How OKN was born

My photo
O'Hana Kids' News was started by Josh & Heather Ackman, when they were looking for events & activities for their son, Zephaniah, to participate in. Zephaniah, is in a wheelchair, due to his terminal condition of Menkes Syndrome. O'Hana Kids' News was founded in June 2010, when the Ackmans realized that many families were looking for the same information for their children.

CENTRAL/Western Nebraska

As always if you see something that I haven't listed please email me at ohanakidsnews@gmail.com with that information, because if you know about it, chances are there are several families in need of that information :)  Thanks.  

Information added through the month is listed in Red.


Grand Island INFORMATION:


Tech Tots Toy Lending Library based in Grand Island,
For families in Central Nebraska there is a Tech Tots Toy Lending Library available to you at Children’s Rehab Center in Grand Island.  Tech Tots provides developmental toys, adapted toys and devices to children with developmental and physical disabilities.  Tech Tots is a FREE service!! You can check out toys to use in your home for 1 month.  Tech Tots Toy Lending Library is a program of UCP Nebraska.  Play is an essential component of growing up, and is the most important work explored by children.  As children engage in play, they practice and master specific physical, psychological, emotional and creative skills necessary for understanding and interacting with the world around them.  As children all have different abilities, so too are their methods of operating devices and accessing information.  The use of adapted toys and devices decrease physical barriers and social barriers to play, enabling children at varied functional levels to actively explore and achieve some independence.  By equalizing play through these modifications, children learn about the cause-effect relationships and practice creative problem solving.  As children recognize their abilities through the work of play, they gain the self-confidence necessary for handing challenges in all areas of daily living.  This is a wonderful opportunity for your child!  To access the Tech Tots Lending Library call Children’s Rehab Center in Grand Island at 308-398-5170 and ask for Carole Ostdiek.





KEARNEY FAMILY INFORMATION:

Families CARE
Located in Kearney, is one of 6 family organizations across the state serving those that are parenting children/youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. We offer peer support; in fact every employee/advocate at Families CARE is parenting, or has parented a child with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges.  Families CARE is a non-profit organization, providing advocacy, resources, support and education as we work with parents, along with a mission to empower parents in the Behavioral Health System of Care. For more information on FAmilies CARE in Kearney call 308-237-1102 or kbennetts@familiescare.org