Greater Hartford - Connecticut

Parenting Education Network

Minutes

11/13/07

Present: Angie Durocher, Beth Dominello, Sara Kleinman, Heather Daniel, Christine Guynn, Nicole Carlson, Tammy Joyner, Renee' Howell, Margie Williams, Natalie Frank, Sandy Phillips, Kathleen Service, Diana Thibodeau, Natalie McCarthy, Karen Mastroianni, Cynthia Palacios and Patty Berky

        Breakfast/Introductions

        Housekeeping

Please, park behind the building on either side.  Do not park in front as those spots are reserved for employees and handicapped parking.  Thank-you to CAFAP for hosting us and providing hot beverages.

            Presentation: WIC Program

Presented by Elsa Smith-Pleasant Hartford WIC Program Director and Amanda Moore-Middleton Hartford WIC Program Nutritionist/Supervisor

WIC is a federally funded program providing food and nutrition services to women and children.  It is the most successful USDA program.  There are 12 local WIC offices in the Hartford region.  WIC serves children up until the age of 5 and pregnant and nursing women and new mothers.  WIC is the largest single program in the state with almost 10,000 participants.  Individuals are referred to WIC by their doctor.  WIC is a supplemental food program.  WIC does not provide baby food or diapers.  If you would like an informational session for your program/agency you can contact Elsa Smith-Pleasant at esmithpleasant@hartford.gov

           Announcements

Patty Berky announced a free panel discussion at UConn School of Social Work in West Hartford on 11/15/07 from 12:15-2pm, titled "Connecticut Briefing Day: Children's Rights in Connecticut and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child".

Cynthia Palacios announced Holiday Party & 3 Kings Day Toy Drive hosted by SHPE-HLF-ALPFA-NSHMBA at Trinity College Koeppel Community Sports Center on 12/08/07 from 5-8pm.  For more information contact communityservices@shpect.org or infor@harford.alpfa.org

Diana Thibodeau announced Community Health Resource's Nurturing Families Network Open House 12/06/07 from 11-2pm at

2 School Street, Enfield.  RSVP by calling 860-763-3261 or nfrank@chrhealth.org  

           Case Discussions:

Nat McCarthy reviewed the case she discussed last meeting regarding support for a mother in Enfield who has a 12 year old son with Cerebral Palsy and mental retardation who is also blind and deaf and suffers from seizures.  The mother is at risk of loosing her van due to inability to make payments.  She currently has someone willing to make the modifications to the van to make it wheelchair accessible.  Nat is still working with the client to resolve this issue.  Additional suggestions included the following: 

Charitable Society of Hartford

c/o Ray Andrews

184 Sedgwick Road

West Hartford, CT 06107

860-521-9011-phone

860-521-9018- fax

Greater Hartford Dealer Association

Lion's Club

Local area churches

            CT-PEN Update:

CT-PEN is continuing to develop Phase 2 of the Parent Educator Credential.  Interested participants in Phase 2 will be notified when the committees are being formed.  CT-PEN's website is almost up and running www.ctpen.org  

            Presenter for Next Meeting

Interactive informational session on the legal rights of juvenile clients.

        Next Meeting 01/09/08*  *Note that this is a Wednesday!

Patty Berky will bring refreshments.

CAFAP will provide coffee & tea.

        Meetings will take place the second Tuesday of every other month from 9:30AM-11:30AM @ CAFAP in Rocky Hill 2189 Silas Deane Highway. 

        Structure of Meetings:

-         Networking/Breakfast

-         Agenda/Announcements

-         Bring Curriculums

-         Discuss an Agency's Services In Depth

-         Case Presentations/Families' Needs/Resource Sharing

-         Update from State Level CT-PEN

-         Presenters From the Community

Minutes Prepared by:
Patricia A. Berky