Category: Families

Parent Leadership Training

February 23, 2018

Partners in Policymaking is a training program that is designed to build collaboration among people with disabilities, parents who have children with disabilities, service providers, and policy makers at national, state and local levels.  For the first time,  a shorter, modified training designed for parents of young children with disabilities ages birth to five will be offered – 4 Saturdays in April/May.  More information.


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Perception of Service Coordinator Practices and Transition Related Outcomes for Children and Families

February 2, 2018

The A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at UConn Health is recruiting Part C (early intervention) Service Coordinators in the state of Connecticut for a research study.  Participation includes an interview conducted with a student researcher that will last about 1 hour at the convenience of the Service Coordinator,  regarding recent transitions for children and families from Birth to Three to preschool special education.  Please contact Annie George-Puskar, M.A. (student researcher): anne.george@uconn.edu    


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CDC Launches Milestone Tracker App

January 10, 2018

To Learn More About This Free App Click the Link Below: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is pleased to announce the launch of CDC’s Milestone Tracker—a free app for tracking every child’s development in a fun and easy way. This app adds to the popular suite of free, family-friendly materials available through CDC’s Learn the Signs. Act Early. program.    


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DADDY MATTERS (a 4-Part Web Series)

June 5, 2017

ZERO TO THREE ZERO TO THREE has teamed up with YouTube star La Guardia Cross to create “Daddy Matters,” a 4-part web series that launches today with new episodes every Friday through the month of June. We’ll kick things off with a Facebook Live tonight at 7pm Eastern. Please join us! Daddy Matters explores why dads matter and what matters to dads. La Guardia is the creator of New Father Chronicles which captures life with his adorable young daughters. His candid and always comedic take on life as a dad has drawn millions of engaged viewers and sparks lively conversations on his … Continue reading


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Promoting Safety and Connections with Fragile Infants and their Families

April 17, 2017

The CT Hospital Association and the CT Perinatal Quality Collaborative are sponsoring a free training on strategies for Promoting Safety and Connectedness: A philosophy of care for the high risk infant and  family. Friday, April 21 8:45 AM – 4:45 PM Keynote speaker Stephen W. Porges is a “Distinguished University Scientist” at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University Bloomington and professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in North Carolina. He is the developer of the Polyvagal Theory linking the evolution of the autonomic nervous system to social behavior. There is no fee, but … Continue reading


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Prevent Child Maltreatment & Fatalities

April 13, 2017

A Learning Forum on Connecticut’s Campaign to Prevent Child Maltreatment & Fatalities Building a Brighter Future for Infants & Toddlers: Connecticut’s Campaign to Prevent Child Maltreatment & Fatalities Wednesday, April 19, 2017 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) 110 Barnes Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492 Click Here for Full Description and Registration http://us15.campaign-      


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Early Autism

April 5, 2017

Yale School of Medicine —  Child Study Center — Cohen Auditorium 230 South Frontage Road New Haven, CT  06519 PRESENTED BY:  TODDLER DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES CLINIC Click for Registration Click for Full Agenda  


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New information on Child Trauma

March 31, 2017

  Infographic: Addressing Child Trauma in CT           The Child Health and Development Institute (CHDI) has published a new infographic showing the tremendous progress made in CT in addressing childhood trauma, as well as plans to address gaps in care for young children. CHDI also released an Issue Brief “Supporting Young Children Who Experience Trauma: The Early Childhood Trauma Collaborative.” It discusses the effects of trauma on young children and ways Connecticut can support young children who experience trauma.  


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Family Preparedness Plan and recommendations released

March 31, 2017

  Governor Malloy Announces the Release of the Family Preparedness Plan  On Wednesday, March 29th, Governor Malloy announced the release of the Family Preparedness Plan, a step-by-step toolkit for parents who want to have a plan in place for a friend or family member to care for their children in the event that they are detained or deported. The toolkit urges families to have a designated “standby guardian” and contains a list of immediate steps that can be taken by parents or family members to ensure their children are cared for in the event of immigration enforcement. It also reminds … Continue reading


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World Down Syndrome Day = 3/ 21

March 13, 2017

Rock Your Socks on World Down Syndrome Day! What does 3/21 mean to you? CT Down Syndrome Congress invites you to consider it in the way families of a child with Down syndrome might: the uniqueness of the genetic triplication that leads to Down syndrome. They also encourage you to Rock Your Socks =  wear the brightest, eye-catching, possibly mis-matched socks you can find.  When you are asked, “What’s with the socks?” you have an opportunity to explain that you are celebrating all the wonderful things about people with Down syndrome while helping to advocate for  individual rights, inclusion, and respect.


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Immigrant and Refugee Families – information and resources

March 6, 2017

Governor Dannel Malloy and OEC Acting Commissioner Linda Goodman recently sent a letter and list of resources to all state-funded early care and education providers. The letter is in response to the recent presidential executive order on immigration matters and corresponding implementation memos from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  It provides guidance  to state-funded early care and education providers outlining suggested protocols to develop and implement. While this letter was sent to state-funded providers, the guidance could be useful to any early care and education provider across the state.  Some of the protocol will be different for services provided in … Continue reading


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Healthy Food on a Budget – SNAP4CT

February 24, 2017

Are you supporting a family that struggles to provide healthy, tasty food on a budget? SNAP4CT is a resource for busy people to find healthy, budget-friendly recipes, locate nearby farmers’ markets,  and find tips for healthier living. Families that qualify for SNAP receive at least $16 per month for groceries. Click here to apply for SNAP Click here to learn what $16 can buy Everyone can enjoy the information, subscribe to a weekly newsletter, or send a question to the SNAP4CT panel of Nutritionists. Let’s get cooking!  


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Household Safety – storing and discarding medications

February 17, 2017

Home visitors  are in an ideal position to support families’ household safety efforts.  An important topic for discussion concerns medications – both prescription and over the counter how to store them when used by a household member, and how to get rid of them when they are no longer needed. Safe Storage information:  Know what medicines are in your home, keep them locked up, make them less appealing and more tips are provided here. Poison Control Hotline 1-800-222-1222     Toddlers may mistake a pill for candy. Disposal of unwanted medications:  NO medications should be flushed down the toilet or poured down the sink.  Information on drug … Continue reading


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Third Party Medical Record Requests

October 31, 2016

Efforts to protect the confidentiality of young patients’ medical records have recently produced requests by at least one large medical center that the B23 provider include a copy of the parent’s photo ID with signature (e.g., driver license) with the signed authorization so that signature verification may be obtained.  A per-page fee may also be charged. Here are links to two medical centers’ information and Authorization to Release forms: CT Children’s Medical Center – medical record information Yale New Haven Health – medical record information


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Research Supporting Parent-Led Intervention for Children with Autism

October 28, 2016

As noted in Disability Scoop, for the first time, researchers say they have evidence that parent-led intervention for young kids with autism continues to yield gains several years later. Children who participated in an intervention between the ages of 2 and 4 displayed less severe symptoms six years later, exhibiting fewer repetitive behaviors and better social communication, according to findings published this week in the journal The Lancet.


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“Save Birth to Three” Facebook Clarification

October 25, 2016

Despite what some have heard there have been no cuts to the funding of the Birth to Three System. Last year there was a $6 million deficit and the Connecticut General Assembly covered it. This year Birth to Three was allocated the same amount of state funds (a.k.a. “level” or “flat” funded) so there is another shortfall predicted this year. The State has to change how Birth to Three programs are paid, both for families with children who are eligible for Medicaid and for those who are not. The new billing rates have not been proposed yet and will not … Continue reading


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DCF Commissioner Katz speaking Sept. 12 in Hartford

August 29, 2016

You are cordially invited to the 14th annual Parents with Cognitive Limitations Workgroup meeting on Poverty and Cognitive Limitations:  Research, Policy and Practice Monday, Sept. 12 from 8:30 – 12 noon at The Lyceum, 227 Lawrence Street, Hartford CT. Please RSVP by September 7, 2016 to Mary.Alfano@ct.gov with your name, organization, email and phone number Featured speakers include: Commissioner Joette Katz, Department of Children and Families Joanne Goldblum, MSW, Founder & Executive Director, National Diaper Bank Network Jessica Bartholow, Esq., Legislative Advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty Megan V. Smith, PhD, MPH,  Yale Assistant Professor of Psychiatry Sponsors: Connecticut … Continue reading


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Can Facetime video chat with Grandma or Grandpa support development?

August 16, 2016

New research sheds light on the value of Facetime as meaningful interaction versus just more “screen” time.


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Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) resources from U.S.HHS

August 15, 2016

Opioid abuse is increasing nationally with a correlated increase in prenatal opioid exposures and more infants born with the resulting developmental impact. Families of infants diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) are automatically eligible for CT early intervention if referred within the first three months of life. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides resources that you may find helpful as you work with families affected by Opioid Use Disorder (OUD): https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/resources/opioid-use-disorders-and-medication-assisted-treatment/neonatal-abstinence-syndrome.aspx One such resource is a video posted by the Texas Dept. of State Health Services that offers several approaches you may want to share with parents … Continue reading


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Update on Re-Referrals

August 15, 2016

Families’  involvement with Birth to Three may start and stop, then restart for a variety of reasons.  When the child is Exited from SPIDER, then the family contacts you or their service coordinator to reconnect,  a set of factors are considered before either the Exit is removed or a new record is created. As of August 1st, CDI administrators Kareena DuPlessis and  Shirley Caro are  processing all of these requests.  They follow the same decision rules that were in effect previously; no changes in protocol.  This streamlined process reduces the number of steps and amount of time needed before a family reconnects with Birth to Three supports. Please … Continue reading


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