FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do we park?

•  Park behind the church. Enter through the doors under the left awning.

My child is in a wheel chair or cannot climb stairs, does that change where we enter?

•  If your child is 7 years old or younger, enter through the downstairs doors as mentioned above. 
• If your child is 8 years old or older, please park in the office parking lot, located on the North East side of the church. When you are looking at the back of the church it will be on the hill to the right. Someone will meet you and your child there to help you inside and give you directions on how to register and where to take your child. Someone will contact you by phone or email with more information within a few days of the banquet.

How long does the event last?

• The banquet will begin shortly after 6 p.m. and ends between 8:00 & 8:30 p.m.    

Will my children be fed?

• Yes!! The children will be served Little Caesar's pizza and water/capri sun. If your child requires a specific diet, please let us know when you register. Unfortunately, we can't cover everyone's allergies, but we will be providing Gluten Free/Casein Free pizza. If your child has other food allergies/diets, please bring their food with them or feed them before you come.

Can my typically developing children come?

• Yes! This is a family event and it is encouraged that everyone is involved. The childcare is reserved for special needs children and their siblings. 

  

My parents (my child(ren)s grandparents) would like to attend. Is that allowed?

• Absolutely!! Grandparents are welcomed and celebrated that night as they are a vital part of the lives of our children. However, they do need to be registered!!! Please register them in the same manner as yourselves.

I have a dear friend who is very involved in our family. Can he/she come?

• Absolutely!! Again, please register them in the same manner as yourselves.

My child has a feeding tube. How do I handle that?

• There will be a nurse assigned to your child that night. You are welcome to either come a little early and feed your child before the dinner or give instructions to the nurse. You can send an email to nearhisheart@gmail.com and someone will be glad to contact you and discuss this before that evening, so that all will be prepared when you arrive.

My child is a "grabber" and grabs other people's food, and yet is on a special diet. Is there a way to prevent him/her from getting food she is not allowed to eat?

• We have had multiple "grabbers" attend Near His Heart and so far, we have been 100% successful in preventing cross contamination. Depending on the age of your child, either a special buddy will be assigned who will help with this and/or, if your child is mid-school aged or older, there are smaller/quiter rooms where some children will eat, along with a buddy.

My child is older and not potty trained. How is this handled?

• We are happy to handle this however you feel most comfortable. Amongst our many college and adult volunteers, we are always thankful for our professional nurses, teachers and therapists who help us on this night. With both the younger and older groups, we have a room set aside with a nurse on-call for emergencies such as this. It is absolutely no problem for us to handle this if you would like, or we are glad to come get you if you feel more comfortable handing it yourself. 

My child needs help in the bathroom to get pants adjusted/buttoned/wiped. How is this handled?

• There is a buddy assigned to each child who needs one and either the buddy or a nurse will assist your child in the bathroom or nurses/changing room. However, NO CHILD is ever allowed to be alone with an adult at any time. So in the bathroom or nurses/changing room, your child will always be accompanied by two people. Both to protect your child from other's coming in and also general protection for all.

My child is hyperactive and won't sit for long periods. What kinds of activities are there for the children?

• The activities for the children that night are designed with the idea that most of them will want to move fairly quickly from one activity to the next. The puppet show may be the longest activity (10-20 min.) The rest of the activities are set up as 10 - 15 min. stations. Example - 10 min. of games, 10 min. of Wii, 10 minutes at crafts and so on. Our children's director, Kim Smith, keeps them moving!!

I've never attended Near His Heart and have a school-aged child. I'm not sure whether or not my child will prefer the larger group or quieter rooms. How do I choose?

• If you want to try your child in the larger group first, you may, and then if someone sees that they need a change, they can go to the quieter rooms. But please, feel free to email nearhisheart@gmail.com if you have more questions or concerns and someone will call/email you back.