2005 Mills Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45212
Childcare and Child Enrichment Services
Children’s programming included homeschool support, pandemic related emergency childcare, outdoor parties, childcare for vital appointments, school enrollment and supporting preschool partner Azalea Montessori.
Lydia’s House employed an occupational therapist and two live-in staff members at its shelter, all of whom focused on the needs on families with children under age 5. When able, Lydia’s House regularly offered weekend outings including hiking, zoo trips, ice cream trips, park trips and in house activities like crafts and movie nights, as well as regular family fun nights at the local pool and other neighborhood attractions. The staff also implemented seasonal children’s events including a Christmas party (pre pandemic), an outdoor back to school event, a Halloween pumpkin patch visit, and a Christmas overnight camp. The House also completed an outdoor room for pandemic safe gatherings and a nature playspace for enriched play.
The occupational therapist provided specific interventions around homeschool and pandemic educational disruptions including setting up home learning stations for each family, helping families enroll in virtual school, and providing one on one tutoring to children who were academically behind.
Mothers at Lydia's House used grant funds to request child enrichment experiences for their children, which primarily included swimming lesson and gymnastics classes. These experiences allow mothers respite, time to work on goals, and give children unique and positive experiences, deflecting from the experience of homelessness.
Lydia’s House used funds for staffing to support a child of Lydia’s House who was removed from her mother’s custody through supporting the kinship provider daycare enrollment and obtaining basic supplies necessary for caring for a toddler.
The Case Manager and Occupational Therapist on staff at Lydia’s House continue in relationship with families after their stay at Lydia’s House to provide key supports and interventions as needed for children’s school enrolment, accessing supplies, and assistance with transportation to and from school.
Photo captions
1. Lydia's House offered one on one homeschool support to children
2. A Lydia's House mom and kids, family photo session
3. Covid 19 testing for families at Lydia's House
4. A Lydia's House kid enjoys the nature playscape
Click on any photo to enlarge.
_rev_780.jpg){kind=link}
