Abilities First LLC

08/07/2025

We are excited to join forces with UCP of Greater Cleveland and be a part of their amazing team! Together we will continue to expand and grow our therapy services on the Cleveland’s west side.

Exciting News! 🎉

We are thrilled to welcome Abilities First LLC to the UCP of Greater Cleveland team! As part of our continued growth, Abilities First is now officially a branch of our LeafBridge therapy services on the west side of Cleveland.

Even more exciting? Their exceptional team of Occupational Therapists is joining us in our mission to empower children of all abilities. Together, we’re expanding access to high-quality, compassionate care, and we couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

Welcome, Abilities First! 💚

07/29/2025

August already? Back-to-school may be around the corner, but it also means Music Therapy & More is back!

🎶 This free program for families with children (ages 0–6) is returning to Westlake, Parma, and Lakewood — and we’re excited to welcome two new locations: Oberlin and Maple Heights!

Spots fill fast — get details and register at connectingforkids.org/music

ID: Bright, colorful graphic promoting Connecting for Kids’ Music Therapy & More events in August. Graphic lists dates, times, and locations, with playful orange and pink backgrounds and bold white text. Events are free for families with children ages 0–6 and include returning locations in Westlake, Parma, and Lakewood, plus new programs in Oberlin and Maple Heights. The Connecting for Kids logo and website URL appear at the bottom of each image.

06/14/2025

“Work hard, play hard” - or so the old saying goes. And we’re inviting you to play hard at the ultimate happy hour when we Pour for a Purpose on June 20.

While you’re there, be sure to tip our volunteer bartenders. The money we raise will go to support another kind of play – CFK’s free adapted and inclusive playgroups for families!

For event details, scan the QR code or visit connectingforkids.org/Pour4aPurpose – see you on the 20th!

ID: A photo of families playing together at a Connecting for Kids playgroup next to an illustrated pint glass. Text on the pint glass includes the event name (Pour for a Purpose), date (6/20/25 from 6-9 p.m.) and location (Around the Corner Saloon & Cafe in Lakewood). The image text also mentions that there will be games, raffles and a chance to win Cleveland Guardians baseball tickets.

06/14/2025

Join us for an inclusive drop-in playgroup on June 24 at Cove Park Playground!

Inclusive drop-ins welcome ⭐️all⭐️ children - whether or not you have a concern. It's a great way to meet other families and you can stay as long as you like.

Registration for this program is not required, but if you'd like a text in the event of weather changes, RSVP at connectingforkids.org/event-6144325

Presented in partnership with Lakewood Family Room and funded by the Healthy Lakewood Foundation.

ID: Photo of the main play structure at Cove Playground in Lakewood, showing the wheelchair accessible entrance. Image text includes the date (Tuesday, June 24 from 10 a.m. - noon) and address (1294 Cove Ave, Lakewood). The image also includes logos from Lakewood Family Room and Healthy Lakewood Foundation.

06/14/2025

☀️ Looking for inclusive summer fun in Lorain County? Meet us at the playground!

Join us on Saturday, June 28 at Cascade Park Playground in Elyria. This is a free event and all are welcome. Registration is not required. To get a text message with weather updates, RSVP at connectingforkids.org/outings

ID: Photo of the main play structure at Cascade Park Playground in Elyria, showing the wheelchair accessible entrance. Image text includes the date (Saturday, June 26 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.) and address (387 Furnace Street, Elyria).

05/08/2025

Connecting for Kids has so many wonderful programs to support children and their families!

In honor of National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, we thought we’d share a sobering statistic: 12% of Ohio kids have moderate or severe anxiety – even higher than the national average.

At Connecting for Kids, we’ve committed to supporting families with tools to help their children. Our free podcast library has more than 80 episodes – with topics ranging from anxiety to autism – and so much more.

When you support CFK this May, you’re putting more tools into the hands of Northeast Ohio families. Our kids deserve a ✨mental health era✨ that beats the national numbers.

Share your support today. Make a gift on Facebook (www.facebook.com/donate/1231225911731809/), share this post, or learn more at connectingforkids.org/MHAM

ID: A cropped photo of an iPhone, showing a podcast in the CFK podcast library. Text information shares the 12% statistic and mentions that CFK has a free podcast library. Below that, retro-style text that reads, “in my mental health era.”

05/08/2025

There’s still time to be a part of the action!

As a sponsor for the inaugural Embrace the Pace Inclusive Race, you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your business or organization with a community of families.

Choose from t-shirt, bag, water station, mile or finish line sponsorships at connectingforkids.org/5KSponsors

Looking for race registration? Check out connectingforkids.org/5k

ID: A photo of the track in a track and field arena, showing lanes 1-5. Text to the right of the photo includes the event name (Embrace the Pace), date (August 23) and location (Independence Liberty playground). Text below the photo shares sponsor opportunities, including t-shirt, bag, water station, mile and finish line.

04/22/2025

Have you tried one of our free Music Therapy & More sessions? Time is running out!

With our season winding down, we’ve only got three sessions for the month of May – join us in Lakewood, Parma or Solon to learn how you can use music to improve behavior, communication and more!

connectingforkids.org/music

ID: List of three dates on a purple background, with times and locations for upcoming Music Therapy & More sessions. May session dates include 5/10 at 9:30 a.m. in Lakewood, 5/12 at 6:30 p.m. in Parma and 5/21 at 6:30 p.m. in Solon.

04/22/2025

An amazing event! Come join us!

Everyone's a winner at Embrace the Pace, but when it comes to pricing - the early bird takes the prize!

Register before April 30 and save $5 on 5K and one-mile registrations. Full race details and registration at connectingforkids.org/5K

Interested in sponsoring this event? Learn more at connectingforkids.org/5KSponsors

ID: A diverse group of five children in white t-shirts run down an outdoor track surface. “Embrace the Pace; An inclusive race for every pace” appears in bold lettering on a black background. Additional image text indicates that 5K, one-mile and kids’ race events are available. At the bottom of the image, the race date (August 23, 2025) and location (Liberty Playground in Independence) appear.

03/05/2025

Earlier this month, we welcomed Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by sharing what developmental disabilities are and just how commonly they occur. Today we're spreading some more awareness with this list - are there any that surprised you?

When we know more about developmental disabilities, we can work together to improve access and inclusion. Want to show your support? Be one of the first 100 families at the Lorain County Resource Fair on March 18 you'll receive a free plush with inclusion pin and information on developmental disabilities. You can learn more about the fair at connectingforkids.org/lorain-resource-fair

ID: Shaded pink and orange image with a list of common developmental disabilities. The list includes ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, genetic disorders, language disorders, learning disabilities, and sensory disabilities. The image is decorated with symbols for mobility disabilities, brain-based disabilities, sign language, and blindness.

02/28/2025

02/28/2025

Movement and More is back!

Our Spring session begins March 26th and run through April 30th, 2025.

This group will be for children ages 20-36 months, accompanied by one caregiver

Group will be held once a week, on Wednesdays from 9:30a-10:30am.

This developmentally appropriate group experience will include movement, multi-sensory activities, an interactive story time, engagement with peers, and so much more!

Please contact the office to register at 440-333-1880 🙂