The NDECPTA connects local families through learning and play to
foster growth at home and in our community.


VP of Programs: Jannan Logan

Join us for our general meetings in the Fellowship Hall at Cochran Chapel United Methodist Church. All meetings include time to socialize with fellow members, breakfast or apps and coffee/drinks, a short business meeting, and an informative speaker. All morning meetings will have breakfast catered by Snooze! 

Where are meetings held?

Cochran Chapel - United Methodist Church

9027 Midway Road, just south of Northwest Hwy.

Meetings are held in Fellowship Hall in the main church building, and the Nursery will be located in Meaders Hall (across the parking lot) due to facilities improvements at Cochran. Thanks for your understanding!

When are the meetings?

Meetings are held on the 1st or 2nd Thursday

of each month, September through May.


Typical meeting agenda:

For Morning Meetings:

9:30 AM Coffee/Light Breakfast & Socialization Time

10:00 AM Business Meeting and Guest Speaker

11:30 AM Conclusion


For Evening Meetings:

7:00PM Light Apps & Socialization Time

7:30PM Business Meeting and Guest Speaker

9:00PM Conclusion

**February Meeting is open to couples and starts at 6:00pm**


2023-2024 General Meeting Dates:

September 7 (A.M) - Dr. Ally Loupe, Genesis PT & Wellness: Pelvic Floor Health

We laugh, we pee. We sneeze, we pee. We run, we pee… as mom’s it seems like we are peeing ourselves all the time postpartum. Join us for our MORNING General meeting on Thursday, Sept 7th with Dr. Ally Loupe, PT, DPT. Ally will share with us why our pelvic floor health is so important and how we can take care of ourselves. She will share about all things pelvic health: bladder, bowels, prolapse, diastasis recti (ab separatation), pelvic pain (Ie. Pain with sex or using period products), and getting back into movement postpartum and during motherhood. 

Bring your pelvic floor health questions for Ally and let’s feel empowered to take back our sneezes!


October 5 (P.M.) - Dr. Albert Karam, Karam Pediatrics: Q&A Session



Please join us for an informal chat with our favorite pediatrician Dr. Albert Karam. Dr. Karam is a board-certified pediatrician who has been lovingly referred to as "Dr. Al, the Kiddie's Pal'' in Dallas for over 35 years. He has received multiple awards, is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at UT Southwestern Medical School, and featured on numerous national and local media outlets. We will solicit questions in advance but will also leave some time for some spontaneous questions as well. 

November 9 (A.M.) - Be SMART: How to be Prepared, A Safety Discussion
(Partnering with Dallas County Public Safety Officers)

        

The holidays are just around the corner and that comes with lots of travel and family. Join us for a session about how to be disaster prepared with two fantastic organizations: Everytown and our local fire department. Everytown for Gun Safety launched the Be SMART campaign to take action to promote responsible gun ownership and reduce child gun deaths. The campaign focuses on education and awareness about child gun deaths and secure gun storage. Our local fire department will share tips on disaster preparedness, and how to create systems and emergency prep kits in case of an emergency.

January 11 (A.M.) - Emily Cates, LPC: Mom Burnout & Keeping Your Identity

Emily Cates is a fourth-generation Dallasite and mother of two with 22 years of experience offering counseling and therapy services to adults and children alike. Emily graduated from Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science, and went on to obtain a Master of Arts and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Columbia University in New York City. Before starting her private practice, she worked with non-profits for almost a decade. Sometimes it is hard not to let motherhood consume you. Emily will speak on the importance of keeping your identity and how to combat mom burnout.

*February 8 (P.M.) - Brooke Badger, LPC-Associate: Promoting Healthy Parenthood

NDECPTA invites you and your spouse to join us for a chat on parenthood with Brooke Badger. Brooke earned her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from The University of Denver. Brooke received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Work from The University of Texas at Austin (Hook 'Em!). She is passionate about helping others, specifically young children and families navigating their unique challenges, whether that be psychological or emotional difficulties, or needing parental support or guidance. She will be speaking to parents about the importance of communication and other tips to promote healthy parenting/partnership.

March 7 (A.M.) - Courtney Cleveland, All The Best Days:
Travel Tips for Spring & Summer Break with Littles


Spring break and summer are just around the corner! This session, we’re going to lean into the travel bug and learn some tips to make traveling with our kids more streamlined and fun with our expert Courtney Cleveland! Courtney is addicted to travel, especially the quick trip, because she loves her home as much as the trip! She's a single, working mom of 3 kiddos and 2 dogs and her superpower is helping women feel empowered to take a trip and find their best day.... a day where they really LIVE, LET GO, and LEARN.

April 4 (P.M.) - Lauren Twigge, Nutritionist: A Unique Perspective on Food


Lauren Twigge is a Dallas based registered dietitian and the owner of Lauren Twigge Nutrition, a private nutrition company aimed at supporting client health, weight loss, and other goals through personalized nutrition advice and adjustments. Twigges quotes and recipes have been featured on a variety of platforms including Eat This Not That and The Every Girl.  

With a masters degree in Clinical Nutrition, a bachelors degree in Animal Science, and a childhood spent in agriculture, Lauren has a unique perspective on food. Her passion is to work at the crux of human nutrition and agriculture, a passion she pursues through her career as a social media educator, blogger, and keynote speaker under the handle @nutrition.at.its.roots. Twigge educates her audiences on a variety of nutrition topics including the truth about the agricultural industry, where our food comes from, and the role that various foods can play in a healthy diet.

*Denotes spouses welcome and a start-time of 6:00PM



Is childcare available during the meetings?
During our monthly meetings that occur in the mornings, Nursery care is available from 9:15 AM - 11:45 AM for children 6 months of age and older. To utilize the nursery, reservations must be made online by 11:59PM on the Monday prior to each morning meeting. We cannot guarantee walk-ups will be accommodated.

Children under the age of 6 months are welcome to attend the meetings with you.

Fall Nursery: 

The nursery for the September and November General Meetings is at no additional cost to members. The nursery location will be in Meaders Hall for these meetings (across the parking lot from the Fellowship Hall) due to facilities improvements at Cochran.

Spring Nursery: 

The nursery for meetings in January and March will be provided at no additional cost to members. The nursery location will be in Meaders Hall for these meetings (across the parking lot from the Fellowship Hall) due to facilities improvements at Cochran. 


Snacks are provided to children 12 months and older, and a short program is planned for these children as well.

If you have questions about our nursery, please email our Nursery Chair, Amanda Cihak.

To make a nursery reservation, visit our Events page (member only access).


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