October is National Bullying Prevention Month
National Bullying Prevention Month is a campaign in the United States founded in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center. The campaign is held during the month of October and unites communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying
Leading Together: Parent Partnership with a Policy Purpose
On September 29, 2021 the Collective was very pleased to welcome Vito Borello, Executive Director of the National Association for Family, School, and Community, along with his colleagues Reyna Hernandez, Senior Director of Research and Policy and Bianca Scott, NAFSCE
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Facts About Breast Cancer In The United States In 2021, an estimated 281,550 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the U.S. as well as 49,290 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. 63%
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community. Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed
Make Way for Books!!
Make Way for Books is an app that has hundreds of books and family-friendly early literacy activities for FREE! The Make Way for Books App is a two-generation, early literacy, and early education resource. All of the educational content on the
September is Attendance Awareness Month
Across the country, more than 8 million students are missing so many days of school that they are academically at risk. Chronic absence — missing 10 percent or more of school days due to absence for any reason—excused, unexcused absences
September is Suicide Prevention Month
Suicidal thoughts, much like mental health conditions, can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. In fact, suicide is often the result of an untreated mental health condition. Suicidal thoughts, although common, should not be considered normal and often
Capital Workforce Partnership
On Wednesday August 25, 2021 the Collective welcomed Jim Boucher, Chief Strategy Officer for Capital Workforce Partners, to discuss how our local collaboratives can connect on a local level with the business sector by learning about all of the programs
CT After School Network: Call For Presenters
Call for Presenters! The Network is asking for presenters for our 2021 Fall Conference in November. If you are interested or know someone who is, we'd love to talk to you. Please click here for more information and to apply. https://ctafterschoolnetwork.org/call-for-presenters
As We Begin a New School Year
We have seen, on a regular sustained basis, the very best that our country has to offer, which is loving families and children; and the very worst, a systems that has been designed to help some flourish, and others fail.
NAEYC’s Survey Findings: Childcare at a Crossroads
NAEYC’s newest survey, completed by more than 7,500 respondents between June 17 and July 5, 2021, working across all states and settings, shows that child care still struggles to survive. We know that the COVID pandemic has reinforced the essential
Funding Opportunity: Children’s Healthy Learning Environments
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Children's Health Protection is accepting grant applications to provide funding to support school- and/or child care center-based capacity building projects that help school communities understand and address local environmental and public health
Save the Date for the CT After School Network 2021 Conference!
We've Got a Save the Date! CT After School Network 2021 Conference November 5th & 6th. Early Bird Registration is now open! You can save $20 per person by registering early. Register by visiting our website. More info coming!
The Center for Family Voice at Groundwork Ohio
Here is a wonderful example of how another state is working toward raising parent and family voice. We hope you read through their efforts and gain insights and ideas as it can inform the work we are doing here in
School Reopening: Lessons Learned
In the recently published article found in the Center for American Progress, Remote Learning and School Reopenings: What Worked and What Didn’t, Megan Ferren writes, "When schools closed their doors in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was
Connecticut Leading the Way with Baby Bonds
Could providing $11,000 to every child born into poverty close the state’s wealth gap, one of the worst in the nation? Legislation headed for the governor’s desk will provide every child born into poverty a fighting chance to attend college, buy
Free Summer Fun at Connecticut Museums
Governor Ned Lamont today announced the launch of Connecticut Summer at the Museum – a new state program created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that allows Connecticut children to receive free admission at more than 90 museums across Connecticut during
Thoughts on Emotional Well-Being During the Summer Months
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we all have been checking ourselves to make sure that we are tending to our emotional well-being; practicing self-care and cutting ourselves a break with our usual expectations and goals. It makes sense
The OEC’s Parent Cabinet Information Session & Keeping it Real
If you missed the OEC's Parent Cabinet Information Session on June 11, 2021 you can find the recording here. In the recording you will hear from parents and community leaders who have been working on this project since the beginning. You
June is Pride Month!
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in
The OEC Parent Cabinet is Looking for Parents & Caregivers to Join!
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is looking for parents and caregivers to become a part of their new OEC Parent Cabinet! The OEC is a state agency that oversees programs and services that help young children and families thrive.
Funding Announcement from the CT Early Childhood Funder Collaborative
Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative A project of: CT Council for Philanthropy Announces an opportunity for funding through the Strengthening Local Early Childhood Collaboration Organizational capacity & project support to strengthen local birth to age 5 systems The CT Early Childhood Funder Collaborative (CT ECFC), a
Find Recording Here from Childhood Conversations Together We Will Virtual Conference 2021
On April 16 & 17, 2021 the Connecticut Children's Collective was pleased to be an integral part of this years CCTWW Conference. On Saturday the panelist and workshop presenters were completely comprised of our local partners and parents! It demonstrated
Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Announces Enfield KITE as a Bright Spot Community During COVID-19 Pandemic
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading recently announced that it’s naming Enfield KITE as a 2021 Bright Spot community for its responses to the COVID crisis last year! Congratulations!! The CGLR is highlighting communities that developed exemplary or innovative responses to
Teacher Appreciation Week!
This week May 3-7, is Teacher Appreciation Week culminating on Friday when Childcare Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated. We must give a HUGE shout-out to all of the devoted men and women around the country and great state of Connecticut
Sparkler App Information Session
The Connecticut Children's Collective welcomed Abby Alter and Julia Levy from the Sparkler App, along with Kareena Duplessis and Amanda Heath from 211 Child Development to discuss what using the Sparkler App as a Collective would look like. If you missed,
$11 Million State Expansion to Summer Enrichment Programs
We are so grateful to Governor Lamont and his team for awarding $11 million to fund expansion of summer enrichment programs across the state as was announced on April 21, 2021. We are also proud that our own Michelle Doucette
Celebrating Earth Day
"Our planet is an amazing place, but it needs our help to thrive! That’s why each year on April 22, more than a billion people celebrate Earth Day to protect the planet from things like pollution and deforestation. By taking
Celebrating the Week of the Young Child’s 50th Anniversary with a Video
The Connecticut Children's Collective is comprised of local partners from across the state who are proud to be serving the children and families in their communities to ensure they have the services and resources they need to grow and thrive.
Childhood Conversations Together We Will Conference
The Childhood Conversations & Together We Will Annual Conference is fast approaching! The virtual conference will be Friday April 16, 2021 from 9-2:30 and Saturday April 17, 2021 from 9-2:30. Friday Moderator: Commissioner Beth Bye, CT Office of Early Childhood Friday Panelists: Gil Noam, Ed.D,