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 21 | June 13, 2008 |
In This Issue
- Impact of Children's Futures
- Renewal Grants Support CF's Ongoing Citywide Efforts
- More than 1,000 Books Distributed During TRENTON READS Heritage Days' Event
- Fatherhood Celebrated at Platinum Dads' Breakfast
- Links to News Articles
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Makes $300 Million Commitment to Health Care
- Active Management Approach Improves Birth Outcomes
- Maternal Depression, Breastfeeding and a Lower Socioeconomic Status Can Affect Infants' Sleep
- Community Activities
- Nicky's Mission: Kick-Off Event Friday Night
- Trenton Kappa Foundation to Honor Achieving Students Saturday Night
- Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies General and Consumer Coalition Community Event
Impact of Children's Futures
Renewal Grants Support CF's Ongoing Citywide Efforts
Children's Futures has received two renewal grants that will continue the initiative's home visiting efforts and support center-based activities on behalf of Trenton's children and families.
The first, a $700k renewal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), allows for the continued support of a range of resources for pregnant women, parents, children and other family members through nurse home visiting, family success/parent child centers and outreach. The grant focuses on reducing disparities in perinatal health.
A second $180k renewal grant from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families (DCF) will support home visiting nurses who provide services through the CF Trenton Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program. NFP is a research-based nurse home visitation program that provides health and parenting education and support from pregnancy until a child is two years old. The program is designed to: help women with their prenatal health; improve the care provided to infants and toddlers to help children's health and development; and, support the personal development of mothers (giving particular attention to the planning of future pregnancies).
"Children's Futures will continue to look for funding to keep our efforts going in Trenton. These renewal awards show that the federal and state governments recognize how important it is for Trenton children to get off to a good start in life," said Children's Futures' President Floyd K. Morris, Jr.
Nurse home visiting contacts occur in Trenton homes throughout the year for pregnant and parenting families.
More than 1,000 Books Distributed During Trenton READS Heritage Days Event
A citywide literacy initiative launched this past weekend at Heritage Days shared the joy of reading, while amassing pledges from many children and families who promised to make reading one of their scheduled summer activities. According to Melinda Green, Vice President of Children's Futures, "We were excited that so many families visited our tent and took the pledge to incorporate reading into their summer activities. The fact that we were able to distribute more than 1,000 books indicates a real desire on behalf of parents to share the joy of reading with their children." The TRENTON READS program continues Friday with child care centers and family child care homes throughout Trenton simultaneously participating in a citywide "Read-In".
TRENTON READS volunteers Beth Gardiner (l) from the Child Care Connection and CF VP Melinda Green (r) read with children during the launch of the TRENTON READS initiative during last weekend's Heritage Days celebration. Behind the children are posters which many families signed, pledging to read books during the summer.
A huge banner at the TRENTON READS tent was seen by thousands of residents strolling on West State Street during the event.
At the adjacent Children's Futures' tent at Heritage Days, Elana Gomez of the South Ward Parent/Child Center at El Centro loaded a bag of information about CF's center-based programs for a young girl to share with her family.
Rashidah White of the CF Father Center poses with a young man. CF thanks all of the volunteers who endured the weekend's heat in order to share information at both the Children's Futures and TRENTON READS tents.
Fatherhood Celebrated at Platinum Dads Breakfast
While the stories were as diverse as the men receiving the 3rd Annual Platinum Dads' honors Saturday morning at the Trenton Marriot, a common theme of love for their children flowed through the acceptance speeches of all recipients. The 2008 class of Platinum Dads includes, Kenneth Dodson, Rudolph Galiber, Irvin Harmon, Jamaal James, Peter Kasabach, Jean F. Massenat, Jason Mills, Darryl Nicholson, Stanley Reece, Jose Sanchez, Terrance Stokes, Keenan Ward, and Bryan Wyszynski. The Platinum Dads program is presented by UIH Family Partners, the Trenton Housing Authority and Children's Futures.
During the event, the second ever Legacy of Fatherhood award was presented posthumously to John S. Watson, Sr. and accepted by his son Aaron on behalf of the entire Watson family. More information about the life and accomplishments of John S. Watson, Sr. may be found by linking to Wikipedia: John S. Watson
During the Platinum Dads' keynote address, former NFL great Garry Cobb, now an author and media personality in Philadelphia, described the importance of fatherhood and family.. His new book, "Don't Be Clueless" targets graduates and young adults trying to find their way and place in the world. For more information about Mr. Cobb, please go to gcobb.com or call (856) 489-0177.
Former NFL player and author Garry Cobb (l) poses with new UIH Family Partners Executive Director Karen Andrade-Mims and UIH Director of Fatherhood Programs Ed Gittens.
Former UIH Family Partners Executive Director Zuline Gray Wilkinson (who returned from Boston to serve as Platinum Dads' MC) applauds Children's Futures' President Floyd K. Morris, Jr. as he described the importance of fathers in the lives of their children and families.
Links to Print/WEB News
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Makes $300 Million Commitment
to Health Care
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will give $300 million to
improve the quality of health care in 14 communities across the
U.S. through a program called Aligning Forces for Quality, according
to Kansas City Infozine.
Active Management Approach Improves Birth Outcomes
University of Pennsylvania research reported in HealthDay News
suggests a new approach for managing risk in pregnancy can improve
outcomes for mom and baby,
Maternal
Depression, Breastfeeding and a Lower Socioeconomic Status
Can Affect Infants' Sleep
Maternal depression during pregnancy,
breastfeeding and a lower socioeconomic status are all associated
with less infant sleep duration in the first six months of
life, according to new research presented this week at the
22nd Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies
(APSS).
Children
of Women Who Gain Excessive Weight During Pregnancy More Likely
to Be Overweight
A new study reported in Science Daily says children of mothers
who are obese prior to pregnancy and gain excessive weight are
at the greatest risk for overweight.
Upcoming Community Activities
June 2008
Friday, June 13:
Nicky's Mission: Kick-Off Event: Donation $50; 5 to 7 p.m.; Stark and Stark Law Firm, 993 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville. Special Guest: Daniel J. Licht, M.D., Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics and Director of Neurovascular Imaging Lab at Philadelphia Children's Hospital. For more information about this cause and event, please link to CaringBridge.org/visit/nicky.
Saturday, June 14:
Daddy Boot Camp (also on July 26th and August 23rd): $25; 9 a.m. to 12 noon; University Medical Center at Princeton. For information, please call (888) 897-8979.
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 information, email Garvester.Kelley@nffusa.org
Wednesday, June 18:
Mercer County Cancer Coalition Quarterly Meeting: free; 12-2 p.m.; 218 N. Broad Street (second floor) in Trenton;. For information, please contact Wanda Allen at 609-989-3242 (ext. 108) or e-mail wallen@trentonnj.org .
Brain Development and Learning Styles Program from the Family Support Organization of Burlington/Mercer Counties: free (includes free child care); 6-8 p.m.; IBIS Plaza Office Suites 400; 3535 Quakerbridge Road; Hamilton, NJ. Learn the process of your child's brain development for the first ten years. For information, please call 609-586-1200.
Saturday, June 21:
Plant a Pinwheel Garden: A Community Event for Families to Have Fun Together and Learn about Community Resources and Health Services: free; 11: a.m. to 3 p.m.; Roberto Clemente Park (at the end of Academy Street in Trenton); sponsored by Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies General and Consumer Coalition; Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey; Isles; and Central NJ Maternal and Child Health Consortium; refreshments and prizes. For information, contact Brenda Tift at 609-394-7454.
Sunday, June 22:
Trenton Churches Walk (After Sunday Services): free; part of the Trenton Spirit Walk fitness initiative. For more information, contact your faith leader, or call Isles at 609-341-4758.
Wednesday, June 25:
Clase de Preparacion de Parto para el Padre: La clase es GRATIS y puede venire con su pareja; 5 p.m. a 8 p.m.; Centro para el Exito Familiar (En el Roebling Market) 635 S. Clinton Ave. Para reservar su espacio llame al 609-695-6274 antes del 24 de junio. Ofreceremos cena, transportacion y todos los materiales educacionales.
July 2008
Saturday, July 12:
Isles hosts its 21st Annual House and Garden Tour: $50 for adults and $12 for children; ; 3 to 7 p.m.; Tour gardens that are part of the most extensive community gardening program in New Jersey. Tickets are $50 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Meet at 10 Wood Street in Trenton to board the bus. Contact: Robin Miller, 609-341-4739.
Tuesday, July 15:
Explosive Child: free (includes free child care); 6-8 p.m.; IBIS Plaza Office Suites 400; 3535 Quakerbridge Road; Hamilton, NJ. Sessions on consecutive Tuesdays will teach a sensitive approach to understanding and helping an easily frustrated and explosive child. For information, please call 609-586-1200.
Tuesday, July 22:
Explosive Child: free (includes free child care); 6-8 p.m.; IBIS Plaza Office Suites 400; 3535 Quakerbridge Road; Hamilton, NJ. For information, please call 609-586-1200.
August 2008
Sunday, August 3:
The 31st Puerto Rican Day Parade: free; begins at Trenton Central High School; for sponsorship information please call Isabel Garcia at 347-837-6509 or 609-577-3569 or go to www.trentonprparade.com
Ongoing Community Activities
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, address behavioral health issues, 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.
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 link to CitySmiles.org
Camp Fire USA of New Jersey: Children's Futures' Community partner in the Trenton Reach Out and Read program is again selling discounted tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure. All proceeds benefit Camp Fire programs for the prevention of violence, child abuse, abduction and substance abuse The $30 ticket is good for any one day admission to the theme park for adult or child. To order tickets: Check or money order should be made payable to Camp Fire USA ($30 per ticket and $3 per order for postage and handling) and sent to Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council, 535 East Franklin Street, Trenton, NJ 08610. For more information, please call: (609) 695-8410.
Womanspace: Womanspace is seeking volunteers to join the Domestic Violence Victim Response Team (DVVRT) & Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Team (SASS). Team members respond to local police stations or hospitals and meet with victims, providing them with support, information and referral. In the past ten years the teams have gone on 3,785 call-outs and served over 5,000 residents of Mercer County. DVVRT and SASS volunteers support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault when they need it most. Qualifications include the ability to communicate well with others and be a good listener, ability to maintain confidentiality, 18 years of age and resident of or employed in the Mercer County area, valid driver's license and available transportation, no criminal history or prior history as a defendant in a domestic violence or sexual assault related matter, and availability to attend classes and meetings. Volunteers will receive 80+ hours of extensive, specialized training on topics including the law, sensitivity to the needs of victims and their children, and how to provide appropriate responses at a very critical time. Trained volunteers need to be "on call" (available to respond to call-outs) for two to four shifts a month. Training begins on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Interested persons must submit to a background investigation, including fingerprinting. Bilingual individuals (especially those fluent in Spanish, Polish, and American Sign Language) are encouraged to apply. Applications must be received by Monday, August 4, 2008. For more information, please contact Heidi Mueller at dvvrt@womanspace.org and Alison Daks at sass@womanspace.org or call (609) 394-0136.
Survey on Health and Well-Being Improvements: Public/Private Ventures (P/PV), a national research organization based in Philadelphi a (www.ppv.org), is still conducting an evaluation of the Children's Futures initiative. As part of the evaluation, in March, interviewers from the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia began calling Trenton residents who were randomly selected to complete a 25-minute telephone interview, the 2008 Children's Futures Community Survey. This is the second time that Trenton residents will have participated in this interview - 654 residents completed a similar interview in 2002. Trenton residents eligible to complete the interview include parents of children aged 5 years or younger. Those who complete the interview will receive a $10 gift card from Wal-Mart as compensation for their time. The interviews ask residents questions about their background, neighborhood, child care, health, health insurance coverage, family planning, and social services utilization. Interviewers will continue to call residents primarily during the evening hours and on weekends. The evaluation will help Children's Futures identify the ways in which Trenton agencies have met the initiative's goals of improving the health and well-being of Trenton's young children.
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.