Learn about U.S. and International adoption opportunities. Everything you need to know to get started. There is no fee for the meeting, but advance registration is required.

DATES:
Monday, January 7
Monday, February 4
Monday, March 4
Monday, April 8
Monday, May 6
Monday, June 3
Monday, July 1
Monday, August 5
Monday, September 9
Monday, October 7
Monday, November 4
Monday, December 2

TIME: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

LOCATION: 151 New Park Avenue, Hartford, CT 06106

REGISTRATION: Register online or contact Jane Coughlin at  (860) 586-2365 or via email at jcoughlin@fcagency.org.

Learn about U.S. and International adoption opportunities. Everything you need to know to get started. There is no fee for the meeting, but advance registration is required.

DATES:
Thursday, January 24
Thursday, February 21
Thursday, March 21
Thursday, April 18
Thursday, May 23
Thursday, June 13
Thursday, July 11
Thursday, August 22
Thursday, September 19
Thursday, October 17
Thursday, November 14
Thursday, December 12

TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

LOCATION: 9 Mott Avenue, 4th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06850

REGISTRATION: Register online or Contact Mary Kate Locke at (203) 523-5754 or via email at mlocke@fcagency.org.

What does “build” mean to you?

Students in the After School Program at Family & Children’s Agency will have the opportunity to interpret what this means to them through the art of photography.

Students in the program will participate in a six-week photography class led by local photographer Ron Landis. Their work will be featured in an exhibit, “Build”, at River Road Gallery in Wilton beginning June 6. A reception open to the public will be held that day from 4 to 8 p.m. for the exhibit opening.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to not only explore photography, but see their work on display and enjoyed by others,” said Jennifer Barahona, Director of Youth Development at Family & Children’s Agency.

The After School Program provides a safe and structured atmosphere for 50 Norwalk middle school youth to improve academic performance, develop character, and promote healthy peer interactions and lifestyles. Students meet after school five days per week at the Norwalk Community College campus.

Specialized Foster Care is one of Family & Children’s Agency’s largest programs supporting children and youth through programs specifically tailored for those with significant medical or behavioral needs. National Foster Care Month, celebrated annually each May, is a time to highlight the inspirational stories and urgent needs of the nearly 400,000 children and youth nationwide within the foster care system. This year’s theme is “Supporting Youth in Transition.” The Agency’s Specialized Foster Care Program is committed to serving its clients whether they are transitioning safely back with their parents or relatives or transitioning to a permanent adoptive home.

To learn more, visit www.familyandchildrensagency.org/services/children-and-families/foster-care/.

“Unleash the Power of Age” is the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month, which, since 1963, has been recognized every May. Older Americans Month is a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions older adults make in their community along with their vitality and influence.

Family & Children’s Agency’s senior services is one of four core focus areas for children & families, youth and adults. Home Care Services for Seniors at Family & Children’s Agency is Fairfield County’s trusted partner in allowing older adults to age gracefully and independently in their own homes. Home Care Services provides Personal Alert response systems, Live-In services, homemakers, home health aides, assisted transportation and home modification services.

Family & Children’s Agency proudly celebrates Older Americans Month and passionately believes in the contributions of older adults throughout the year.

To learn more, visit www.familyandchildrensagency.org/services/seniors/.

On Wednesday, April 24, the Weston Women’s League will host the Annual Family Support & Prevention Baby Shower at Norwalk City Hall. The Weston Women’s League has hosted this event since 2008 providing lunch, crafts and gifts for pregnant mothers and mothers of newborns participating in the Prevention programs at Family & Children’s Agency. Approximately 33 pregnant or new mothers involved in the Prevention programs will be in attendance.

“The Weston Women’s League has done a tremendous amount of work to secure donations such as high chairs and swings, which will be distributed to clients with the greatest need,” said Mary Kate Locke, Director of Family Support & Prevention and Adoption. “This day is a lovely celebration for these women about becoming a parent.”

Family Support & Prevention services at Family & Children’s Agency provides support and guidance to parents and their young children through the Nurturing Family Network, Fatherhood Initiative, Maternal Outreach and Mentoring Service (MOMS) program, Healthy Start and Child FIRST.

To learn more or to donate, please contact Mary Kate Locke, Director, Family Support & Prevention and Adoption, at (203) 523-5754 or email mlocke@facagency.org.

By Jason Vancura

In 1983, Congress declared April to be National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Thirty years later, this month is still dedicated to creating strong family and community ties that help keep children safe.

Family & Children’s Agency’s goals directly align with the theme of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Agency works tirelessly with families in our Family Support & Prevention and Family Support & Intervention programs to prevent the maltreatment and neglect of children. Our goal is to help children thrive in safe, nurturing and strong families in which a child can flourish.

Family Support & Prevention offers many programs, including the Nurturing Family Network, Fatherhood Initiative, the Maternal Outreach and Mentoring Service (MOMS) Project, Healthy Start, and the Child and Family Inter-Agency Resource, Support and Training (Child FIRST) Program.

“Our idea is to equip parents with young children with as much information as we can to ensure that they can successfully care for their child,” said Mary Kate Locke, Director of Family Support and Prevention Services

Family Support & Prevention services gives support and guidance to first time parents and parents of young children. For instance, the Nurturing Family Network at the Agency offers first time parents access to information to ensure a safe environment for the upbringing of their child. The Home Visiting program offers trained visitors to educate first time parents on child development.

The Family Support & Intervention services, for families in crisis, offer many services including Intensive Family Preservation, Family Enrichment, Reconnecting Families, Parent Education Program (P.E.P.), Focus on K.I.D.S.-FOK, Parent Project and Supportive Housing for Families. The goal is to promote the safety and well-being of all family members by maintaining and building on primary family connections, while connecting families to community resources, as needed.

“We find it incredibly important to foster a living situation between the parents and children that allows the child to thrive in a positive environment,” said Tiffany McCarthy, Director of Family Support and Intervention. “Most of our programs work with the entire family to provide young people with the best chance for lifelong success.”

For instance, the Intensive Family Preservation program is a home visiting program that helps parents improve parenting abilities, build on strengths and reduce behaviors that place a child or family at risk. The Family Enrichment Program is a less intensive home visiting program, which reaches out to families who are seeking to build healthy relationships.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is dedicated to the month of April, but doesn’t mean that this is the only time to spread awareness. To learn more about Family & Children’s Agency’s Family Support & Prevention, please contact Mary Kate Locke, Director, Family Support & Prevention at (203) 523-5754, or email mlocke@fcagency.org. To learn more about Family Support & Intervention, please contact Tiffany McCarthy, Director, Family Support & Intervention at (203) 523-5312, or e-mail tmccarthy@fcagency.org.

Homeless Services clients at Family & Children’s Agency meet with Connecticut House Minority Leader Larry Cafero.

In December 2012, Homeless Services at Family & Children’s Agency created a new Consumer Advocacy Council Meeting group in collaboration with the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness to encourage those experiencing homelessness to learn leadership skills to advocate for themselves and others. On March 26, Homeless Services staff along with seven clients involved in the Consumer Advocacy Council Meeting went to Hartford to meet with House Minority Leader Larry Cafero.

“Representative Cafero was very welcoming to our clients,” said Lorrie-Jean Charles, Program Coordinator, Homeless Services. “He listened to the different stories from the clients about what they feel is needed here in the Norwalk community. He assured each of the clients that he would share their stories with the State Senators and fellow House Representatives.”

The goal of the Consumer Advocacy Council Meetings is to encourage clients to learn about the different types of local and state government and advocate for their needs within the community.

To learn more about Homeless Services at Family & Children’s Agency, please contact Chris Jachino, Director, Homeless Services, at (203) 523-5334, or email cjachino@fcagency.org.

The third week of April is recognized nationwide as the Week of the Young Child, a period to celebrate and focus attention on early childhood programs and services that meet the needs of young children and their families. This year’s theme, as deemed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is Early Years are Learning Years.

In this spirit, Family Support and Prevention services at Family & Children’s Agency Hosted its 2nd Annual Literacy Event for parents and young children involved in Prevention programs on Tuesday, April 16 at Norwalk City Hall. Pear Tree Point Elementary School in Darien held a book drive for the event and will be at Norwalk City Hall to read, make crafts and play games with the children. In addition, each child will receive a tote bag filled with an age-appropriate book and a healthy snack.

If you would like to learn more about Family Support and Prevention services, please contact Mary Kate Locke, Director, Family Support and Prevention and Adoption, at (203) 523-5754 or email mlocke@fcagency.org.

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month and Family & Children’s Agency is extending its thanks and appreciation to its more than 800 tireless volunteers. The efforts of the Agency’s volunteers help support every facet of the Agency and make a difference the lives of children & families, youth, adults, and seniors every day.

“Volunteers have a profound impact and are an integral part of the work done at Family & Children’s Agency,” said Robert F. Cashel, President & CEO. “We could not do the work we do without their dedication.”

Volunteer opportunities at the Agency include mentoring a child, supporting a specific program, sponsoring an event, providing a meal for those experiencing homelessness, organizing or donating to a collection or drive, making items for clients, or simply raising awareness.

Martha Ercole has been a volunteer with the After School Program at Family & Children’s Agency for more than six years. Martha came to the Agency after her daughter had volunteered with the After School Program while she was in high school. After her daughter graduated and attended Columbia University, Martha wanted to give back to the Program, as well. Martha says volunteering with the Program is rewarding in many ways.

“My satisfaction comes from developing a relationship with the kids,” says Martha. The After School Program provides enrichment activities and academic support to 50 middle school youth from Norwalk at the Program’s Norwalk Community College campus 5 days a week. “Being involved in their lives and being able to watch them grow, evolve and change as they learn is really special. The children look forward to seeing you. It’s about being a positive role model and being there for the kids.”

National Volunteer Appreciation Month is not only about thanking those who donate their time, but encouraging others to support a cause that is important to them.  To learn more volunteer opportunities with Family & Children’s Agency, please contact Mayx Holmes, Manager, Volunteer Services, at (203) 523-5715 or email mholmes@fcagency.org.