June 6, 2009
The Audacity of Leadership Fundraiser
An Evening with Mike Kruglik, on of President Obama's first mentors in community organizing. Join us for a lively conversation about leadership, organizing and advancing our values in the public arena
Friday, July 10th
Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Meriden
5:30pm Cocktails and Teacup Auction l 6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm The Audacity of Leadership
$30 per person
Click here to register to attend.
All proceeds benefit CT Parent Power, a non-partisan organization.
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May 30, 2009
WE DID IT! Sustinet Passed in the Senate!
The Sustinet Bill (HB6600) --a huge step toward health care for everyone--passed in the CT Senate Saturday on completely partisan lines (all democrats supported the bill, all republicans opposed the bill). It now goes to Governor Rell to be signed. The Governor may veto the bill, but if our legislators continue to support the bill then there will be a veto-proof majority.
Call your state senator and thank them for supporting the Sustinet Bill.
Click here to locate your senator and his/her contact information.
They must know that this continues to be an important issue for their constituents and thank them for their vote.
Click here to contact your state senator.
May 17, 2009
Department of Social Services Clairfies Cuts to Care 4 Kids Program
Here is the summary of the changes:
--Care 4 Kids is not "shutting down". Existing recipients will continue to receive a childcare subsidy.
--Waiting list implemented for new applications from working parents who have not received Temporary Family Assistance.
--Eligibility will end for current Care 4 Kids recipients whose income was at or below 50% of the State Median Income (SMI) level on May 12, 2009 -- if their income later reaches or exceeds 50% of SMI. However, parents who already have incomes between 50% and 75% of SMI will continue to be eligible for the program until their income exceeds 75% of SMI. Click here to find out where you fall on the income guidelines for Care 4 Kids.
Click here to read the update from the Department of Social Services.
May 14, 2009
Crucial Child Care Program Closes to New Parents
The Child Care Subsidy Progarm--Care4Kids--- was suddenly closed to new applicants as of Wednesday, May 13th. Care4Kids child care subsidy allows thousands of parents with young children to afford essential early care programs. Care4Kids also allows child care providers to offer services to young parents at affordable rates.
Click here to email Governor Rell and your legislators to urge them to reverse this decision.
The decision made by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to close the Care4Kids program will dramatically undermine CT parents ability to provide continuous, affordable care for their young children. Now more than ever, both working parents, as well as parents who have been recently laid off and are searching for employment, desperately need the long-term stability and peace of mind that comes from knowing our young children are cared for in a trusted environment. Closing Care4Kids will hurt children, parents and the providers who care for them.
PLEASE URGE GOVERNOR RELL & YOUR LEGISLATOR TO REVERSE THIS DECISION!! Click here to email these decision-makers.
Click here for more information.
May 13, 2009
The Federal Stimulus and Our Public Schools
Last week, the CT Parent Power published a document that summarizes the most important information parents need to know about the Federal Stimulus money coming to our public schools. The 2-page document summarizes how much money is available, gives examples on how it could be spent, and gives suggestions for what you can do to get more money into the local schools.
Click here to view or print this document.
In most of the cities and towns in Connecticut, parents have NOT been at the table when decisions about how to spend the Federal Stimulus have been made. Is this okay with you? If not, email your Superintendent and your Mayor and how you can get a copy of the plan to spend Federaly Stimulus dollars locally. Also ask when the public meeting will be to report to the public about the allocated Federal Stimulus money and the proposed projects for the fall. It will only take 2 minutes to send an email, but it reminds these decision-makers that you CARE and that you are PAYING ATTENTION to what happens in our schools.
Here's what you do:
1. Click here to find your superintendent. For the email of your mayor, first selectman or town council go to your town or city website.
2. Email or Call. Here's a sample of a script (you can simply cut and paste into your email):
"My name is [[First_Name]] [[Last_Name]] and I am a parent with kids in the [[City]] public schools. I am very interested in learning more about how the Federal Stimulus money will be implemented in our schools. How can I get a copy of the existing plan for spending Federal Stimulus dollars? Online? Email? Other? In what capacity is the school district involving parents in the process for upcoming decisions? Also, when is the community meeting to inform the public about the use of these Federal Stimulus funds?"
3. Please email our Schools Committee staff at ts@ctparentpower.org and tell us if you emailed your superintendent or mayor. Also email us when you hear back from them, so we know what parents across the State are hearing from their decision-makers. This will help us decide our next step or next action!
May 4, 2009
Take 60 seconds to reform health care!
CT Parent Power is holding a postcard drive to ask Legislators to pass the legislation this year that would make affordable, quality, accessible healthcare available for everyone in Connecticut.
Click here to send a postcard.
Health care reform is about to happen in Connecticut--all it will take to make it happen is our participation. We have only
2 weeks left in the legislative session to pass the Susinet bill.
Click here to send a postcard.
Letters take a lot of time and energy and we are all busy with our work and families. Our goal is to send 500 postcards from parents across Connecticut to our legislators. To make it easier for people, we've created a online form so that you can write your story to our staff person, Amy Thompson, and she will print or write out your story on a postcard and send it for you. This only takes two minutes--but it could be one of the most important things you do all week!
Click here to send a postcard.
And to make it even more fun the person who gets the most postcards filled out, either on-line or hard copies will win a family four pack to Lake Quassapaug Amusement Park.
If you would like to add your own personal story we will make sure that that also gets to your State Senator. And don't forget to tell everyone you know to let their voice be heard!
Thank you!
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