Feds want your input on child support services

The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement has asked a few groups with strong connection to parents--including PLTI--to seek feedback on its current child support program. The Office is very interested to learn how well the program performs and where it can be improved.

You're invited to take five minutes to fill out the survey, in English or in Spanish. Your comments and ideas will be summarized and offered to the federal government for improvements in law. The survey is anonymous but still ensures that your opinions are heard.

Congratulations, Milford PLTI Class of 2015!

The Parent Leadership Training Institute of Milford held graduation ceremonies for its Class of 2015 at Milford City Hall on Wednesday. The graduates heard remarks from Milford Mayor Benjamin G. Blake, Milford Public Health Director Deepa Joseph, and Commission on Children Director off Development and Special Initiatives Mary Kate Lowndes.  
 
Congratulations to Holly Allen, Anna Cass, Melvin Cass II, Agne Covill, Patricia Esianor, Kara Flannery, Aurora Moral, Kimberly Neff, Jezzabel Noel, Carla Parker, Christina Pritchard, Jaime Swett, and Melissa Vera.

The graduates at Milford City Hall. At far left is Mayor Benjamin Blake. At far right is United Way of Milford President and CEO Gary Johnson. Next to him is city Health Director Deepa Joseph.

The graduates--with kids!

From left: Sal Hanaif, PLTI facilitator; Lesley Darling, PLTI coordinator; Peggy Kelly of Kids Count of Milford; and Mary Kate Lowndes of the Commission on Children.

Spotlight on Gina Levon Simpson

Gina Levon Simpson, lead teacher of the Bridgeport Children's Leadership Training Institute (CLTI), was the focus of a nice feature article recently by the Bridgeport Daily Voice.

“It’s all about helping the children become the best leaders they can be, both for themselves and for others,” Gina said of CLTI.

West Hartford PLTI mom featured in Courant

As part of her PLTI community project, Brooke Daly of West Hartford encouraged several local elementary schools to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day by promoting the Changing the Face of Beauty campaign on social media. When she tweeted a photo of her 2-year-old son Finn, who has Down syndrome, with the #ChangingTheFaceOfBeauty hashtag, it got noticed by a flower boutique, which is using photos of the family for an advertising campaign that benefits HARC of Hartford.

You can read about Brooke in this Hartford Courant article, which may require registration: http://www.courant.com/community/west-hartford/hc-west-hartford-mothers-day-down-syndrome-ad-20150422-story.html

Danbury parent leader defends Parent Trust Fund

Danbury parent leader Maria Prosecuter has written a strong defense of the Parent Trust Fund in a letter to the editor of the Danbury Daily Voice. The Fund, which supports PLTI and other parent leadership initiatives, is in danger of losing its funding under the proposed budget that Governor Malloy has submitted the state legislature. Maria argues that programs like PLTI should be recognized as "the gateway to progress."

Bridgeport CLTI making an impact

That's Bridgeport Children's Leadership Training Institute (CLTI) graduate Leah Attai on the right, with Lead Teacher Gina LeVon Simpson. They're holding some of the stuffed toys that Leah made for the emergency shelter which the Center for Family Justice operates for adults and children fleeing abusive situations. Leah and the current CLTI class are also helping CFJ and the Daniel Trust Foundation by collecting "gently used" toys, redeeming bottles, and seeking contributions. In addition, the students are collecting toiletries for homeless veterans. Way to go, kids!

What you didn't know about the Parent Trust Fund

The Parent Trust Fund, created by the General Assembly in 2001, is the first family civics initiative focused on training parents in the leadership skills needed to improve the health, safety, and learning outcomes of children. PLTI is one of the initiatives it supports. You can learn more about how the Fund works, what it has accomplished, and in which towns and cities it currently operates by downloading this primer.