Free EP Community Ed sessions focus on neurodivergence, reducing trauma, and protecting kids

Eden Prairie Community Education is offering three parent and caregiver workshops in May. These workshops are designed to empower parents and guardians with the tools and knowledge needed to support their child’s development and safety.

According to Molly Malone, director of adult and community engagement programs for Eden Prairie Community Education, the aim of the three sessions is that by engaging with specialists, families will gain practical skills that will make a positive difference in their everyday lives.

The workshops are free but attendees should enroll in advance via the Eden Prairie Community Education portal (links are below with each session listing).

The first two sessions will be led by MnNeat (Minnesota Neurodivergent Education Advocacy and Therapy Services).

Informational parent workshop with MnNeat: “Four Areas to Support, Modify and Adapt for Meaningful Inclusion and Regulation”

• Wednesday, May 1, 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Central Middle School. Free enrollment here.

Interactive parent workshop with MnNeat: “Regulation Tools from Common Household Items”

• Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Middle School. Free enrollment here.

“During the pandemic, the district and our Family Resources Program saw an increase in requests from parents looking for information about ADHD,” Malone said. “We had a great response to some classes offered during the past couple of academic years using COVID relief funds related to that topic.”

This year, Malone said, “We wanted to address the broader category of neurodivergence. We identified MnNeat as a partner to provide both an informational and hands-on workshop to support caregivers in better understanding and meeting the unique needs of neurodivergent children.

“We were drawn to the idea that MnNeat is neurodivergent-led and created, and have heard great things from the other communities they’ve worked with.”

Malone said she hopes attendees will leave the classes not only with new information and strategies to support their children, but a sense of community and belonging. Those registered for the interactive workshop will also have the opportunity to experience and make sensory tools to take home and use.

Lizzi Duffy will present at both sessions. Duffy is the president and founder of MnNEAT and an AuDHD (Autistic and ADHD) occupational therapist parenting a neurodivergent child.

Michelle Pettit will present at the second interactive session. Pettit is an occupational therapist and yoga teacher passionate about sensory, motor, nature, and activity-based strategies.

The third workshop will be led by Eden Prairie Community Education and Be SMART, an awareness campaign developed to bring together parents and all adults concerned about kids, guns, and safety.

Parent workshop: “Reducing Trauma & Protecting Our Kids“

• Friday, May 17, from noon to 1 p.m. via an online session. Free enrollment here.

The intended audience for this workshop is parents, guardians, or other adults who care about creating safe environments for children. This workshop will include an overview of Adverse Childhood Experiences, also known as ACEs, and a presentation from Be SMART.

Malone said that she hopes the virtual session will allow Eden Prairie Community Education to reach more people throughout the community.

“We hope attendees leave feeling empowered and better prepared to support their children’s physical safety and mental health,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is to normalize hard parent-to-parent (or adult) conversations for the good of our children.” 

This session will be delivered by Reta Johnson and Jackie Getchius.

Johnson, who coordinates the family resources program at Eden Prairie Schools and serves as the district’s liaison for homeless and foster care, is also a trained ACEs presenter. Getchius, an Eden Prairie parent and resident, is a certified trainer with Be Smart.

Learn more about Eden Prairie Community Education and the programs and resources it offers on its website.