PLTI spotlighted at CT-N Town Hall

On Monday evening, the Connecticut Network (CT-N) held a Town Hall-style forum at the Old State House entitled, "Renewing our Democracy: What Connecticut Can Be." A panel led by Secretary of the State Denise Merrill and Everyday Democracy Executive Director Martha McCoy explored ways to overcome the recent cynicism about government and get people more involved in civic life. At about 24 minutes and 30 seconds into the event, moderator Diane Smith called on the chair of the Commission on Children, Dr. M. Alex Geertsma, who gave an overview of what PLTI does to build civic participation in Connecticut:



To watch the event on TV, check CT-N's schedule here.

For more background information on the event, go here.

PLTI grads elected to local offices

The list of PLTI and Parents SEE graduates who've gone on to leadership roles in local and state government continues to grow! Among the alumni who won Election Day victories on Tuesday:

• Ava Hart and Mitchell Wynn, graduates of Middletown PLTI, were elected to the Middletown Board of Education. Middletown Eye blog post
• Marina Loyola of Danbury PLTI was elected to the Danbury Zoning Commission.
• Luz Osuba, a graduate of Windham Parents SEE, has been elected to the Windham Board of Education. Norwich Bulletin article

Congratulations to all! If you know of other grads who won election on Tuesday, let us know.

Parent Trust Fund awards grants for 2012

The Parent Trust Fund, which supports PLTI and other parent-leadership programs, will award grants totaling more than $626,000 in 2012. The money will support leadership programs in Bridgeport, Bristol, Danbury, Enfield, Greenwich, Hartford, Meriden, Middlesex County, New Haven, New London, Norwich, Plymouth, Stamford, Torrington, Waterbury, and West Hartford. This news release has more information.

PLTI grads: They're everywhere!

That's Danbury PLTI graduate Wendy Hess talking with state Representative Dan Carter of Bethel at the Danbury public library, where Representative Carter was holding office hours. The photo comes from his blog. Representative Carter sponsored an amendment in the last legislative session that led to Public Act 11-235, which calls for "a representative from the Parent Leadership Training Institute within the Commission on Children"  to serve on the Advisory Council for Special Education to advise the legislature, the state Board of Education, and the commissioner of education.

Graduates attend domestic-violence bill signing

When Governor Dannel P. Malloy held a ceremonial bill signing for a new law aimed at improving Connecticut's response to domestic violence, two new graduates of PLTI in New Haven were on hand: Zoleka Luswazi (in the purple suit) and Sara Tewolde. Zoleka is originally from South Africa, Sara from Ethiopia. They were in the governor’s chambers on August 5 to witness the signing of Public Act 11-152, which makes its easier for domestic violence victims who've experienced stalking to request a restraining order. It also clarifies that domestic violence victims of any age can request restraining orders, including teens. Zoleka and Sara are now involved in New Haven-based Mothers for Justice.

PLTI accepting facilitator applications

You can download the application as a Word document here or as a PDF here. Along with your completed application, please submit a resume and contact information for three references by September 30, 2011 to:

Ms. Edie Luciano
Connecticut Commission on Children
18-20 Trinity Street
Hartford, CT 06106

You may also e-mail the documents to edie.luciano@cga.ct.gov.

We anticipate that a multi-day training will be scheduled in early November. Please feel free to contact Dawn Homer-Bouthiette at 860.240.0085 or dawn.homer-bouthiette@cga.ct.gov with any questions.

PLTI grad takes on challenges of Bridgeport schools

Hernan Illingworth, a 2003 graduate of PLTI, has been appointed by acting state Education Commissioner George Coleman to the new Bridgeport Board of Education. Hernan, a production manager for Beckson Marine, told the Connecticut Post: "Bridgeport has a lot of untapped resources that have to be pursued. But you know what else I bring? A sense of reality. I reflect what is really happening in the district and all the frustrations parents feel. I know what is happening in the trenches. Central office doesn't always reflect that."

Here's a photo of him that ran with another Post article.

Citing an inability to address a deepening budget crisis, the original Board of Education voted in July to ask the state to take over its responsibilities. The state agreed, naming six people to a reconstituted board. When residents complained that none of the six were district parents or Latinos, Commissioner Coleman responded by adding Hernan.

Congratulations, Hernan, and good luck!