In This Issue

• Impact of Childrens Futures
  • Innovative Program Brings Smiles at Childrens Home Societys South Ward Center
  • Trenton READS Highlights Sundays Puerto Rican Day Parade
  • Partners Enhance Breastfeeding Seminars at CF Centers
  • Supporting the Community: A Clean Sweep for CFs North Ward Staff
• Links to Print/Web Articles
  • Treating Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • A Study in Mothering and Violence
  • Toddlers Triumphant
  • Taking Conservative Approach to Medication
• Upcoming Community Events Calendar
  • Breastfeeding Seminars Throughout Trenton Begin Today
  • Trentons 31st Puerto Rican Day Parade
  • MercerResourceNet.org Open Houses Set
  • Office of Early Childhood Pre-K Fair
• Ongoing Community Activities
  • ISLES Offers Free Home Lead Screenings
  • Pre-School Registration for 2008-2009 School Year
  • Domestic Violence Victim Response Team Members Sought
  • Mercer County Office of Youth Advocacy Programs Shop for a Cause

Impact Of Childrens Futures

Innovative Program Brings Smiles at Childrens Home Societys South Ward Center

Take one determined graduate student.add a neighborhood center that embraces innovation. mix in parents and children who are learning more about each other every daysprinkle with caring staff members. and you have a recipe for successful families in Trenton. The Childrens Futures/Department of Children and Families South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Childrens Home Society is offering Modeling Interactions with Pride (Modelando Interacciones con Orgullo), a nine-week session designed by educator Ana Berdecia (as part of a post-graduate certificate in infant mental health offered through YSC Infant and Preschool Mental Health Institute in conjunction with Seton Hall University) that specifically addresses the needs of parents and their children who are 12 months to 36 months of age. The program is a natural follow-up to the centers CUNA (Prenatal) and BURP (right after birth) programs. Parent Claudia Ramirez, the mother of two children including 15 month old Luisa, said the program has helped her become a more confident parent. It has also helped me understand different behaviors, both good and bad, and helps me handle difficult times better. Its also great to be in a program with other parents who have children around the same age who are going through the same things, Ms. Ramirez said.

Ms. Berdecia, who also serves as the Vice Chair of CFs Board of Directors, designed sessions ranging from learning about child temperament to negotiating with toddlers and learning to set limits. The program will even offer a graduation ceremony for the moms and children on August 13. Because of the positive reactions from parents and children, Modeling Interactions with Pride will become a permanent program offered at the center and will be led by staff member Sarah Watermulder, said Maritza I. Raimundi-Petroski, MPA, Director of Family Support Services and Latino Outreach and Parenting Education Programs at Childrens Home Society. She added that the program, available in Spanish and English, is for all families in the City of Trenton and that being a CUNA participant or graduate of the CUNA or BURP programs is not a prerequisite for participation. For more information about Modeling Interactions with Pride, please call 609-695-6274 (ext. 169).

Staffer Sarah Watermulder models reading for parents as children follow along.

Participating mom and daughter practice some of the programs exercises together.

Program creator Ana Berdecia poses with 15 month-old participant Luisa Ramirez.

Trenton READS Highlights Sundays Puerto Rican Day Parade

The 31st Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, beginning this Sunday at Trenton Central High School on Chambers Street at 1 p.m. and ending at Trenton City Hall on East State Street, will celebrate Trentons children. As a parade sponsor, Childrens Futures will present one of the floats with a Trenton READS theme. The Trenton READS initiative is a CF-led program created by Mayor Douglas H. Palmer last year to encourage Trenton to become the City That Reads. Children will share the CF float with literary figures like the Cat in the Hat and Arthur. In addition, hundreds of childrens books written in English and Spanish will be distributed during the afternoon. The books are courtesy of the CF Reach Out and Read Program (administered by CampFire USA) and the Classics Used and Rare Books store at 117 South Warren in Trenton. Childrens books donated from Classics Used and Rare Books were secured through a grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation as well as from many of the stores customers.

Earlier this week, the Childrens Futures design team of Iris Rawls (Left) and Tonya Bellamy began transforming an empty platform into the Trenton READS float for Sundays 31st Annual Puerto Rican Day Parade.

A few of the hundreds of childrens books that will be distributed by CF volunteers to youngsters on Sunday.

Partners Enhance Breastfeeding Seminars at CF Centers

A number of CFs partner organizations have donated items to be raffled off to breastfeeding seminar attendees beginning today (at the East Ward Parent Child Center at 11 a.m. on the fourth floor of St. Francis Medical Center) and continuing for a week at CF centers throughout Trenton (please see the Upcoming Community Events Calendar below). According to June Gray, CFs director of Family Support Interventions, We have received infant bouncers from Horizon NJ Health, infant car seats and breastfeeding materials from the Central New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium, blankets and infant hats from Capital Health System, Snuggli infant carriers from the Nurse Family Partnership, and diaper bags, breast pumps and breast milk collection bottles from Medela, Inc. The breastfeeding seminars are being conducted at CF centers during World Breastfeeding Week by staff from Capital Health System to encourage breastfeeding in Trenton.

June Gray, CFs director of Family Support Interventions, examines some of the items donated by CF partners (Horizon NJ Health, Capital Health System, Central New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium and others) for raffle distribution during breastfeeding seminars at CF centers beginning today at the East Ward Parent/Child Center.

Supporting the Community: A Clean Sweep for CFs North Ward Staff

In addition to addressing the needs of children and families by offering educational programs throughout the week, staff members at the Childrens Futures/Department of Children and Families North Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Childrens Home Society are actively involved in civic improvement activities whenever possible. This type of outreach not only helps the community, it also reinforces the North Wards role as a visible and important community resource. Last Saturday, center director Dolores Bryant and staff members Ericka Williams and Aniela Brzoza were part of a contingent of North Ward staff, parents and children who joined Leadership Trenton in the clean-up of Monsignor Lipinski Community Park on Heil Street. Ms. Bryant and Ms. Brzoza are alumni of Leadership Trenton.

CF North Ward staffers Ericka Williams (left) and Aniela Brzoza take a pause from the cause for a picture.

Some of the participating volunteers from Childrens Futures and Leadership Trenton in a team photo.

Trenton Detective Alexis Durlacher was also policing the park.

CF Seeks Vice President for Program Management and Development

At Childrens Futures (CF), our nonprofits mission is to improve child health and development outcomes for children from prenatal to age 3 in Trenton, NJ, to ensure every child enters preschool healthy and ready to learn. CF is searching for an individual to serve as Vice President for Program Management and Development with a passion for creating and supporting community-level change. This position reports to the CF President.

Candidates should have an advanced degree (Masters or higher), 10 years of senior leadership with 5 years of management experience in: early childhood health and development; strategic planning; fiscal analysis; project management; grant writing; and contract development/monitoring. Candidates must also possess strong written, verbal and group facilitation skills with ability to represent CF in health, policy, legislative, community and philanthropic settings. Knowledge of federal, state and local public/private funding sources is essential.

The position offers a competitive salary and benefits. Interested parties should mail a cover letter with a resume/CV and references to: Att: CF Human Resources, 28 W. State St., Suite 305,Trenton, NJ 08608 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by 8/15/08. For more details on this position, please click here.

Links To Print/web Articles

Treating Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
According to the Childrens Heath Channel, results of a new study reveal the prenatal damage to peptides in the fetal brain may endure into adulthood despite environmental enrichment provided in a child's early years.

A Study in Mothering and Violence
Newswise reports that a new study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) is looking at the effects of intimate partner violence on small infants and their mothers.

Toddlers Triumphant
Advances in object recognition around age 2 may herald symbolic thought, according to studies reported by Science News Magazine.

High PCB Levels, Fewer Births of Boys
Women exposed to high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are significantly less likely to give birth to boys, according to a new study described in the New York Times.

Taking Conservative Approach to Medication
Children's Futures' Board Member Dr. Kendall Sprott writes about children's health and development issues in his weekly column for the Star Ledger.

Upcoming Community Events Calendar

August 2008

Friday, August 1 to Friday, August 8:

Breastfeeding Seminars Throughout Trenton: free with infant raffle items; The sessions include: Friday, August 1 at the East Ward Parent/Child Center at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Place in St. Francis Medical Centers Crean Hall (599-5764); Monday, August 4 at the West Ward Parent/Child Center at Mercer Street Friends at 5 p.m. at 222 N. Hermitage Avenue (989-1395); Wednesday, August 6 at 10:30 a.m. the North Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Childrens Home Society at 1554 Princeton Avenue (393-2980); Thursday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at the South Ward Parent/Child Center at 342 Home Avenue (989-7802); Thursday, August 7 at 2 p.m. at the South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Childrens Home Society at 635 South Clinton Avenue (695-6274); and, on Friday, August 8 at 10 a.m. at the Henry J. Austin Health Center at 321 North Warren Street (278-5900). For information about other free programs for children and families CF centers, please click here. For contact information for Henry J. Austin Health Center, please go to: http://www.henryjaustin.org

Sunday, August 3:

The 31st Puerto Rican Day Parade: free; 1 p.m; begins at Trenton Central High School and ends at Trenton City Hall; for information please call Ida Perez-Margicin at 609-209-5009.

Thursday, August 7:

Annual Double Dutch Competition: free; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Martin House 794 East State Street in Trenton. For volunteer or sponsorship information, please call Bridget Lewis-Burgess at 609-815-2188 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Monday, August 11:

UIH Family Partners Annual Golf Classic: $150 per person. Lunch/Registration 11 a.m. Shotgun start 1 p.m.; Mercer Oaks West Country Club in Princeton Junction, NJ; proceeds support programs for more than 600 families. For sponsorship information or to register to golf, just dinner ($55) or for early-bird discounted rates for foursomes, please call Ed Gittens at (609) 695-3663 (ext. 215).

Thursday, August 14:

Boys of Distinction Girls of Grace (B.O.Y.D.) Back to School Motivational Event Featuring Author Rahfeal Gordon: $25 (includes lunch); 12 p.m..; Roman Hall in Trenton, 100 Whittaker Avenue. For information, please contact Bruce Boyd at 609-393-3132 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Baseball Benefit for the Mercer County Million Mom March Chapter: $10; 7:05 p.m..; Waterfront Park in Trenton featuring the Trenton Thunder against the Bowie Baysox. .For ticket information, (tickets must be ordered by July 31) please contact Adam Smedberg at 609-394-3300 (ext. 124) or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . For information about the Mercer County Million Mom March Chapter, please contact Carole Stiller at 609-882-3211 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

September 2008

Saturday, September 13:

3rd Annual Latino Parenting Conference-Safety in the Latino Community: free; 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Childrens Home Society of New Jersey, 635 South Clinton Avenue in Trenton. Organizations interested in reserving a community resource table or if you have any families who may be interested in attending, please call Maritza Raimundi Petroski at 609-695-6274 (ext. 160). Space is limited to 150 individuals and 25 community organizations.

Monday, September 22:

Open House to Explore MercerResource.net: free; 2. to 5 p.m. Capitol County Childrens Collaborative, 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. MercerResourceNet.Org is a complimentary web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources and services for families in Mercer County. To RSVP or for more information, please call 609-584-0888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, September 23:

Open House to Explore MercerResource.net: free; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Capitol County Childrens Collaborative, 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. MercerResourceNet.Org is a complimentary web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources and services for families in Mercer County. To RSVP or for more information, please call 609-584-0888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, September 24:

Open House to Explore MercerResource.net: free; 4 to 7 p.m. Capitol County Childrens Collaborative, 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. MercerResourceNet.Org is a complimentary web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources and services for families in Mercer County. To RSVP or for more information, please call 609-584-0888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, September 24:

Open House to Explore MercerResource.net: free; 2 to 5 p.m. Capitol County Childrens Collaborative, 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. MercerResourceNet.Org is a complimentary web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources and services for families in Mercer County. To RSVP or for more information, please call 609-584-0888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, September 24:

Trenton Board of Education, Office of Early Childhood 2nd Pre-K Fair: free; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trenton Board of Education, Ellis Auditorium, 108 North Clinton Avenue in Trenton. Parents will also be able to register each child for school on the day of the Pre-K Fair if proper documentation is presented. To sign up. please call Denise Holguin@609 656 4900x5669 or email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Thursday, September 25:

Open House to Explore MercerResource.net: free; 2. to 5 p.m. Capitol County Childrens Collaborative, 3535 Quakerbridge Road in Hamilton. MercerResourceNet.Org is a complimentary web tool providing a wide range of information about support, resources and services for families in Mercer County. To RSVP or for more information, please call 609-584-0888 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Ongoing Community Activities

CF Center-Based Programs for Parents and Children: Free programs at Children's Futures' centers provide families with the support they need to be empowered to succeed in life. Children's Futures' partners offer sessions to improve literacy, enhance employment opportunities, promote health, safety and good nutrition, address behavioral health issues, and encourage parent/child bonding and educational achievement. For more information on July, 2008 programs, please call Tonya Bellamy at 609-695-1977 (ext. 109) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Pre-School Registration for 2008-2009 School Year: Beginning July 1, 2008, the Trenton Public Schools' Early Childhood Department will begin registering children every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning from 8:30am-11:00am. Children are eligible for free preschool if they turn three or four by September 30th and are Trenton residents. An appointment is needed in order for parents to complete the registration process for each eligible child. For appointments, please call 609 656-5667. Documents needed for registration: Child's Birth Certificate, Vaccination Record, 2 Current Proofs of Address (within 30days of registration date) utility bill, lease, home telephone, or cable bill will be accepted.

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or link to CitySmiles.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.

Swim Classes at the YMCA: The Greater Trenton Area Y.M.C.A. is now offering Adult and Youth swim lessons. Lessons are available every Saturday until August 30, 2008. Youth class- 9am to 10:30 (starting at 3years old) Adult class- 10:30 to 12:00 noon

Location-Greater Trenton Area YMCA 431Pennington Ave. Trenton, NJ Fee: $40.00 plus Associate Membership $25.00 total -$65. Pre-registration is required. Please call 609-599-9622 for more information.

Pre-School Center Openings still available at Greater Trenton YMCA for September: The Pre-School Center serves children living in the City of Trenton 3-5 years of age and is an all-day program. Please call 609-599-9622 for more information

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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Camp Fire USA of New Jersey: All Six Flags Great Adventure Tickets Available Through Camp Fire USA of New Jersey Have Been Reduced to $20 Each. The $20 ticket is good for any one day admission to the theme park for adult or child. Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council, Children's Futures' Community partner in the Trenton Reach Out and Read program, is selling the discounted tickets for Six Flags Great Adventure as a fundraiser. All proceeds benefit Camp Fire programs for the prevention of violence, child abuse, abduction and substance abuse To order tickets: Send check or money order made payable to Camp Fire USA ($20 per ticket and $3 per order for postage and handling) to Camp Fire USA New Jersey Council, 535 East Franklin Street, Trenton, NJ 08610. Tickets may also be picked up at the Camp Fire office. 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 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Alison Daks at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call (609) 394-0136.

Mercer County Office of the Youth Advocacy Programs, Inc. will partner with Macy's this year for the annual Shop For A Cause, to be held on September 20, 2008. For a $5 donation to YAP, people will be able to shop all day, at any Macy's of their choosing, and receive 20% off their purchases for most items, and 10% for many others. For more information, please contact Dan Winter, Lisa Wojtczuk, or Christina White at 609-637-0896.