CHDI NEWSLETTER
Stay Connected in 2019


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 to share information on children's heath and mental health issues from across the state and highlight relevant research and trends.

Join the Team: CHDI is Hiring! 
Please consider joining CHDI's team.  Our diverse staff shares a common mission: improving the health and well-being of children.  Staff members provide a range of expertise in pediatrics, children's mental health, social work and government and have a range of knowledge and experience in translating research to inform and improve public policy and practice. 

CHDI is currently hiring for the following positions: 

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New Training Helps Pediatric Primary Care Providers in Connecticut Address ADHD 
Last year, CHDI was one of five organizations selected to test innovative strategies for improving the quality of ADHD care in pediatrics. The project was highlighted in last year's  Issue Brief ,  "The Critical Role of Pediatric Primary Care in Addressing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder," and in a recent AAP News article .

As part of the project CHDI developed a free one hour Educating Practices training to support pediatric practices in using the American Academy of Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of ADHD in Children and Adolescents. 

The training, ADHD: Improving Care in Pediatric Practice, is now available for child health providers in Connecticut.   Visit www.chdi.org/epic  to learn more or schedule a training.
Sharing Reflections on Leading a Successful Foundation 
CHDI and Childre n's Fund President and CEO Jeffrey Vanderploeg teamed up with past president and CEO Judith Meyers to share tips for running a successful foundation in the January issue of  Grant Makers in Health . Their article, "  What it Takes for a Foundation to Achieve Success: Essential Ingredients and Lessons Learned, " was based on CHDI's Celebrating 20 Years publication and includes five key components and nine lessons learned.  The Children's Fund of Connecticut is a public charitable foundation  that champions sustainable improvements in children's health and mental health through innovative grant making. The Fund is also a member of the Connecticut  Council for Philanthropy.  Learn more at www.childrensfundofct.org
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Update on Connecticut's Behavioral Health Plan for Children
On January 28, CHDI joined other system partners in a legislative briefing at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The briefing was designed to educate incumbent and new legislators about the goals of the behavioral health plan and progress achieved after more than four years of implementation. CHDI's Jeff Vanderploeg joined Beresford Wilson, Executive Director of FAVOR, in describing the history and driving forces behind the plan, and the role of family and community engagement in plan design and ongoing implementation efforts. To learn more about the plan, visit www.plan4children.org.
CHDI Welcomes Three New Staff Members
Rebekah Behan Joins CHDI as a New Project Coordinator

Rebekah Behan joined CHDI this month as a Project Coordinator  for the School-Based Diversion Initiative, the SHAPE System  and CONNECT. Prior to joining CHDI, Rebekah worked as a Program Manager at The Governor's Prevention Partnership in Wethersfield. Rebekah has over 18 years of experience working in the human service field, with an extensive background in youth development, prevention strategies, and mentoring services.  She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child  and Youth Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University.
Kayla Theriault  Joins CHDI as a New Data Analyst

Kayla Theriault joined CHDI this month as a Data Analyst for Mobile Crisis Intervention Services and the School-Based Diversion Initiative. Prior to joining CHDI, Kayla worked as a Head Teacher at Educational Playcare in West Hartford. Kayla is well versed on a variety of research methods and has experience conducting  interviews, focus groups, and content analysis, as well as a community needs assessment. She has extensive knowledge utilizing  SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Kayla has a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Services from the University of Connecticut. 
Eminent Gurganus Joins CHDI as a Health Policy Associate

Eminent Gurganus joined CHDI this month as a Health Policy Associate . Prior to joining CHDI, she managed the practice quality improvement program at Connecticut Children's Office for Community Child Health which involved working with CHDI as a contractor. Eminet's extensive knowledge and experience in pediatric health and early childhood fields will benefit CHDI's health reform and developmental screening initiatives.
Congratulations to CHDI Staff on their Promotions
Yecenia Casiano Promoted to Senior Project Coordinator

Congratulations to Yecenia Casiano who was promoted to Senior Project Coordinator at CHDI.  Yecenia joined CHDI in 2013 and currently works on the School-Based Diversion Initiative and the Mobile Crisis/Care Coordination Performance Improvement Center initiatives.  Last year, Yecenia was selected to participate in the University of New Haven's Transforming Youth Justice: A Leadership Development Program, as a member of their 2018 Transforming Youth Justice Leadership Development Cohort. 
Ashley Nelson Promoted to Senior Data Analyst

Congratulations to Ashley Nelson who was promoted to Senior Data Analyst at CHDI.  Ashley joined CHDI in 2017 and currently works on several evidence-based treatment and outpatient initiatives, including Modular Approach to Therapy for Children with Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, or Conduct Problems (MATCH-ADTC), Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Evidence Based Practices (EBP) Tracker, and outpatient quality improvement.
Child Health and Development Institute
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