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 Danbury Children First Updates
Parent Leadership / Parent Engagement
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| July 2009 |
Volume 2, Issue 3 |
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Greetings!
The results are in! The voices of more than 500 parents and community leaders were heard through the Danbury Parent Survey, a community conversation, focus groups, and interviews. Find out what parents had to say about family life in Danbury in the article below.
"Read All About It!" Danbury's Parent Leaders have been in the news a lot lately! The wonderful work they are doing for our city's families has been reported in the Danbury News-Times, the Tribuna, and El Canillita. And for good reason--many children and parents have benefited from their community projects. They have made the city of Danbury a better place to raise a family. Learn the details below...
The new Danbury Multicultural Fair held on May 8 was a huge success. It was a great way to explore the many cultures that are represented in Danbury. Make sure you scroll down to see some beautiful pictures from the event.
The Spring/Summer 2009 issue of the Parent to Parent Newsletter is now available. It focuses on the importance of fathers, and also includes valuable information about how to access health services in Danbury. Click on the newsletter button in the Quick Links box on the left to view this latest issue.
Thanks for taking a few minutes to read this newsletter. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at carolinel@danburychildrenfirst.org.
Caroline LaFleur
Communications Coordinator
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Parent Survey Results:
Parents Want More Information About Community Services and Education
On June 3, 2009, the Parent Resource Initiative reported the results of the Danbury Parent Survey to the Danbury community. The report also included information from a Community Conversation on the Quality of Life for Young Children, community interviews, and focus groups that were held over the past year. The opinions of more than 500 parents from all walks of life were reflected in the report.
What did we learn from Danbury's parents?
Parents
think Danbury is a great place to live, but they don't know how to get
information about the services and supports that are available to them.
Parents want more information about what is going on in the schools and better communication with teachers.
Parents want more activities for children, including activities for younger children and more out-of-school time activities.
More affordable dental and mental/behavioral health services are needed for Danbury's children.
The report included a wealth of information about:
- Family access to information, services and supports
- Education and preschool in Danbury
- Quality of life for Danbury's families
- Healthcare
To view a summary of the Key Findings from the Parent Resource Initiative (1.3 MB pdf file) or a Full Report to the Community visit Danbury Children First's Website at www.danburychildrenfirst.org. The documents can be downloaded from the Important Information Box on the home page.
 Members of the Parent Advisory Board of the Parent Resource Initiative (some of whom are pictured at the June 3 event, right) are using the results of the report to create a plan to systemize family support services in Danbury. Their work is being supported by a two-year Discovery Grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund.
For more information, or to get involved in the Parent Resource Initiative, contact Caroline LaFleur at carolinel@danburychildrenfirst.org
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Danbury's Parent Leaders in the News and
Out in the Community!
 Forty-two Parent Leaders graduated from Danbury Children First's Parent Leadership Training Institute (PLTI) and People Empowering People (PEP) programs on June 19, 2009--and already they are out in the community, making the news and doing good work for Danbury's families and children. (The PLTI Class of 2009 and their facilitators are pictured left.)
They join the more than 300 Danbury alumni from these programs who continue to improve the quality of life in our community.
Here's just a sample of what Danbury's Parent Leaders have been doing lately:
Claudia Gonzalez-Morales (PLTI 2009) was featured in the Danbury News-Times' Jill Magazine on June 24. She partnered with Families Network of Western Connecticut to start a support group for new mothers. The group is open to all mothers, including mothers who speak Spanish and Portuguese. Guest speakers join the group to discuss a broad range of parenting topics such as health and infant care.
Alberto Nieto (PLTI 2007) was featured in the Danbury News-Times on June 15 for the leadership work he has been doing to establish a Community Garden at Danbury's Stadley Rough Elementary School. The project brings parents, school staff, and students together to grow delicious fresh food and learn about the environment and healthy eating habits.
Lauren Ziegler (PLTI 2005) and Mary Lavasseur (PLTI 2007) recently spoke at the monthly meeting of the Family Focus Partnership, a group of parents and professionals who work together to address children's mental and behavioral health issues. Lauren and Mary spoke about the importance of social skills training for children with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and presented ideas and suggestions for professionals who work with these children.
Nanette Corriere
(PLTI 2009) fought for accommodations for students with Type 1 diabetes
who are taking the SAT and ACT college board exams. Her recommendations
will be posted on the SAT and ACT websites.
Leticia Rocha (PLTI 2007), Patti Keckeisen (PLTI 1999), Millie Perez (PLTI 2009), and Tom Thomassen (PLTI 2005) presented the results of the Danbury Parent Survey at an event on June 3 at Broadview Middle School. (See the story above.) Leticia and Patti are the parent co-chairs of the Parent Resource Initiative, and Millie and Tom are active members of the Parent Resource Initiative's Parent Advisory Board, along with PLTI Graduates Marylia Chagas (2008), Tanya Callands (2008), Angela Evertez (2008) and Mari Grajales (2001). They all worked diligently to distribute and collect Parent Surveys and to plan the June 3 event. Stories about the event appeared in the Danbury News-Times, the Tribuna, and El Canillita.
 The People Empowering People (PEP) class of 2009 (pictured right) is working to plan a Family Resource Fair, to be held later this summer. Check your email for more details about this upcoming event for Danbury's famiies.
Unfortunately, the Connecticut Parent Trust Fund, which helps to fund PEP and PLTI is on the chopping block! There is currently no funding in the state budget for these programs, putting the programs in serious jeopardy!
If you feel Parent Leaders are doing valuable work in Danbury, please call or email your legislators! Tell them that you want funding restored for the Parent Trust Fund.
To find out who your Connecticut legislators are and how to contact them, click here to go to the Connecticut General Assembly Website.
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Multicultural Fair Showcases the Best of Danbury's Diversity
The sights and sounds of cultures from around the world filled the quad at Western Connecticut State University's Midtown Campus on May 8, 2009. On a beautiful spring afternoon, more than 1,500 people gathered to celebrate the diversity that makes Danbury a unique and exciting community.
 Danbury Children First was a co-sponsor of the event along with Western Connecticut State
University, the Danbury Cultural Commission, Boehringer Ingelheim, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, and Scholastic. The event was free to the public.
Children from the Greater Danbury area and beyond participated in the event's Art and Writing Contest, with more than 200 children creating artwork and writing poetry, essays, and stories for the competition. It was a wonderful opportunity to have their creativity recognized.
Adults and children delighted in music and dancing from South America, Asia, India, Ireland, and other parts of the globe, while sampling foods from Danbury's many ethnic restaurants. Children were able to express their creativity through 15 different arts and crafts projects.
During a time of tightening budgets, the event proved that you don't have to leave Danbury to experience the cultures of the world!
   
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