News and Notes from The Johnson Center

Focus on Routines…But Don’t Overschedule

JCCHD | Tue, September 02, 2014 | [Healthcare][Sibling Spotlight]

Routines are great, but over-scheduling can cause stress for the whole family.

In a recent post, we highlighted the importance of routine in a child’s life. The benefits of a routine for children and teens are numerous and well-documented. But it can get dicey when a well-meaning parent rigidly schedules every minute of a child’s day.

With increasingly intense academic demands and daunting schedules imposed…

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Gluten Free Labels and How They Affect Us

JCCHD | Tue, September 02, 2014 | [Family and Food][Healthcare][News]

Fad diets influence food manufactures to market to those seeking healthy alternatives to mainstream snacks and treats. While roaming through the grocery store, some consumers might mistakenly believe that products with labels advertising gluten-free ingredients are healthier choices. The desire to investigate the nutritional content is replaced by the confidence of knowing that it’s gluten-free. The label itself influences the choice we make for our family. Now, thanks to the new standardized definition from the FDA, we can move forward with additional awareness on what that label actually means.

The new FDA regulation of August 2014 requires that products labeled…

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What Labor Day Means To Us

JCCHD | Mon, September 01, 2014 | [Community][News]

Labor Day is the celebration of the American labor movement and it is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. According to the US Department of Labor, “it constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.”

This year, as we reflect on the holiday and its meaning, we can’t help but think about the thousands of adolescents and adults who are eager to make such a contribution, but are prevented from doing so because…

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Refresh Your Sleep Schedule for Back-to-School

JCCHD | Tue, August 26, 2014 | [Healthcare]

Back to school time is here and after a summer of staying up late and sleeping in, children can have a hard time adjusting to school’s early start time. Not only is it not much fun to be tired during the day, it can also affect academic performance. Studies show that too little sleep can cause an inability to concentrate, dozing off in class, behavioral issues, and lower level social skills. Persistent sleeping problems are associated with learning difficulties. One study demonstrated that as little as 25 minutes of less sleep a night can cause poorer grades. Students who received “C” and “D” marks went to bed on average 40 minutes later than “A” and “B” students.  The good news is there are a few, easy steps parents and kids…

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Can you help?

JCCHD | Thu, August 21, 2014 | [Community]

In the ten years since we started our work, we have had the privilege of working with amazing children and phenomenal families.  Often we have been with them as they have faced significant health issues, traumatic family crises, and severe emotional strain. We try to serve them to the best of our ability, but every so often we need to ask for the help of our community. This is one of those times.

We have worked for the last eight years with a family who lives in a small town near…

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Shop for Safer School Supplies

JCCHD | Wed, August 20, 2014 | [Community][Healthcare]

Any parent of a school-aged child knows how many choices there are for back-to-school supplies. Before deciding which comic book hero or cartoon cat your child wants on his or her binder, check labels and choose one that isn’t risky for their health or the environment.

Commonly used materials like PVC/vinyl contain high levels of phthalates, an…

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Be An Early Riser

JCCHD | Sun, August 17, 2014 | [Healthcare]

From peer-reviewed journals to trendy buzzword articles, the advice to “be an early riser” is all around us. Articles, columns, and blog posts from all corners of the media tout the benefits of waking up early. They tell us that early birds, or “larks,” are happier, more proactive, have more free time, and are more organized. But how exactly does that translate to a healthier life?

Research shows that…

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Prioritize Healthy School Lunches

JCCHD | Sun, August 17, 2014 | [Family and Food][Healthcare]

Whether you buy a hot lunch for your child or pack a bento box, brown bag, or vintage metal Batman lunchbox, prioritizing a healthy lunch is critical. Eating a variety of healthy foods can give your child energy, improve their learning, and build healthy habits.

As you write out the to-do lists for back-to-school, make a plan to ensure your child will eat a healthy meal at school each day.

If you plan to buy hot lunches…

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Know the Ebola Facts

JCCHD | Wed, August 13, 2014 | [Healthcare][News]

Ebola is a disease caused by a tropical virus. It causes flu-like symptoms: fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, general weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, the body experiences organ failure, dehydration, and bleeding. The current outbreak is concentrated in West Africa.

Ebola cannot be transmitted through the air, food, or water. It is not like the flu, which can be passed on through coughing and shaking hands. People become infected with Ebola when…

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Daily Routines for a Happy, Healthy, and Successful School Year

JCCHD | Wed, August 13, 2014 | [Community][Healthcare][Sibling Spotlight]

It’s everybody’s favorite time of year—back to school! Okay, maybe not everyone’s, but there are a few important ways parents can help their kids thrive in this changing environment. With the new school year comes many changes in our children’s lives. These changes can often be scary and overwhelming, causing our child’s performance to suffer in many different areas. There is nothing that can alleviate these types of stressors for our kiddos like well established routines.

Although many adults find routines mundane, it is well known that kids flourish when there is…

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