Our Family Development programs use a proactive approach to engage families in the academic and social development of their children. Programming is aimed at training educators on strategies to enhance family involvement in ways that support children.

Click here to download the Connecticut Family Literacy Initiative Brochure
(Spanish Language)

Trainings

Please click here for a list of trainings currently available through our partners at EASTCONN. The After School Partnership for Success Training at the Connecticut Convention Center is June 13. Once you are directed to the EASTCONN registration site, click the link on the bottom right hand side of the screen for registration information. Check back here soon for information on trainings that will be available here at CREC starting in July.

Raising Readers Parent Club Facilitator Training
October 18, 2007 & October 19, 2007 – 9:00am-3:30pm at CREC Coltsville
Participants will be certified to conduct Parent Reading Clubs during which parents learn the importance of reading to their children, the skills to make read-aloud sessions enjoyable, and how literacy development can be promoted in the home.

Better Together
November 1, 2007 – 9:00am-3:30pm at CREC Coltsville
This workshop is designed for facilitators from community-based agencies and groups, including faith-based organizations. The training will allow participants to conduct workshops that present information on significant components of No Child Left Behind - school choice, supplementary educational services, school and district report cards – that will help parents advocate for quality educational services for their children.

Parents, Kids and Money: The Financial Facts of Life
November 5, 2007 – 9:00am-3:30pm at CREC Coltsville
The purpose of this training is to increase the ability of after-school program providers to work one-on-one with the parents in order to encourage them to teach their children about money. This workshop will raise participants’ awareness of the need for youth to learn about money matters; enhance participants’ understanding of the impact of financial issues on families; provide an opportunity for participants to learn about interactive games, websites, books, and other resources related to family finances; explore strategies for discussing financial literacy with parents; and identify opportunities for parents to teach their children about money.

Family Literacy Institute Training
November 7, 2007 & November 8, 2007 – 9:00am-3:00pm at CREC Coltsville
December 7, 2007 l ½ day network share at SERC
This two-day interactive training builds on family empowerment principles and the latest research and practices to assist educators and community organization professionals in building strong bonds between parents and children and between families and schools.

The Welcoming Atmosphere Walk-Through Training
November 16, 2007 – 9:00am-1:00pm at The United Way of the Capitol Area
Using cooperative group work to simulate a two-hour walk-through experience, this training examines a school’s physical environment its school-wide practices and policies, personal interactions, and written materials and communication practices. Based on the results, the team can write an action plan for improvement.

Lee y Seras
December 17, 2007 & December 18, 2007 – 9:00am-3:30pm at CREC Coltsville
(Snow date – December 20, 2007)
This two-day activity builds on the inherent strengths of Latino families and communities. School and community facilitators are trained to conduct a Family Conversations workshop series that provides participating parents with and understanding of the skills their children need to become strong readers and learners.

Raising Readers Parent Club Facilitator Training
January 10, 2008 & January 11, 2008 – 9:00am-3:30pm at CREC Coltsville
Participants will be certified to conduct Parent Reading Clubs during which parents learn the importance of reading to their children, the skills to make read-aloud sessions enjoyable, and how literacy development can be promoted in the home.

School-Family-Community Action Team Training
January 22, 2008 – 9:00am-3:00pm at SERC
(Snow Date – January 30, 2008)
Action Team Training provides school-based teams with new information and comprehensive strategies for creating true partnerships with families and the community that support school improvement plans and bolster student success.

Engaging Families in After School Programs
February 29, 2008 – 9:00am-2:30pm at CREC Coltsville
This workshop will; discuss current research on the impact of family involvement, explore the key concepts of partnerships, discuss effective strategies to connect and engage families, view diverse families through a “strengths” perspective and review after school assessment tools and action plans that support student success.  Participants of this workshop will be highly engaged in hands on activities that will allow individuals the opportunity to examine their own attitudes and beliefs about the benefits and challenges of family involvement.

Engaging Families in After School Programs
March 14, 2008 – 9:00am-2:30pm at ACES/Hamden
 This workshop will; discuss current research on the impact of family involvement, explore the key concepts of partnerships, discuss effective strategies to connect and engage families, view diverse families through a “strengths” perspective and review after school assessment tools and action plans that support student success.  Participants of this workshop will be highly engaged in hands on activities that will allow individuals the opportunity to examine their own attitudes and beliefs about the benefits and challenges of family involvement.

The Welcoming Atmosphere Walk-Through Training
April 4, 2008 – 9:00am-1:00pm at EASTCONN
Using cooperative group work to simulate a two-hour walk-through experience, this training examines a school’s physical environment its school-wide practices and policies, personal interactions, and written materials and communication practices. Based on the results, the team can write an action plan for improvement.

Family Literacy Institute Training
April 29, 2008 – 9:00am-3:00pm at CREC Coltsville
This one day interactive training builds on family empowerment principals and the latest research and practice to assist educators, after-school program providers and community organization professionals in building strong bonds between parents and children and between families and schools.