canning, using science-based and up-to-date USDA methods.
Educator: Maryann Birmingham, ext. 356
NEW! - Gifts from the Kitchen
Gifts in a jar are easy-to-make presents for family and friends. We'll choose from a variety of recipes, fill with ingredients, decorate the jars, and then finish with a gift card. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Maryann Birmingham, ext. 356
Media Education
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Making your family media savvy and safe
Learn how to be a media-literate parent and how to protect your child from the negative influences of the media culture.
Parenting in cyberspace
Learn about social networking sites, cyberbullying, online predators and other Internet risks, and ways you can protect your children.
What adults need to know about CYBER Bullying
Learn the risks facing our children from cyberbullying and how to set up practical rules for Internet behavior, family privacy and cell phones
Parenting Young Children
Educator: Kerri Kreh Reda, ext 330
Coping with toilet learning
This workshop will discuss signs of readiness and offer guidelines to successful toilet learning.
Fostering body confidence
This program will discuss how parents of children ages 1-5 can nurture their child's body confidence and help protect him/her from the many toxic messages confronting us daily.
Fun and learning: The importance of play
Learn how play positively affects children's health and development. This program is most suitable for parents of children age 5 and under.
Guiding toddler behavior
All parents have to deal with difficult behaviors. These workshops offer practical ideas that can make life more pleasurable for toddlers and the adults who care for them. (2 sessions)
Living with toddlers
This program will help parents understand toddler development and temperament, and develop realistic expectations for their children's behavior. (2 sessions)
Nurturing the brain
Learn what infants and young children need for optimal intellectual, emotional and social growth.
Temper tantrums: Yours and theirs
In this program we will discuss the causes of tantrums, what can be done to minimize them, and the best ways to deal with them when they do occur.
Parenting School-Agers
Kids and cash
This workshop for parents of 5 to 12 year olds explores the family economy, which establishes the relationship children have with their financial resources, now and as adults.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Raising responsible children
This workshop for parents of 5 to 12 year-olds will explore parenting practices that teach children responsibility for schoolwork, home, and relationships.
Educator: Nancy Olsen-Harbich, ext 332
When can kids be home alone?
When parents work, school-age children need to be in a safe place with adult supervision. But sometimes, there are no options or kids outgrow after-school programs. Learn how to determine if your child is ready for self-care.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Parenting Teenagers
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Help! My kid is a tween!
Learn how to anticipate and plan for the changes that occur in pre-adolescence, including strategies for guiding your tween in a positive way.
Why teens do what they do
Unlock the mystery of adolescence with the key of understanding that can improve your relationship with your teen.
Teen-parent communication: What works and what doesn't
Learn what you can do to build a more positive and satisfying relationship with your child through effective communication.
The secret lives of teens
Learn about effective monitoring, ways to respectfully engage teens and how to avoid problems before secret lives cross over to the dark side.
Red-flag behaviors: when to worry about adolescents
Even normal teen behavior can seem pretty strange at times, but adults really have to worry when teens exhibit certain patterns of high-risk behavior.
Parenting Toolbox
Discipline is Not a Dirty Word
Positive discipline means helping children learn self-control and problem solving. Discover new ways to correct and guide children's behavior. For parents and caregivers of children between the ages of 2-12. (3 sessions) Also available in Spanish.
Educators: Nancy Olsen-Harbich, ext. 332
Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Winning ways to talk with kids
"My kid won't listen!" is a familiar refrain among parents. Learn how to avoid communication problems and be a better listener. For parents of children ages 2-12. Also available in Spanish.
Educator: Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Understanding temperament
Ever wonder how children with the same parents can be so different from one another? During this workshop we will explore how temperament makes each child unique and how it may affect behavior.
Educator: Kerri Kreh Reda, ext. 330
Building strong families
Explore how families with children ages 1-12 can take steps for big improvements in the areas of meals, play, family relationships and overall well-being, while living in today's stressful, fast-paced culture. (2 sessions)
Educator: Kerri Kreh Reda, ext. 330.
Time management tips for parents
Learn how get control of your time, manage it better and find time for the things you want to do.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Stress management for parents
Learn how to read your stress reactions, identify stressors in your life and develop a stress management plan that can help restore some sense of peace and control.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Keeping cool in the heat of the moment
Anger is a powerful and potentially destructive emotion. Learn how to stay in control by handling anger calmly and effectively.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
The three R's of families
Learn how to use the nuts and bolts of daily life - rules, routines and responsibilities - to raise respectful, responsible, self-reliant children.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
School Success
Getting ready for kindergarten
This workshop will explore ways that parents can support their child's development the year before kindergarten. Also available in Spanish.
Educators: Nancy Olsen-Harbich, ext. 332
Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Easing homework hassles
In this workshop, parents will learn why homework is important, identify typical homework problems and explore ways to help their child. Also available in Spanish.
Educators: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Help your child succeed in school
Learn how to build effective homework routines, communicate with teachers, and deal with problems at school. Also available in Spanish.
Educators: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Dinah Castro, ext. 351
Moving up to middle school
Learn ways to support your pre-teen's transition to middle school and help him or her adjust to the academic and social changes he/she will experience.
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Raising Kids Today
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Protecting children in a socially toxic environment
Learn how to cope with the negative effects of popular culture, materialism and media over-exposure.
Big spenders, pushovers, helicopters
Are you an over-indulgent parent? Discover if you're a big spender, pushover or helicopter parent and ways to avoid these parenting pitfalls and raise a child of character.
Families in the fast lane
The workshop will help parents slow down and find time for family talk and fun. Learn how to simplify your lifestyle to make it more family-friendly.
What adults need to know about bullying
This workshop will explore the many ways peer meanness is manifested, what research tells us about bullying and how adults can help the bullied, the bullies and the bystanders.
Talking with kids about tough topics
Parents need to communicate effectively about tough topics like sex, drugs and violence. Learn what to say and how to say it so your children have the information and values they need.
Teens and drugs: how big a problem is it?
Parents will have the chance to discuss their concerns about teens and drugs and brainstorm ways to prevent teen drug problems.
NEW! - Reclaiming Childhood
Media and popular culture are forcing adult content on children at younger and younger ages, robbing today's children of their childhood and their innocence. Learn how to protect your child from the unhealthy messages they are receiving on a regular basis.
Kerri Kreh Reda, ext. 330
For adults
Educator: Tim Jahn, ext. 331
Fiscal fitness
Learn how to be a financially literate person and take charge as the CFO of your household.
Get organized!
Take this workshop and learn to organize your home for greater efficiency.
NEW! - Healthy Children, Healthy Families For Worksites and Child Care Settings
Zahrine Bajwa, ext. 347
Make Ecological Connections
Training and support for an ecological approach to preventing childhood obesity that are likely to be most effective in your environment.
Worksite Wellness
Training and support for developing and implementing worksite wellness policies and activities.
Supporting Parents and Primary Caregivers
Learn about healthy and affordable food and activity choices, and ways to change the home/daycare environment to make it easier to make good choices. Also available in Spanish.
NEW! - Changing the Environment
Educator: Gerry Lake, Ext. 384
All workshops are available in English and Spanish and offer hands-on activities and food tasting.
Understand the Screen
Learn about the effects of television, computers and other screens on children and ways to protect your child.
Play
Learn about the importance of active play for children and ways to have fun without breaking the bank.
Rethink Your Drink
Learn all about the "Fizzics" of soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages and ways to make free, inexpensive and healthier beverages.
The Blubber Burger
Learn all about fats--the good, the bad and the ugly -- and understand the problems related to high fat consumption.
Let's Eat Together
Learn how to plan and cook quick, easy and low-cost meals that everyone can prepare. Learn to cook and eat together, a natural way to discuss nutrition and the impact food choices have on the environment. The more educated children are about food, the more likely they will appreciate suggestions to eat healthy.
The Fast Lane
Learn all about eating well when eating out or eating on the run, and how to make healthy fast foods at home.
NEW! - IN-DEPTH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS 6 SESSIONS OR MORE
Eat Well, Spend Less
CCE Suffolk offer a series of free classes for eligible individuals on planning healthy meals, food buying and budgeting, and food safety.
Organizations wishing to host a series of classes should call Zahrine Bajwa, ext. 347.
Parenting the Second Time Around
This workshop series is intended for grandparents and relative cargeivers raising children and teens. It includes workshops on child development, discipline, legal issues and social supports.
For more information, call Dinah Castro, ext. 351.
Active Parenting Now (Ages 5-12)
Active Parenting for Teens
These video-based parent education programs help parents learn new skills in communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution using the principles of the Active Parent.
For more information, call Tim Jahn, ext. 331.
NEW! - PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS and CHILDREN TOGETHER
For more information, call Tim Jahn, ext. 331.
STAYING SAFE IN CYBERSPACE
Parents and their school-age children can learn the risks on the Internet and ways to protect their identity and practice safe surfing.
WHAT PARENTS AND KIDS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BULLYING
In this workshop, school-age kids and their guardians can learn about the different kinds of bullying, ways to protect themselves from bullies and how to help others who may be victims.
FAMILY FUN
Parents and their elementary school-age children can play games, learn about interesting community resources and find ways to put more fun into family life.
MAKING THE MOVE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL
Parents and students in grades 5-6 can discuss their concerns about moving up to middle school and ways to handle these challenges for maximum school success.
GETTING READY FOR HIGH SCHOOL
Did you know that more students fail ninth grade than any other grade level? The transition to high school is critical for future success in high school and beyond. In this workshop, 8th graders and their guardians will learn ways to plan for high school success.
MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE
The first semester at college will bring lots of changes and challenges for both commuting students and those living on campus. In this workshop, college-bound seniors and their guardians will discuss effective approaches to handling these changes.
