University of Miami - Families First Network

Fear can show up in many ways for someone. But for people who stutter, everyday interactions with authority figures can carry that weight, making even routine encounters extremely stressful.

In this blog, NSA Community Manager Taylor Worsham shares her experience of crossing the US-Canada border alone for the very first time. Armed with our stuttering ID card, Taylor was able to approach a potentially intimidating situation with confidence.

By providing positive language about stuttering and helpful instructions on how to respond, our ID card helps reduce stress for all parties involved and fosters mutual understanding!

Read the full blog: westutter.org/post/stuttering-id-card-use-case

There is still time to join our next in person Incredible Years parenting program. Our next group begins next Wednesday from 6-8pm. Reach out to sign up!

Join an upcoming session of our Toddlers parenting group at ! This group will meet each Tuesday from 6-8pm from February 17th to May 19th. Call us at 305-243-8425 to register or sign up to be contacted on our website at UMiamiHealth.org/familiesfirst. All our groups are offered at no cost to families in Miami-Dade county as we are funded by

Grateful we are able to continue to offer evidence-based support to our community https://www.incredibleyears.com/blog/families-first-parent-support

Families First: Evidence-Based Support for Parents in Miami-Dade The Families First Program provides evidence-based and culturally competent services for parents with young children (0-3) in Miami-Dade County.

Join us next Saturday, February 7th for Westchester Library Health & Wellness Center Resource Fest! Participate in zumba and yoga classes, guided meditation and enter to win a library raffle by learning about community resources!

Fact: Gagging is not choking and gagging does not lead to choking.

The body is designed to protect the airway and keep food out of the airway during both eating and swallowing and gagging, and even when throwing up.

When food is swallowed, more than 50 muscles work together to coordinate the motion. One is our vocal folds coming together like sliding doors in the breathing tube to tightly close off our airway and prevent anything from entering it. Amazingly, the muscles of the throat close tightly shut and the airway is pulled up and slightly forward, safely out of the way when we vomit or gag so that particles of food or liquid do not enter it.

So how does choking occur?

Choking occurs when there is a miscoordination of the swallow and food or liquid sneaks past our multiple lines of defense.

Things that can increase the risk of such type of coordination failure include:

✔️Caregiver placing finger food in a child’s mouth
✔️Caregiver putting their fingers in a child’s mouth
✔️Eating while in a reclined position
✔️Eating while laughing or coughing
✔️Eating while crying
✔️Eating while walking around
✔️Being startled while eating
✔️Lack of supervision while eating
✔️Eating while distracted

To access our free choking rescue guides for babies and toddlers download the Solid Starts App 📲

The Trump Administration is collecting public comments on a proposed rule that would allow the government to deny permanent residency (green cards) to immigrants, including spouses and parents of US citizens, if they use, or are likely to use, public benefits like Medicaid, housing assistance or food support.

This creates a chilling effect. Even when their children are eligible, families may avoid critical programs out of fear it could hurt their immigration status. That fear doesn't just hurt parents. It puts babies at risk.

When families turn away from health care, housing support, or nutrition assistance, babies lose access to the essentials they need to grow and thrive. These early years are critical for brain development, health, and secure relationships. Without support, babies face setbacks that can last a lifetime.

Babies, including US citizen children, will pay the highest price of this policy change. Join us in urging the Administration to make sure babies have the resources they need to thrive. For comments to be counted separately, each one must be unique. Submit your customizable comment: https://bit.ly/4iSUOef

Local food distribution events and pantries

Join our upcoming group at the Coral Reef Branch library for parents and their babies! Share and learn together with other families! Open to all Miami-Dade County residents with young children funded by and offered at not cost