Childhood Immunizations

The Lakewood Division of Health offers childhood immunizations at $5.00 each for Lakewood residents. You can call the Division of Health at 216-529-7690 to schedule an appointment at one of the immunization clinics held periodically at the Women's Pavilion in Lakewood Park. The Division of Health also offers many other services, including a childhood lead testing and prevention program, nurse home visits for new mothers and their infants, and flu shots.

Feeling a Little Overwhelmed? 

Becoming a new mom can be very stressful, with new problems, challenges and demands -- not to mention the lack of sleep and bouncing hormones. Many new mothers find themselves facing things they didn't quite expect. Many get moody, tearful, tired or have trouble sleeping or concentrating, and feel lonely, anxious and sad. If you're feeling this way -- you are not alone. Oftentimes, moms need a bit of "mothering" themselves ... a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on; someone who understands.

Help for Mom is a program through the Far West Center, a private, nonprofit behavioral health center serving residents of Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. The program offers support groups for new moms, mental health assessment (checking if the "baby blues" might be postpartum depression; which affects 10 to 12 percent of new mothers), counseling, psychiatric care, and connections to community resources. The categories of community resources include: parenting support, health assistance, financial assistance, employment assistance, food and clothing assistance, counseling for children, stress & depression centers, abuse & violence shelters and programs, and alcohol & drug abuse programs. The Far West Center has two offices: 29133 Health Campus Drive, Westlake (440-835-6212) and 554 North Leavitt Road, Amherst (440-988-4900).

Feeling a Little Isolated?  Want to Meet Other Parents?

You can do just that -- while playing with your child -- through the programs offered by the Division of Early Childhood Services, held at the Family Room (17400 Northwood Avenue, behind St. James Church, off Granger Avenue, 216-529-5018). The atmosphere of all these programs is just wonderful! The room is as comfortable as your own living room, yet full of lots of fun for the children.

Here is the Fall 2007 Drop-in schedule:

- MONDAY -
Alternative Parenting Drop-In, 9:30-11:00 am. Would you like to discuss gentle nighttime parenting approaches, breast-feeding beyond a year, whole foods/vegetarianism, holistic health, and alternative educational choices for your child and others to be discovered…this is the place to be!

Arab American Women's Organization. 6:30-8:00 pm. Last Monday of Each Month. RSVP for FREE childcare…light dinner provided. A time to build relationships, gather information and understand cultural differences and similarities.

Parenting Plus Booster Sessions (Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12 & Dec. 10) 6:30-8:00 pm. An opportunity designed to alternate, on a monthly basis, focused parent skill building topics with a more natural peer support group environment in which parents/caregivers are free to discuss the joys and challenges of raising young children. You must RSVP at 216-529-5018 for limited free childcare.

- TUESDAY -
Baby-n-Me Drop-In 9:30-11:00 am. The first year of raising a child can be filled with many different emotions and lots of questions! Join your fellow parents, an early childhood facilitator…make new friends, share your stories, and gain information. This program is for Lakewood residents only.

- WEDNESDAY -
NEW: HARRISON SCHOOL DROP-IN & LEARN THROUGH PLAY EARLY LITERACY PROGRAM -- 2080 Quail Ave. Lakewood 9:00-10:30am For parents and their preschool children…a wonderful opportunity to meet other families in your neighborhood and have your child(ren) play and learn! The coffee pot is always on!

Nursing Moms Chat 9:30-11:00 am. If you are a breast-feeding mom, you will not want to miss this! Each week a lactation specialist from Lakewood Hospital, a family support specialist, and many wonderful other breast feeding moms gather to encourage and support each other, building friendships that last beyond the Family Room.

Learn Through Play Early Literacy Program 6:15-7:45 pm. A Family Literacy Playroom for caregivers and children from birth to age 5. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly environment and discover art, creative play, math, science, language and stories with your child.

- THURSDAY -
Thursday Morning Drop-In 9:30-11:00 am. A great opportunity for parents and caregivers to play and socialize in an age-appropriate setting. A craft and snack is part of our morning program. The coffee pot is always on – come and enjoy the fun! This program is for Lakewood residents only.

Mommy & Me Teen Parent Drop-In 6:30-8:00 pm at Lakewood Hospital Childcare Center - 1450 Belle Ave. An evening that begins with a shared family meal and includes opportunities for children to play, young parents (pregnant and parenting teen parents, or parents who were teens when their children were born), to make new friends and strengthen support systems.

Parenting Plus 6:00-8:00 pm. A parent education series designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-8. A light meal and childcare will be provided and it is all-FREE! You must register for this class at 216-529-5018. Limited childcare spaces available.

- FRIDAY -
(Lakewood Family Room) Learn Through Play Early Literacy Program 9:30-11:00 am. A Family Literacy Playroom for caregivers and children from birth to age 5. Enjoy a relaxed, friendly environment and discover art, creative play, math, science, language and stories with your child.

- WINTER SERIES -
The Greater Cleveland Family Support Consortium is offering a special Parenting Series for Parents and Caregivers of Children 0-8. On eight Thursday evenings beginning January 10, 2008, you can learn to problem solve, manage feelings, give positive attention and more, plus a light meal and child care will be provided. It's all free but advance registration is necessary. Call (216) 529-5018 to reserve your space. Download the event flyer [pdf]

Meet More Parents and Child Playmates

The indispensible Lakewood Early Childhood PTA brings kids and parents together in groups loosely based on the elementary school districts. Parents coordinate weekly playgroups that fit each other's schedules. The parents in each section hold monthly meetings and organize special family social events and field trips (open to everyone in the ECPTA). Trips and tours in the past have included Malley's Chocolate Factory, the Cleveland Children's Museum, Barnum & Bailey's Circus, Ramseyer Farms, and the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad -- to name just a few. Each section also has parties -- such as holiday parties or pajama parties.

The elected (volunteering) leaders of the PTA organize the Annual Baby Bargain Bonanza held each spring (read more about this on the Clothing Kids page), as well as programs on parenting issues and social events for adults. It's really a great way to meet neighbors and make friends, and find potential playmates in your neighborhood -- and it only costs $10 a year for membership! For more information, call Kathe Stack, Membership Chair, at 216-529-4207.

Children Learn Through Playing

Why not try before you buy? You can borrow toys from the Lakewood Toy Lending Library! Started by volunteer parents who met at the Family Room and through the Early Childhood PTA, the Toy Lending Library is open on Tuesdays from 10:30-11:15 a.m. for picking out and returning toys, or by appointment. There is no fee to join or to check-out items. The Toy Lending Library is based at the Family Room, 17400 Northwood Avenue, behind St. James Church, off Granger Avenue.

Looking for Childcare?

The city's Division of Early Childhood Services webpage has a link to licensed childcare centers in Lakewood, and a referral number for family daycare. You can also get information about childcare from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Maybe you're interested in child care in your home? The City of Lakewood, Department of Human Services, Family Child Care Home Program recruits and assists individuals who are interested in becoming sponsored Family Child Care Home Professionals. Call 216-529-5018 for information.