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Sign the NEW MOA and become a member of Norwalk ACTS today!
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Our next virtual Membership Orientation is Wednesday, January 15th at 6 PM
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Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.
This past Monday marked Jennifer’s last day at Norwalk ACTS. We are deeply grateful for her incredible contributions to our community and will miss her dearly. Join us in celebrating Jennifer at a farewell party on January 27th, 5:30–7:30 PM at BJ Ryan's, as we thank her and wish her well in her new role at the state level. Please RSVP here.
As we transition, our mission remains steadfast. Recent research from the University of Hartford’s Center for Social Research highlights the impact of our Early Childhood Development Initiative. The Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) is now a proven predictor of school readiness and academic progress, reinforcing the promise of our universal, localized approach as a model for broader replication.
We’re also excited to launch the second cohort of our Civic Influencer Program, this time focused on strengthening organizational advocacy among our member organizations. We aim to include 15-20 organizations in this cohort—learn more and apply here.
Here’s to a collaborative and impactful 2025 for Norwalk! We’re excited to continue working together to make a difference.
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Join us to congratulate Jennifer, past NACTS CEO, in her new role as Connecticut Deputy Secretary of the State! | |
Check out the Norwalk Film Festival January 10th -12th!
When Everything was Blue is showing on Saturday and the director Christina Chironna is the daughter of our Early Childhood Development Manager, MJ Chironna!
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Out of School Time Locator
Portal: UPDATE
An updated Norwalk ACTS OST Locator Portal is launching in 2025!
Out of School Time Providers, please submit Year-Round, After-School, and Summer 2025 Programs here!
Questions?
Contact, Senior Data Analyst, Ray Leslie, rleslie@norwalkacts.org.
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January is National Mentoring Month and our Partner Focus is the Norwalk Mentor Program, one of six programs of the Human Services Council!
Jesse and Anamilena of our Backbone Staff are current mentors in the school-based program.
The Norwalk Mentor Program, established in 1986, is always looking for new mentors! Learn how to get involved here
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Caleb (mentee) & Jesse have
been meeting weekly since 2020
| Anamilena, Carmen (Mentee) & Jasmine (Director of Norwalk Mentorship Program) | |
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Civic Influencer Program: Community Organization Cohort
We are thrilled to launch our 2nd cohort of the Civic Influencer Program. This cohort will comprise Norwalk ACTS Members affiliated with a Community Organization.
Apply & Learn More here
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Policy & Advocacy Updates
The 2025 state legislative session convenes in Hartford, today, January 8th and adjourns June 4th.
As part of the statewide Cradle to Career Coalition, Norwalk ACTS had representatives on the Policy & Advocacy Subcommittee—youth, parents, and partnership members—who gathered to work on the policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Our policy priorities are:
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Economic Equity: Enhance opportunities for generational success and wealth, bolster the social safety net, and promote skills-based hiring and training initiatives.
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Educational Equity: Strengthen early education opportunities and resources while enhancing family and student-school connections through in and out-of-school support.
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Health Equity: Expand culturally responsive medical and behavioral healthcare, School-Based Health Centers, Community Health Workers, and Doula access.
Our full policy agenda with legislative priorities will soon be released, reflecting the current landscape at the Capitol and an understanding of the key issues likely to be proposed and debated. Read More
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Immigration Community Meeting
On Wednesday, December 18th a Community Meeting was held at Concert Hall with Mayor Harry Rilling, Attorney General William Tong, Norwalk Chief of Police James Walsh, NPS Superintendent Dr. Alexandra Estrella, and Chief of Community Services Lamond Daniels.
The discussion was moderated by Norwalk ACTS Board Member Sarah Rendon Garcia and closing remarks from Past CEO, Jennifer Barahona.
Watch the recording here!
Proactive Planning in Norwalk: Resource and Rights for Immigrant Families
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Norwalk Mentor Program
January is National Mentoring Month and is a time to honor the incredible contributions of mentors who are shaping the future of young people across the country. The Norwalk Mentor Program is making a tremendous impact in our community.
Mentors provide young people with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to succeed. These relationships empower youth to overcome obstacles, pursue their dreams, and make better decisions as they navigate life’s challenges. This aligns with the goals of our Social Emotional Health Initiative, which is to connect young people to develop more healthy and trusted relationships, especially with adults.
Consider becoming a Mentor today! Learn More
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Parenting Chat Series
In December, our Social Emotional Health Initiative held it's 2nd Parenting Chat Series on Positive Discipline.
Watch this discussion with Adriana Fuchs and Dr. Maite Balta of Mid Fairfield Community Care Center, facilitated by Ryan Harold of Norwalk Public Schools on our Youtube Channel.
More topics and dates will be announced soon.
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ECDI Lunch & Learn Recap
The Early Childhood Development Initiative held a Lunch & Learn in December. If you missed it, please watch the recording on our Youtube Channel.
The University of Hartford Center for Social Research work validates Norwalk ACTS Early Childhood Development Initiative as a model for screening, tracking, and promoting young children’s development that could be implemented across the state and the country. It is critical for this early childhood development work to be done collectively across different sectors including many organizations that work with children from infancy to 5 years of age. In addition, creating a community wide data infrastructure is important to collect the results of the parent completed screenings and allow for these results to be aligned with teacher completed assessments and student results from standardized tests.
Finally, the grassroots connections within Norwalk to families with young children is just as important to reach families and children who are not connected to any early childhood organizations. See report below.
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Norwalk ACTS uses a Collective Impact approach that brings people, organizations, and systems together, in a structured way, around common goals to achieve social change. It is rooted in the belief that no single organization or entity alone can create lasting social change on its own. | | |
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Norwalk ACTS
[www.norwalkacts.org]
Connect with us on Social Media
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