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October 2015

Obesity Prevention Grants Awarded

The Children's Fund of Connecticut (CHDI's parent organization) recently awarded four grants for obesity prevention projects in Connecticut. The work will inform and advance efforts to prevent and reduce early childhood obesity by addressing risk factors in the first two years of life.
 
Four projects were selected from a competitive application process and were awarded a total of $230,560.
  • Health Messaging: University of Connecticut, Department of Nutritional Sciences
  • Data Development: University of Connecticut Health Center, Center for Public Health and Health Policy
  • Policy Development: University of Connecticut Rudd Center for Food Policy
  • Baby Friendly Hospitals: The Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition
For the news release about these awards, click here.


New IMPACT on Childhood Trauma

CHDI released a new IMPACT. The report is intended to help child serving systems advance trauma-informed care in order to provide more effective and cost-efficient services that result in better outcomes for all children.  
 
For information:
  • Download the report
  • Listen to Jason Lang's Oct. 11th interview on "For the People" - 16 minutes into the 57 minute podcast at the (40:47 marker)
  • Read news coverage of the report 
  • Learn more about CHDI's trauma initiatives
  • If you would like a copy of the IMPACT, please contact Cindy Langer, [email protected]
     

New Training Videos on KidsMentalHealthInfo.com

kidsmentalhealthinfo.com logo KidsMentalHealthInfo.com has two new training videos for early care and education providers. The videos help providers promote children's social and emotional development. Each video features teachers and providers from a variety of centers and child care homes across Connecticut, as well as insights from early childhood experts. Click here to view the videos.


Free postcards promoting KidsMentalHealthInfo.com (in English and Spanish) are available. Please help us reach parents by distributing these at community centers, libraries, child care centers, pediatric health offices, and other locations. Contact Cindy Langer, [email protected]. to order them.

               


CHDI Work Highlighted on WNPR 

Connecticut's Mid-Level Developmental Assessment (MLDA) services were highlighted in a WNPR story on September 30. MLDA is an innovative way to screen and connect young children to early intervention services. Lisa Honigfeld was quoted in the radio story. CHDI has worked closely with Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health, the Village for Children and Families and 211's Child Development Infoline to develop, test, refine and disseminate MLDA statewide. Read more about CHDI's work to develop and embed MLDA here.

Tune in on October 20th at 9:00 am to Where We Live. John Dankosky will interview
Lisa Honigfeld on the link between health and education for young children. The interview is based on the CHDI article "Early Childhood Health Targeted as Path to Better Education." 

CHDI Trains Schools in CBITS

CHDI is helping the CT Department of Children and Families (DCF) expand trauma-focused evidence-based practices to schools in Bridgeport and DCF facilities using the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) model. The training was led by CBITS trainer Sharon Stephan (University of Maryland) who trained 12 school-based clinicians on Sept 28-29 in Bristol. Jason Lang led the training on CBITS assessments and reporting. CHDI is also working with Stamford Public Schools to implement CBITS. Learn more about CHDI's work to expand CBITS here.

Staff News

Mayte Restrepo wrote an article "Expanding and Improving Trauma-Informed Care for Youth Involved in the Juvenile Justice System" in "Trauma Matters", a publication produced by the Connecticut Women's Consortium and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Click here for the publication featuring Restrepo's article.

Kellie Randall's research at UConn sparked a new approach to addressing DCF and Juvenile Justice "crossover" youth. She now serves as CHDI Senior Associate, working primarily on the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) Coordinating Center Initiative. To read about Randall's research in the Hartford Courant article "UConn Research Aids DCF in Tracking Child Outcomes", click here.


CHDI welcomes two new employees:

Kyle Barrette - Kyle Barrette is a data analyst for the Learning Collaborative on MATCH-ADTC (Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems). In this position he will support the Learning Collaborative's implementation and evaluation efforts by leading the data collection, analysis, and reporting aspects of the initiative. Barrette holds a Master's in Social Work from the UCONN School of Social Work. He comes to us from the United Nations Development Program in New York. His previous positions in Connecticut include: research assistant with the evaluation team for the Hartford Public Library Immigrant Civic Engagement Program and mental health counselor with the In Home Intensive Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (IICAPS) program.

Heather Sapere - Heather is a data analyst for the CBITS and TF-CBT projects. She holds a Masters in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University, and previously worked as a data analyst at an IT company, as well as an assistant evaluator and research assistant for various drug-free town coalitions in Connecticut.

Child Health and Development Institute
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