Birth to Three Blog
Infant Mental Health Collaborative meetings
May 9, 2016
Join your colleagues at various locations around the state on May 18, June 9, 20, 27 or 28 to: Promote awareness of infant mental health Promote use of relationship-based practices throughout infant/early childhood communities Expand skills, knowledge & best practice in field of infant mental health Identify gaps/needs in programs & communities related to infant mental health Advance knowledge of the competencies & endorsement in infant mental health Identify & explore opportunities for collaborative training & reflective supervision This is for EVERYONE serving infants, toddlers/very young children and their families!!! For times, locations and to RSVP: contact Anne Giordano Giordano@educationconnection.org 860-567-0863 X236
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Your Voice Needed – ECCS Community Discussions
May 4, 2016
The OEC and United Way Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) group is hosting four community discussions on how to increase Connecticut’s ability to detect and address developmental challenges and delays in children aged 0-5 through developmental promotion, monitoring and screening, and supporting linkage to follow up services when there are developmental concerns. We want YOUR input on the ECCS work and Action Plan. Audience: ECE and family child care providers, Early Childhood community members and stakeholders, families, Birth to Three providers Format: Open forum setting with a guided presentation, Q & A, and brief opinion survey When and Where: Monday, May 9, 3:00-4:30 PM: Energize … Continue reading
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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
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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
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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
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Training for All Program Directors – May 2nd
April 1, 2016
As part of our intensive trainings regarding Birth to Three practices, we have a day with Dathan Rush and M’Lisa Shelden specifically for Program Directors or high level supervisors. The morning (9-12) will provide an overview of the research, rationale, and process for using evidence-based practices in early childhood intervention. The focus will be on the three practice areas of natural learning environment practices; coaching as an evidence-based strategy for interacting with parents and team members; and characteristic and use of a primary service provider approach to teaming. The afternoon ( 1-4 ) will focus on Implementation: Leadership Tools for Supporting Fidelity … Continue reading
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Endangered Play, Endangered Development event
March 31, 2016
Educators, students, parents and community members are invited to hear Diane Levin, Professor and author of Beyond Remote-Controlled Childhood: Teaching Young Children in the Media Age on May 4, 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Yale University School of Management Zhang Auditorium Free, no registration required Questions/Comments: carla.horwitz@yale.edu
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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
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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?”
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Sign-up for Natural Learning Environments Training!
March 2, 2016
Due to high demand, the Provider Support team has added two more natural learning environments trainings: March 16th in Hartford and April 13th in Hamden. We have room in both trainings – sign up soon – March 16th is right around the corner. Feedback from your colleagues has been very positive indicating that the training changed their thinking about Early Intervention and their role with families and children – for the better. Hope to see you there!
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HMG Networking Breakfast schedule
February 25, 2016
The Office of Early Childhood Family Support Services Division is pleased to share the 2016 calendar of Help Me Grow Networking Breakfasts. Help Me Grow program staff regularly host community networking breakfasts that bring together service providers to identify gaps and barriers in service, share information, learn about new initiatives and develop solutions to challenging family issues. Join a breakfast near you!
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CT. DEC Open Meeting Discussing the New DEC Recommended Practices
February 18, 2016
CT DEC is excited to announce the upcoming event that is open to all interested members of the ECE community. ece 2016 Special Educators with a Purpose : Keynote speaker, Mary Beth Bruder from UCONN Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. “Building our Capacity for Evidence Based Practice: Our Responsibility to Those We Teach” and Discussion of the new DEC Recommended Practices. All attendees will receive a copy of the DEC Recommended Practice. March 22nd, 6-9 p.m. in the Community Room, Goodwin College. Please RSVP to ctdecearlychildhood@gmail.com
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Together We Will – Stipends For Parents
February 18, 2016
The 23 rd Annual Together We Will Conference on April 6, 2016 is offering stipends to parents who would like to attend. Please use the following forms to request a stipend: 2016 TWW Family – eng 2016 TWW Family – span Find more information on the conference on www.birth23.org/calendar.
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New DEC Recommended Practices Videos
February 11, 2016
A new video about the DEC Recommended Practices was recently posted here dec-sped.org/rpvideos. Mary McLean, the chair of the DEC Recommended Practices Commission, offers an overview of the 2014 Recommended Practices in the top video and if you scroll down you’ll see another short video about, “Evidence Syntheses of the DEC Recommended Practices.”
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When It Comes to Language Development Not All Toys Are Created Equal!
February 9, 2016
A new study looks at the role of toys ( electronic “learning” toys vs. traditional toys vs. books) in promoting language development. The results were significant – traditional toys and books supported language development and high quality parent-child communication more than electronic toys.
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EASTCONN Hosting 3rd Annual Infant/Toddler Conference: Let’s Talk
February 9, 2016
This Conference on March 11th, will place an emphasis on development of language skills for children 0-3, including supporting language with quality children’s books. Supporting Dual Language Learners will be an integral component to this professional learning, as well as supporting children to understand language and use language for social interaction. See Birth to Three Calendar for more information.
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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
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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
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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
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Have you joined your colleagues at Birth to Three’s Natural Learning Environment training yet?
February 5, 2016
The Provider Support Team has been busy offering trainings around the state on “Going Deeper Into Natural Learning Environment Practices”. The trainings have been filling so fast that we will be adding two additional trainings in March and April. Be on the lookout for postings on the Birth to Three Calendar!
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