JANUARY
news & updates
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January 11th, 2023
Upcoming Events

3/15/22 - March Convening at 8:30 AM
Shout Out!
Norwalk Community College is the first community college established in Connecticut, Norwalk Community College is the educational center of greater Fairfield County, providing opportunities for intellectual inquiry, open dialogue, multicultural awareness and lifelong learning.

Recognizing the diverse needs of its student body, NCC strives to provide an environment in which students are empowered to achieve their highest potential.
Did you know the 12 Connecticut Community Colleges are merging to become CT State?

PACT: Pledge to Advance CT funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive, and community college tuition and mandatory fees. To receive PACT funding, apply, register for classes (6+ credits), and fill out the FAFSA. Entry into the program will be accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were healthy and restorative. I am pleased to share that Jesse Buccolo was promoted to Deputy Director at the start of the new year. During his nearly 3 years with Norwalk ACTS, Jesse has been instrumental in the creation and execution of our Strategic Plan and the launch of our College & Workforce readiness initiative. The growth of our backbone team over the past few years has made it necessary to continue to evolve our structure to accomplish our ambitious community-wide goals. Please join me in congratulating Jesse!

My time will continue to be spent leading our Development and Finance work and building connections with key cross-sector leaders and stakeholders. This includes our budding advocacy work. If you were at our December Convening, you know how near and dear policy work is to my heart. The grant supporting Brandon as the Policy Director for the statewide Cradle to Career Coalition has ended, and I am helping spearhead efforts with partners around the state on the next iteration of this work. For now, please direct all policy & advocacy related inquiries my way.

I am starting 2023 with a great deal of optimism about the work we can accomplish together, and hope you are too!

-Jennifer
NORWALK ACTS UPDATES
OUR WORK
SOCIAL JUSTICE & RACIAL EQUITY
DATA
Our data team hosted a Data Lunch & Learn in December to learn about and discuss our members' data needs, challenges, and opportunities. 22 community members and backbone staff attended. We had a lively discussion about unique identifiers/student IDs, accessing student data for program participants, sharing intake/registration forms, metrics and indicators, and resources and support for members and the community.

Our North Star is to eventually be able to know what youth need help to access out-of-school programming and provide a pathway and resources for them if they want or need it.

We will schedule a follow-up session in the coming weeks. Watch your inbox for an invitation!
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
The legislative session is underway! Did you know that the state legislature meets from January to June in odd years and February to May in even years? This frequently asked question guide is a good place to learn about the state legislature.

Please enter the following Norwalk legislators into your contacts, and make sure you reach out to keep them informed about your areas of concern and the good things happening throughout Norwalk!  
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
BECOME A SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH (SEH) COMMUNITY ADVOCATE!
EARLY CHILDHOOD
Calling all parents of children 0-5! Do you know that SPARKLER is a FREE mobile app for Connecticut families, helping parents support children’s development from birth through 5? Check in on your child’s development and get a library of 1000+ play activities just right for your child’s age!
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL HEALTH
Town Hall Mentoring
Suicide Prevention Training

Cohort 1: February 7, 9, 14, 2023, from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM CT
Cohort 2: March 7, 9, 14, 2023 from 11:00 AM–12:30 PM CT
Cohort 3: April 11, 13, 18, 2023 from 9:00 AM–10:30 AM CT
(Accepted applicants will only take part in one of these cohorts)
 
SafeSide Youth Services unites clinical, school, and community staff with a common language and framework. This program, based in the latest research, will equip you with a common ‘map’ of best practices in recovery-oriented suicide prevention. Although roles and responsibilities are different, everyone gains an understanding of the four core tasks of suicide prevention: Connect – Assess – Respond – Extend. 
 
Training cohorts work together through 4 hours of video-guided learning in 90-minute segments. All participants take away tactics, tips, and wording they can use immediately...then continue learning and skill development through optional monthly video calls and new updates and refreshers added throughout the year. E-mail Sarah McMinn to get more information!
COLLEGE AND WORKFORCE READINESS
INTERESTED IN BECOMING MORE INVOLVED?

GIVE WHILE YOU SHOP! 
Are you an Amazon shopper? Set Norwalk ACTS as your selected charity on Amazon Smile, and a portion of every purchase will be donated to transform how a community works. Get started here.
Norwalk ACTS | [www.norwalkacts.org]