Parents of young children:

You can help shape the services and supports for families with young children in your community. You can also help shape CT’s Birth to Three system. You can get answers to questions about resources in your area and help to identify and create missing supports. You can learn about statewide initiatives like school readiness, family resource centers and the governor's collaboration for young children and most of all you can just meet and talk with other parents. As a parent, you will be reimbursed for your expenses for travel and child care is provided so you can attend meetings. Including parents is critical to our mission!

TRANSITION from Birth to Three is an area that requires good collaborations. You can help shape the process. Also, schools are often asked by tax payers to reduce their budgets while special education budgets continue to increase. In this environment, everyone needs to be very familiar with all the other programs and supports for families that are in the community so that we can maximize existing funds. You can learn about options for children who may not be eligible for pre-school special education and as well as other projects like school readiness, family resource centers and the governor’s collaboration for young children.

Federal Birth to Three legislation requires that children under three be supported in NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS, in other words, places where all children live, learn, and play. We need your help to build capacity and to identify the challenges you face daily. You can help identify what types of training and support you may need and you can get answers to questions you may have about laws like the ADA. You can learn more about school readiness, family resource centers and the governor’s collaboration for young children.

Public Agencies:

More and more, federal, state and local governments are looking to everyone to minimize any duplicated efforts. By coming together to collaborate, we can learn from each other where the gaps are in supporting families with young children and where overlaps occur. It is critical that we all commit time to learn about each other’s systems so that we can be efficient and knowledgeable when we are working with families. You can learn about the many initiatives school readiness, family resource centers and the governor’s collaboration for young children as well as local resources and supports to make your job easier.

Meeting Information:

Time:  9:00-10:30 am

Place:  Family Strides
             350 Main Street, Suite D
             Torrington, CT

Directions: Take exit 43 (Harwinton Ave.). Take a left off the exit to a
four way stop sign. Keep going straight down East Albert St. to a light
(four way intersection). Take a right onto South Main St. (Next to
Cumberland Farm's) Keep going straight onto Main St. past Coe Park, Red
Lobster, The Warner Theater, town Hall, Anthony's Restaurant until you
get to 350 Main St. (Torrington Area Health District.

Special Accommodations - Child care is available. If in need of
childcare please contact either chairperson in advance to assure staff
availability. Mileage cost reimbursement is available for parents.
Coffee and snacks provided.

Towns Covered: Barkhamsted, Canaan, Colebrook, Cornwall, Cornwall
Bridge, Falls Village, Goshen, Hartland, Harwinton, Kent, Lakeville,
Litchfield, Morris, New Hartford, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury,
Sharon, Torrington, Warren, West Cornwall, Winchester, Winsted