Our May Newsletter

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May news & updates

May 2, 2024

SAVE THE DATES

5/4/24 - NorWALK Mental Health Walk

6/11/24 - June Convening

6/18/24 - SEH/OST Day of Training

NEWS YOU CAN USE

CEO Corner

Jennifer D. Barahona, LCSW

Norwalk ACTS takes a great deal of pride in organizational culture and pushing back against some entrenched work norms that are almost universally unique to the United States. We recently took another step forward by passing a medical and parental leave policy that works in conjunction with CT’s Paid Family Leave to allow employees to take up to 12 weeks off with the ability to continue to receive full compensation. As you’ll read in the policy section, the CT state legislature took action this week to provide a sick day policy for certain qualifying employees. It is almost hard to believe that such a policy doesn’t already exist.

Another policy Norwalk ACTS has adopted is early closing on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day to give employees a few extra hours to enjoy the brief, beautiful summer months. We followed that lead from Norwalk ACTS member Family & Children’s Agency, so thank them for setting an example! We continue to encourage our membership to examine internal structures in whatever spaces you operate and cultivate a culture of nurturing and support. Our work and the people doing the work are too important to not be cared for properly.

NORWALK ACTS UPDATES

Welcome Brandalyn to Norwalk ACTS!

Brandalyn Fulton Williams has joined Norwalk ACTS in April of 2024 as the first Manager of Communications. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelors of General Studies with an emphasis in Sociology and Theatre Design & Production. Brandalyn, who also goes by Brandi, lives in Norwalk with her husband, Warren, and son, Camden who attends Cranbury Elementary School.

Brandalyn is active with the Cranbury School Governance Council, currently serves as a Parent Representative on the Norwalk Early Childhood Council and is involved with CPAC’s Parent Roundtable as a Parent Leader. She served as the President of the PTO at Norwalk Early Childhood Center and focused on forging meaningful relationships with the district and new parents to Norwalk Public Schools. Brandalyn is a Special Education Advocate and is very passionate about supporting and encouraging parents to find their voice to advocate for their children’s’ needs.

Brandalyn serves as an Adjunct Professor at SUNY Purchase College – Conservatory of Theatre Arts as well as The Hartt School at The University of Hartford. She has spent the last 15 years working in News Media, Theatrical and Photo Production and has extensive experience with client relations, community building, and event planning.

Contact Brandalyn at bfwilliams@norwalkacts.org and meet her at the June Convening on June 11th!

CORNERSTONE UPDATES

Policy & Advocacy

The legislative session wraps up on May 8th. There is still time to share your thoughts with legislators on issues that matter to you!

Two health equity bills passed the House and await Senate approval. House Bill 5005 mandates paid sick time for employees working at least 120 days annually, addressing the health vs. income dilemma. House Bill 5322 boosts access to licensed lactation consultants for Medicaid recipients, improving maternal health outcomes.

House Bill 5213 aids disconnected youth by enhancing school data systems to identify at-risk students. It also includes funding outside the budget for free public bus rides for students, passed unanimously by the Transportation Committee and awaiting House debate.

The 13-week budget adjustment session dubbed the “short session,” maintains fiscal discipline by retaining the second year of the biennium $26 billion state budget signed into law last year and set to begin on July 1.

Frustrations mount as proposed bills with added expenses have failed due to fiscal concerns. Negotiations and debate continue regarding revenue projections and fiscal controls, setting the stage for the 2025 legislative session which will include a new two-year budget.

We look forward to having newly trained civic influencers ready from our Civic Influencer Program to be actively engaged!

Social Justice and Racial Equity

On May 2nd at 5 PM, Serving All Vessels Equally, Inc. (SAVE) will host Kemba Smith Pradia at the Norwalk Public Library for a screening of 'Kemba'

On May 9th, the NAACP will host a town hall to address local experiences of racism. Please spread the word and join this important conversation.

INITIATIVE UPDATES

Social Emotional Health/Out of School Time

Shaaron Sinvilcin, Anamilena Moreno, and Jim Martinez collaborated and provided a Social Emotional Learning presentation at Side by Side Charter School for their Parent Academy.

The partnership was created to inform parents of the importance of utilizing the CASEL 5 Framework at home. The five broad and interrelated areas of competence are: Self Awareness, Social Awareness, Self Management, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making.

This presentation will be available in the future. Parent groups and community members can request Norwalk ACTS to do this presentation in English and/or Spanish. Contact Shaaron at sinvilcin@norwalkacts.org to schedule this presentation in person or virtually.

Learn more about the Out of School Time Program Locater and College & Workforce Readiness Initiative while grabbing tons of free books!

Norwalk Public Schools' First Book 2024 on May 18, 2024 from 11 AM - 3 PM. See you there!

OST Program Locator Update:

As we approach summer, we at Norwalk ACTS would like to continue updating our (OST) Out of School Time Portal to ensure parents and youth-serving adults in the Norwalk community know about your program. Since we started the Portal, there have been 8,641 views.

If you are an existing program on the portal, please check the portal for accuracy. If your program is not on the portal, please click on the link below and fill out the form to add your program and information. If you need to change your existing program, please email rleslie@norwalkacts.org or fill it out again (for major changes).

OST Portal Update

OST Program Locator

Early Childhood

Morning Without Childcare Rally was on April 10th at the Norwalk Green. This event brought together parents, providers, advocates, elected officials, and children to push for transformative change in Connecticut’s childcare system.

Our Early Childhood Community Advocates joined in the Rally and Karina shared her own personal childcare experience.

The 2nd annual Celebrate Early Childhood event, held at the SONO Collection on April 13, was a huge success. Over 300 children and 130 families attended this free event for children ages birth to eight. There were many fun activities, community resources, and free books for families.

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