The Collective Kick-Off Meeting!
We were so pleased to welcome OEC Commissioner Beth Bye to the Connecticut Children’s Collective’s big kick-off quarterly meeting held on December 12, 2019. It was a day of celebration as we unveiled our logo, website, brochures, and other swag
The Polar Express!
On Wednesday December 11, 2019 the Bristol Early Childhood Alliance, in collaboration with the Bristol Public Library, School Readiness “Bristol Babies Bridge to Literacy” committee members, Scouts BSA Troop 1425, the United Way of West Central Connecticut, and the Bristol
US Census 2020: A Visit to New Haven’s Early Childhood Council
On December 4, 2019 along with Director Dr. Michelle Baker, a group of devoted and caring folks gathered for the NHECC’s monthly council meeting, representing many different facets of services provided to children and families. Two representatives from the United
Hamden’s Partnership for Young Children Annual Meeting
By Barbara Vita — Hamden’s Partnership for Young Children held its Annual Meeting on November 18, 2019. It was very well attended by representatives and elected officials from the school and city, as well as highly valued members of the Partnership.
A Community Conversation
By Barbara Vita — The Alliance for Bloomfield’s Children hosted a Community Conversation which featured Senator Doug McCrory on Thursday November 14, 2019. Senator McCrory is the Senate Chairman of the legislature’s Education Committee. He was invited, along with State Representative Bobby
Cradle to Career Regional Conference
On November 13, 2019 Bridgeport Prospers hosted the first Cradle to Career Regional Conference in Connecticut. The conference was a huge success! Jennifer Blatz, President and CEO of StriveTogether made the keynote address. StriveTogether is a national movement with a clear
Westbrook Early Childhood Forum
By Barbara Vita — On Thursday November 7, 2019 I was asked to present at the Westbrook Early Childhood Forum held at Daisy Ingraham School in Westbrook. The forum was shaped through the hard work and diligent efforts of Alyssa Lindquist,
A Day of Everyday Heroes
On Saturday November 2, 2019 the Connecticut After School Network held its Annual After School Fall Conference. The theme this year was Everyday Heroes: Empower, Engage, Enrich. The day started with Deputy Director Cheryl Sharp of the Connecticut Commission on Human
A Night of Community Celebration!
By Barbara Vita — The Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative (WECC) held its annual meeting and dinner at the Pitkin Community Center in Wethersfield on October 29, 2019. Family and Early Childhood Coordinator Kimberly Bobin should be very proud of all the
Collective Impact Forum
By Michelle Doucette Cunningham — Here’s another great resource: Collective Impact Forum Local partnerships like all of ours are working collectively to have a greater impact on the lives of kids and families. A great place for resources, tools and advice to
A Well-Deserved Recognition Dinner!
By Barbara Vita — I was honored to attend the Northeast Early Childhood Council’s (NECC) Community Children’s Champion Recognition Dinner, which took place at Putnam High School on October 24, 2019. The NECC serves Brooklyn, Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Sterling, and Thompson. It was
Framework for Connecticut’s Statewide System
By Michelle Doucette Cunningham — Here’s another great resource: Framework for Connecticut's Statewide System of Early Childhood State and Local Partnerships This report is the foundation of the work of the Connecticut Children’s Collective, and the place we look first for strategic
Our Summer Listening Tour
By Barbara Vita — I have recently completed a “listening tour” where I traveled around the state and was privileged to visit over twenty-five local partnerships. I was able to discuss and understand the incredible scope of work that is being done
“Leading with Vision” Webinar
On October 5, 2019 we held our second professional development opportunity. Barbara Vita, along with Michelle Doucette Cunningham presented, Leading with Vision, a webinar designed to help you rethink the direction of your work and how it aligns to your
No Excuses March for Education
By Barbara Vita — Our very own Joe Ferraiolo (pictured), facilitator of East Haven’s Adult Learning Center (and the Liaison for the School Readiness Council) On September 26, 2019, Joe and his students marched from the New Haven Adult Education building to
Thanks to OEC Commissioner Beth Bye!
By Barbara Vita — On September 19, 2019 we were lucky to have Commissioner Beth Bye of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood attend out Quarterly Meeting. Commissioner Bye, very generously, led a conversation with all the collaborative coordinators focusing on the
Enfield’s 2019 KITE Annual Meeting
By Barbara Vita — The Room was filled at Enfield KITE’s 2019 Annual Meeting held at Asnuntuck Community College. It was a gathering of partners, providers, volunteers, funders, and town officials all joining together to celebrate the good-works that KITE has accomplished!