Mental Health Awareness Community Playdate

Hosted By Childhood Matters

Mark your calendars for May 28th, 2022 from 11am to 1pm and join us for a family event at the Conejo Creek North Park (Lakeside Pavilion) in Thousand Oaks, California. Children get to participate in free hands-on activities while families are able to connect with representatives from mental health organizations to hep you gather resources related to mental health.

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This event could not have been possible without the support of these amazing organizations and mental health providers who have volunteered their time to bring resources to the community and for setting up amazing activities for the children. A big thank you to the Ventura County Fire Department for attending the event so that the children can see the fire trucks up close and personal.

Participating Mental Health Organizations/Providers

United Parents is a unique family-driven non-profit agency that serves as a bridge to success for families. We identify and fill the gaps for parents of children who need support during their most difficult life challenges. United Parents provides staff and resources to empower, strengthen and support parents who have children with emotional, behavioral, mental health disorders and family preservation needs. For information on United Parents, please visit https://www.unitedparents.org/

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Interface is Ventura County’s most comprehensive nonprofit provider of social services, including mental health & trauma treatment, youth crisis & homeless services, domestic violence & child abuse prevention, human trafficking prevention & intervention, and justice services. Additional information on their services can be found at https://www.icfs.org/

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Georgia is the boss at everything behavior. Her workshops and seminars are life changing. Her passion radiates and we know you will experience a transformation. Georgia is a Mom to 3 little girls and a child therapist. She loves children with a passion and wants nothing more than to be able to share her knowledge about child behaviors and how to manage them. She's a firm believer in positive behavior support to make an impact. Less yelling and more playing! The Behavior Boss was created to give you strategies that are easy to use in your day to day interactions with your child. You can feel confident in your parenting skills and enjoy a more peaceful family life. For more information, visit https://thebehaviorboss.com/

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Thrive offers clinical art therapy and other somatic trauma treatments for children, teens and adults. They help people recover from depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. They also help people develop healthy coping skills and communication skills to cultivate more satisfying relationships. Thrive utilizes art and play in their work with children because these are the natural language of children and make self expression much easier. They also use evidence-based treatments that harness the body and brain's natural inclination toward healing. Please visit www.thrivearttherapy.org to learn more about their services.

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The goal of the @morrisonparkproject is to create a playground where all children can play together regardless of ability. Inclusion is the ultimate goal!

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The connecting therapist specializes in healing trauma, connection and attachment issues. They provide individual and family therapy and parent support in Ventura County, California. For more information on their services, please visit https://www.theconnectingtherapist.com/

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Hive of Hope is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and has two missions:

1-To offer affordable/low-fee and accessible mental health services (e.g., individual therapy, group therapy, assessments) to individuals (e.g., children, teens, adults, families) in the Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, and Ventura areas.

2-To provide valuable training and supervision to graduate-level students. Hive of Hope strives to increase students’ clinical skills and ability to effectively work with clients.

The Diagnostic and Counseling Center in Agoura Hills offers both assessment and treatment in the same facility. Whether you are looking for a diagnosis, or psychotherapy, DCC is able to provide high quality service to help support you. For more details visit https://www.centerdcs.com/about-us/

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Music Matterz, is a private music therapy family practice dedicated to broadening awareness of the unique benefits of music and creative arts therapies, and to provide quality music therapy and music education services to the overall community at large.

For additional information on their services visit https://www.musicmatterztherapy.com/

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Little Fox Yoga emphasizes the habit of calm breathing for mental and emotional soothing. Children learn the value of movement and stillness for enhanced focus, self-discipline, and compassion to help others. Through imagination, posture, dance, and meditation each child builds confidence while respecting the group dynamic. For more information visit https://littlefoxyoga.com/

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The mission of Teen Therapy Center is to help children, teens and families live happier lives. You can learn more about them at https://teentherapycenter.com

Child & Teen Counseling is the sister nonprofit to Teen Therapy Center They seeks to provide therapeutic support to children, teenagers and their families. More information on their services can be found at https://childteencounseling.org/

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At Harmony Family Yoga you can take a moment to breathe, quiet the mind, relax, and connect with your inner-self. They are committed to providing a nurturing, safe and inclusive environment for everyone to receive the benefits of yoga. They promote healthy lifestyles, inward focus, and alignment of mind body and soul. Learn about their services at https://harmonyfamilyyoga.com/

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Engage Treatment is a Joint Commission Accredited professional psychological practice. They serve children, teens, and young adults struggling with depression and anxiety through a combination of therapeutic practices and community-focused treatment plans. Check out their website foe more information https://engagetherapy.com/

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Childhood Matters offers coping toolboxes for children to help them through big life transitions such as grief and loss, fear and anxiety, divorce, illness, hospitalization and separation anxiety. Being advocates for Early Childhood Mental Health, they offer free workshops on how to use coping skills with children. Childhood Matters is also available to speak about Early Childhood Mental Health at schools and other institutions. You can learn more about them at www.childhoodmatters.us

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Reins of H.O.P.E. offers a unique experiential form of therapy for youth ages 3-18. Their sessions out in nature with the horses allow exploration of thoughts and feelings and foster trust, resilience, problem solving skills, improved communication and healthier relationships. Please visit http://reinsofhopevc.org/ for more information on their services.

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Driven by a commitment to the health and wellness principles of our faith, Adventist Health Simi Valley is the premier healthcare provider in the area. Their booth will be providing resources to help bring awareness to drug and alcohol addiction.

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Horizon Hills is a parent child cooperative learning environment for adults and their children ages birth to 6. In The Parenting Program , parents actively experience a partnership in learning between the teacher, parent and child. Parents who are in touch with their child’s development are better equipped to support the child’s education, and communicate with teaching and administrative staff.

For more information on their program, please visit https://conejoadulted.org/parenting/

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Participating Vendors

Randi Pearlman Wolfson is a Los Angeles-based grief educator and author. She helps children learn to understand their great big feelings, through the remarkable journey of one little elephant: “Eddie’s Brave Journey: How one little elephant learned all about grief". You can learn more about the author and purchase the book at https://www.griefandgrits.com/

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Gaming Whale Press is a small business sticker shop that promotes happiness and individuality through their products! The founder is a clinical psychology graduate student who incorporates mental health into the sticker designs.

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Kona Ice is a well-known mobile shaved ice company who will be at the event from 11:30am-12:30pm for attendees to purchase delicious shaved ice.

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Sensory boxes with Learning Guides. Boxes are created around a children’s book and have lessons for different ages and skill levels. Great family activity- self regulating activity, independent play- the list goes on! Visit https://www.storiesinsensory.com/ to view their wonderful products.

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Certified face-painter and custom shoe artist. https://linktr.ee/Facecanvas

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Duck Duck Photography will be providing a free digital photo booth. A detailed description of their services can be found at https://duck-duck-photography.square.site/

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Mister Softie will be at the event for attendees to purchase delicious soft serve ice-cream.

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Skincare, pampering products. Visit paulalovesposh.com

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Glitzy Girl Toys brings to you a young entrepreneur selling slime, fidget toys, bubbles and other products for children.

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Planet Ayesha is a jewelry shop that wants to inspire creativity and fun with self-expression. Their hope is for you to feel dreamy, ethereal, and full of magic.

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ANW Sweets is a home bakery that specializes is baked goods. The pop up shop will have a variety of delicious baked items including paint your own cookies. How fun!

Follow them on https://www.instagram.com/anwsweets/?hl=en

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Michelle Gradis, PhD is a local mom and business owner with shop.com and Market America. They offer the industry best in health, nutrition, and wellness products for physical, cognitive, and mental health needs. Visit www.shop.com/Gradis to view her products.

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Discovery Toys is the premier online kids' toys store dedicated to helping children learn and grow through Pure Play – play that is hands-on, child-directed, multi-faceted, safe, and FUN! They classify their toddler toys online by play type to highlight the primary developmental benefit of each product. They have been a trusted brand for over 40 years!

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House of Doh provides carefully thought out themed play dough kits and hand painted wooden dolls. Their goal is to provide children of all ages with endless opportunities for independent play. Their dolls are hand painted with the most careful details and they only use non toxic paint and sealants. Their play dough is always vegan and made with non toxic ingredients.

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Rainbow Sugar Candy is a home based company based in Simi Valley. They offer prepackaged cotton candy in every color of the rainbow. From the classic flavors of Pink Vanilla and Blue Raspberry to adventurous flavors like Passion Fruit and Green Apple. They do community events and offer customizable orders for local pick up.

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Usborne Books & More is a division of Educational Development Corporation (EDC), a well-established company that has twice been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of The 200 Best Small Companies in America and three times by Fortune Magazine as one of America’s 100 Fastest Growing Small Companies, and has been in existence for over 30 year.

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Community Drum Circle by Music Matterz

Meet The Firefighters & Touch A Truck

by The Ventura County Fire Department

Face Painting by Face Canvas

Affirmation Coloring Pages by Gaming Whale Press & Planet Ayesha

A Painting Activity-Hands Are Not For Hitting

by Interface Children and Family Services

Digital Picture Photo Booth by Duck Duck Photography

Emotion Puppets by Childhood Matters

Art Activity-Feelings and Connection Within Your family

by The Connecting Therapist

Meet the Mini Horses by Reins of Hope

Story Time - Reading of Eddie's Brave Journey

by Author Randi Pearlman Wolfson

Toe-Ga: A Mindful Yoga Game by Little Fox Yoga

Bracelet & Keychain Making Activity by The Behavior Boss

54321 Grounding - Senses Stations by Hive of Hope

Mindful Activity Pages by Usborne Books & More

Playdough Sensory Activity/Book Small World Play

by Stories In Sensory

Sensory activity/ Coping Skills Tool Kit by Engage Therapy

Hands-On Exploration With Toys (Play) by Discovery Toys

Mindfulness Jar by Teen Therapy Center

Bubble Breathing and Clay Sculpting by Thrive Art Therapy

Mindful Breathing Wand by Horizon Hills

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Join us for the raffle with drawings taking place every 30 minutes throughout the event.