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children
- Q: I need some advice about my 2-year-old son. He recently started throwing his toys when he is not allowed to have his way. Is this normal?
A: The Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science is a good resource for advice about raising children. They suggest the following.
It is normal for children, no matter how old, to show their frustration when they are not allowed to have their way. Young children cannot use words very well so they show how they feel. Here are some tips:
- Let your child know it is okay to be upset, but it is not okay to throw his toys - they may break, hurt someone or break something else.
- Offer him a choice to do something else.
- If he is still upset, hold him very closely until he calms down. He may even want to lie in his bed or sit somewhere quietly.
- Do not feel guilty about not letting him have his way. Remember you are teaching him that you mean what you say.
- Q: I need some advice. My 13-year-old daughter behaves as though she knows everything, and I know little or nothing. Should I be worried that something is wrong with her?
A: According to the Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Science, you need not worry. Nothing is wrong with your daughter. A common change during the teen years is that adolescents become very critical and develop a "know everything" attitude. They challenge their parent's judgment and decisions, test limits and rules as they try to develop a mind of their own. Try the following:
- When you need to criticize, criticize the behavior and not your daughter.
- When you give her instructions, ask her to repeat what you say to make sure she understands. Do not take for granted that she understands
- Talk with her about problems she may encounter and allow her to come up with ways to solve them. Remember, she does not think any of this will ever happen to her.
- She may not show it, but she still wants your approval and respect.
Youth Affairs
- Q: I think my son might need some counseling. I'm afraid he's going to flunk out of school and get into trouble. Who can I call for help?
A: You can call the Youth Service Bureau at 561-840-4540. The Youth Service Bureau provides professional counseling for individuals, families, children aged 0 to 17, and school groups in Palm Beach County. They also have a 3-month residential treatment program at the Highridge Family Center which is for "at risk" adolescents aged 11 to 15.
- Q: I am still in high school, and I am thinking about a career in the fire service. I heard about the Explorer program. What is it and how can I join?
A: Palm Beach County Fire Rescue sponsors an Explorer Post which is a great way for students to gain firsthand experience of the fire service career. Being an Explorer helps you to develop much needed leadership skills required of a firefighter. It consists of training on various aspects of firefighting and emergency medical services. Explorers are able to do supervised ride time on emergency apparatus and participate in special events such as public education, fund-raising and field trips. To participate in the Explorers program, you must be age 14, have completed 8th grade, and maintain a minimum school GPA of 2.0. For more information call 561-642-1268.
- Q: How can I find out about fun things for my grandchildren to do in Palm Beach County?
A: Call the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department at (561)-966-6664 to receive a free copy of Leisure Times which has a complete listing of all the fun-filled activities and events that are planned for the season. This brochure also contains a listing of all county-operated parks and the facilities you'll find in each one. You can also look at the website for the Tourist Development Council to find out about activities and attractions.
- Q: What is the 4-H Youth Program and who can join?
A: The 4-H stands for Head (for clearer thinking), Heart (for greater loyalty), Hands (for larger service), and Health (for better living) and is the youth development component of the Cooperative Extension Service Its mission is assist all youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society. It is open to all youths between the ages of 8 and 18. They can participate through school enrichment programs, join a 4-H club, or special interest activities such as our community garden program or summer camps. For more information or to enroll your child, please call 561-233-1731.
- Q: What types of activities will my child do in 4-H?
A: 4-H members choose projects and activities that interest them. They will attend meetings, make presentations, display exhibits at the South Florida Fair, attend camps, and are highly encouraged to be involved in community service projects. Participation in competitive events can occur at the county, district, state, and national level.
- Q: Does the Migrant Program offer any programs for children?
A: The name Migrant Program is a shortened form of the Adult Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker Program. Though the traditional program is for adults, we now offer a program for youth, ages 14-21. A full-time counselor and two part-time assistants are helping 25-30 at-risk youth enrolled in a program called Step Ahead to Success. Through tutoring, classroom work, family involvement, and social activities, these students will complete their education as planned. This program is aided by the staff of the school district's Child Migrant Program, which offers many other services to farmworker children.
- Q: Where can I find a playground for my children?
A: Many County parks have playgrounds. Please call (561) 966-6664 for a copy of Park Facility Guide! This free brochure produced by the Parks and Recreation Department contains a listing of all County parks with playgrounds and where they're located. A few of the favorite playgrounds are located in Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach, Seminole Palms Park in Royal Palm Beach, and John Prince Park (Center Drive) in Lake Worth.
- Q: Is there any help available for getting school supplies for my children?
A: Yes. The Community Action Program provides vouchers for low-income families to purchase clothes, shoes and supplies for school-age children. For more information click on Back to School Program.
- Q: How can I find out about sports activities in Palm Beach County?
A: The Parks and Recreation Department's brochure called Recreation Guide lists all types of sports activities from family kickball to professional golf clinics as well as adult and youth leagues. You can also look at the website for the Tourist Development Council and click on "Sports Commission" to find out about sports activities and events.
- Q: Which libraries have story reading?
A: If you look on the Palm Beach County Library web site, click on "Children's Programs" and you can find out about all the different activities at each library.
- Q: Are there any programs available to help with the high cost of summer care for my children?
A: Yes. The Community Action Program provides scholarships for low-income families for summer day camp. For more information see: Summer Camp Scholarship Program.
- Q: When is summer day camp registration? How can I get a brochure?
A: The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department offers summer day camp. Registration is held at several sites throughout Palm Beach County between mid-March and early April. Please call (561) 966-6620 for more information or to receive a brochure email your mailing address to ahuisman@pbcgov.com.
- Q: How do I enroll my child in swimming lessons?
A: The Parks and Recreation Department operates five pools in Palm Beach County. Please call the pool nearest you to register for swimming lessons:
| Aqua Crest Pool, Delray Beach | (561) 278-7104 |
| Lake Lytal Family Aquatic Center, West Palm Beach | (561) 233-1426 |
| Santaluces Aquatic Complex, Lantana | (561) 641-9301 |
| North County Aquatic Complex, Jupiter | (561) 745-0241 |
| Pioneer Park Aquatic Center, Belle Glade | (561) 993-3892 |
- Q: How can I get a tour of a sugar or rice mill?
A: These are industrial plants. Group tours can sometimes be arranged through their public relations offices.
| United States Sugar Corp. | 863-983-8121 |
| Florida Crystals | 561-988-8102 |
| Sugarcane Growers Coop | 561-996-5556 |
| Sem-Chi Rice Products Corp. | 561-996-6054 |
- Q: I'm a teacher at a local school and would like to have my class visit the fire station or arrange for a fire truck to come out to my school. Who should I call?
A: This can be done by contacting Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue's Community Education Department at 561-616-7000. The secretary will direct your call to the appropriate Community Education Specialist.
crime
- Q: What is the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission and what does it do?
A: The Criminal Justice Commission is a policy level advisory board to the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and is active in improving the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the local criminal justice system. The CJC created: the first Community Court in Florida and the nation's sixth, a Weed and Seed Program in two sites in the County, a Citizens' Criminal Justice Academy, a Municipal Public Safety Radio Communications Consortium, a Probationers' Educational Growth Program, a continuum of substance abuse treatment services, a Graffiti Eradication Program, an Auto Theft Prevention and Awareness Campaign, and other related programs, services and agencies.
- Q: How can I report an environmental crime?
A: You can call the Environmental Hotline at 1-877-2-SAVE-FL.
health
- Q: What causes bad air quality in Palm Beach County?
A: The air quality here meets all health based National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The Health Department continuously monitors air pollutants and prepares a daily air quality index (AQI) for public dissemination. The AQI is typically in the good range 90% during a year. Generally, bad air quality occurs during episodes under the following conditions: high smog days with elevated levels occurring during hot, sunny and heavily stagnate days; high levels of dust produced from high winds during prolonged dry periods; smoke from large wildfires. For more information call the Palm Beach County Health Department Division of Environmental Health and Engineering at 561-355-3070.
- Q: Are there any regulations about babies in pools?
A: The state regulations governing public pools does not include a provision to restrict the age or health condition of a bather. The owner of a pool, however, may have such restrictions in place.
- Q: What is a boil water notice and when do I need to boil my water?
A: If water service in your neighborhood needs to be interrupted to facilitate repairs to a water main, you may be requested to boil your drinking water as a precautionary measure. If less than 300 people in your neighborhood are affected, a tag will be hung on your door to notify you. If more than 300 people are affected, you will be notified through the local media. For details on boil water notices, contact the Water Utilities Department at 561-740-4600, select option 4.
- Q: How safe is our drinking water?
A: The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (561-740-4600) exceeds all water quality standards for local, state and federal regulations. An Annual Water Quality Report is mailed to our customers every year.
- Q: How do I get a permit from the Health Department to open a day care facility?
A: You should call the Health Department at 561-233-5139. This is the number for permits/licenses. You will need an application package. After you read it over, call the office to make an appointment to get help with the process.
- Q: How can I get information on nutrition education for individuals and groups?
A: The Palm Beach Cooperative Extension provides nutrition information for individuals and groups through the Family Nutrition Program and the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program. Group education is offered to food stamp eligible recipients in public schools, Head Start, the Palm Beach County Health Department, County libraries, and area community and senior centers. Professional presentations on food nutrition and health issues are offered to organizations and groups by Extension professionals. In-service credits (CEU's) are offered on selected courses. For more information or to schedule presentations call 561-233-1742.
- Q: I have a pond (or canal) on my property. Could you come out and test the water so I can decide if I should allow my children to go swimming in it?
A: The Palm Beach County Health Department and other agencies have tested the water in many inland ponds and canals over the years and have concluded that the quality of the water in these ponds/canals can vary a lot but most of the time is not suitable for swimming. Most of these bodies of water were excavated principally to drain south Florida. Storm water runoff is laden with many undesirable contaminants such as pesticides, animal feces, oils and greases just to name a few.
- Q: I got sick from restaurant food. Where can I call to complain?
A: You should call Environmental Health at 561-355-3070 to file a food sickness report.
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Government
