Raising the Grade
Improving Educational Opportunities for Youth in State Care
Thursday, January 16, 2014
8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Legislative Office Building Room 2C, Hartford
Youth-led discussion on the educational challenges facing young people in the care of DCF or residing in Court Support Services facilities:
· Listen to youth sharing their stories and ideas;
· Learn the facts about the academic challenges and opportunities facing youth in state care; and
· Discuss how we as educators, advocates, and community members can support opportunities and success for youth in state care.
Participants include:
· Youth in the care of DCF
· DCF Commissioner Joette Katz
· Dr. Myra Jones-Taylor, Exec. Dir., Office of Early Childhood
· Connecticut Child Advocate Sarah Eagan
· Hon. Bernadette Conway, Chief Administrative Judge, Juvenile Matters
· Rep. Toni Walker, Chair, Appropriations Committee
· Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, Chair, Education Committee
· Rep. Diana Urban, Chair, Children’s Committee
· Martha Stone, Exec. Dir., Center for Children’s Advocacy
To register, email:
Connecticut Voices for Children
Prevention of Restraint and Seclusion in CT Schools: Putting Principles into Practice
An Educational Forum for Policymakers, Educators, and Parents
Thursday, January 23, 2014
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Legislative Office Building Room 2C, Hartford
Registration begins at 9:00 AM; Forum begins promptly at 9:30
Overview by renowned experts of the national landscape regarding restraint and seclusion practices and reform initiatives
Strategies for prevention and elimination of restraint and seclusion in school settings
Supports needed by schools in their efforts to work with children with complex needs and opportunities to strengthen ties with community resources
Distinguished presenters include:
· Connecticut Senator Christopher Murphy
· Janice LeBel, EdD, Director of Program Management, MA Department of Mental Health, nationally recognized expert in reduction of restraint/seclusion
· George Sugai, PhD, UCONN NEAG School of Education, Director, Center for Behavioral Education and Research; Co-Director, Center of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
· Stakeholder’s roundtable of policymakers, state agency leaders, parents, students, educators, and advocates
To register, email:
Sharon Dexler, Office of the Child Advocate