Category: Families

New System of Payments Policy for Families online

August 5, 2016

The new System of Payments for Families Policy brochure is now available online.  Thanks to the generous support of our Governor and General Assembly, most costs of providing services and supports to families is paid by state funds.  Here is the breakout: 70% State of CT 12% Medicaid reimbursements 9% federal funds 7% private insurance reimbursements 2% parent payments Families that make $45,000 or more  pay a monthly fee based on a sliding scale. These family payments help the state to continue to provide supports and services to all families of eligible children.


Keep Reading

Mind the Baby training at Yale Child Study Center

July 11, 2016

The annual Minding the Baby® (MTB) training institute is right around the corner, to be held July 19-21, 2016 at the Yale Child Study Center, and there is still time to register!  For more information, please see below and visit:  http://www.mtb.yale.edu/training  To register, please visit: http://mtb.yale.edu/training/registrationform.aspx  MTB is an evidence-based home visiting model run in collaboration with the Yale School of Nursing, Yale Child Study Center, and Fair Haven Community Health Clinic. Developed in a home visitation setting, MTB is an interdisciplinary, primary intervention model that can also be adapted for use in non-home settings.  The annual 3-day MTB training institute is focused on the clinical … Continue reading


Keep Reading

“Every Parent Has What It Takes To Be A Brain Builder”

June 10, 2016

This is a new and exciting resource, JoinVroom.org,  for parents developed by a group of dedicated scientists and leaders in brain development.  Parents can sign up (website or app) to receive simple, developmentally appropriate ideas that support their child’s learning.  Vroom turns shared moments into brain building moments. Whether it’s mealtime, bathtime, or anytime in between, there are always ways to nurture our children’s growing minds.


Keep Reading

Zero To Three National Parent Survey

June 10, 2016

ZERO TO THREE, in partnership with the Bezos Family Foundation, conducted a comprehensive research effort, including in-home discussions and a large national parent survey with a diverse range of parents of children from birth to 5. The findings provide new insights about the challenges parents face, what they do and do not understand about early childhood development, and what they want and need to be the best parents possible.


Keep Reading

Comedy Night to celebrate Mental Health Awareness

April 22, 2016

What: Don’t miss the Poster Sisters of Imperfection! Side-splitting sisters Patty Konjoian & Gina Gallagher, authors of Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid, present “A Humorous Look at Parenting Children with Special Needs” Where: Groton Inn & Suites, 99 Gold Star Highway, Groton, CT 06340 When: Wednesday, May, 11, 2016, 6:30-9:30pm Why: To create awareness and acceptance of children with behavioral health care needs, both in the foster care system and throughout our community. Costs: $10.00 per person, includes dessert buffet, coffee & tea. Take a Break from the Kids, Come to Comedy Night! Ticket Purchase Options: Register online with … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Supporting Military Families

April 18, 2016

Military families experience many unique challenges that may be misunderstood by civilian providers. What happens to families after separation from the military? If the service member has changed due to physical injury, traumatic loss, PTSD, depression and anxiety, or traumatic brain injury—costs of war borne also by spouses, children, and parents—the challenges of transition are intensified. To prepare mental health providers to assist veteran families in their transition to the community, The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has posted the factsheet After Service: Veteran Families in Transition. Providers will find information about veteran families’ experiences, challenges, and opportunities that accompany their transition … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Ending Family Homelessness

April 11, 2016

Join the CT Office of Early Childhood and the Partnership for Strong Communities on Tuesday April 26 from 8:30 – 11:30 AM to hear: Sharon McDonald, Director for Families and Youth at the National  Alliance to End Homelessness highlight national best practices and promising strategies Kathryn Parr, University of CT  presenting cost impact findings Commissioner Myra Jones-Taylor and other panelists discussing state-level strategies to support families with unstable housing and prevent or reduce homelessness Free and open to the public The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford, CT (directions: www.lyceumcenter.org)   Register now: https://2016apriliforum.eventbrite.com More information: www.pschousing.org/2016-iforums  


Keep Reading

Family Story Videos planned

March 31, 2016

The Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is looking for parents to share their family stories through video! CPAC will assist parents to create a short (3 minute) video that describes their family journey through Birth to Three. The Family Story Videos will be used to spread awareness, offer support and advice with new parents in Birth to Three, and training for professionals in the field. For more information contact Kristen Williams at:Kwilliams@cpacinc.org What is needed from families: About 30 minutes for filming 20 pictures (to be scanned) video clips of child (if available) What will happen/questions that will be asked:  … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Inclusion Benefits Everyone!

March 8, 2016

An inspiring story in the Washington Post,  Going on Offense vs. Down Syndrome, highlights that while most people saw limits for Frankie Antonelli his parents saw potential.  They decided to see what an actively competitive home and community environment could do for their son: “How might he develop if they thought in terms of maximizing his abilities instead of disabilities?”  


Keep Reading

Lead Exposure in Young Children

February 8, 2016

Parents who are worried about lead poisoning may contact their child’s medical provider to request evaluation for lead exposure with a blood test. Infants and toddlers in Connecticut are screened for lead exposure and parents of children with a blood lead level of 10 micrograms per deciliter  (mcg/dL) or greater receive information about: identifying and eliminating sources of lead dietary approaches to reducing lead in their children’s bodies typical developmental milestones, so they may identify a delay as soon as possible how to refer their child for a Birth to Three developmental evaluation You can’t see, smell, or taste lead in water. … Continue reading


Keep Reading

CPAC Family Connections Mentor Program

February 8, 2016

Family Connections is a statewide program that helps connect parents who have infants and toddlers involved in the CT Birth to Three System with experienced parent mentors who also have children with special needs and have been through Birth to Three. The CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC) is recruiting new volunteers for this valuable mentoring program.  Please share this opportunity with parents who may be interested! More information Application for Interested Parents


Keep Reading

AAP Releases Updated Immunization Schedule

February 8, 2016

Immunizations prevent illnesses with potentially devastating health and developmental consequences.  An updated 2016 schedule was recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The updated schedule was also approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The “Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Aged 0 through 18 Years,” changes the order of the vaccines to group them by the recommended age of administration,  adds three recently licensed vaccines, and includes footnotes and a catch-up  schedule. Please discuss the 2016 schedule with your families and help ensure they  … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Connecticut Launches Safe Sleep Campaign Promoting Safe Sleep Environments for Infants

February 5, 2016

In April 2014, the Office of the Child Advocate issued data from 2001-2013 reporting that the number of Connecticut infants who died where unsafe sleep conditions were present was almost three times the number of infants who died of child abuse. The public health alert also stated that infants in Connecticut are more likely to die from unsafe sleeping conditions than from child abuse, car accidents, choking, drowning, falls, or any other form of accidental injury.  The statewide campaign will distribute information to parents of newborns discharged from the hospital through a variety of means including door hangers, posters, booklets … Continue reading


Keep Reading

FY15 Birth to Three System data report available online

December 28, 2015

The Connecticut Birth to Three System and State Interagency Coordinating  Council report to the Governor each year on activities that support families of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities.  We are pleased to share the latest report, posted here Birth23.org/aboutb23/annualdata/. Meet the Daly Family and hear from their service coordinator and Finn’s pediatrician,  compare town-by-town referral data, and learn how our almost 1,200 service providers partner with families in a dynamic and individualized process that enhances learning and development during everyday activities. Prior years’ reports are also available on the same web page. To get to the Annual Data Reports page on Birth23.org click the … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Five New Videos from Iowa via Florida

December 7, 2015

When other states develop and share resources, we like to pass them along in case you aren’t part of one of the many email lists out there.  We all know that coaching  isn’t a “model” which means there isn’t yet a strong theoretical foundation and a body of empirical research that supports the practices.  Many states refer to it as coaching methods or coaching strategies or coaching practices  so when you watch the first video and the interventionist uses “model” just know that she knows it’s not a model yet. (“It’s a model in development!” – Juliann Woods) Larry Edelman developed these videos … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Kids Mental Health info now available in Spanish

November 30, 2015

Looking for answers to questions and concerns about a young child’s behavior or mental health?  Now you can find them in English and Spanish. Topics include: Information for Parents and Caregivers Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Child Trauma Early Care and Education Providers School-Based Mental Health To request English/Spanish postcards about this website for your staff and/or parents, please  contact Abby Alter, at Aalter@uchc.edu


Keep Reading

2016 Partners in Policymaking – call for applications

November 18, 2015

The CT Council on Developmental Disabilities is offering enrollment in the 2016 Partners in Policymaking – a self-advocacy leadership training program for parents and individuals with disabilities The goal of Partners in Policymaking is to foster a collaboration among people with disabilities, parents who have children with disabilities, and policy makers at national, state and local levels, and consists of seven weekend training sessions with nationally recognized speakers and state experts on disability issues. For more information, contact: Molly.cole@ct.gov ph. 860-418-6157  or Donna Devin  ph. 860-418-8737    


Keep Reading

Honoring Military Families – access to resources

November 5, 2015

November is the Month of the Military Family.  Mili­tary families embody strength, resilience, and courage.  They make tremendous sacrifices as they contend with separation from their families and  adjustments to new living situations and communi­ties. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has a number of excellent resources, webinars, and links to partner organizations to support the well-being of our nation’s military families. Please share this link with your active and retired military families, with our thanks! Visit>>


Keep Reading

#ActEarly Twitter Chat

October 30, 2015

Join #ActEarly for a Live Twitter chat on Monday, November 9 at 2pm ET.  Those on social media may follow AUCD @AUCDNews and the chat host, March of Dimes @modhealthtalk, for more details. To help you prepare and participate, here are the #ActEarly chat topics: T1 What does #ActEarly stand for? T2 What are developmental milestones? Why do they matter? Are they different for a preemie? #ActEarly T3 How can families #ActEarly? What should you do if you are worried your child’s development isn’t on track? #ActEarly T4 What is included in EI services? #ActEarly T5 Do all preemies need … Continue reading


Keep Reading

Message for Families about Hearing Tests

October 23, 2015

Birth to Three has produced an important information sheet for ALL families whose children are enrolled and show delays in speech, language, or social development.  Please talk with your families about the importance of having an audiological evaluation for their children using the information found here to guide your discussion. This was developed, in part, to comply with Public Act 15-81.


Keep Reading
×