Mother's Day
Mother's Day is on May 11 honoring, mothers and motherhood. Mother's Day is a day to celebrate the vital role mothers play in families and society. It's a time for expressing love, appreciation, and gratitude for their nurturing, guidance, and sacrifices. This holiday also serves as a reminder of the strong maternal bonds and the profound influence mothers have on their children's lives. We celebrate all the moms and maternal figures. Thank you!!!
Memorial Day
Memorial Day on May 26 recognizes all the service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. military. DES offices and many of its partners will be closed in observance of this holiday. Thank you to all of our veterans and those currently serving.
Mental health awareness month
What is mental health?
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.
Being healthy emotionally can promote productivity and effectiveness in work, school, and caregiving. It plays an important part in the health of your relationships and allows you to adapt to changes in your life and cope with adversity.
Mental health is essential to living a balanced life. According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five Americans experiences mental health issues, translating to more than 40 million adults a year. It’s important to remember that mental health is health and just as important as our physical health.
Science tells us that the foundations of sound mental health are built early in life. Early experiences—including children’s relationships with parents, caregivers, relatives, teachers, and peers—interact with genes to shape the architecture of the developing brain. Disruptions in this developmental process can impair a child’s capacities for learning and relating to others, with lifelong implications. The 5-minute video provides an overview of Establishing a Level Foundation for Life: Mental Health Begins in Early Childhood, a working paper by the National Scientific Council on the Developing Child.
Additional mental health resources.
- InBrief: Early Childhood Mental Health from Harvard
- Maternal and new parents.
- 5 Facts about Health That Are Often Misunderstood.
- Maternal Health - Department of Health Services
- Arizona Statewide Crisis Hotline- Call 1-844-534-HOPE (4673) or Text 4HOPE (44673)
Parenting classes
Raising Special Kids hosts multiple classes every month for parents. The topics vary for various steps in a child's development.
Do you know the ABCs of Safe Sleep? Test your safe sleep knowledge and earn a free sleep sack. Visit the Strong Families AZ website for more information.
Professional Development from Strong Families AZ
2025 Strong Families AZ Home Visiting Conference: The Power of Perspective
- September 15-17, 2025
- Gila River Resorts Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Conference Center
- No cost to attend / registration required. Space is limited.
- Registration opens June 1, 2025.
Child care provider appreciation day
May 9 is Child Care Provider Appreciation Day, and we would like to hear from you! The Department of Economic Security (DES) is collecting responses from parents, families, and anyone else who would like to give thanks to those who educate and care for young children.
By filling out the form, the DES and Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) social media pages may post your thank you message, as well as it being distributed broadly to our child care provider network!
Out & About
These are pictures from the Creighton Family Resource Center Kinder Enrollment event and the Family Field Day at Byron A Barry Preschool sponsored by Head Start and M.A.N.C.A.V.E
View the resources from the event below!
Important Disclaimer: The foregoing is publicly available information about upcoming events, resources, and reminders from third-party organizations. In some cases, AzEIP has included links to other websites that are not owned or controlled in any way by AzEIP, but that contain additional information about the events, resources or reminders. By clicking on any of the links above, you agree to be directed to the external website and you acknowledge and agree that AzEIP shall not be held responsible or accountable for any information contained on such site. Please note that AzEIP does not monitor any of the websites linked herein and does not endorse or approve any information posted on any such sites.
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Credits:
Created with images by REDPIXEL - "American flag for Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labour Day" • Kawee - "Caucasian happy loving parent play with baby toddler in living room. " • fizkes - "Happy young African American mom hold in hands hug cute little ethnic baby toddler show love care. Smiling biracial mother embrace cuddle small newborn infant child. Motherhood, childcare concept." • peopleimages.com - "Mental health, ptsd or trauma with child and therapist in hospital for assessment, checkup or diagnosis. Abuse, domestic violence or fear and psychiatrist with tablet for appointment of boy patient" • LifeMedia - "A mother lovingly holds her laughing baby, captured in natural light, depicting warmth, affection, and a joyful connection between parent and child." • Looker_Studio - "Social media and digital online concept, woman using smart phone. The concept of living on vacation and playing social media. Social Distancing ,Working From Home concept."