JUNE

2015

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

IN THIS ISSUE: Summer Meals, Diabetes Prevention and Education, 2-1-1 Navigator, and Ages & Stages

Free Summer Meals in Connecticut

A Message from Richard Porth President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

During summer months, kids and teens under 18 across the state who qualified for free breakfast and lunch at school can utilize summer food programs in their area. The Summer Food Service Program offers meals and snacks at no cost to kids in Connecticut at sites throughout the state.

The program is funded by the USDA, and has a goal of ensuring that children can access nutritious meals and snacks during the summer. Many sites are operated at local schools, but not all schools serve as summer meal sites. Hours of operation and meals served vary by site.

To get more information and locate summer meal sites in your area, dial 2-1-1 or visit www.ctsummerfood.org/location-finder. Local summer meal sites can also be found by texting CTMeals to 877877.

Visit the 2-1-1 website for additional food resources, including information about food pantries, details about SNAP and WIC, soup kitchens and more.

Diabetes Prevention and Education Programs

It is estimated that more than 160,000 Connecticut adults have been diagnosed with diabetes and that an additional 70,000 are living with undiagnosed diabetes.

As such, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has partnered with 2-1-1 and the YMCA to raise awareness about the risks of diabetes and to connect people with resources and programs that can help them manage or prevent Type 2 Diabetes.

Information about education and prevention programs is available on the 2-1-1 website at the following links:

Diabetes Education Program - details about programs for individuals who currently have diabetes.
Diabetes Prevention Program - details about programs for individuals with pre-diabetes or who are at-risk for diabetes.

Dial 2-1-1 for more help and information about diabetes, or visit the Connecticut Department of Public Health website.

United Way 2-1-1 Navigator

The 2-1-1 Navigator is an easy-to-use interactive tool that helps users learn about 23 different programs and services they may be eligible to receive or participate in.

Simply visit 211navigator.com and complete the confidential survey. The Navigator uses the information provided to identify the programs that a household may qualify for. For each program, the Navigator shows a brief overview and includes links to more information and an application link (if available).

The full list of programs included in the 2-1-1 Navigator can be found at this link.

Ages and Stages Questionnaire

The Ages and Stages Monitoring Program is provided through Help Me Grow and Child Development Infoline (CDI) at no cost to Connecticut parents.

Parents who participate in the program receive periodic Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) with questions about their child's development. After completing the questionnaire, CDI staff will contact the parents with information about their child's development, provide fun learning activities to try, and make connections to community resources and services if appropriate.

To receive the ASQ in paper form (English or Spanish), sign up using this link. For an online ASQ, click here for English and click here for Spanish.

For more information or to contact child development experts, visit the CDI website or call 1-800-505-7000.

The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.