Newsletter

May 14, 2012

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Tuesday, May 15: 'How Children Fared in the 2012 Legislative Session'

Legislators and advocates will join us Tuesday for an overview of the successes realized for children during the 2012 General Assembly session. Among the areas we'll discuss: early childhood, youth employment, education, poverty, human services, nutrition and obesity, judicial matters, and housing. The Connecticut Network (CT-N) plans to televise the event. Agenda (PDF) | CT-N website

The Achievement Gap and What it Means for African-American and Hispanic Boys

The state's Achievement Gap Task Force heard a penetrating analysis on April 16 from Anthony Simmons of the Schott Foundation for Public Education, who zeroed in on the challenges facing African-American and Hispanic males. In many ways, he said, they are the "canaries in the coalmine" of our social and education policies. Watch video, download documents, and more

PLTI Corner

Two awards for PLTI

The New Haven and Bridgeport sites of the Parent Leadership Training Institute, a civics initiative of the Commission on Children, have each received awards this spring. The Bridgeport site received a Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award from the Connecticut Valley Chapter of Advancing Women in Transportation, while the New Haven site received the Community Service Award from The Mount Zion Seventh Day Adventist Church in Hamden. Congratulations to everyone in Bridgeport and New Haven who made the awards possible! Learn more about PLTI

Steven Hernández joins the Commission staff

Steven Hernández, Esq., has joined the Commission as its new director of public policy and research. Mr. Hernández previously served as the legislative and budget director for a member of the Washington, D.C., Council. "I am honored to take part in the Commission’s important work, and pledge to bring the fullest extent of my advocacy, intellect, and experience to bear on behalf of Connecticut’s children," he said.
News release (PDF) | Meet the rest of the staff

Thank you, Mary K. Fox

After nearly 12 years of service, Mary K. Fox of Stamford has decided to step down as a member of the Commission on Children, citing growing responsibilities—at work and as a grandmother. Her caring and expertise, particularly in early childhood matters, benefitted not just the Commission but children and families throughout Connecticut. We wish her well in her future endeavors! Here's the rest of our board.