Our February Newsletter

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FEBRUARY news & updates

February 13, 2024

CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW

In honor of Black History Month, during our recent Implementation Team meeting, the opening connection question was to share a Black leader who has inspired us. It was amazing to hear from everyone about why they chose the person they did and how the person had influenced them. Each person had profound meaning, from historical figures like Harriet Tubman and Jackie Robinson to local mentors and coaches who have played important roles in our lives. I chose Tricia Hersey, the Nap Bishop. As described by another great Black author and leader, Ibram X. Kendi, Tricia’s teachings are around “rest as a necessary step in reclaiming our power to resist systemic oppression.”

I invite you to spend time thinking about who has influenced you, and if it’s someone in your circle or community, reach out and share your gratitude for them. Continuing to hold each other up is such a necessary part of our work.

We’re honored to be part of the national StriveTogether Cradle To Career Network, receiving global recognition at the 2024 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship 2024 Award in Collective Social Innovation recognizes how the Network brings people together to solve complex problems – our work in Norwalk exemplifies what’s possible for youth and families when we work together!

We’ve updated our Norwalk Neighborhood Census At a Glance dashboard, which maps out all of the Early Care and Education Centers in Norwalk by neighborhood with the ability to filter by the type of care (center or family) and if it’s funded or not funded. Check out the new dashboard page here!

POLICY & ADVOCACY

Norwalk ACTS will also soon be launching a pilot Civic Influencer Fellowship Program designed to equip community members to advocate for equity-focused policies and practices within schools, organizations, and in broader local government efforts. The program design is moving along and there will be more information available soon as we begin recruiting our first cohort for training this spring. The goals include connecting community members to one another, producing community-informed policy, and ensuring representative local government. To learn more, contact amoreno@norwalkacts.org and keep your eyes open for recruitment announcements in the next few weeks.

Each year, the nonpartisan Office of Legislative Research (OLR) identifies significant issues the General Assembly may face in the upcoming session, which begins February 7, 2024, and adjourns May 8, 2024.

Please inspect and feel free to provide feedback on issues of import to you, your business, or your organization.

Also, you can identify and connect with your State legislator here: Find Your Legislator

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Kindergarten Registration 2024-25

Beginning July 1, 2024, the Connecticut General Statute requires that children turn five years old on or before September 1 of the school year to enroll in kindergarten.

Because of the timing of this change and the challenge that this may cause families, Norwalk Public Schools has developed a transition plan for the 2024-25 school year, and any child who does not turn five years old on or before September 1, 2024, but celebrates their fifth birthday on or before January 1, 2025, may be eligible for Kindergarten admission.

For more detailed transition information, please visit Kindergarten Registration.

Next EC Development Initiative Meeting:

Thursday, February 29, 2024, 12 pm - 1:30 pm

Please check out the updated early childhood page on the city’s website! Please use it and let families with young children know about this great resource.

Early Childhood Page

SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH

On January 25, 2024, the SEH Leadership Team hosted a SEH / OST Initiative meeting at City Hall. Shaaron Sinvilcin, AnaVivian Estrella, Margaret Watt, and Jesse Buccolo explained the logic of the Social Emotional Systems Map, Standard of Care Model System of Community Training, and SEH/OST Goals.

The meeting included initiative members engaging in a collaborative scenario group activity to create an action plan for a disconnected youth based on home, school, program, community, and juvenile system issues. It was amazing to see how community members worked together to create an action plan to connect the disconnected youth to a trusted adult.

The SEH Leadership Team will be meeting on Friday, February 16th to review the notes from the SEH / OST Initiative meeting and make final edits to the SEH System Map and Standard of Care Model System of Community Trainings.

The SEH Leadership will also begin the planning process for the “Day of Training,” which will be in June 2024. The SEH Leadership Team will get a brief overview of program offerings/potential partnerships from Community Mindfulness Project, Ella Crivello/Julia Hepfer/Erika Long, and Norwalk Community Health Center, Rebecca Kaplan.

Shaaron Sinvilcin, Director of Initiatives - Norwalk ACTS, will be contacting initiative members regarding planning for the “Day of Training”.

Next SEH / OST Initiative Meeting:

Thursday, March 28, 2024 - 12pm-1:30pm.

COLLEGE & WORKFORCE READINESS

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Greater Norwalk Chamber, Norwalk ACTS, and The City of Norwalk have joined forces to launch an innovative workforce development initiative — The Norwalk Job Board. This localized platform aims to bridge the gap between employers seeking skilled talent and residents eager to advance their careers within the greater Norwalk area.

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