Health forum to focus on helping children, families deal with issues during the coronavirus pandemic
State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D–La Cañada Flintridge) and First District PTA will hold a virtual family health forum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, with a focus on providing strategies for families adhering to social-distancing recommendations to better cope with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
“I always approach my job from the perspective of being a dad. Families are coping with this unprecedented situation remarkably well,” Portantino said in a statement.
“But we have also seen a rise in tensions, calls to hotlines and struggles to maintain appropriate academic and social balances and health. It’s my hope that by having experts on the line answering your questions, we can all work together to get through this crisis,” he added.
Portantino said every family is facing both unique and common challenges during the current health crisis, and children need to be able to continue to thrive both at home and in their education.
“It’s consistent with our PTA mission to look out for the welfare of our entire school family community,” Diane Hyland, president of First District PTA, said in a statement.
At the forum, Portantino will be joined by a representative from First District PTA as well as the following marriage and family therapists: Lara Mekhitarian, Anna Marie Rossi, Nora Chitilian and George Holbrook, who is also clinical director of Family Service Agency.
Participants can submit questions to the panel prior to the forum by emailing Portantino.FamilyHealthForum@gmail.com.
There are two ways to join the forum. Call: (844) 721-7241 and dial access code 4471730 or watch via live stream at https://sd25.senate.ca.gov/.
