Connecticut Commission on Children: Monthly Newsletter, November 2006

Newsletter
November 2, 2006

Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Commission on Children's online newsletter. In this and future issues, you'll find information on a host of issues concerning Connecticut children's policy and legislation. Also be sure to visit our newly redesigned website, at www.cga.ct.gov/coc.

Events

November 15 - First Words, First Steps
Social Services Commissioner Patricia A. Wilson-Coker and members of the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Cabinet will discuss the health, safety, and learning needs of infants and toddlers. Sponsored by the Commission and the state Department of Social Services.
Download the flyer (PDF)

November 16 - Food for Thought: Acting Locally to Address Childhood Obesity
Municipal officials and the public are invited to a child obesity forum in Torrington, sponsored by the Commission and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities. The discussion will outline the latest research in childhood obesity, promising practices, and cost-effective measures for reversing this trend. For more information, contact CCM Manager of State and Federal Relations Ron Thomas. Phone: (203) 498-3000.

November 28 - Helping Grandparents Raise Healthy, Hopeful Children
Grandparents who find themselves the primary caregivers for their grandchildren are invited to a conference where experts will offer useful information on a host of issues. The event is sponsored by the Commission, Connecticut AARP, and Grandparents United. Download the flyer (PDF)

Issues Update

The Connecticut Childhood Obesity Council is up and running
The council held its first meeting on September 20. Consisting of representatives from state agencies and the General Assembly, it is charged with coordinating state efforts to address childhood obesity. For more information, sign up for e-mail updates on the Council's work. You may also call Christine Parker of the state Department of Public Health at (860) 509-7817 or Tom Brooks of the Commission on Children at (860) 240-0075. Also be sure to visit the Childhood Obesity section of our website.

Students respond with prose, poetry, and art
The Commission has received nearly 1,400 pieces of student writing and artwork for "Coping in an Uncertain World: Students’ Thoughts on Safety, Conflicts, and Homeland Security." The deadline for submissions was October 6. A panel will choose the most representative works for presentation to lawmakers at the state Capitol early next year.

After school grants announced
The legislature this year allocated an additional $2.1 million to the state Department of Education and $1.7 million to the Department of Social Services for after school grants to towns and cities. The grants will help ensure that Connecticut children and youth have safe, enriching programs for those hours of the day when they're most vulnerable. See which programs received funding.

PLTI Update

In a new national report entitled, "It Takes a Parent: Transforming Education in the Wake of the No Child Left Behind Act," the nonprofit foundation Appleseed cited the Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) as one of the notable practices in the country for promoting parental involvement in education. Also cited was Connecticut's new law on reporting parent involvement activities in the Strategic School Profiles. Download an overview of the report Download the report

PLTI^SM is a Commission initiative that helps parents become advocates for children.
Read more about it

Media Watch

'Get moving, Connecticut!'
As part of their partnership to combat the obesity epidemic, the Commission and the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) have produced a public service announcement that urges families to "get moving!" Three mayors -- Eddie Perez of Hartford, Betsy Paterson of Mansfield, and Jim Richetelli of Milford -- narrate the English-language version, while Mayor Perez narrates the Spanish-language version. Listen for it on your local radio station!

To help Connecticut municipalities and families raise healthy children, the Commission and CCM offer a variety of resources at getmovingct.org.

Website Update

Check out our new look!
We've redesigned the Commission website to make it more informative and easier to navigate. Please bear with us for a little while as we finish uploading documents from the old site. If you have any suggestions, complaints, or general comments, please share them.

About the Commission

Created in 1985 by the Connecticut General Assembly, the 25-member Commission on Children brings together the three branches of government--legislative, executive, and judicial--as well as the private sector to promote public policies in the best interests of children. More

The Connecticut Commission on Children
18-20 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106-1591

Phone: (860) 240-0290
Fax: (860) 240-0248
Website: www.cga.ct.gov/coc

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