The Weekly Briefing
| Welcome to The Weekly Briefing, featuring news from Children's Futures, updates about our community partners' activities and links to recent news articles about early childhood health and development. | |
| Volume 2, Number 13 | April 4, 2008 to April 11, 2008 |
In This Issue
- Impact of Children's Futures
- Trenton's Health and Human Services Director Discusses Priorities
- CF Participates in W.K. Kellogg Foundation-Sponsored Study
- Nominations Sought for 2008 Platinum Dad Honors
- Links to News Articles
- Study Finds Abuse in One of 43 Babies
- Your Baby's Brain on Drugs (and Alcohol and Tobacco)
- Less Sleep, More TV Leads to Overweight Infants and Toddlers
- Community Activities
- YMCA Healthy Kids Day This Saturday
- March for Peace Against Violence This Sunday
- South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center This Tuesday
- Last Chance to Register for This Wednesday's Fatherhood Conference
Impact of Children's Futures
Trenton's Health and Human Services Director Discusses Priorities
Creating a seamless system of primary care, reducing infant mortality and low birth weight, and addressing the lack of adequate housing are among the top priorities of lifelong Trenton resident Carolyn Lewis-Spruill, MSN, APN, C, director of the City's Department of Health and Human Services. In an interview Tuesday with Weekly Briefing, the director outlined how her department's Division of Health is expanding outreach through increased use of the city's Project Impact Health Van with both English and Spanish speaking outreach workers. The Van now also features the addition of staff from Trenton's Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies with Children's Futures' support. "We have a great partnership with Children's Futures and are particularly focused on finding women who are pregnant and getting them into prenatal care as soon as possible. Prenatal assessments, home visiting programs, referrals to the children's clinic and other wrap-around services help us ensure that a full continuum of care is available for the residents we serve," she explained.
Getting residents to take advantage of programs is often an issue of education. A graduate of Trenton Central High School; Lewis-Spruill described the important link between quality education and health care. "If you explain the risks and benefits of preventive health measures to clients, and engage them in their care, they are more inclined to comply with their plan of care. The mother is generally thought of as the 'gatekeeper' of the family. Once she becomes engaged, she will bring everyone else in the household in and you have more well-rounded families who are more inclined to think about their health care," she said.
Director Lewis-Spruill is aggressively fighting environmental factors that impact the healthy development of children. One example is the importance of assessing children who have higher lead levels. Lead exposure can impact a child's ability to learn. A nurse is assigned to follow-up on any child who is determined to be at risk. The nursing staff works closely with the environmental inspectors who inspect the child's home to determine if the home may be a source of the lead exposure. The inspectors also determine if lead abatement is required.
Lewis-Spruill also understands the reality of poverty in Trenton. "It's a large issue. Like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs illustrates, if people don't have their basic needs met, its hard for them to see other things like health care as a priority," she said.
In terms of the future, she expressed concern about the impact of proposed state and federal budget cuts on the programs her department provides. "Our most vulnerable citizens have the possibility of being impacted the most. This will make the kind of collaborations and partnerships that Children's Futures and the City have developed even more important going forward," she concluded.
Pictured above are City Of Trenton Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Lewis-Spruill (l) and administrative secretary, Wendy Santos
CF Participates in W.K. Kellogg Foundation-Sponsored Study
Children's Futures was recognized as an exemplary initiative when it was one of only eight nonprofits from throughout the country selected to participate in a W.K. Kellogg Foundation-sponsored study. This study, "Health Matters: The Role of the Health Sector in Place-Based Initiatives for Young Children", is exploring innovative and successful place-based initiatives that: have the potential to serve as models for those who seek to better integrate the health sector into community initiatives for young children. During a conference of study participants in Washington, D.C. earlier this week, president Floyd K. Morris, Jr. and vice president Melinda Green provided insights about the progress made in Trenton since Children's Futures' 2001 start.
The study focuses on the role of health in multi-sector, placed-based initiatives for children 0-8 years. According to conference organizers, the study's long-term goal is to enhance policies, programs and practices through recommendations at the local, state and national levels that will help link children and families to services and supports they need for healthy growth and development.
Nominations Sought for 2008 Platinum Dad Honors
Children's Futures, UIH Family Partners (formerly Union Industrial Home for Children) and the Trenton Housing Authority, sponsors of the third annual "Platinum Dads" recognition program, are looking for nominations to honor exceptional Trenton fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers and guardians who are visible and positive forces in the lives of children. This year, the "Platinum Dads" reception will be held at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard on the morning of Saturday, June 7, 2008. Any Mercer County resident may nominate a man for recognition as a "Platinum Dad" by using an official form (attached above). There is no age limit for a nominee and the individual does not have to be the biological father of the child or children he is impacting. All nominations must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2. For more information, please e-mail UIH Family Partners' Ed Gittens at egittens@uih.org or call 609-695-3663, ext. 215.
Trenton's John Paul Dickerson beamed with pride after receiving his 2007 Platinum Dads award last June. The 2008 Platinum Dad recipients will be honored on January 7th at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard (photo credit-Judith Arnold, JF Arnold Group)
Editor's Note: In last week's story about the CUNA Program, in addition to the major funders (Children's Futures, Children's Home Society and the New Jersey Department of Children and Families) a number of other CUNA funders were inadvertently omitted. These include Capital Health System, the Fannie E. Rippel Foundation, Central New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium's Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition of Trenton and the Mercer County Department of Human Services: Office of Environmental Health.
Links to News Articles
Study Finds Abuse in One of 43 Babies
Reuters Reports that according
to the CDC, about one of every 43 American infants is physically
abused or neglected annually, and those babies are especially
at risk in the first week of their lives,
Your Baby's Brain on Drugs (and Alcohol and Tobacco)
Newswise
reports that new research published in the April issue of Pediatrics
suggests that prenatal exposure to drugs, alcohol and tobacco
(alone or in combination) may have effects on a baby's brain
structure that persist into adolescence.
Stress is Probable Cause of Baby's Repetitive Moves
Children's
Futures' Board Member Dr. Kendall Sprott writes about children's
health and development issues in his weekly column for The Star
Ledger.
Less Sleep, More TV Leads to Overweight Infants and Toddlers
Research
published in this month's Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent
Medicine indicates infants and toddlers who sleep less than 12
hours a day are twice as likely to become overweight by age 3
than children who sleep longer.
Returns on Pre-K Funding Prove It's a Wise Investment for State
In
an opinion/editorial piece in the Asbury Park Press, economist
W. Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early
Education Research at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, makes
a case for New Jersey's Pre-K investment.
Community Activities
Isles, Inc. is providing dust sampling in 115 homes to determine if hazardous lead levels are present. If high levels are found, Isles will counsel parents about next steps including---protecting their children, speaking to a landlord, working with a city housing inspector, and applying for loans or grants to make a home lead safe. For more information, please call 609 341-4703.
The New Jersey State Parent and Information Resource Center, a program of Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey, has valuable services available for schools and community agencies (including FREE workshops for parents to support parental involvement efforts.) Workshops are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis with priority given to schools/agencies that can gather more than 30 parents per session. For more information please call 732-246-8060 ext. 110. To receive workshop application forms, please email Cdeisroth@preventchildabusenj.org
CitySmiles Offers Information About Programs Throughout the Year for Children and Families: For more information about fun and educational programs for children and parents contact CitySmiles at Lkasabach@aol.com or visit citysmiles.org
April CF Center-Based Programs for Parents and Children: Free programs at Children's Futures' centers provide expectant parents and parents of newborns and toddlers with opportunities to enhance their parenting knowledge and skills. Children's Futures' partners offer these sessions to improve literacy, promote nutrition, build children's musical awareness and encourage parent/child bonding. For more information, please call Tonya Bellamy at 609-695-1977 (ext. 109) or email tbellamy@childrensfutures.org. The locations of CF's centers and English and Spanish versions of the April 2008 calendar may be found on our calendar page.
April 2008
Saturday, April 12:
YMCA Healthy Kids Day: Free; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 431 Pennington Avenue; A day of fun for parents and children throughout Trenton; Organizations throughout Trenton will join the YMCA of Trenton to participate in this annual community event. For more information, please call Yolanda Drislane at 609-599-9622 or email: ydrislane@greatertrentonareaymca.org.
Sunday, April 13:
Trenton March for Peace Against Violence: Free; 2 .m. March begins in Father Rocco Park and ends at Trenton Central High School. Organizations throughout Trenton are sponsoring the event. Participants are urged to wear white to the event. For more information, please call 609-496-1495.
Tuesday, April 15:
SAVE-THE-DATE...Dedication of New Children's Futures' and Department of Children and Families' South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Children's Home Society: Free; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children's Home Society of New Jersey; 635 South Clinton Avenue. For more information, please contact Maritza Raimundi-Petroski at 609 695-6274 (ext. 160) or email mraimundi@chsofnj.org
Wednesday, April 16:
Last Chance to Register for 8th Annual Fatherhood Conference presented by UIH Family Partners, Children's Futures and Horizon NJ Health: $75; includes luncheon; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; The National Conference Center at the Holiday Inn, Monmouth Street and Route 33 in Hightstown/East Windsor. For more information, please contact Ed Gittens at 609-695-3663 or email egittens@uih.org.
Family Support Organization of Burlington/Mercer Counties Presents Strengthening Families Program: free (includes dinner); Fourteen Wednesday and Thursday sessions for parents of children 6 to 11 at 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. Parents and children must attend together. Parents/Caregivers earn $300 worth of gift certificates for completing all 14 sessions. For more information, please contact 609-586-1200
Thursday, April 17:
Public Forum to Discuss Department of Children and Families' Proposed Budget: free; 5:00 p.m. at 222 Warren Street in Trenton in the first floor conference room.
Saturday, April 19:
Celebrity Scrabble Tournament to Benefit Local Charities: Donations accepted at the door; 12 noon at the Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard; participants include Congressman Rush Holt, Trentonian columnist Jeff Edelstein, Trenton Councilwoman Annette Lartigue and WPST-FM DJs among others. For more information contact Eric Maywar at book_cellar@mindspring.com.
Family Guidance Center Presents "An Evening with Dr. Daniel Gottlieb" of NPR's "Voices in the Family" program: $90; 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; The Corporate Campus of Janssen Pharmaceutica in Titusville. For more information, please call at 609-586-0668 or go to fgccorp.org.
Tuesday, April 22:
21st Annual Trenton Clean Communities Litter March: city-wide; Join one of two dozen teams which will fan out across the city collecting debris and recyclables. For more information, please call 609-989-31251.
Sunday, April 27:
Fourth Annual "Trenton Real Men Cook" Cancer Awareness Program Featuring Prominent Trenton Men Sharing Samples of Their Personal Recipes from Appetizers to Desserts: Donation requested at door; 1 to 4 p.m.; Trenton War Memorial. For more information, please call 609-895-0101.
May 2008
Friday, May 2:
Deadline for Submitting 2008 Platinum Dads Nomination Forms: For more information, please call Ed Gittens at 609-695-3663. Requirements and application form below:
Saturday, May 3:
El Centro/Catholic Charities Community Health Fair at the Children's Futures' South Ward Parent/Child Center at South Broad Street: free; 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; 327 South Broad Street; Event includes health screens, eye exams, blood pressure and cholesterol screening, food, raffles, gifts and more. Sponsors include El Centro de Recursos de Catholic Charities, Hispanic American Medical Association, Robbins Annex and Robbins School. For more information, please call Sandra Pinto at 609-394-2056 or email spinto@cctrenton.org.
The 3rd Annual Isles Trenton "Spirit Walk": free; 11 a.m.; Cadwalader Park; Trenton church choirs, praise dancers, singers and musicians will provide entertainment throughout the day. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The "Spirit Walk" is supported by a grant from the New Jersey Health Initiatives program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. For information about how you or your organization can participate, please call Isles at 609-341-4700.
Friday, May 16:
SAVE-THE-DATE...Dedication of New Children's Futures' South Ward Parent Child Center at El Centro/Catholic Charities: Free; 2 to 4 p.m.; 327 South Broad Street. For more information, please contact Roberto Hernandez at 609-394-2056 or email rhernandez@cctrenton.org
Thursday, May 22:
Womanspace, Celebrating its 30th Year, Presents the 2008 Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award Dinner Event Honoring Author and Filmmaker Dr. Jean Kilbourne; $150; 6 p.m.; Princeton Hyatt Regency in the Carnegie Center, in Princeton, New Jersey; Womanspace is the lead agency in Mercer County serving domestic violence and sexual assault victims and their families. Womanspace operates the NJ statewide domestic violence hotline, 1-800-572-SAFE. Other programs include 24-hour hotlines, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, court advocacy, housing and domestic abuse training for the Children's Futures' initiative. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or to acquire tickets, please call 609-394-0136 or visit www.womanspace.org.
Thursday, May 29:
ACT- Adults and Children Together Against Violence: free; 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.; five week workshop sponsored by Family Support Organization of Burlington/Mercer Counties and presented by PEI Kids. Workshop is focused on how kids are influenced by violence they see every day via media images and news items; 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. Please contact 609-586-1200 for dates, times and registration information.
June 2008
Saturday, June 7:
Save the Date: Third Annual Platinum Dads Celebration: $25; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard. For more information, please call UIH Family Partners at 609-695-1492.
Saturday, June 14:
Annual Formal Dinner Dance Honoring Trenton Youth, Presented by the Trenton Kappa Foundation, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Trenton Alumni Chapter and Children's Futures: 7 p.m.; Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard. For more information, including tickets, sponsorship and journal advertising opportunities, please email Garvester.Kelley@nffusa.org
For a complete calendar of events, please refer to our calendar page.
About Children's Futures
Established in 2001 with major support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Children's Futures is a nonprofit organization that works city-wide in Trenton, N.J. to improve child health and development outcomes. Through an unprecedented collaboration among public agencies and nonprofit organizations, Children's Futures seeks to strengthen parenting, increase access to primary quality health care and child care systems, and increase social supports for families, so that every child in Trenton enters preschool healthy and ready to learn.