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'Everybody's Friend' Goes Back to School Commentary Editor Carolyn Lumsden speaks with John Motley, executive director for external affairs at the Hartford public schools. Before that, he was president of the St. Paul Travelers Connecticut Foundation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_082805.asp

2002 Study Raises Concern Over State's Quality of Life Connecticut's quality of life index rating in 2002 was 64 out of a possible 100, down from a high of 65 in 2001, according to a study by the Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy (FIISP). Other findings include significant gains in some areas and noticeable losses in others. The institute has been studying Connecticut's quality of life by looking at statistics in 11 social problem areas each year since 1970. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 20, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_042005.asp Related Link(s): Fordham Institute for Innovation in Social Policy ; State of Connecticut Commission on Children ; The Social State of Connecticut 2004 (Full report - 84 pages, PDF document)

2004 Connecticut Kids Count Data Book: Family Economic Security: Investing in Families . . . Investing in Our Future The Connecticut Association for Human Services has released the 2004 Connecticut KIDS COUNT Data Book, Investing in Families...Investing in our Future, which highlights data and policy information related to family economics. "Connecticut's 2004 Data Book is hopeful - most kids in the state are doing well," says Jude Carroll, the Connecticut KIDS COUNT project director at CAHS, "but future economic success for the state will require responsible planning to take Connecticut to the next level." The Data Book focuses on a specific set of measures that relate to Family Economic Security issues: child poverty, family income, parental employment, homeownership, and more. The report features census and state agency data, recent trends in measures, and policy implications related to the findings. CAHS is the Connecticut grantee for the Annie E. Casey Foundation's national KIDS COUNT initiative. Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) ; Publication Date: May 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_05_2004.asp Related Link(s): Annie E. Casey Foundation: Kids Count ; Tale of Two Connecticut's: 2002-2003 Kids Count Data Book ; Moving From Risk to Opportunity: 2004 National Kids Count Report published by the Annie E. Casey Foundation

2005 Connecticut Kids Count Data Book: Helping Our Most Vulnerable Families Overcome Barriers to Work and Achieve Financial Success The 2005 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Helping Our Most Vulnerable Families Overcome Barriers to Work and Achieve Financial Success, highlights data and policy information related to family economics. The Data book features ten key measures of child well-being that it has used to track the well-being of children since 1990. The data is used to provide state profiles of child well-being and to rank the states. This edition also includes several background measures related to unemployed parents in each state. (Entire Print Friendly Document - 197 Pages, PDF Document) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: July 27, 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/kidscount_2005.pdf Related Link(s): Kids Count Web Site

2006 Kids Count Data Book: Family, Friend and Neighbor Care: Strengthening a Critical Resource to Help Young Children Succeed The 2006 KIDS COUNT Data Book, Family, Friend and Neighbor Care: Strengthening a Critical Resource to Help Young Children Succeed, highlights data and policy information related to child care provided by friends, family and neighbors. The Data book features ten key measures of child well-being that it has used to track the well-being of children since 1990. The data is used to provide state profiles of child well-being and to rank the states. This edition also includes several background measures related to child care in each state. (Entire Print Friendly Document - 188 Pages, PDF Document) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: July 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/kidscount_2006.pdf Related Link(s): Kids Count Web Site

2008-2009 Connecticut Kids Count Data Book: Three on a Seesaw: Balancing Early Care and Education, Families and the Economy 2008-2009 Connecticut Kids Count Data Book: Three on a Seesaw: Balancing Early Care and Education, Famlies and the Economy highlights data and policy information related to early childhood education and family economics. Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_03_23_2009.asp

2009 National KIDS COUNT Data Book The 2009 KIDS COUNT Data Book: Counting What Counts: Taking Results Seriously for Vulnerable Children and Families: The 20th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book profiles the well-being of America’s children on a state-by-state basis and ranks states on 10 key measures of child well-being. The Data Book essay calls for a “data revolution” that uses timely and reliable information to track the progress and improve the lives of vulnerable children. (PDF document, 148 pages) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: July 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/kidscount_2009.pdf

2010 Kids Count Data Book: State Profiles of Child Well-being The data in this 21st edition of Kids Count present a rich but complex picture of American children. After showing improvement in the late 1990s, overall, child well-being has stagnated since 2000. (PDF document, 60 pages) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: July 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/kidscount_2010.pdf

A Better Prison For Connecticut Teenagers The Connecticut Juvenile Training School is the topic of this editorial. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_020805.asp Related Link(s): Rell Proposed Closing Training School

A Call to Action: Transforming High School for All Youth Six core principles are identified and strategies recommended that will foster high academic achievement, close the achievement gap, and promote civic and personal growth among all high-school-age youth in our high schools and communities. At the center of the framework is the Alliance' belief that the purpose of high school is to ensure that all high-schoolage students are ready for college, careers, and active civic participation. (PDF file, 16 pages) Published by National High School Alliance ; Publication Date: April 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/CalltoAction2005.pdf Related Link(s): Institute for Educational Leadership

A Call to Action: Transforming High School for All Youth Six core principles are identified and strategies recommended that will foster high academic achievement, close the achievement gap, and promote civic and personal growth among all high-school-age youth in our high schools and communities. At the center of the framework is the Alliance' belief that the purpose of high school is to ensure that all high-schoolage students are ready for college, careers, and active civic participation. (PDF file, 16 pages) Published by National High School Alliance ; Publication Date: April 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/CalltoAction2005.pdf Related Link(s): Institute for Educational Leadership

A Camp For Arts, Crafts And Self-Worth The campers at Hartford Friendship Kids' Camp are ready to tell you about themselves. It's part of the camp's focus to help the children discover themselves and the gifts they have to offer. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_080406.asp

A City Officer Faces Arrest A grand jury investigation has called for the arrest of Robert Lawlor, a police officer who shot and killed Jashon Bryant in the North End. The investigation's finding represented a small victory in the ongoing effort to improve the often-fractured relationship between Hartford police and the city's African American community. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_051706.asp

A Crisis of Care When it comes to providing dental care to poor children, Connecticut is at the bottom of the New England states, but the legislature may vote this year to pay more for the children’s care. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 12, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_advocate_041207.asp

A Crisis Of Poverty Connecticut's Child Poverty and Prevention Council met with a panel of national experts recently to study recommendations to reduce persistent poverty in the state. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 08, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_120807.asp

A Cure For The Crisis? At the start of the legislative session, an overwhelming majority of Connecticut voters - 84 percent - had indicated in a statewide survey that they favor quality affordable health care for all residents. Employers, consumer and business groups, health care providers and other stakeholders have jumped on the health care reform bandwagon. This article reviews the fragmented and complicated health care system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_052007.asp

A Day Of Sobering Tributes Mothers United Against Violence urged the city of Hartford to get behind the anti-violence campaigns and to work to make their streets safer as residents mourn the loss of those who have fallen victim to gun violence in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061205.asp

A Disarray Of Uniforms In and around Hartford, thousands of parents of Hartford schoolchildren are hitting the stores looking for clothing that will satisfy the new policy in Hartford that requires students to wear school uniforms. The policy adopted by the school board is fairly straightforward, but there are minor variations from one school to another that have made for an interesting back-to-school shopping season in the city. Most of the confusion, officials say, is based on the optional color that each school is allowed to add to the standard uniform. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_082406.asp

A Food Pantry for the Future Three Hartford nonprofits have teamed up to launch a food pantry that will serve the region's poor with fresh food and dignity. Unlike most food pantries, which are consigned to church basement closets or the odd corners of town buildings, this pantry in the Upper Albany neighborhood will offer fresh food in a setting reminiscent of a small supermarket, complete with little shopping carts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 31, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Homelessness/htfd_advocate_053107.asp

A Food Super-Pantry Welcome to the future. Freshplace, a super food pantry housed in what once was an old dairy in Hartford's North End, is the product of five years of planning in an unusual collaboration among three heavy-hitting area nonprofits operating under the watchful eye of University of Connecticut researchers. Members can get food here, take cooking classes, enroll in job training and get plugged into social services that might help move them up the ladder, in an effort to move clients into greater self-sufficiency and less reliance on welfare benefits. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081211.asp

A Gift For Giving Hartford public school students won't miss out on the magic of the Connecticut Science Center when it opens in late 2008, thanks to the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Family Foundation of Avon. The foundation has graciously donated $100,000 to the center. The contribution will cover the admission fee, for at least two years, for virtually every Hartford child who visits the center with his or her class. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 25, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_052507.asp

A Great Start on a Lifetime of Learning CRT Early Care and Education programs have been a constant presence for new generations of Hartford residents since their inception more than 40 years ago. Developed by a team from Yale University, CRT’s Head Start programs go beyond the traditional preschool classroom to encompass family services, nutrition, health screenings, special needs services, literacy initiatives and case management for all of its families. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_news_021810_2.asp

A Greater Hartford Starts With Caring Ted Carroll, president of Leadership Greater Hartford for 22 years, expresses the opinion that building community — making our world safer, more virtuous and more joyful for all of us — begins with personal connections and commitments. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 25, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_062508.asp

A Growing Sense Of Pride Celebrating its 25th year, the Connecticut Pride Festival is about celebrating the strides the community has made in the past quarter century. While issues such as gay marriage, homophobia and hate crimes still exist, the state has passed laws protecting against hate crimes and discrimination based on sexual orientation and allowing civil unions. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_091006_a.asp

A Hartford Homecoming Author Michael Downs left Hartford at 3 years old, and Connecticut at 9 years old, but the city of his birth was never far from his thoughts, and inspired his recent book. In the book House of Good Hope, which borrows its title from one of the early names given to Hartford by the founding Dutch, Downs attempts to come to terms with his abandonment and his love of the city. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: May 08, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_050808.asp

A Holiday Party, Triple The Size The Connecticut National Guard threw its holiday party this year at the Armory in Hartford - the only space large enough to accommodate all the families with loved ones in Iraq, Afghanistan and Germany this Christmas. In past years, the event was held at a restaurant. But with 970 troops currently deployed from various units - about three times more than in previous years - the Guard needed more room. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_121706.asp

A Lift For Low-Wage Workers . While bankers on Wall Street bask in the glow of a $21.5 billion bonus season, another bonus ritual is playing out for tens of thousands of low-wage Connecticut workers this month. It's the earned income tax credit, a federal program designed to reward work by offering low-income earners a credit of up to $4,400 on their federal tax return. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_021406.asp

A Man With Dreams, Now Silenced Robert Banks Jr. of East Windsor died Friday, May 6, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital. He was shot in the wake of an intimidation campaign against a family that has agreed to testify in a murder case. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_051205.asp

A Memorial To Murdered Youth Denis Barone proposes a Memorial to the Murdered Youth of Hartford. The purpose of this memorial would be to remember and acknowledge that the murdered young people of Hartford are part of America, and by that acknowledgement and remembrance to create a sense of belonging for the surviving youths. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_012206.asp

A Mentor With Vision Recently, a memorial and fundraiser was held dedicated to John Hunt, the former Travelers Group executive and student mentor, who died in March. Friends, family, students and admirers gathered at St. James Episcopal Church to continue fixing problems he had tackled at Sanchez School in Hartford. The main focus of the event - titled "Keeping the Vision Alive!" - was sustaining a program Hunt launched about seven years ago that has provided eye exams and glasses for about 500 students at Sanchez. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_061107.asp

A Mom Mourns Again The youngest of Rhonia Green’s four sons, 18-year-old Oshane, died early on the morning of December 26, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, shot twice in the chest after a momentary altercation with a stranger in a grungy takeout joint on North Main Street. She lost another son to gun violence in Hartford on Labor Day weekend in 2003. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_122907.asp

A Mother Breaks The Cycle Of Teen Pregnancy Rick Green writes about a great story of a woman who broke the depressing cycle of teenage mothers which also cracks an ugly Hartford stereotype. Today, there's hope to be found in the latest initiative, "Breaking the Cycle" teen pregnancy program, which will link together a variety of community organizations and city hall to fight teen pregnancy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062111.asp

A New Brand Of Justice When students arrested for underage drinking first appear in her courtroom, Superior Court Judge E. Curtissa Cofield, serving in Hartford Community Court, gives one month to those who agreed to her lesson plan to complete a homework assignment, which include reading "From Binge to Blackout: A Mother and Son Struggle with Teen Drinking," or "Smashed: Story of a Drunken Girlhood" and writing an essay. They must also successfully fulfill community service assignments. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 28, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_042807.asp

A New Force: Hartford Firm's Robotics System Helps Children Manage Autism Timothy Gifford isn't looking to cure childhood autism. But he does want to improve the quality of life for children who struggle with it. His company, Movia Robotics LLC, integrates systems in the field of robotics, particularly in the fields of education and therapy. Movia's multifaceted computer program enables a robot to use information from external sensors in a room to provide social cues to a child. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_041312.asp

A New Look At CT Poverty, With Some Surprises If someone told you the total number of Connecticut residents living under the poverty line rose by 21 percent between 1990 and 2010, and that Hartford was by far the poorest city in the state, you’d figure the capital city led the way in the growth of poverty. Wrong. In fact, Hartford’s number of residents under the federal poverty line, 37,495, was up by 1,098 in 20 years. There were six cities and towns in Hartford County that had larger increases — including East Hartford, 4,784; West Hartford, 1,592; and Newington, where an increase of 1,168 very poor residents tripled the local poverty rate. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_courant_012513.asp

A New, Glitzy YMCA With the Jewell Street building slated for demolition, the Hartford YMCA opened its new downtown health and wellness center. The new facility has workout views of Trumbull Street, a spacious lobby, and a 21st-century look. It's a short walk from the old YMCA on Bushnell Park to its new home in the brand-new Hartford 21 complex. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 20, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_052006_a.asp

A Pathetic, Uncaring Decision Stan Simpson comments on the Hartford Public Library's decision to shutter both the Mark Twain and Blue Hills branches to close a budget gap of about $870,000. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 02, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_070208.asp

A Personal Approach to Teaching Each year in Hartford, only about half of the freshman class gets promoted to be sophomores. While some students transfer to other schools or districts, most of the rest of the other half stays back or drops out of high school. The Hartford School District is turning to the idea of small learning communities within the schools to reduce truancy, failure and the frustration that contributes to students dropping out of school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_031405.asp Related Link(s): One Third of a Nation: Rising Dropout Rates and Declining Opportunities

A Plan To Can The Soda A compromise by Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the Senate's top Democrat could yield some of the nation's strongest restrictions on junk food in public schools - one of last year's most contentious legislative issues. Legislative leaders and the Rell administration announced an effort recently to ban soda and encourage healthier snacks and meals in schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_020206.asp

A Plan to Reduce School Suspensions In response to intense community pressure, Hartford Superintendent of Schools Robert Henry announced a five-point plan to reduce suspensions and expulsions next year. The strategy includes in-school suspension rooms in many schools, training for teachers in classroom management and dealing with anti-social behavior and training for parents on ways to support teachers' discipline methods at home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_080305.asp

A Pledge to Value Their Lives Local efforts to educate school children about gangs and guns are described. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_020505.asp

A Prayer For The Poor: Give Husky Another Year Starting in July, Governor M. Jodi Rell wants up to 320,000 Husky clients — most of them children — to move into another health care program. The governor has also combined the bidding process for her flawed Charter Oak Health Plan insurance program with the Husky changes. Writer Susan Campbell agrees with advocates that urge Husky be unchanged for a year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 07, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_050708.asp

A Push To Open Juvenile Courts Lawyers who work in the state's closed juvenile courts have no shortage of horror stories about abused and neglected children suffering in unsuitable care because the state bureaucracy has failed to move quickly enough to help them. For years, the conventional wisdom has been to bar the public from child dependency proceedings in order to protect children from further trauma. But a new generation of child advocates says the courts should be opened, arguing that privacy hurts some children by allowing serious flaws in the state's child-welfare system to go unnoticed and unchecked. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_011807.asp

A Scouting Life Natalie Phillips, an 88-year-old Hartford resident who's been involved in Scouting for more than 80 years, is just thrilled she survived until the Girl Scouts of the USA's 100th anniversary which occurred recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_031312.asp

A Second Chance As Mom A state program that attempts to shatter the link between poverty and neglect by offering troubled parents a home and a chance to raise their children more responsibly. People working nationally to reduce homelessness and improve child welfare have praised the Connecticut program as a model for the country. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070305.asp

A Seething Feud: A Violent Neighborhood Dispute Started As A Rumor Over A Stolen Bicycle A violent feud between rival groups of boys and young men living in the Nelton Court area and those living along Albany Avenue near Vine Street continues in the new year. At least nine young Hartford residents have been shot and four more have been stabbed because of the feud. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 2, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_01_02_05.asp

A Source Of Hope Runs Short PROkids, a partnership between the Department of Children and Families, Hartford Hospital and Connecticut Children's Medical Center, works to keep young drug-using mothers and their babies together. But it will lose crucial DCF funding of about $400,000 annually at the end of June. The program is based on two critical factors: that new mothers are highly motivated to change for the sake of their baby and the importance of aggressive, sustained health care for young families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 19, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_061907.asp

A Special Place to Write UCONN students, who are enrolled in a tutoring practicum at the university are training Hartford Public students to be writing tutors for their peers. They meet at the Writing Room at Hartford Public High. Results from the 2003-04 Connecticut Academic Performance Test show that only 17.3 percent of Hartford Public's sophomores met the state goal on the writing portion of the test, whereas 25.6 percent of sophomores at schools within similar cities and 53.7 percent statewide met the writing goal that school year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 26, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_032605.asp

A Story Of Faith, Resilience Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that the best social workers are the ones that can connect with their clients because they lived through the drama — and overcame it. He relates the story of Shanda McClendon who has overcome poverty and teen pregnancy to become a clinical social worker who is earning a doctorate. It is a story of faith, resilience and strong support. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_101108.asp

A Study In Contrasts If you have a good job and money, Connecticut is truly marvelous. But if you don't have a decent income, life can be tougher here than in communities around the country where expenses are lower, the middle class is broader-based and amenities are not so difficult to attain. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_122611.asp

A Success Story Rings Hollow Skepticism about the purported success of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School abounds while Donald Devore shares examples of its turnaround during a juvenile justice seminar. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060505.asp Related Link(s): Rell Proposes Closing Training School ; A Better Prison For Connecticut Teenagers

A Teen Remembered Throngs of young teenagers, some in sweat shirts, more in their Sunday best, were asked not to leave their grief at the door of Victory Cathedral, where they gathered Saturday to mourn their friend Kerry B. Foster Jr. Kerry, 15, was shot and killed recently on the porch of his parents' Hartford home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060406.asp

A Teenage Girl Waits In A Shelter Rick Green comments on the length of time young people in the care of the state Department of Children and Families are staying in emergency shelters. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_052907.asp

A Test Case On Pregnancy Issues For decades, cities such as Hartford have struggled to safeguard the health of newborns, especially those born to low-income mothers. But despite modest improvements, the efforts have not always been successful. Hartford, Nashville and Los Angeles were chosen for an experiment funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention designed to discover if improving the health of women before they become pregnant may be the secret to safeguarding babies. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_122106.asp

Adoptions Increase, And State Cashes In A push to get more children adopted out of state foster care is paying off. Connecticut is one of 21 states receiving federal bonuses for surpassing their adoption goals in 2005. The state's $520,000 grant will be used to supplement existing adoption programs. The state Department of Children and Families reported that 561 abused and neglected children were adopted in the 2005 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2005. That was up from 434 adoptions the previous year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 20, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_092006.asp

Adults Should Snap To When Kids Want To Help Helen Ubiñas writes that here in Hartford, there's a school full of kids ready to help remake their city. Only problem is they seem to be the only ones. A group of students at Hartford Public High School have an idea that they should create a graffiti-free zone decorated by murals around their school, but they need help from adults to make it happen. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_012509.asp

Advocates Needed For Young Each year, special civilian advocates fight for the rights of thousands of abused and neglected children in Connecticut’s 13 juvenile courts. About a quarter of those cases involve Latino children or their families, officials say. Yet there are no Latino civilian advocates in Hartford juvenile court and only two statewide, both of them in New Haven. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/LegalIssues/htfd_courant_112406.asp

After the Clouds, the Sun City Council President Shawn T. Wooden writes about the Hartford Hurricanes - and a community that never quit - brought light to our local community. The Hurricanes are a local Pop Warner football team that recently returned from Florida where they reached the national championship semifinals. When State Representative Doug McCrory brought to the City’s attention that the Hurricanes had no field to practice on, the Mayor and members ofthe City Council went to work to make sure a location was secured in time for the start of the season. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: December 19, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/northend_agents_121912.asp

After Tough Times, A Gift Latisha Wilson, of Hartford, is one of 38 students from throughout the country selected by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to receive a scholarship worth up to $30,000 a year to complete her bachelor's degree at any college or university of her choice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052906.asp

Against The Odds, Hartford Pop Warner Football Team Headed To National Championships The Hartford Hurricanes posed for team photos in the bitter cold recently, all smiles and runny noses and anticipation of warmer days. After a perfect 13-0 record this season, and against the odds, the 25 pee wee football players then boarded a bus for their trip to the Pop Warner National Championships in Orlando, Fla. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 30, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_113012.asp

AIDS Advocate Shifted The Focus To Living Linda C. Jordan, a prominent AIDS advocate whose international message that families dealing with the HIV virus should concentrate on living rather than dying, will be remembered at a funeralrecently. Jordan, who died at the age of 53, lived for 21 years after learning that she had the virus. Her message of hope - carried on 20,000 posters, banners and billboards - was delivered across the country as well as in India, Japan and Africa. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_050906.asp

AIDS Life Worse After Cuts Helen Ubiñas writes about how the drastic cuts to federal AIDS funding may affect Hartford families. The $4 million in federal funds Hartford expected was cut in half because the number of new cases didn't meet the new guidelines. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_032207.asp

AIDS Services Slip Away Earlier this year, a change in how funds are distributed resulted in Hartford and New Haven receiving about half the money expected by organizations that work with people with HIV/AIDS. The cuts decimated some programs and greatly reduced others, and program officials are especially concerned about the effects of the cuts on non-English speaking clients, whose hold on their own medical care is more tenuous. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 15, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_051507.asp

Alarms Raised On Youth Crimes Anyone doubting an increase in youth crime and violence in Connecticut over the past year need only peek into the cellblocks of the John R. Manson Youth Institution in Cheshire. The number of incarcerated 16-year-old boys has increased by more than 60 percent since 2002, Mary Marcial, a deputy commissioner for the state Department of Correction, said during a recent symposium on youth safety at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 10, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_011007.asp

Always A Friend In The Drums Mokonje is a musical family of Liberian immigrants. Thanks to a teacher and fellow refugee who recognized their talent and a professional drummer who taught them technique, the family has found in drumming a way to heal and connect to the culture they left behind. Recently, their work culminated in a performance at the Charter Oak Cultural Center in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/immigrants/htfd_courant_022606.asp

American Friend Helps Settle People Of Other Cultures Jody Putnam heads the refugee assistance program that operates out of Jubilee House, visiting the various refugee communities in the city. Jubilee House, a nonprofit center operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph, hosts a variety of social service and educational programs for residents from many ethnic backgrounds out of its center in the south end of the city, but Putnam spends much of her time on the road. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 25, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/immigrants/htfd_courant_062508.asp

An Education in Social Justice The new Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Hartford, which includes 230 children in grades 6-12 from Hartford and suburban towns, focuses on a theme of social justice and features a longer school day - 8:30 a.m. until 3:21 p.m., plus mandatory activities. The school's principal says the school's goal is to teach the children the habits of effective learning. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 30, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_083005.asp

Another Chance To Make Good Helen Ubiñas relays the story of a young man given a second chance in gun court by a prosecutor who may have taken a harder line. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 19, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_081906.asp

Another Field Of Broken Promises Helen Ubiñas writes about the baseball field at Hartford Public High School which has been trashed by a recent construction project. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 14, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051409.asp

Another Social Service Agency Hit By Budget Bomb Helen Ubinas writes that a $130,000 grant for an asthma outreach and education program has been canceled. The grant, which survived a line-item veto by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, was approved by the legislature in August 2009. But, while the legislature may have approved funds for programs like these, in the same budget, they demanded $95 million in cuts in non-direct-care contracts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_031810.asp

Anthony Griffin: Words Of Hope Anthony Griffin, a Hartford clothier and entrepreneur, founded Affection New Thoughts (ANT), which provides city youth with a 15 week training course in entrepreneurship. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_112907.asp

Apathy? Not. Young adults are stepping up and signing up to get involved again in the nation's political process in a way some experts say they haven't seen since the Vietnam War. According to Rock the Vote, more young voters participated in this year's presidential caucuses and primaries than in the last presidential election. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/democracy/htfd_courant_020308.asp

Approach Teaches ‘Joyful Reading' Sally M. Reis thinks she has a key to a problem that has long vexed educators: how best to teach kids, including those from struggling urban districts, to read. It's not only how children learn to read, it's what they read, the University of Connecticut researcher says in a study published recently. Reis has developed an approach that allows children to read at length from books of their own choosing. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_092906.asp

Are HOPE VI Families at Greater Risk for Homelessness? In this brief, the claim that relocation of Hope VI families puts them at risk of homelessness is evaluated. It concludes that while some HOPE VI original residents did experience homelessness, the number of homeless families is not as large as many critics feared. (PDF document, 8 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope7

Are States Using the Low Income Housing Tax Credit to Enable Families with Children to Live in Low Poverty and Racially Integrated Neighborhoods? The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) produced nearly 1.3 million units of rental housing between the start of the program, in 1987, and 2003, surpassing the size of the public housing program. Creating mixed income housing has become a central objective of housing policy. This report focuses on the extent to which each of the states administering the tax credit program has used the program to place family rental housing in low poverty neighborhoods that are not racially isolated. Published by Poverty and Race Research Action Council ; Publication Date: July 28, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/taxes/LIHTC_report_2006.pdf

Arrests Poor Answer For Youths In Trouble By age 23, there is a one-in-three chance that an American youth has been arrested. That shocking data comes from a recent article in the journal Pediatrics. Youth advocates used to push for afterschool programming because kids were at prime risk of delinquency between the hours of 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. In fact, the most common place for a youth to get arrested in Connecticut may be in school. Increasingly adults are recognizing that arrest should be a last resort in dealing with adolescent behavior. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 03, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_010312.asp

Art Without Walls or a Local Zip Code That Brian Cook left Connecticut is not unusual. The media has been fixated on how many people in his generation are moving out of state. Where Cook is unique is that he continues to actively contribute to the arts and culture of Hartford, which is more than some artists do while living just a few blocks over the city line. Now — besides creating posters for events and beloved local coffee shops — Cook is trying to get funding for a project designed to encourage museum attendance by Hartford youth. The Hartford Museum Passports are themselves part art, part bribery. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: May 31, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/realhtfd_053111.asp

Assault On Hartford Youth Worker Is Attack On Decency Itself Carl Hardrick, aka Brother Carl, has devoted most his adult life to helping young people in Hartford's most challenged neighborhoods. He's negotiated gang truces, intervened in knife fights, coached basketball, visited the homes of troubled teenagers. Anything to help. That makes what happened recently all the more frustrating. The 72-year-old Hardrick was walking home when he was jumped and badly beaten by five or six youths who were attempting to rob him. They ended up stealing his glasses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 05, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_080513.asp

Assets and Opportunity Scorecard The Assets and Opportunity Scorecard measures the financial security of families in the U.S., ranking the 50 states and the District of Columbia on 31 performance and 38 policy measures in the areas of Financial Security, Business Development, Homeownership, Health Care, Education, and Tax Policy. Published by CFED ; Publication Date: May 17, 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/wsd_051705.asp Related Link(s): CFED News Release ; State of Connecticut Scorecard (PDF file, two pages)

Asthma Problem Growing In Area While there is evidence pointing to a possible stabilization of asthma rates across the nation, the disease remains on the rise in New England, especially among low-income adults, a new study has concluded. The study, conducted by The New England Asthma Regional Council, found that nearly 15 percent of adults and 14 percent of children living in New England have been diagnosed with asthma at some point in their lives. This represents roughly 2.1 million people - up from 1.7 million three years ago. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_032706_a.asp

At Call Center, Desperation On Line 1 The 2-1-1 line offers a lot of help to thousands of people, but these days it's also a snapshot of who is suffering in Connecticut. And the folks who answer the phones are beginning to wonder how much more they can handle. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_030609.asp

At Childhood Obesity Forum, Talk of Twinkies and Intervention Members of the Connecticut Coalition Against Childhood Obesity recently organized a forum on childhood obesity. A report that the state public health department released last month revealed that one-third of students in kindergarten and third grade are overweight or obese, including a higher percentage among black and Latino children. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 19, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_111912_1.asp

At Forum On Gun Violence, Legislators Ask Hartford Residents For Solutions Nelba Marquez-Greene, the mother of one of the children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, was not the only mother with a grieving heart who spoke at a recent forum on gun violence. But Marquez-Greene, who grew up in Hartford, knows that the public outpouring over her loss has dwarfed the reaction to deadly shootings on city streets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022713_1.asp

At Hartford Forum On Unsolved Homicides, All Agree That Community Must Help Law Enforcement Residents, police and community activists gathered recently for a forum on unsolved city homicides. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 29, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_012913.asp

At Meeting, Weaver Students Tell of Violence Weaver High students shared their experiences and opinions on youth violence in Hartford at Harvard Divinity School in Boston at a conference called "Young People and Social Justice: Planting the Seeds for Change." They blame troubled youth for the problems, and think that the City of Hartford should do more to turn things around. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 10, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_041005_a.asp

At MetroHartford Alliance, A Young Man Nurtures His Passion For The City Julio Concepcion, of MetroHartford Alliance knows how Hartford ticks. He is the liaison between the city, its businesses and neighborhoods. While his job doesn't require him to be a fly on the wall at countless municipal functions, he enjoys being involved and informed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_041212.asp

Attention To Prevention In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that Connecticut has one of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy in the country, for which all should be thankful. But the state numbers can mask the fact that in some urban areas, notably Hartford, the problem is still rampant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 02, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070211.asp

Ball Field Is Back Because Of Coach's Persistence Helen Ubiñas writes that recently, for the first time in seven years, the Hartford Public High Owls baseball team played their first home game since construction work began on a $100 million renovation of the school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040810_1.asp

Banking at Bulkeley Hartford's Bulkeley High School is the first in the city to open a Franklin Trust Federal Credit Union branch, but it won't be the last Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 26, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_advocate_042607.asp

Baseball Rescued Likely Dropout Charná Maldonado struggled for four years at Hartford Public High School — with grades, girlfriends, security officers, teachers, himself. Then the fifth-year senior made the Owls baseball team and found his game. Baseball connected Maldonado to the school, gave him something to feel good about, a reason to stick with his studies and graduate. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061608.asp

Baseball Set For Rebirth In Hartford's South End Benjamin Cruse, director of youth services for the nonprofit Leadership Greater Hartford, lead more than 100 kids into Hyland Park for Opening Day of the new Southside Little League recently, a league that he organized with boyhood friend Brian Gallagher. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 05, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_050508.asp

Battle Brewing On Juvenile Justice Connecticut police chiefs say a proposal to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system would hinder investigations and potentially cost towns money. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_022807.asp

Battle Lines Drawn On Military School The new superintendent of schools, Steven J. Adamowski, suggests the district should consider a public military magnet school. Ditto for Mayor Eddie A. Perez, chairman of the school board, who also suggests a role for boot camp, a residential reform school and perhaps some other residential magnet school if funding can be identified. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_120406.asp

Beacon Of Hope Cuts The Gloom Stan Simpson writes about Elizabeth Rodriguez, a student at the University of Hartford’s Hartford Scholars program, which pays half tuition for any city student who meets the enrollment requirements. She spends part of her day mentoring young offenders in a program run by Community Partners in Action. She, not the few who make the news for violent crime, represents the majority of teens in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061306.asp

Bellizzi Students Make Film What happens when you give youth a camera? Ask five Hartford students participating in SLAM (Students Learning About Media & Service), an after school program at Bellizzi Middle School, supported by Hartford Public Allies. The students spent the last four months learning how to make real positive changes in their communities by volunteering at local service organizations such as Peter’s Retreat, a congregate housing program for people living with HIV / AIDS, and participating in leadership building activities. Their experiences became the focus of their mini-documentary. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 28, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_052809.asp

Bill Would Limit School Changes For Foster Children A bill aired before the legislature's Select Committee on Children recently would require the state Department of Children and Families to keep foster children in the school they attended prior to being moved into foster care or to a new foster home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022908.asp

Billboard Campaign Is Putting The Word Out Six anti-smoking billboards were designed by young Hartford residents and are intended to reach young people with a simple, succinct message: Smoking can kill you. The billboards' creators, who range in age from 11 to 22, began working on them in November 2006 as part of an activity sponsored by the Community Renewal Team and Youth Artisan and Technology Program, funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 9, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_020907.asp

Births to Mothers with HUSKY Program and Medicaid Coverage: 2010 The HUSKY Program and Medicaid cover an increasing percentage of all Connecticut births. In 2010, 32.4% of all Connecticut births were covered by HUSKEY A and B, and 6.0% to mothers whose births were covered by fee-for-service Medicaid. The proportion of all Connecticut births covered by the HUSKY Program and Medicaid continues to increase, from 28.4 percent in 2003 to 38.4 percent in 2010. (PDF document, 35 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: February 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/h13birthsreport10.pdf

Black Males Need Schooling To Stay Out Of Jail Stan Simpson writes that a few years ago, the national dropout rate for African American males was 70 percent. Today, the high school graduation rate for black boys is about 50 percent. The viability of the multibillion-dollar prison industry is sustained by underperforming urban schools. These dropout factories produce a precious prison commodity: uneducated urban boys. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 06, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_010612_2.asp

Board Adds Two Grades to City Elementary School In an effort to phase out middle schools in Hartford, the Annie Fisher Elementary School's board voted to add seventh and eighth grades in September. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_060805.asp

Board Games Up In Popularity, Due To Affordability, Sociability A trend fueled by the economy and lifestyle changes has spurred families and places, including museums, libraries and schools, to turn to classic board games as an inexpensive and engaging way to get people together face-to-face. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_030510.asp

Board Urged to Preserve Afternoon School Afternoon school programs at Bulkeley and Weaver High are in jeopardy of being closed down due to cost concerns. Learn more in this October 6, 2004 Hartford Courant article. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 6, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_100604.asp Related Link(s): Hartford Public Schools ; Hartford Alternative Learning Opportunities (HALO)

Bob Long Was A Lifelong Friend To The Handicapped Bob Long's life revolved around his community, beginning in Dorchester, the Irish Catholic section of Boston where he grew up, and extending to the West End of Hartford, where he lived for more than 30 years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 16, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_051610.asp

Both Sides: Where 16-, 17-Year-Old Offenders Belong The state legislature is considering a proposal to allow 16- and 17-year-olds charged with less serious crimes to be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system. This article presents the views of advocates on both sides of the issue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 6, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040607.asp

Boxing Fundraiser for Johnny Duke Memorial Former IBF Light heavyweight world title challenger John "Iceman" Scully participated in a twelve bout amateur boxing show on Friday, December 5, 2008 at the brand new Lion's Den Gym in Middletown. The event will raise funds to purchase a Memorial Plaque for longtime Hartford trainer and National Golden Gloves Hall of Fame member Johnny Duke, who passed at age 83 away in 2006. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: November 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_111308.asp

Boy's Shooting Highlights Risks For Some Hartford Families The family of a Hartford boy, Carlton "D.J." Forbes Jr., who was shot recently warns that the nature of urban violence makes anyone on the street vulnerable. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_052606.asp

Breaking Patterns A new mentoring program gives hope to families with young children as the wage war against drugs and violence in Hartford. COMET, the Coalition of Mentoring Excellence, is a partnership between the Greater Hartford Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Families in Crisis Inc. and the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Team. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060505_A.asp Related Link(s): Mentors Needed for Leading Roles in City Kids' Lives

Breaking the Cycle Breaking the Cycle is a community partnership of the City of Hartford, the Hartford Action Plan on Infant Health, and the Hartford Public Schools created to reduce teen pregnancy in Hartford. The web site includes teen pregnancy statistics for Hartford, descriptions of programs for adults & youth, healthcare initiatives, and more. Published by Hartford's Strategic Plan for Teen Pregnancy Prevention ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_2005.asp

Breaking The Cycle: College Graduates Who Beat The Odds Getting into and graduating from college is never easy, but there are factors that make it even harder: Growing up in poverty. Suffering neglect and abuse as a child. Having a child at an early age. Suffering mental illness. In this entry in a series, the Courant takes a look at four Hartford area students who succeeded against these great odds. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_053010_5.asp

Bridging Tough Times for Connecticut's Families: 2010 KIDS COUNT Data Book Connecticut children, in many cities and towns, are doing better than children in most other states. But high marks don’t necessarily carry over to our largest cities, rural towns, older suburbs, and even some homes in the wealthier parts of our state, particularly as the impacts of the recession continue unabated. The past two years have been a difficult time for many families, including many middle-income families. The seventeen indicators reported in the 2010 Connecticut KIDS COUNT Data Book show the situation of the children of Connecticut. (PDF document, 68 pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. ; Publication Date: December 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Bridging_Tough_Times.pdf

Brighter Futures Initiative of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving; Perceptions of Residents to be served by Family Centers Residents living in the seven communities to be served by Family Centers supported by the Brighter Futures Initiative of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving were surveyed in March, 2002. A total of 1,208 residents were interviewed from households where at least one child eight years old or younger was living. Based on the success of the original Brighter Futures Initiative and the continuing needs of Hartford children, the Foundation, in 2000, committed an additional $15 million over the next 10 years to finance projects and system-wide reform efforts that support young children and their families. To achieve its goals, the Brighter Futures Initiative focuses on four areas: family support and parent education, child care and early childhood education, child and maternal health, and the early grades of school. Family Centers, in partnership with community agencies, provide community-based programs for children and families in seven Hartford neighborhoods. These programs support parents in their own growth and development, their understanding of their child's development, and help families prepare their children for school success. Published by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving ; Publication Date: April 2002
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/brighter_futures.pdf

Bringing Order to City's Youth Baseball Seven youth baseball leagues have formed a coalition to build youth baseball in Hartford. The leagues will remain as independent entities serving separate Hartford neighborhoods, but the groups plan to coordinate efforts so that they're not competing for resources. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 15, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031405.asp

Brother Carl's Assault Could Change Snitch Code The man known to legions of friends and admirers in the capital city as "Brother Carl" is mending. When I caught up with Carl Hardrick last week, the 72-year-old Hartford antiviolence mediator was still bruised about the face and probably more emotionally scarred than he was willing to admit. He had endured a pummeling by a group of youths as he walked alone to his North Hartford home one recent night. His assault has outraged the Hartford community, including police officers and gang members. Hardrick is an institution here, one of the few people who can actually bring rival gang members to the table, successfully mediate disputes and keep the peace. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 16, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081613.asp

Budget Coaching Pays Big Benefits Sherry Coelho, vice president/relationship management at Prudential Retirement recently became a volunteer budget coach with Co-opportunity Inc., a Hartford-based nonprofit that helps move working families toward economic stability. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_120908.asp

Budget Cuts That Go Too Deep Susan Campbell writes about the two-year budget for Connecticut that Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently. For the most part, she protected local public schools, but certain demographic groups — people with AIDS, for instance — will take it in the teeth if her budget is approved, as will some respected watchdog agencies whose charge is to ensure fairness for people too often left out of the loop. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 08, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/homelessness/htfd_courant_020809.asp

Builder, Designers Chosen For Science Center The Connecticut Center for Science and Exploration moved another step closer to reality recently when the builder and exhibit designer was selected. Architect Cesar Pelli & Associates also produced a re-vamped design that reduces cost by 10%. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 22, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/htfd_courant_042205.asp Related Link(s): Science Center Scaled Back ; Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration ; Science Center: Special Report

Building Assets & Financial Security: Mapping Opportunities in Hartford The Connecticut Association for Human Services created this guide in an effort to increase access and awareness of existing community programs that help families save and invest money. Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. ; Publication Date: 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/BuildingAssets_Hartford.pdf

Building Solidarity Sara Pastorelli, a long-time member of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which represents janitors in Hartford, does not know any of the 5,300 janitors in Houston. But she and thousands of other SEIU members from across the country banded together this year to support a successful organizing campaign for their Texas peers, demanding better wages and benefits. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Employment/htfd_courant_122906.asp

Bulkeley High Senior Wins CRT Prom Nite Video Contest Vanessa Gonzalez, 17, a senior from Bulkeley High and Hartford resident, won the Community Renewal Team Healthy Teen Hartford Coalition's Prom Nite video contest, for her entry about how alcohol has affected her life personally. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/cityline_042710.asp

Bulkeley Students Receive Scholarships Three Bulkeley High School students have received Ivan A. Backer Scholarships, offered by Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance. Backer served as president of the alliance for nearly 20 years and is the organization's education consultant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071506_a.asp

Bullying By Any Other Name Bullying was the focus of a recent community forum — “Making a Difference: The Bullied Respond” – at the Hartford Public Library. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: May 03, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/realhtfd_050311.asp

Bullying Forum Focuses On How To Intervene The focus of the forum on bullying held recently at the Hartford Public Library was how to step up and stop bullying. The panelists — a mix of students, teachers and educational experts — brainstormed with the audience to come up with tools and strategies they can use to stop bullying in schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 04, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_050411.asp

Businesses Asked to Step It Up and Hire More Youth Despite a decrease in funding, the City of Hartford’s Youth Employment Program has managed to increase the number of summer slots for young people in the Hartford area. At the program’s Summer Youth Jobs Campaign breakfast recently, the Mayor said there were 1637 slots last year, which he’d like to see increased to 2013 this summer. To do this, he said that businesses would need to make a “substantial investment.” Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: January 11, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/realhtfd_011113.asp

Calculating how much it costs for families to be self-sufficient The Economic Policy Institute has an online Basic Family Budget Calculator. It is calculated for specific metro areas within all states. Currently the data is for 1999, will be updating it soon. Published by Economic Policy Institute ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/wsd_2005.asp

Camp Courant Begins Camp Courant, a free summer camp for Hartford youth aged 5 to 12, started its six-week program recently at its camp grounds on Batterson Park Road in Farmington. Serving about 900 children each day, Camp Courant is one of the largest and one of the oldest free public day camps in the country. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062309.asp

Camp Courant Welcomes Nearly 500 Summer Campers Nearly 500 campers, ages 5 to 12, showed up for the first day of Hartford's Camp Courant recently, ready and excited to play outside, spend time on arts and crafts—and even take a dip in the pool to cool off. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062112.asp

Campers Put Focus on Computer Skills Fourth-, fifth- and sixth-graders from Hartford's SAND and Barnard-Brown elementary schools are participating in a free, four-week computer camp at Rensselaer at Hartford. The four-week camp serves sixth graders that have met their CMT goals and fourth and fifth graders who are also attending summer school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 25, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_072505.asp

Can Our Community Come Together When Danger Approaches? The author writes about how the community of Hartford families can come together when danger approaches. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: September 22, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_news_092211.asp

Can Playground Make a Rebound? Forester Heights Park is tucked into a quiet area just north of Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford’s Southwest neighborhood. City Councilman Jim Boucher said the City of Hartford will fund a renovation of the park, but only if residents in the surrounding neighborhood show a commitment to use and support it. To that end, a meeting about the park was held on January 17, at Kennelly School on White St. with the aim of creating Friends of Forester Heights Park. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: November 22 - 29, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Parks/htfd_news_112206.asp

Can Whites Teach Blacks? Michael C. Williams, vice chairman of the board of education, is pushing hard, and meeting resistance, for an aggressive affirmative action plan to drastically increase the number of minority teachers in Hartford classrooms. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071705.asp

Can You Hear Me Now? A Discussion on Hartford's Noise Ordinance Video A video of the February 19, 2008 community program, Can You Hear Me Now? A Discussion on Hartford's Noise Ordinance, which was held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: February 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_02_19_2008.asp

Capital and Major Campaigns in Greater Hartford 2008 Report In this document, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy has compiled information on major and capital fundraising campaigns that are either in Greater Hartford or will be approaching Greater Hartford grantmakers for philanthropic dollars. The report not only provides grantmakers with a picture of what the major development needs are or will be in the community, but also provides an overview for nonprofit organizations contemplating a major campaign. (PDF document, 20 pages) Published by Connecticut Council for Philanthropy ; Publication Date: January 15, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/2008_HTFD_Cap_Report.pdf

Change the Way We Measure Poverty In this editorial, the Hartford Courant suggests that starting in 2011, the federal government will take a few baby steps toward changing the way it measures poverty, something that is decades overdue. The income levels decide who qualifies for hundreds of state and federal programs such as food stamps. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_050310.asp

Charities Are Hurting in The State; They Are Reorganizing To Survive While state unemployment hovers just under the national average of 9.6 percent, state charities are reorganizing, and sometimes closing altogether. Locally, according to its seventh annual survey of area nonprofit organizations, the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut's campaign was down by 8 percent — or $2 million — from 2008 to 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 27, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_102710.asp

Charities Struggle A report from Connecticut Council for Philanthropy released recently says the number of major fundraising campaigns in Fairfield County and in the Hartford and New Haven areas is at its lowest in 10 years, as is the amount of the combined campaign goals. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031312.asp

Charity Fundraisers Feeling The Pinch With the economy in decline, the charity gala in general — that mainstay of the fall season and of nonprofit budgets — has had, in some cases, rough-going. While many charity events have gone off without a hitch this fall, the economy has affected the gala scene. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121008.asp

Charter Oak Cultural Center - Winner Nonprofit Organzation of the Year Hartford’s Charter Oak Cultural Center recently was named the Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Hartford Business Journal. the center serves more than 15,000 people annually, and provides free before- and after-school programs to more than 500 children throughout Greater Hartford. The center sponsors hip-hop dance instruction and performances for area youths, eclectic art exhibitions in its downstairs gallery, and more. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: June 29, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/hbj_062909.asp

Chiefs Can't Make The Case In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association has a weak argument for opposing a bill to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to be treated as juveniles in the criminal justice system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 5, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_030507_a.asp

Child Care Funds Lacking Demand for state subsidized child care is expected to double in the coming year as strict new federal welfare guidelines push as many as 3,000 lower income parents into the workforce. But Connecticut's primary child-care subsidy, Care4Kids, is grossly unprepared for the coming onslaught, family advocates say. The program has been cut by $53 million, or 44 percent, over the last four years despite increases in demand that left 13,000 people on a waiting list in 2005. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 25, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_032506_a.asp

Child Care Grants Languish The Connecticut state Department of Social Services delayed processing six grant applications for early child care facilities across the state for more than a year, leaving at least $35 million in construction projects in limbo, state records indicate. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: June 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/hbj_060109.asp

Child Fatality Review Panel Issues 10-Year Report In the past decade, the state Child Fatality Review Panel has investigated the deaths of 1,529 children. Recently, it issued a report on those deaths with recommendations it hopes will reduce the number of children who die each year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121411.asp

Child Poverty Council Initial Plan The Child Poverty Council, established by the Connecticut Legislature in 2004, is charged with recommending strategies to reduce child poverty by fifty percent within ten years. The report contains an inventory of current programs and 67 recommendations for consideration by the executive and legislative branch. (PDF file - 141 pages) Published by State of Connecticut Office of Policy and Management ; Publication Date: January 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_01_2005.asp Related Link(s): Fighting Child Poverty

Child Trends Databank The Child Trends DataBank is a popular source for the latest national trends and research on over 80 key indicators of child and youth well-being, with new indicators added each month. The databank delivers continuously updated trend data with the latest national estimates for all indicators, plain language reporting on trends and population subgroup differences, color graphics and tables that can be downloaded directly into reports and presentations, PDF files for each indicator, and links that provide access to additional information available for each indicator including state, local, and international estimates. The web site is provided by Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families by providing research and data to inform decision-making that affects children. Published by Child Trends
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/child_trends.asp

Childhood Obesity in Connecticut This is a fact sheet about childhood obesity in Connecticut. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Connecticut Department of Public Health ; Publication Date: Fall 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/chob_fact_sheet_fall2012.pdf

Children Left Behind: How Metropolitan Areas Are Failing America's Children A new report from the Harvard School of Public Health scores the living conditions experienced by children in the 100 largest U.S. metropolitan areas. It reveals a consistently bleak picture for black and Hispanic children compared to white and Asian children and suggests approaches to address some of the factors behind whether or not a child thrives. Published by Harvard School of Public Health ; Publication Date: January 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/children_left_behind_final_report.pdf

Children's Hospital Creating Center For Cancer And Blood Disorders When the Connecticut Children's Medical Center opened in 1996, the facilities for its cancer and blood disorders program seemed more than adequate. Recently, CCMC officials announced that they had reached the $5 million fundraising goal to pay for the construction of a new Clinical Care Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, which will double the hospital's current space for its oncology and hematology program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 20, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_062011.asp

Children's Hospital Has New Leader After a five-month national search, Connecticut Children's Medical Center recently chose a new leader from within as the troubled hospital attempts to heal itself. The hospital board of directors named Martin J. Gavin president and chief executive officer, a position he has held on an acting basis since January. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_051206.asp

Churches Open Doors For Kids Two North End churches - House of Restoration and Phillips Metropolitan CME Church - are the anchors of the collaboration between DCF and city churches to find foster and adoptive homes for children. Known as the Queen Esther program, it has grown to involve 18 Hartford area churches and more recently spread to churches in Waterbury, Bridgeport and New Haven. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_052206.asp

City And Suburban Kids Drawn To Horse Program Many children participated in this summer's session of City Slickers, a program that brings together city and suburban children ages 11 to 17 to learn to ride, feed and care for horses at Hillside Equestrian Meadows in Wolcott. They also participate in projects that help to improve their language and math skills. Funding is provided by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, local corporations and private donors. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 18, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_081806_a.asp

City Anti-Gang Program Pays Kids Who Finish $100 Hartford economic development Connecticut economic development CT economic development Connecticut economic recession CT economic recession CT employment Connecticut unemployment CT jobs Greater Hartford region Hartford employment Hartford jobs Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 29, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_102909.asp

City Forum Hears Talk of Gun in Grade School An 11 year old boy has reportedly taken a gun to Fred D. Wish Elementary School with intent to shoot at another student. Discussion of the incident arose among local officials, concerned residents and a state Department of Children and Families official at an anti-violence forum in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 29, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_042905.asp

City Government Working for You!, June 2010 A newsletter about city services, tax rate and city budget, and city farmers' markets, provided by the office of Mayor Eddie A. Perez. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by City of Hartford, Office of the Mayor ; Publication Date: June 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Government/city_gov_working_for_you_Jun_10.pdf

City Government Working for You!, May 2010 A newsletter about city services, summer programs, the city budget, youth initiatives, provided by the office of Mayor Eddie A. Perez. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by City of Hartford, Office of the Mayor ; Publication Date: May 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Government/city_gov_working_for_you_May_10.pdf

City Kids Deserve Safe Place The city of Hartford is demolishing the almost half-century old, dilapidated Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium on Main Street. By 2010, a new, 36,000-square-foot community center will be constructed that will carry the same name. It'll be a place for young people to blow off steam safely. All the amenities will be new — gymnasium, swimming pool, weight room, classrooms, computer labs, game room. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_022708.asp

City of Hartford, Department of Health and Human Services, Critical Health Indicators This document represents the Hartford Health and Human Services Department’s effort to present the health status of Hartford residents in 2009. Published by City of Hartford, Department of Health and Human Services ; Publication Date: 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/health/HHS_2009_Critical_Health_Indicators.pdf

City Officer Defends Shootings As more information emerges about the shooting on May 7th and the death of Jashon Bryant, police officer Robert Lawlor's attorney Michael Georgetti defends Lawlor's decision to open fire on Bryant and Brandon Henry. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051105.asp

City Planning Program To Curb Teen Pregnancy With a teen pregnancy rate more than three times the state average, city and agency officials are planning an ambitious program to try to curb the problem. With a five-year, $4.5 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the city's health and human services department and Office for Youth Services are collaborating on the effort with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England and Hartford Action Plan. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 16, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061611.asp

City Police Are Testing a BB Gun That Might Have Been Thrown From the Car Hartford police have sent a BB gun, turned in May 12th by an anonymous man, to forensics to investigate its possible connection to the police shooting of two young men in Hartford's North end the previous week. An officer fired at the two men because he believed one of them was reaching for a gun but no such gun has yet been found. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051405_a.asp Related Link(s): Death Of a Young Man

City Police Take Heat for Their Responses: Publicity of Missing Girls Slow, Say Parents, Advocates The Hartford police have been criticized for not investigating the disappearances of three teenage girls quickly enough by residents and community leaders. One of the girls remains missing. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060905.asp

City Students Pick Out Holiday Gifts For Family Members At Maria Sanchez Elementary School, the recent "Holiday Shopping Spree," organized by physical education teacher Dave Anderson, was a first. The At the school's holiday bazaar Tuesday, the 500 students could pick from digital photo key chains, foot baths and slow-cookers. And all the gifts were free, donated by school staff and their friends. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_121708.asp

City Takes on Diesel The Hartford City Council last week passed a resolution to enforce the state ordinance that limits idling time of school buses and other vehicles with diesel engines to three minutes, and to require an annual tune-up of all city-owned vehicles. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: March 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_advocate_032207.asp

City's Life, And Lacks, Portrayed A group of Connecticut teenagers explored Hartford through the lenses of their cameras this summer and will share their perceptions of the capital city in an exhibit entitled "Stay! Perspectives of Hartford." Organized by The Amistad Center for Art & Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum, the six-week neighborhood studio project brought together 10 teens from the Greater Hartford area to visit the city's neighborhoods and to learn about photography and how exhibits are created and installed. The program was funded by a grant from the Greater Hartford Arts Council. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_080106.asp

City's Revived Curfew Has Its Doubters, Critics The merits of the curfew, long on the books, but revived for 30 days after a spate of shootings last weekend, are being debated from the city's squad rooms to living rooms, and perhaps in the future in courtrooms, where municipal curfews have been struck down. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081608_2.asp

City’s Chief of Early Childhood Education Wins National Award Jose Colon-Rivas is Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office For Young Children. His work in that role was recently given national recognition when he was presented with the Lewis Hine Award for Service to Young Children. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: April 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_news_042408.asp

Class Cutters Beware Hartford Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts, who became the city's police chief in July, has initiated a program to find children who should be in school and make sure they get to class. He has assigned two detectives - one in the North End and the other in the South End - to seek out children who are chronically absent and investigate the reasons for their truancy. Patrol officers throughout the city are also being told to pick up such children and return them to school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_111406.asp

Clergy Unite for Healthcare Reform Over 50 Christian, Moslem and Jewish clergy men and women from all over Connecticut joined as one at the State Capitol recently to demand universal healthcare for all state residents. It is estimated that approximately 407,000 state residents do not have health insurance. About half of those uninsured are African-Americans and Hispanics. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: January 17 – 24, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_news_011707.asp

Cleveland Avenue Copes With City's Latest Shooting Stan Simpson summarizes feelings and opinions of community members in light of recent shootings in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060706_a.asp

CLIKS Online Data County-City-Community Level Information on Kids. This website brings together data on the well-being of children collected by KIDS COUNT grantees from state and local sources. The system allows users to access state-specific inventories of data from local sources, such as health departments, human services agencies, and schools. The content of state pages is determined by a participating KIDS COUNT partner using data from local jurisdictions. Generate reports like state and regional profiles, graphs, maps, and rankings, or download raw data; Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/cliks_data.asp

Closing Library Branches Was Painful, Necessary This year, given the deepest budget cuts the library have ever faced, the board of directors of the Hartford Public Library was forced to make painful decisions regarding library services and hours. One of the board members writes, “We do not make these decisions lightly. We recognize the important role the library plays in the city and are proud that our delivery of quality services has made the library so vital to our community.” Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 07, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_070708_1.asp

Club's Influence Proves Priceless Asylum Hill youth are already benefiting from the addition of the Boys and Girls Club. A core of Asylum Hill Congregational volunteers, chagrined by the notoriety of the neighborhood - drugs, prostitution, shootings - decided to change its reputation and transform the street. They led a five-year effort to raise $7 million to build the Boys and Girls Club, which opened in October. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 18, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/courant_121804.asp

Colin Powell Visits Boys & Girls Club, Tells Youths To Pursue Their Dreams Former Secretary of State and retired four-star Gen. Colin Powell spoke to a packed house recently, and that was before he headlined a motivational speaking tour at the XL Center in Hartford. Prior to his speaking engagement downtown, Powell took a tour of the Boys & Girls Club on Sigourney Street and shared some of his life experiences with dozens of current and former club members. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_091009_1.asp

Collaboration Brings New School To Asylum Hill On the lower level of Asylum Hill Congregational Church a new school is taking shape. The School for Young Children on Asylum Hill initially will serve children 6 weeks to 5 years old and is expected to attract both city and suburban families. The preschool, scheduled to open in September 2006, is the first phase of a school project that by 2008 will grow to include children up to fourth grade. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_021706_a.asp

Commitment To Kids Society's Support For Child Care Just Isn't Cutting It Compensation for child-care workers is far too low across the country, and the federal budget released this week - with cuts in all domestic social services - is likely to make matters worse. Connecticut's Child Health and Development Institute laid out the issue in a report called "Shaping Young Lives," published in November. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_020906.asp

Community Court Newsletter, Spring 2009 The Spring 2009 Newsletter from the Hartford Community Court includes a discussion of the recent national recognition of Community Court. The Court was named one of three mentor court sites by the U.S. department of Justice. (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by State of Connecticut Judicial Branch ; Publication Date: May 1, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/crime/09CommCourt_springNews.pdf

Community Food Security in Connecticut The 2012 Community Food Security in Connecticut: An Evaluation and Ranking of 169 Towns focuses on a town-level assessment of community food security in Connecticut. Published by University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources ; Publication Date: April 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/wsd_043013.asp

Community Food Security in Connecticut: An Evaluation and Ranking of 169 Towns A cooperative effort of Connecticut Food Policy Council, University of Connecticut and Hartford Food System, this study uses town-level data to measure community food security based on 38 different indicators falling within 6 categories for the 169 towns and cities in Connecticut. Community food security means the development and enhancement of sustainable, community-based strategies to improve access of low-income households to healthful nutritious food, to increase the self-reliance of communities in providing for their own food needs and to promote comprehensive responses to local food, farm and nutrition issues. (PDF File, 16 pages). Published by Hartford Food System ; Publication Date: September 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/CommunityFoodSecurity.pdf

Connecticut Early Care and Education Progress Report 2012 In November 2010, Governor Dannel Malloy was elected on a platform that included a strong commitment to early care and education. That spring, he and the legislature passed the FY 12-13 budget, which was careful to preserve most early care and education programs. This report looks at the amount of spending on early care and education, the number of children served, which children are being served, and the quality of those services in FY 12 (July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012), the first full fiscal year of Governor Malloy’s administration. (PDF document, 96 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: May 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Education/CTEarlyCareandEducProgressRpt2012.pdf

Connecticut Early Care and Education Progress Report, 2009 This report seeks to answer the questions: What has Connecticut done thus far to address the need for quality early child care and education; and are Connecticut’s efforts improving children’s readiness for school? (PDF document, 48 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/EarlyChildhoodProgress09.pdf

Connecticut Exempts Working-Poor Families from the Income Tax This fact sheet reviews Connecticut's income tax thresholds for low-income families in 2006. It contains information on the impact of state income taxes on working-poor and near-poor families, including historical trends. (PDF document, 1 page) Published by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ; Publication Date: March 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Taxes/CT_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Connecticut Fares Badly In Rise of Working Poor In 2011, there were 83,000 families in Connecticut with children living at home and an adult working — but with income under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, a new report shows. That was 21 percent of the 389,000 families with children and jobs — making Connecticut the fifth-lowest state by that measure of the working poor. But it was up from 16 percent in 2007, making Connecticut one of the nine fastest-growing states when it comes to the percent of working families at 200 percent of poverty, a crucial measure of low income. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 22, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_012213.asp

Connecticut Improves Dental Care For Children, Pew Report Says Connecticut earned top marks in a study of state dental policies for children by the Pew Center on the States, which declared Connecticut a "national leader." Connecticut was one of six states to earn an "A" in the report, "The Cost of Delay: State Dental Policies Fail One in Five Children." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 24, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_022410_1.asp

Connecticut Long-Term Care Needs Assessment, Executive Summary Long-term care services and supports are needed to help people who require assistance over an extended period due to disability or chronic illness. Connecticut and other states are increasingly confronted with burgeoning Medicaid expenditures, looming demand for long-term care services associated with demographic trends, and growing movements to enhance consumer choice and control. This report provides the data for planning efforts. (PDF document, 37 pages) Published by University of Connecticut, Health Care Center for the Connecticut Commision On Aging ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/LTCare_Exec_Summary.pdf

Connecticut Preschool Assessment Framework The Connecticut Preschool Assessment Framework is a curriculum-embedded tool for assessing 3- and 4-year-old children in their preschool classrooms. It was developed to be a companion to the Connecticut Preschool Curriculum Framework (1999) and articulates comprehensive performance standards or learning outcomes. (PDF Document, 118 pages) Published by State of Connecticut State Board of Education ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/preschool_assessment_framework.pdf

Connecticut Violent Injury Statistics System (CVISS) 2004 Report Connecticut Violent Injury Statistics System (CVISS) is part of a national collaborative effort to gather information on violent deaths occurring in Connecticut. This report describes statistics on violent deaths during 2004. Published by Connecticut Children's Medical Center ; Publication Date: September 2006
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_09_2006.asp

Connecticut's Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy A two-page summary of "America's Child Care Crisis: A Crime Prevention Tragedy." This brief summarizes the report of an expert panel convened by FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS, an anti-crime group of over 2,000 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors, victims of violence, and youth violence experts. The authors include Harvard pediatrician T. Berry Brazelton and Yale child development expert Edward Zigler. The full report and citations for this brief are available at www.fightcrime.org. Published by Fight Crime: Invest in Kids ; Publication Date: July 30, 2003
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_073003.asp

Connecticut's Income Disparity Shows Rapid Growth The income gap between Connecticut's richest and poorest families has grown at a faster pace in the last 20 years than any other state, according to a report issued today by Connecticut Voices for Children. During the same period, income disparity between the state's middle-income and richest families also grew at a faster pace than any other state, the advocacy group's report said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040908.asp

Connecticut's Prostitution Problem Connecticut's participation in the allied horrors of human trafficking and America's domestic prostitution industry was recently highlighted by a Vanity Fair article and a newly published book, The Berlin Turnpike, that both focused on a 2007 trial of a Hartford-area pimp named Dennis Paris. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: June 09, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_advocate_060911.asp

Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit: A Boost to Working Families in Every Town In 2011, Connecticut lawmakers took historic action to establish and implement a state earned-income tax credit (EITC). After the first full year of the credit’s existence, its impact is clear. Data show that the credit is a boost to working families in every city, town, and county in Connecticut, keeping children out of poverty. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: January 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Taxes/eitcbrief2013.pdf

Cops' Disdain Won't Regain People's Trust There's no shortage of ideas about how to stop youth violence in Hartford. Helen Ubiñas suggests in this commentary the police can do more to help. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 10, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_041005.asp

Cosby Keeps Focus On Community Comedian Bill Cosby recently urged Hartford school parents to reach out to their missing peers: the parents who never show up at meetings, the people who aren't around for their children. In a speech that mirrored many of his lectures around the country about respect, responsibility and accountability, Cosby focused mostly on education and the power it gives people stuck in cycles of poverty and violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_102108.asp

Cosby To Parents: Time To Deal With Kids Comedian Bill Cosby came to Hartford recently with a serious message about responsible parenting. He urged the adults to stop ignoring the social ills that lead to teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency and violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070108_1.asp

Counting the Uninsured In 2010, the Census Bureau estimated that based on Current Population Survey data, 384,000 persons (11.0%) were uninsured, including 49,000 children under 18 (6.0%). Among children in low income families (less than 200% of the federal poverty level), an estimated 22,000 children under 19 were uninsured. (PDF document, 6 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: September 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/h12countuninsured.pdf

Cracking Down On Cussing Students at Hartford Public or Bulkeley High Schools who cuss are paying dearly for their vocabulary. In a bid to rein in out-of-control language - and behavior - city police officers assigned to the schools have started doling out tickets with $103 fines. They have charged about two dozen students over the past few weeks with creating a public disturbance, an infraction. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 30, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_113005.asp

Creating Comic Books About 250 students in Hartford schools participated in The Comic Book Project, developed by teachers at Columbia University in New York, wrote and illustrated comics about leadership. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 23, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_052305.asp

CRT Day-Care Staff Strikes for One Day About 1,000 families went without daycare when employees of 13 centers in Hartford run by the Community Renewal Team staged a one-day walkout, demanding a new contract. The union, whose contract expired Dec. 31, 2003, is seeking 4 percent raises. The nonprofit agency is paying a 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_090805.asp

Cultivating Past Could Help Youth Grow Roots Tom Condon wonders if more people in their 20s would stay if they were more attuned to the history, the place, the stories of Connecticut. If you know who was here, and what they did, if you can see where they worked and lived, doesn't that hook you? Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_020308.asp

Cure For Gun Violence? Redirect Violent Young Men A Chicago epidemiologist is treating gun violence like an infectious disease — using his nonprofit as an intervener when street conflicts occur. Like the doctor from the Windy City, James Lane is among a growing number of local ministers who believe that redirecting participants to nonviolent alternatives is the right elixir to combat gun violence in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_052408.asp

Curfew To Be Extended 30 Days Hartford Police will continue their strict enforcement of the city’s curfew ordinance for at least another 30 days, through October 14, 2008, Police Chief Daryl Roberts announced recently. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: September 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_news_091108.asp

Curfew's One Tool In Cutting Violence Daryl K. Roberts, the Chief of Police of the Hartford Police Department comments on the extension of the curfew in Hartford imposed by Mayor Eddie A. Perez. He expresses the opinion that no matter what side of the curfew debate you are on, there is no denying its positive effect in Hartford, which is why the city extended it for another 30 days. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_091408.asp

Cutting Tax Credit Socks It To Hard-Working Poor Just two years ago, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed, and Connecticut adopted, a state Earned Income Tax Credit, known as EITC, to help hard-working parents meet their basic needs and keep their families out of poverty. In its first year, that credit helped one in eight households, in every town in the state, returning an average of $600 to 180,000 families. All were working and their incomes averaged just below $18,000 per year. Yet just two years after signing the state EITC into law, Gov. Malloy now recommends cutting it to help close the state budget gap. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031113.asp

Dancehall Puts Hartford On The Map Greater Hartford has one of the largest populations of Jamaicans in America, somewhere behind New York, and Miami. Taking a trip through the North End you can get a taste of the Caribbean island at the restaurants and bakeries on Albany and Blue Hills Avenue. You can also experience the culture of Jamaican dancehall in a number of venues and clubs in the city. Hartford has its own dancehall scene that is, in many ways, as exciting as those in Miami and New York. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_030107.asp

Data Point to Big Changes in Connecticut The Census Bureau's 2003 American Community Survey (ACS) numbers show significant changes in Connecticut demographics. Hartford Courant Staff Writer Mike Swift brings light to some of the most interesting results. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 27, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/People/courant_082704.asp Related Link(s): American Community Survey Data Tables for Connecticut, Hartford County, Hartford MSA and more

Day Care on the Line Teachers and parents are making hard choices in their fight for a living wage, the necessity of having day-care for their children and making ends meet in the strike of Community Renewal Team child-care workers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 6, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_110605.asp

Day Of Emotions This article describes a number of ways that the Greater Hartford region’s residents celebrated Christmas 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_122607.asp

DCF Lags On Foster Care, Court Monitor Says The state Department of Children and Families continues to lag in recruiting and retaining foster families — a problem that affects the entire child-protection system and results in children being sent to out-of-state facilities or languishing in institutions, according to the latest federal oversight report. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_122210.asp

DCF Must Place Young Children In Family Care In Connecticut, young children placed in group homes may stay for months before being placed with a family that can provide stability and comfort. Fortunately, a bill before the General Assembly would prevent the use of group home placements for children under 5, unless the child needs complicated health care that cannot be given in a family setting. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_030611.asp

DCF Task Force Disbands The joint federal and state task force that has been running the state's troubled child welfare system for the past two years has disbanded, state officials confirmed. The task force was established in 2003 as a compromise to avoid having the DCF placed in federal receivership for repeatedly failing to comply with court-ordered reforms. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 19, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfdcourant_101905.asp

Death Of a Young Man At Jashon Bryant's funeral on May 13th, tensions between residents of Hartford's North-End and the city police erupted when Rev. Richard L. Nash denounced the police during the service. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051405.asp Related Link(s): City Police Testing a BB Gun That Might Have Been Thrown From the Car ; Hartford Officer on Administrative Duty as Fatal Shooting is Probed

Death Stills A Hand Of Care John Hunt, 73, died on March 11, 2007 of a stroke. He was a retired vice president of Travelers Group who volunteered as a tutor at Sanchez Elementary School in Hartford's Frog Hollow neighborhood. He was as much a part of the fabric of the place as any beloved teacher. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_031307.asp

Debt Counselors At Co-opportunity Inc. See Many Who Need Training On Setting A Budget His whole life, Hartford-bred Ricardo Herrera, director of programs at Co-opportunity, Inc., has lived with the ups and downs that are Connecticut's capital city. The budget coaches can help people manage their finances. And it all starts with a budget. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071211.asp

Declare A Cease-fire In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that the city should find new ways to stop gunplay. Hartford had 17 homicides in 2004, but the number has been moving up since, to 33 in 2007 and 32 in 2008. If the trend continues, 2009 will be one of the city's deadliest years since the gang violence of the early 1990s. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 14, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_071409.asp

Democracy in Action: Making an Impact Audio A audio recording of the September 26, 2006 community program, Democracy in Action: Making an Impact, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: September 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_09_26_2006.asp

Denial Helped Mother Serve Pamela Joiner didn't want to become a political activist, but when her son Jumar was killed in Hartford in May, 2008, she turned to Mothers United Against Violence for the support she needed and a distraction from the pain she was avoiding. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 30, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_063008.asp

Despite Naysayers, Students Determined To Make A Better Hartford Helen Ubiñas writes about Xiomara Colon, Emanuel Morales and Naiomi Serrano, all students at Hartford High, who have been organizing marches against violence in the city. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_111608.asp

Despite Some Worries, Open Choice Pupils Soar Just about everyone involved, from parents and the superintendent to the program coordinator, says the Open Choice program has been extremely successful. Open Choice, formerly called Project Concern, is a voluntary desegregation program that allows Hartford parents to enroll their children in suburban schools. More than 800 students from Hartford are bused to 28 of 35 towns in the capital region. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 18, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061805_A.asp

Detectors Don't Belong In Schools Stan Simpson writes that metal detectors in schools are a superficial fix to the problem of students bringing weapons to school, but they won't deter the mentality of someone bent on causing trouble. Using metal-detecting wands at public schools is as sacrilegious as wanding a parishioner coming to church. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_092706.asp

Diesel Measure Stalled A half-million dollars earmarked to cut harmful emissions from Hartford school buses has been sitting unused at the Department of Environmental Protection since 2004 because the city hasn’t extended its contract with the bus company, Laidlaw Transit Services. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: April 5, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_advocate_040507.asp

Digital Center Gets Comcast Grant The cable company Comcast recently announced that it has given a $5,000 grant to the Hartford Public Library's YOUmedia initiative. The library is creating the "digital learning center for teenagers" using only private funds, said the library's CEO, Matthew K. Poland. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_081112.asp

Dispute Ends in Death Four different shooting incidents occurred over the May 14th – 15th weekend, including the death of an 18 year-old and a police car chase near Wethersfield Avenue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 16, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051605.asp

Do Health Behaviors of Connecticut Youth Differ by Their Race and Ethnicity? The Connecticut School Health Survey 2005 In analyzing data from the 2005 Connecticut School Health Survey, a biennial survey of Connecticut students in grades 9-12, this report elucidates trends regarding risk behaviors and protective factors among adolescents by their race and ethnicity. (PDF document, 22 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/youth07healthsurvey.pdf

Do No Harm: Under-funding Child Care Hurts Kids A summary of the various issues involved in providing affordable child care in Connecticut. Reduced-funding, strict eligibility requirements, and high costs have made child care out of reach for many low-income families. (PDF file, 6 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: January 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/do_no_harm.pdf

Doc Tells It Like It Should Be This article profiles Walter "Doc" Hurley, a former vice principal at Weaver High School, and mentor to generations of Hartford youth. The Doc Hurley Scholarship Foundation was created in 1975 to honor him. Today, it gives 18 scholarships, and has helped more than 430 young people pay for college. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 8, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_070806.asp

Doctor Offers New Tools In Fight Against Childhood Obesity The bad news: childhood obesity has become so severe that some children are increasingly contracting illnesses normally seen in middle age. The good news: the trend seems to be slowing and there are some interesting new strategies that families and schools can use to reverse the trend, such as an easy new way to quickly figure out the nutrition value of groceries at the store. That was the message that David L. Katz, an expert in chronic disease prevention, delivered to about 160 YMCA, school and community leaders at a childhood obesity conference recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_062310.asp

Domestic Violence: A New Vigilance The new Connecticut domestic-violence laws rolling out soon — born of a string of assaults and murders and the media attention that followed — represent the most concentrated attack on these crimes in 24 years, say prosecutors and advocates. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071810.asp

Don't Come Back: Prison Visit Gets Students Thinking About Choices, Consequences Students in the "Law and You" social studies class at Hartford Public High School were prompted to think about the possible consequences of choices they make during a recent visit to the Cheshire Correctional Institution. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesAndChildren/htfd_courant_030406.asp

Don't Give Up On Youths In this editorial, the Courant supports treating youth who commit crimes between the ages of 16 and 18 in the juvenile court system, making them eligible for services such as schooling, alternative sentencing, mental health and rehabilitative treatment. Currently, Connecticut is one of only three states that treats such teenagers as adults. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022606.asp

Donations Pour In For Kids Who Cleaned Streets Twenty-five Hartford youths who weren't compensated for work they did sweeping the streets this summer will get paychecks after all. Just days after it became public that they weren't paid, dozens of individual contributors, one foundation and a nonprofit group have stepped up to help. One of the largest contributions, a check for $3,000, was hand-delivered by John Wilson on behalf of the Robert and Margaret Patricelli Foundation of Avon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_081506.asp

Dramatizing Youth Issues The Hartford-based HartBeat Ensemble stages a production that focuses on a diverse group of young people and current social and educational issues. Most of the play's teenage participants are students at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. The Men of Color Initiative and Hartford Communities that Care (HCTC) are sponsors of the show. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_040805.asp Related Link(s): Hartford Communities That Care®

Dream Team Helps Poor Families In the past year, Dr. Monique Deveaux of Community Health Services in the North End has been able to concentrate on medical treatment. Now, when issues arise that require more than a medical diagnosis, Deveaux calls a specialist: Jay Sicklick. Sicklick, a former legal aid lawyer, set up an office at Connecticut Children's Medical Center in 2000 to help families and pediatricians address legal and community issues affecting health care. His program, known as the Family Advocacy Project and funded by private foundation grants, has spread into every public pediatric clinic in Hartford. As a result, virtually every low-income family in the city now has access to free legal help. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 4, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_100405.asp

Dropouts Work, Study To Build New Futures YouthBuild is a 10-month work-study program for high school dropouts 16 to 24 years old. The students spend two weeks at a time studying to take their GED, then two weeks working construction. They get paid about $25 a day when they're working. Working alongside experienced construction workers, the students learn skills designed to help them get jobs. The houses they build in cooperation with Habitat for Humanity go to low-income families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060906.asp

Drug-Free Zones Are Bill's Targets In a move likely to renew debate over the war on drugs, state legislators recently considered a bill today that would reduce the size of drug-free school zones after a national report tagged them as unfair to cities and racially discriminatory. Under Connecticut law, any drug activity - whether selling or buying - is subject to stiffer criminal penalties if it takes place within 1,500 feet of a public school, housing project or day-care center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Drugs/htfd_courant_032406.asp

E. R. Doctor Treats Students To A Lesson As the chief of general surgery and trauma at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Dr. Anthony Morgan doesn't fit the profile of a gangster. But he was headed down that road on the mean streets of Philadelphia when he was a kid. Morgan was stabbed and shot twice before he was a teenager, he said. Morgan told a group of about 30 Hartford Public High School students who visited the hospital recently. His lesson for them, called "Let's Not Meet By Accident," is a prevention program designed to teach high school students about the consequences of risky behavior, such as participating in gang violence, riding in cars without seatbelts or on motorcycles without helmets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 12, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_011207.asp

Early Warning: Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters, A KIDS COUNT Special Report Children who read on grade level by the end of third grade are more successful in school, work, and in life. Millions of American children get to 4th grade without learning to read proficiently. The shortfall in reading proficiency is especially pronounced among low-income children. (PDF document, 62 pages) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: May 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Education/Why_Reading_by_Third_Grade_Matters.pdf

Eat Healthy, Get Wealthy Healthier menus adopted by 82 Connecticut school districts last school year drew moans and groans from students upset by what they considered unpalatable changes. But, schools participating in the state's healthy food certification program began to reap the nutritional and financial benefits. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_082207.asp

Ebony Horsewomen Seek Site In Other Town For An Equestrian Center A few months after their proposal to build an equestrian center in Keney Park was denied by the Hartford City Council, the Ebony Horsewomen have turned their sights to nearby towns, including property at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 29, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_092909.asp

Economic Tonic The federal Earned Income Tax Credit program, which is available only to those who have earned wages, returned $44 billion to more than 22 million people last year — more than one of every seven workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service, which administers the program. The EITC, in operation since the mid-1970s, is one of the nation's largest anti-poverty programs, and that's how many people talk about it. In Connecticut last year, more than 166,000 low-wage workers received an estimated $290 million in federal earned income tax credit, with the average check totaling $1,600. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031308.asp

Edible Work Of Beauty Casandra Guzman, an 18-year-old senior at A.I. Prince Technical High School, recently participated in the National High School Culinary Challenge sponsored by Johnson & Wales University. She is one of nine finalists in the contest's dessert category. Finalists were selected from more than 500 entrants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 16, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_021606.asp

Educators Mourn Troubled Teen Over the past four years, Joshua McCleland was an irregular fit at three Hartford high schools, where educators tried to persuade the teen they described as a respectful young man with a quick wit to choose education over the call of the city's streets. The streets proved too strong a lure. McCleland, 18, was fatally shot at close range on March 25, 2007 on Blue Hills Avenue in a quiet residential section of Hartford's North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_032707.asp

Eight Schools Given Lowest Grades Despite extensive reforms, eight of the state's most troubled public schools still have too many ineffective teachers, weak academic standards and low expectations of students, a new state report says. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_120805.asp

Eight Students Expelled Nearly half of the students who were arrested after a fight outside Fox Middle School in March 2006 will not return to the North End school until 2007. Eight students have already been expelled for 180 school days, and two more face expulsion hearings soon. The expelled students will attend the city's alternative education program called HALO on Locust Street in the South End until they are allowed to return to Fox on March 9, 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_042606_a.asp

EITC Interactive - Explore tax return data from 1997-2005 This interactive web page from the Brookings Institution allows the user to create reports that show the number of households that received Earned Income Tax Credits by zip code, or city/place, or county, or state, or Metropolitan Statistical Area, or congressional district through time. Published by The Brookings Institution
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_10_2008.asp

El Dinero de su Familia: Maneras Simples para Establecer un Mejor Futuro Ésta nueva guía de Hartford se enfoca en crear ventajas, educación, crédito, mantenimiento de dinero y planificación. (PDF file, 40 pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. ; Publication Date: November 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/2006HartfordFES_Span.pdf

Elephant In The Room: Low Value Of Work The Connecticut Voices for Children recently was among the advocacy groups that sponsored a forum on the topic of how and why the state should help struggling people get ahead. Using economic language to call for expanded state and federal programs for the poor is the first step toward a broader understanding that merely increasing the size of the economy - the main goal of national policy in recent years - is not enough. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/EconomicDevelopment/htfd_courant_011506.asp

Employed and Poor In Connecticut, pay for workers at the bottom of the wage scale failed to keep pace with inflation over the past 14 years, despite the economic expansion of the 1990s, according to an analysis of census data by the Economic Policy Institute, a research group based in Washington, D.C. Hartford Courant Staff Writer Mike Swift examines issues facing Hartford's working poor in this August 8, 2004 Hartford Courant article. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 8, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/EconomicDevelopment/courant_080804.asp

Enact Earned Income Credit In this editorial, the Courant suggests Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the General Assembly should make a state earned income tax credit one of those stimulants. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_021208.asp

Ending Hunger Must Go Beyond Providing The Next Meal The policy and advocacy group End Hunger CT proposes a three-year plan to make good food more accessible to people who need it. Its plan includes offering lunches and breakfasts in every school and getting more people who qualify to sign up for food stamps. But, its plan also includes helping low-income families achieve greater economic security; help a household become self-sufficient, and hunger becomes a thing of the past. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_020308.asp

Ending the Spectre of Youth Homelessness Homelessness among young people does not always mean that students live out of cars, or on the streets. It means that they have no stable place to make a life. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_021909.asp

Energy Bill Vote Left Out In Cold Neither a snowstorm, nor bitter cold, nor even a promise from the U.S. Senate majority leader could get Congress to approve extra money to help people with low incomes pay their energy bills this winter. Members of Congress, in the middle of a "Presidents' Day recess" did not act on a proposal to add $1 billion to the low-income energy assistance program. As a result, Connecticut is likely to run out of federal money for its program in about a month, and 12 other states have already exhausted their funds. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesAndChildren/htfd_courant_022106.asp

Energy Crunch Nonprofit-agency heads and state officials in Connecticut worry about a cold winter. Residents are faced with the worst economic downturn in perhaps 75 years and escalating energy costs. Will the programs in place to help those struggling with their utility bills be able to keep up? Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: November 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_advocate_111208.asp

Ensuring Stories Endure Even Anne Frank's diary, as compelling as it is, couldn't compare to the face-to-face testimony Holocaust survivors Seena and Bernard Schwarz gave to four young actors with Hartford Children's Theatre. The local actors star in the upcoming production of "And Then They Came for Me - Remembering the World of Anne Frank." To help them better understand their roles, the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford teamed the actors with local Holocaust survivors as mentors. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 21, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FaithCommunity/htfd_courant_042107.asp

Estimates for the Cost of Interpretation Services for Connecticut Medicaid Recipients This report from the Connecticut Health Foundation estimates the cost of providing limited-English proficient Medicaid enrollees with face-to-face interpreters in compliance with federal laws and guidelines. (PDF document, 24 pages) Published by Connecticut Health Foundation ; Publication Date: August 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/health/est_cost_interpreter_services.pdf

Evaluating the Performance of Charter Schools in Connecticut Connecticut's charter schools generally are making faster gains on state tests than other public school students from the same cities and towns, according to a study commissioned by the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now. Full Report - (PDF document 43 pages) Published by Connecticut Alliance for Great Schools ; Publication Date: February 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/charter_schools.pdf Related Link(s): Study Finds Charter School Progress

Evaluation of the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative 2005 VITA Campaign Based on feedback from Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) campaign members and analysis of tax data and information sheet data, it was determined that a successful coalition was built this year. Considerations for 2006 VITA Campaign include partnering with already existent VITA sites, broadening outreach with new partners, and building relationships with more city and state agencies. (PDF file, 55 pages) Published by Connecticut Policy and Economic Council ; Publication Date: August 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/economicdevelopment/2005VITA.pdf Related Link(s): Hartford Making Connections

Evaluation of the Take Your Money Connecticut 2004 EITC Campaign The evaluation includes an analysis of tax return data, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site intake and exit surveys, follow-up questionnaires from VITA volunteers, interviews with VITA site coordinators, Neighborhood Ambassadors and the Executive Director. Among other findings, it was determined that while the number of filers has increased significantly over the three years of VITA operations, the number of filers claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) has not significantly exceeded the city average. In order to reach low income families more strategic outreach needs to occur. (PDF file, 40 pages) Published by Connecticut Policy and Economic Council ; Publication Date: August 2004
Document Link: /issues/wsd/economicdevelopment/2004EITC.pdf Related Link(s): Hartford Making Connections

Even The Strongest Among Us Can Sometimes Use A Hand Connecticut legislators are considering a bill this session that would put more money toward adult education. Backed by an unusual coalition of organizations, including Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund, several chambers of commerce and the Capitol Region Education Council, among others, the bill is meant to assist adults with educational, vocational and technical training. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_041507.asp

Every Smile Counts: The Oral Health of Connecticut's Children, Pre-Publication Report This document is pre-publication report of the results of a state-wide survey of Connecticut's children who attended Headstart and public elementary schools during the 2006-2007 school year conducted by the state Department of Public Health. It found that dental decay is a significant health problem for the children of Connecticut. (PDF document, 38 pages) Published by Connecticut Department of Public Health ; Publication Date: September 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/Every_Smile_Counts.pdf

Ex-Inmate Has Dream To Own A Hot Dog Truck The new life of Tjayda T. Jones lies waiting, neatly arranged and re-arranged on his bed in a second-floor apartment on Hillside Avenue in Hartford. Bible. Resume. Clean clothes. Certificates of achievement. A book about driving laws. A Narcotics Anonymous manual. A photocopied magazine article: "How to Really Start Your Own Business." Somewhere within all this are the components of the dream that nourishes him. A hot dog cart of his own. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_061708.asp

Ex-Officer Will Stand Trial A Superior Court judge recently rejected a defense motion to dismiss manslaughter and assault charges against a former Hartford detective. The case against Robert Lawlor will now go to trial. Lawlor was charged by the state's attorney's office in June 2006 with first-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault in connection with an on-duty fatal shooting of Jashon Bryant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_031908.asp

Expert Panel Cites Urban-Suburban Inequities Treatment varies for suburban and urban youths charged with crimes. According to the state's Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System, disparities might be curbed if cities had as many counselors, police and school officials assigned to give troubled youths individual attention as some of the suburbs have. The commission plans to suggest possible changes in state legislation that might bridge that gap in funding, programs and personnel so that cities can create programs geared toward helping first-time offenders before they are arrested. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 19, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_011905.asp Related Link(s): Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System Annual Report and Recommendations 2003-04 (PDF document 85 pages) ; http://www.jud.state.ct.us/

Explicit Book Merits Support Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that the recent removal of a controversial book from a 10th grade classroom at Capital Preparatory Magnet School was an overreaction and a thorough review is in order. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_041206.asp

Families Welcome Federal Inquiry into City Shootings The families of Jashon Bryant and Brandon Harry are pleased with the decision to request a federal prosecutor's examination of their cases to determine whether or not federal investigation is necessary. Many Hartford residents feel as though the Hartford police would be incapable of delivering a fair investigation because of tensions between the police and residents. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 2, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060205.asp

Family Assets Scorecard 2005 While Connecticut ranks among the top states on measures on net family worth and educational achievement, disparities in family assets on the basis of race, income, and gender threaten Connecticut's economic strength and quality of life, according to this report. The report, developed in partnership with CFED, a national organization that works to expand economic opportunites, ranks Connecticut against other states in its performance on 31 asset measures in the areas of financial security, business development, homeownership, health care, and education. (PDF File, 36 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: May 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/econ05assets05.pdf

Family Of Slain Teen To Meet With Justice Department Representatives The family of Jashon Bryant, who was shot and killed in 2005 by city police Det. Robert Lawlor, was recently scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C., with representatives of the U.S. Department of Justice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_031110.asp

Family Ponders Attack's Motive After a barrage of gunfire wounded four members of Beatriz Chandler's family, they pondered who shot them and why. A shattered front window, bullet holes and bandages are constant reminders of the drive-by shooting the night of May 26, 2006 outside 21 Westland St. in Hartford. Police said the family members aren't affiliated with any gangs, though they believed someone on the street was a target of an ongoing gang war. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060306_b.asp

Family Taunts Lawlor A tense confrontation unfolded outside Superior Court in Hartford recently as Hartford police Officer Robert Lawlor, facing criminal charges in the fatal shooting of a teenager, found himself staring into the face of the boy's father. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 6, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_070606_a.asp

Family Ties Coldly Cut With estimates that 3 million American-born children have at least one parent who is an illegal immigrant, stories of families being split up are becoming heartbreakingly common. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Immigrants/htfd_courant_060307.asp

Family To Mark Anniversary Of Teenager's Shooting The family of Jashon Bryant, who was 18 when he was fatally shot by a city police detective, gathered recently to mark the sixth anniversary of his death. On May 7, 2005, Det. Robert Lawlor shot Bryant during the course of a police investigation in the city's North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_050611.asp

Family Well-Being Indicators for Connecticut Cities and Towns In December 2012, the U.S. Census Bureau released new data from the American Community Survey (ACS) on social and economic indicators for all 169 Connecticut cities and towns. These five-year estimates of household income, poverty, and educational attainment allow us to explore how Connecticut cities and towns have changed over the past decade. This report summarizes those changes. (PDF document, 24 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: May 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/People/econ13townwellbeing5year.pdf

Feds Taking New Aim At Gangs Local police departments will spend more time this year combating a resurgence of gang activity in city neighborhoods and in schools, and the feds will be picking up part of the tab. The Department of Justice has pumped an additional $300,000 into Project Safe Neighborhoods, a 4-year-old program whose mission - getting illegal guns off the street - has been expanded to include gang activity, U.S. Attorney Kevin O'Connor said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_050406.asp

Festering Violence Plagues Us From Within Bessy Reyna comments on recent violent incidents and expresses the opinion that the possibility of facing violence has become an integral part of our daily lives. Yet, each time there is a crime such as those committed in Tennessee, Wisconsin and Connecticut, we react as if it was the first time this has happened. It is time we confront the fact that we live in a very violent country; the violence made common by the ease with which we have access to weapons. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081508.asp

Field Trip Meets Reality A field trip by Glastonbury high school students to Hartford's Superior Court leads Helen Ubiñas to consider the different experiences of Hartford's youth in contrast to that of those in the suburbs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 23, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfdcourant_102305.asp

Fighting Child Poverty A group of state legislators has introduced a series of bills designed to cut the state's poverty rate by half over the next 10 years. "Blueprint to Reduce Child Poverty" follows recommendations that the state's Child Poverty Council detailed last fall. It is a potentially expensive endeavor that has been estimated to cost between $500 million and $1 billion over the next decade. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 16, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031605.asp Related Link(s): Child Poverty Council Initial Plan (PDF file)

Finding Warmth For The Poor Congress prepared to unleash a fresh icy blast Friday at Connecticut and other cold-weather states as lawmakers balked at providing what state officials say is enough money to help low-income families with mounting energy bills. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121705.asp

First Graduating Class; 21 People Complete Literacy Program The first graduating class of The Academy for Parents, a family literacy project for low-literate Latino parents of young children in Hartford recently celebrated the completion of the program during a ceremony at the Charter Oak Cultural Center. Modeled after successful literacy/parenting programs in Middletown and Willimantic, the academy is the pride of its founder, Art Feltman, a former Hartford city councilman who served as a state legislator for more than a decade. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/literacy/htfd_courant_120210.asp

First In A Series: Summer Youth Employment - Job Training Classes Teach Customer Service Skills Summertime in Hartford is often filled with stories of young people doing the wrong things. But in Hartford a jobs program has students taking a different path. Capital Workforce Partners runs a program to train, employ, and pay Hartford-area students. Each morning a classroom at the Blue Hills Civic Association is filled with 26 teenage students learning basic steps of how to get, and keep, a job. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: August 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/jcohen_080210.asp

First, Nail Down The Money Two months ago, when violence on Hartford streets spiked to unbearable levels, members of the city's legislative delegation recommended increasing the accountability for community programs as a way to stop the bloodshed. All too often, the lawmakers explained, grass roots organizations that seek to help youth mean well, but lack the sophistication to secure the resources they need to carry out their mission. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_082106.asp

Flawed Push For Government-Run System A Bitter Pill For Aetna, City Mark Bertolini an executive vice president for Aetna comments on a bill before the Connecticut General Assembly to create government-run health insurance system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_052007.asp

Focused Giving Reaches Those Most In Need The critical services provided by nonprofits in the Hartford region are increasingly in demand. More people are in need, many for the first time in their lives. And nonprofits are struggling to keep up. With flat or declining revenues, it requires significant cost-cutting. Some programs are being eliminated. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_122408.asp

Food Banks In Connecticut Struggling To Keep Pace With Demand The shelves at Foodshare's cavernous warehouse in Bloomfield are stacked high with boxes — but most of them are empty. Being frugal types, the folks at Foodshare are big on recycling, and when it comes to packing and shipping food, you apparently can't beat banana and tomato boxes.The problem for Foodshare President Gloria McAdam is filling those boxes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_091909.asp

Food Banks Struggle To Feed The Hungry As yet another sign of just how bad things are, for the first time ever Foodshare Inc., the Greater Hartford region's food bank, had to ration its holiday turkeys. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 25, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_112508.asp

Food Insecurity: Where's Lunch Coming From? Anxiety about where the next meal is coming from is rising in America, and in Connecticut. A disturbing report released this week from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that "food insecurity" — worry about running out of it — had dramatically increased nationwide, from 36 million people in 2007 to 48 million in 2008. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_112109.asp

Food Stamp Project Teaches About Hunger The Food Stamp Project, renamed this year as SNAP Into Action Against Hunger, is a project in which participants who otherwise might not understand the burden of hunger agree to live on just $3 worth of food a day, or the amount a typical food stamp recipient receives. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 24, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022409.asp

Food Stamps Need Skyrockets In Connecticut Data released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau showed that the Great Recession has pushed tens of thousands of Connecticut families and individuals to rely into food stamp assistance. By 2009, 107,127 Connecticut households used food stamps — a 44 percent increase from just two years earlier. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_courant_092810.asp

Foodshare Gets More For Its Buck Than You Do Thirty dollars delivered directly to a food pantry — which buys in bulk and enjoys multiple relationships with food companies, restaurants and the like for donations — will feed a person for a month. A few years back, Foodshare started to introduce the idea of donating funds rather than food with their Turkey and a Twenty program. Turkey, says Santora, is one of those rare foods that the food pantries can't get cheaper than a regular consumer. But introducing the idea of including $20 in their donations has started the ball rolling toward switching more to funds, and less to food. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 30, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/homelessness/htfd_courant_083009.asp

For Areas Top Officials, $300,000 Is High End The $300,000+ annual salary for the Community Renewal Team's CEO is 2.5 times larger than other non-profits in the state that are providing federal Head Start services to pre-school children, according to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services auditors. The U.S. Senate and the IRS are investigating the finances of non-profits across the country. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 24, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_042405_a.asp

For More Hartford Students This Year, Getting To School Is A Good Walk Spoiled Hartford Public School officials estimate that making more students walk to school will save more than $4 million in the 2009-2010 school year. Walking distances are as follows: up to one-half mile for students in kindergarten through Grade 2; up to 1 mile for third- through fifth-graders; up to 1.5 miles for sixth- through eighth-graders; and up to 2 miles for high school students. All the distances follow state maximums, but the limit for kindergartners through second-graders is half the state's 1-mile limit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_090109.asp

For Some, An Exercise In Hunger Goes On Forever In Hartford's Food Stamp Project, participants pledged to live on $4 a day, roughly the dollar equivalent in food stamps an individual gets these days. Partnering with Center City Churches, Donna Berman, executive director of the Charter Oak Cultural Center, organized the project to show people what it's like to live in the land of plenty but still lack access to abundant, nutritious food. About 100 people signed up, some for a week, and some for the entire month. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Homelessness/htfd_courant_031807.asp

For Students Facing Long School Day, Supper Is Served A free meal at school for breakfast, lunch — and dinner? About 450 city students have been eating supper in school cafeterias as part of a government-funded meal program that may expand in Hartford and also to other Connecticut school systems this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 16, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_011612.asp

For Students, A Dose Of Inspiration About 250 students and faculty members filed into the Fox Middle School auditorium recently to hear "The Three Doctors," a trio of school buddies who supported each other academically and in rejecting the lives of crime, drugs or prison that awaited many of their friends. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 28, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_092807_2.asp

For Youngest Students, a Hard Lesson During the 2003-04 school year, Hartford handed out 547 suspensions to students as young as pre-K. A growing group of Hartford residents are calling for an end to out-of-school suspensions for all grades. Hartford is experimenting with alternatives to suspensions, and a committee of teachers, students, parents and administrators has been meeting to develop a plan to reduce suspensions in all grades. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 4, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_050405.asp

Forced Marriage Connecticut’s professional nonprofits, squeezed by falling donations at a time when demand for their services is rising, are feeling greater pressure to merge to survive. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: June 29, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_062909.asp

Forgotten Victim Tylon Broughton was involved in a dispute over a stolen car with another teenager when he was stabbed outside of 48 Capen St. in Hartford's North End. Coming the night before the first 2005 homicide and a flurry of shootings, Tylon's stabbing received little publicity. The stabbing of Tylon - and the much higher-profile homicides of 14-year-old Reynaldo Batista and Lorenzo Morgan Rowe, a 15-year-old Weaver High School student, within 11 days have angered residents, who are clamoring for action by police and city officials. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 6, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_030605.asp

Former Actress, Librarian Celebrates 90th Birthday By Mentoring Gertrude Blanks stands in front of a classroom of second-graders at Fox Elementary School and asks them to join her in a re-enactment of a children's story she created. Blanks is spending her 90th birthday with the students and teachers she inspires every week with her stories and wisdom. Her experience as an actress at Hartford Stage and 25 years of working at Hartford Public Library have combined to make her a master of storytelling. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_060810_1.asp

Forum Addresses Children, Families A child welfare forum at Central Connecticut State University focused on ways current state and federal funding needs to be changed to better protect children and promote healthy families. Panelists demonstrated the importance of keeping families together, supporting children in foster care and continuing to support them once they are adopted or return home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062805.asp

Foster Care Population: Minority Kids In Majority Statewide, African American children make up nearly 36 percent of those in foster care, even though they make up only 11 percent of the state's overall child population. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081307.asp

Fostering Better Foster Care For nearly one third of the more than 5,000 children living in state foster care, the future is bleak. Their chances for adoption are slim. Their parents are long gone. No one is stepping forward to offer them a safe, permanent and loving home. Recently, at a foster care forum at the state Capitol, Connecticut child advocates, service providers and others recognized the urgent need to help these children and to reduce the overall number of children taken away from their families because of allegations of abuse or neglect. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 06, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_120607.asp

Foundation Helps Children In Need, Keeps Woman's Memory Alive What began with a memorial cliff walk in Newport, R.I., on Aug. 15, 2002 — the day Andréa Rizzo would have turned 25 — has evolved into a multifaceted charity organization that honors the young woman's life and carries out her unfinished dreams. Rizzo, who survived childhood cancer and who loved dancing and teaching children with special needs, was killed by a drunken driver in May 2002. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 15, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_051510.asp

Fourth-Grade Reading Results Take Downturn Connecticut's fourth-graders remain well above average on a national achievement test but can no longer claim to be the nation's best readers. While test scores across the United States improved since 2003, Connecticut lost ground in the proportion of fourth-graders deemed proficient in reading on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as the Nation's Report Card. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 20, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_102005.asp

From Drug Dealer to College Graduate Cesar Allende used to like selling drugs. Getting arrested and threatened with doing prison time didn’t stop him. What finally changed his life was a chance encounter at a gas station with Reverend Patrice Smith, a well-known anti-violence activist and a former candidate for mayor. Smith befriended Allende and numerous other youths seeking to break free from the violence and lawlessness on the streets of Hartford. As a result of turning his life around, he recently graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in psychology. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_072210.asp

From Jail To Honor Roll, Hartford High Graduate Took Hard Road To College This is the success story of Domingo Galarza who was the top Hartford swimmer to qualify for the state Class L swimming championship at Wesleyan University in 2012. Galarza is headed to Johnson & Wales University in Providence this fall as one of about 550 students committed to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families who attend college with the state's financial support of more than $5 million a year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 14, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061412.asp

From Trauma to Tragedy: Connecticut Girls in Adult Prison This briefing paper from the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate summarizes their analysis of services to girls by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and the DCF treatment of those who are incarcerated at the York Correctional Institution. (PDF document, 33 pages) Published by Office of the Child Advocate, State of Connecticut ; Publication Date: July 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/From_Trauma_to_Tragedy.pdf

Frustrating Lessons Issues are many and solutions are few as administrators, teachers, parents and students face federally mandated restructuring at Milner School. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061205.asp

Funding for Hartford Youth Ages 14 - 24 A study commissioned by the City of Hartford and Capital Workforce Partners of the programs and funding for Hartford Youth, aged 14 to 24. (PDF file, 23 pages) Published by City of Hartford ; Publication Date: October 31, 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/Youth_Funding_Report.pdf

Gamble Proves Worth The Risk The Connecticut judicial branch received Special Olympics Connecticut's Community Leadership Award recently at the organization's annual event honoring volunteers. Over the past twelve years criminal offenders in alternative sentencing programs have served as volunteers for the Special Olympics. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 8, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/PrisonerRe-entry/htfd_courant_030807.asp

Gang Memo Flap Shouldn't Obscure Prevention Grant Enid M. Rey, director of the Office for Youth Services in Hartford, writes that during the past few days, there have been questions raised about a $500,000 federal grant Hartford received to provide mentoring services to some of its most vulnerable youth. Because the application for the grant cited a June 4 police memorandum that used a broad definition of gangs to say the city has 4,000 street gang members, people are asking: Does Hartford have a huge gang problem? The answer is no. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_102509_1.asp

Gangs? What Gangs? Continued Helen Ubiñas comments about the gang situation in Hartford. Remember the sea of denial that ran from Hartford's city hall to police headquarters to the school district's central office when an internal police memo painted a disturbing picture of a city infested with gangs? How'd it go again? Oh yeah ... Gang problem? Police Chief Daryl Roberts wondered. What gang problem? Mayor Eddie Perez chimed in. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_112509.asp

Gay Couples Demand Marriage Lawyers for eight same-sex couples seeking the right to marry filed their brief in the state Supreme Court recently, setting the stage for an epochal legal battle on whether Connecticut permits gay marriage. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_112206.asp

Generous To A Fault? Nonprofits Must Align Efforts In this editorial, Tom Condon expresses the opinion that Hartford nonprofits should come together with the community to establish goals, determine who would do what to meet them and set benchmarks. There are redundant efforts to solve Hartford’s problems that could be streamlined and brought into better focus Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_021008.asp

Girl Scouts To Overhaul Image, Infrastructure Connecticut recently became a leader in the national campaign to breathe new life into the Girl Scouts of America as a new chief executive officer took over statewide operations just in time to steer the venerable, 97-year-old institution through a complicated transformation of both its infrastructure and its image. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_043007.asp

Gold Quits CCMC Post Larry Gold, president and chief executive officer of Connecticut Children's Medical Center, resigned recently, sending another aftershock through an institution that has been rocked by allegations that management and procedural lapses have jeopardized patient safety. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_010706.asp

Good Night Hartford For the second year in a row a small group of Hartford friends who share a birthday have celebrated by supporting "project night night,'' a children's charity dedicated to giving homeless kids some comfort. The project supplies kids with canvas tote bags -- each with a blanket, a book, and a stuffed animal -- the nighttime comforts of home for those without one. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/cityline_031110.asp

Governor Rell Announces Funding for New YMCA on Albany Avenue in Hartford Governor M. Jodi Rell announced recently that $1 million to help build a new YMCA on Albany Avenue in North Hartford is expected to be approved by the State Bond Commission at its meeting on February 29, 2008. The new facility will be developed by the YMCA of Greater Hartford in partnership with the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Inc. and Community Health Services, Inc. on a parcel of land at 430 Albany Avenue, adjacent to the Community Health Services, Inc. building. The parcel was purchased for one dollar from the City of Hartford in December 2007. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: February 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/northend_agents_022708.asp

Grads Look Back, Ahead Northwest Catholic High School seniors danced, gave high-fives, yelled and stomped their feet recently in the basement of the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, just before the start of their graduation ceremony. In a ceremony filled with prayers and song, 145 students from the private West Hartford school received their diplomas and heard speeches filled with high school memories and hopes for the future. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 8, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_060806.asp

Grandfamily Open House on Clark St. The Hartford Grandfamily Housing Development, a new affordable housing option for seniors and grandparents raising their grandchildren, held an open house for prospective tenants and interested social service providers on January 31, 2008. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_022108.asp

Grandparents 'Unsung Heroes' There are more than 21,000 children being cared for by their grandparents in Connecticut because their parents are unwilling or unable to care for them, according to the latest census. That is more than six times the 3,300 children in foster care, which tends to get the bulk of public attention, advocates say. Recently, more than 200 grandparents attended a conference dealing with grandparents and kinship care in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_112706.asp

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: A Hartford Grandmother Talks About Her Challenges Nationwide, census figures say the number of grandparents raising grandchildren increased by more than 25 percent since 2001, and researchers say that while the economy flounders, that number will increase. In Connecticut, some 45,000 children under the age of 18 live in a home headed by a grandparent, based on sample data taken by the Census Bureau over a three-year period, 2007 to 2010. That's compared to some 33,000 in 2007. Louise Douglas, of Hartford, discusses her challenges in raising her grandchildren. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 31, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_013112.asp

Grants Target Hunger, Homelessness The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has awarded nearly $1 million in grants to help Greater Hartford nonprofit agencies combat hunger and homelessness. The grants more than double the amount made last winter to help nonprofits through the winter months when demand for the food and shelter they provide are at a peak. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: December 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/hbj_121508.asp

Grievance Blocks After-School Snacks The Hartford school system has stopped providing snacks to hundreds of children in after-school programs because of a union grievance by food service workers who are demanding they be paid to distribute them. While union officials say they are simply asking the district to honor their contract, school officials say they cannot afford the additional labor costs and have stopped providing snacks to about 1,000 children in a variety of after-school programs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_092805_a.asp

Group Gives Parents Helping Hand African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities, or AFCAMP, is a parent advocacy organization whose central mission is to educate, empower, and support parents of children with disabilities in the City of Hartford for the purpose of improving their children's education and quality of life. Financial support comes from city, state and federal funding and the Tow Foundation, the Connecticut Health Foundation and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Learn more in this October 11, 2004 Hartford Courant article. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 11, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/courant_101104.asp Related Link(s): Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (P & A)

Group Plans Protest Of Library Budget Cuts An Asylum Hill neighborhood group demonstrated recently outside Mark Twain branch of the Hartford Public Library and planned a "read-in" to protest a budget-cutting proposal to shut it down. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_070108_1.asp

Group: Burden Not Extreme A group that advocates for more services for the disadvantaged says the conventional wisdom about how the state responded to its fiscal crisis is wrong, and Connecticut raised revenues more in previous recessions than in this one to close deficits. This deficit was larger, so the amount of taxes collected was larger, but as a proportion of the response, it was 37 percent, compared to 42 percent in 2002-2003 and 44 percent in 1989-1992, Connecticut Voices for Children's analysis found. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011312.asp

Groups Seek More Help For Hungry A Farm Bill forum was held recently in Hamden. It was organized by End Hunger Connecticut Inc. and the Connecticut Association for Human Services. The aim of the forum was to urge Congress to improve access to food stamp benefits when it writes a new farm bill this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 23, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_032307.asp

Guardian Angels Are No Panacea In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that if the Guardian Angels come to Hartford, don't expect miracles. The unarmed crime patrollers may help here and there, but they aren't likely to resolve the deadly gunplay that plagues the city. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_072609.asp

Guess What, Boss? Adult Ed Rocks Helen Ubiñas comments on the recent Hartford Adult Education graduation ceremony. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_121706.asp

Gun Court: At Least It's A Start For a few days last week Rick Green listened to the tales of gunplay that unfold in Superior Court Judge Bradford J. Ward's courtroom. Governor R. Jodi Rell ordered creation of the "gun courts" earlier this summer, with seasoned judges and prosecutors assigned to a docket containing only gun crimes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 8, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_080806.asp

Hartford Area Food Stores Price Survey - May, 2004 Hartford's Newest Grocery Store Ranks Among the Least Expensive: Of the eight Hartford-based food stores surveyed in the May 23-24, 2004 price comparison conducted by the City of Hartford Advisory Commission on Food Policy, Shop Rite in Manchester rates as the store with the lowest overall prices. Closely following Shop Rite in terms of low prices is Megafoods, Hartford's newest full-size grocery store, located at 76 New Britain Avenue. Published by Hartford Food System ; Publication Date: June 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_06_2004.asp Related Link(s): November 2004Survey Results

Hartford Area Food Stores Price Survey - November 2004 A snapshot of food prices at eight mid-sized grocery stores and 1 large supermarket in the Hartford area. This price comparison survey of 29 selected items was conducted on November 21-22, 2004. Each item is listed along with its price at each store. The total cost of all items for each supermarket is then added. (PDF file - 2 pages) Published by Hartford Food Policy Commission ; Publication Date: November 2004
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/food_survey_final.pdf Related Link(s): May 2004 Survey Results (PDF file - 2 pages)

Hartford Blueprint for Young Children: Delivering the Promise of Success (Full Project Report) On May 16, 2005, Mayor Eddie Perez unveiled a comprehensive five-year plan to enable Hartford's young children to achieve success in school and beyond. The plan was developed under the Mayor's direction by a team of early childhood professionals and community leaders. The plan outlines six goals and the steps necessary to achieve measurable outcomes for young children. Full project report (PDF file, 70 pages) Published by Mayor's Office, City of Hartford ; Publication Date: May 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/projectreportBlueprint.pdf Related Link(s): Executive Summary (12 pages, PDF file)

Hartford Brothers Fight To Stay Together Helen Ubiñas writes about a young man, whose mother recently died, who has a criminal record which might get him and his brothers kicked out of their home at a Hartford public housing apartment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121408.asp

Hartford Can't Grow Without Good Schools Improvements in the school system, perhaps regionalization of the schools, might be the key to Hartford's growth. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 23, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_082305.asp Related Link(s): Connecticut Center for School Change ; The Learning Communities Network

Hartford Children are Learning by Leaps and Bounds: Investment in Quality Child Care Pays Off This study of preschoolers who attended 14 child care programs in Hartford that receive funding and support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, shows that the children demonstrated significant improvement across five major developmental areas associated with school readiness. The study was commissioned as part of the Hartford Foundation's Brighter Futures Initiative, which works to improve the school readiness of Hartford's children. Published by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving ; Publication Date: October 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Education/wsd_10_2004.asp Related Link(s): Brighter Futures Initiative

Hartford City, School Officials Try To Answer Questions About Gangs In Schools On October 20, 2009, city and school officials at two separate venues continued to try to answer questions about a recent police department report that gang activity is on the rise in city schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_102109.asp

Hartford Communities That Care® Youth Survey Report The Communities That Care® Youth Survey is designed to identify the levels of risk factors related to problem behaviors such as alcohol, tobacco and other drug use -- and to identify the levels of protective factors that help guard against those behaviors. In addition to measuring risk and protective factors, the Communities That Care® Youth Survey also measures the actual prevalence of drug use, violence and other antisocial behaviors among surveyed students. The survey was sponsored by Eddie Perez, mayor of the city of Hartford; Purdue Pharma; Hartford Behavioral Health; City of Hartford Health and Human Services and Hartford Public Schools. The Channing Bete Company, Inc., prepared this report for HCTC. (PDF Document, 68 pages) Published by Channing Bete Company, Inc. ; Publication Date: December 2004
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/htfd_psd_04_ctcys.pdf Related Link(s): Hartford Communities That Care® Prevention Planning Project Web Site ; Hartford Public Schools

Hartford Council's Emergency Fund For Nonprofits Is Depleted If you and your nonprofit are looking for some emergency money from the Hartford city council, you're too late. Barely four months into the fiscal year, the council has allocated all of the $400,000 it reserves for "civic and cultural affairs" for everything from capital improvements for a local fraternity to basketball leagues, domestic violence programs and a jazz festival. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_102908.asp

Hartford CRT Center Wins National Award In this article, Unit Manager Elizabeth Mosquera answers questions about the 'Engaging Diverse Families Award' granted to Community Renewal Team's (CRT) Locust St. Early Care and Education Program by the National Assoc. for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/cityline_062310.asp

Hartford Development A Place For Grandparents Raising Children A new community has been built for grandparents raising children in a North End neighborhood bordered by Clark, Capen and Barbour streets. The development, called Generations, is a small piece of an answer to a growing issue in Hartford and other communities. The capital city has 2,157 children being raised in grandparent-headed households. Statewide, the number is 39,797, often because the children's parents are ill, dead, incarcerated, drug-addicted or troubled in some other way. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_122908.asp

Hartford Dreamers Reunite Helen Ubiñas writes that sixteen years ago, she joined about 30 Hartford high-schoolers on a long bus ride to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. The students were among a group of 71 SAND Elementary School sixth-graders who years earlier were promised that if they finished high school, their college educations would be paid for. Many of them got together for a reunion recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_053010_4.asp

Hartford Faces Daunting Child Obesity Problem Obesity is the global warming of public health policy. A recent study which found that 37 percent of Hartford preschoolers are overweight or obese, far exceeding national standards. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 03, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_120312.asp

Hartford Fact Sheet 2004, Connecticut Violent Injury Statistics System (CVISS) Connecticut Violent Injury Statistics System (CVISS) is part of a national collaborative effort to gather information on violent deaths occurring in Connecticut. This fact sheet describes statistics on violent deaths in Hartford during 2004. (PDF document, 6 pages) Published by Connecticut Children's Medical Center ; Publication Date: October 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/HartfordCVISS2004.pdf

Hartford Family Services Agency Mi Casa Managing To Survive Recently, things looked bleak for Mi Casa Family Service and Educational Center, the city organization that provides youth and family services primarily to Latino families. According to the city, the organization recently had enough money left for only three weeks of payroll, faced a possible $800,000 annual operating deficit and was working hard to get money from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. However, board Chairman Jose Martinez said Mi Casa is scraping by and dipping into its rainy day fund, but is not at risk of closing. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_082009.asp

Hartford Family Thankful For Generosity After Fire It was a struggle, but Pedro Alicea was making it. Working extra hours as a swing manager at McDonald's in Glastonbury, he was providing for his wife, Jacqueline Sierra, and their two sons and two daughters, ages 3 to 9. Jacqueline, 26, was going for her GED. Pedro would stay with the youngest, Gabriel, until Jacqueline came home from Hartford Adult Education, and then he'd go to work. A multiple alarm fire in the three-story, wood-frame tenement on the morning of Nov. 13 routed all three families in the Benton Street building. Pedro, Jacqueline and the kids, who lived on the first floor, lost everything they had. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 25, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_112510.asp

Hartford Father Grieves Son's Death In Unsolved Shooting James Evans Sr. is grieving for his son, who was murdered in Hartford only 5 days after he was released from prison in February 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 24, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_032409.asp

Hartford Homicide Victims Are Remembered During Good Friday March, Vigil When Pamela Joiner got to the corner of Main Street and Albany Avenue early on Good Friday, she looked among hundreds of crosses for three names: Jumar Joiner, Shawn Linton and Anthony Joiner. But the names of her son, his best friend and her brother weren't easy to find among the 294 crosses, each carrying the name of a victim killed in violent crime in the city since 2000. Pamela Joiner was one of more than 100 people who attended a prayer vigil and anti-violence rally Friday organized by Mothers United Against Violence Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 02, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_040210.asp

Hartford Is Their Heaven The second annual "Skate Jam" in downtown Hartford has attracted riders from as far away as Florida, California - and even Germany and Spain - to test their moves on a patch of Hartford pavement known worldwide as "Heaven." Adjacent to the Hilton Hotel, Heaven is a city park atop an overpass on I-84. It has nearly the acreage of a football field. The uninitiated might see this concrete landscape more as Purgatory, with its challenging ledges, handrails, cement stairs, portable ramps and traffic cones - all to be leaped and curled around by agile, fearless apostles. But this is skateboarding's hot spot, known throughout the skating world, largely a secret here at home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 27, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_112705.asp

Hartford Kids: Small World, Big Problem Helen Ubiñas expresses the opinion that more useful than a curfew or funding yet another neighborhood program where kids can play ball at their local rec center would be to rent a fleet of buses to get these kids out of here. Seriously, show them that there are more important things to belong to than some pathetic posse, more meaningful ways to make a mark on the world than to die young. Get these kids out of these 18 claustrophobic square miles, and let them see the world that could belong to them. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_082108_1.asp

Hartford Little League Joins Major League Baseball Program One of the city's youth leagues is now affiliated with Major League Baseball's Reviving Baseball In Inner Cities program, a partnership that local officials hope will bring stability and resources to baseball in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_021913.asp

Hartford Officer on Administrative Duty as Fatal Shooting is Probed Jashon Bryant, 18, was killed by a gun shot to the head on May 7th in Hartford's North End around 7:30 PM. As the investigation continues, Robert Lawlor, who fired his gun, has been placed on administrative duty. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 9, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_050905.asp

Hartford on the Couch Trinity College is beginning a two-year study of the state of Hartford. The picture of a declining city at the moment is a discouraging one. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: February 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_advocate_021408.asp

Hartford Parent Becomes A Big Volunteer At School It's 7:15 a.m. and Sylvia Garcia is starting the school bus. But she doesn't need keys for the ignition or gasoline in the tank, because this bus is foot-powered. Garcia operates what is called a "walking school bus" to and from McDonough Elementary School. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 03, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_120309.asp

Hartford Parent University Set To Launch Saturday The Hartford Parent University will soon be in session. The parent-led group, founded by Milly Arciniegas, will offer free training this weekend to City mothers, fathers and guardians on how they can become leaders and advocates for their children in the public schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_111312.asp

Hartford Parents Graduate From Empowerment Program Four Hartford parents graduated on May 6, 2008 from a parent empowerment training that stressed self-awareness, communication and effective problem solving. The ten-week course, underwritten by the Children’s Trust Fund of Connecticut, was offered to parents whose children are enrolled in CRT’s Early Care and Education Program. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_051508.asp

Hartford Police Memo Cites Alarming Increase In Gang Recruitment In Schools The city is suffering from a "gang infestation," with more than 138 street gangs and 4,000 members, including 800 under age 17, according to an internal police memorandum obtained by The Courant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 16, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_101609.asp

Hartford Police Unit's Goals: Reduce Domestic Violence, Keep Families Whole The Hartford Police Department has formed a new domestic violence unit that will begin training this week and should start work by early February 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_012410.asp

Hartford Protesters Furious Over Closing Of Mark Twain Branch Library About 25 people, some from the Laurel Corner Neighborhood Association, gathered at the Mark Twain branch of the Hartford Public Library in Asylum Hill for a planned "read-in" demonstration. The Hartford Public Library also announced that it has cut 19 jobs and plans to eliminate 21 student assistant positions at the end of August 2008. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 02, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_070208.asp

Hartford School Superintendent Gave Parents A Show Of Arrogance, Disrespect Helen Ubiñas writes that if she hadn't witnessed Hartford School Superintendent Steven Adamowski berating parents for having the nerve to press for a public discussion about gangs in city schools, she'd never have truly appreciated how deep his disrespect runs. She accuses him of denying, downplaying and ultimately dismissing parents’ concerns. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 22, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_102209.asp

Hartford Schools' Uniforms Change, With Little Notice With schools across Hartford set to open, parents and students were buzzing about the district's uniform policy, which many say generated confusion because of changes announced on short notice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_082108.asp

Hartford Schools, Police Sign Agreement To Curb Student Arrests Police Chief James Rovella and Superintendent Christina Kishimoto have signed a document that promises to reduce the number of city students who are arrested at school and cast into the court system for minor offenses. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 02, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_110212.asp

Hartford Seeks Grant For New North End Family Resource Center With a goal of educating parents on topics ranging from literacy to financial management, city leaders are looking to create a family resource office at the Parker Memorial Recreation Center, a North End facility otherwise dedicated to athletics and entertainment. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 14, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051410.asp

Hartford Stage Announces Summer Theatre Workshops Hartford Stage recently announced that registration is underway for theatre’s popular Summer Theatre Workshops. The six five-day workshops and one two-week workshop target students in a variety of age groups and cover a range of practical theatre techniques. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 23 - 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_news_052307.asp

Hartford Students Find Meaning In Repairing Bicycles In a profile of a neighborhood bike shop run by the Urban League of Greater Hartford, Rick Green writes that certainly bikes for city children can't replace learning to read, the chance to go to college or mothers and fathers with jobs. But a place with a purpose, a hopeful enclave on a street corner next to the Jamaican Fish Market, matters more than a little. It changes one's view of the possible. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 20, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_042010.asp

Hartford Students Learn Nonviolent Responses To Conflict Twenty-eight children — many from Hartford — have completed a special nonviolence training program at Weaver High School's Culinary Arts Academy geared toward changing the way kids respond to conflict. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_082212.asp

Hartford Superintendent Says Reports Of Gangs At School Inaccurate Superintendent Steven Adamowski, in an e-mail sent to school board members and other officials, said that reports of gang activity in the city schools are "inaccurate." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_102009.asp

Hartford Youth Art Renaissance Excellence Award Winners If you missed the 37th annual Hartford Youth Art Renaissance (HYAR) exhibition in the Hartford Courant Room of the Wadsworth Atheneum and the 3rd floor of the Hartford Public Library, be sure to see it in 2011. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 22, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/cityline_062210.asp

Hartford Youth Art Renaissance Exhibition at the Wadsworth From 'Futuristic Cityscape' in pencil and pen, a few loose brush strokes to color 'Fish Medley,’ the 37th annual Hartford Youth Art Renaissance is an exhibition to see. Opening May 8th and running through June 6th, the exhibition at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art features artwork by pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 11, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/cityline_051110.asp

Hartford Youth Football Group Upset Over Field, Stadium Fees The Hartford Hurricanes youth football group made a name for the city when its pee wee squad reached the Pop Warner national championships in Florida last December. But months after the city gave $20,000 to help fund the trip, coaches now contend that city officials are turning their back on the team and the poor condition of the Hurricanes' practice field at Keney Park. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 16, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_071613.asp

Hartford Youth Learn Nonviolent Approaches To Conflict Twenty-five students recently participated in a three-week nonviolence training program at Weaver High School's Culinary Arts Academy that taught kids how to diffuse potentially violent situations. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 01, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_080112.asp

Hartford Youth Violence: A Failure Of Hope This op-ed discusses the role of hope and hopelessness in the spike in youth violence in Hartford recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 25, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062506.asp

Hartford Youth Wrestling Program Raises Self Esteem Beat the Streets, a non-profit after-school wrestling program in Hartford has been very popular in part because, as one coach says, wrestling is "a mechanism for discipline, passion and ambition." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 14, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061412.asp

Hartford's Better Story Recently the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Hartford chapter in the North End was host to President George W. Bush. He was there to honor the agency for contributing $25,000 to his malaria initiative, a program that provides netting to keep mosquitoes from biting African children at night. The national organization, which offers a safe place for children to spend time outside of home and school, was founded as the Dashaway Club in Hartford 148 years ago. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_042908.asp

Hartford's Curfew Fix Hartford officials responded to a weekend melee during which 11 people were shot with a 30-day curfew for people under the age of 18. Everyone agrees it's a short-term solution. So what comes next? Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: August 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_advocate_082108.asp

Hartford-Based Drill Team to Perform in Vernon The 25-member Hartford drill team known as Another Bad Creation Drill Team and Drum Corps (ABCs for short) has danced in several drill competitions, often winning. Recently., Another Bad Creation hosts Drill-O-Rama, a drill dance competition at Ron-A-Roll in Vernon. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 24, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_062411.asp

Hartford’s Gun Violence Some of the essays that students at Fox Middle School wrote this past week about the recent spate of shootings in Hartford are reprinted here. During a five-day period, 16 people were shot in several neighborhoods in Hartford's North End. Two of them were Fox Middle School students, one of whom was killed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060406.asp

Having Girls In Prison Sparks New Attack On DCF Delinquent teenage girls are being confined in growing numbers at the state's York Correctional Institution for women in Niantic — stirring further criticism of child-welfare officials who already face a legislative investigative hearing to be held in September 2008. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_082008_1.asp

He Loves City, Warts And All Susan Campbell profiles Kenneth Thompson, whose Hartford basketball tournament, mentoring program, and the school backpack giveaway he organized, are part of a city's best defense against violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_082907.asp

He Truly Connected Johnny Duke's life spanned 81 years of Hartford history, some of it now swept away by time and bulldozers - places like Russell and Kennedy streets in the North End, where he grew up in tenement housing, and the Bellevue Square housing project, where he started a basement boxing club that became a sanctuary for disadvantaged kids. But much of what Duke championed during his mythic life remains as solid as one of his sledgehammer punches, mourners recalled recently at a funeral service that represented a who's who of the city and its environs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/History/htfd_courant_030906.asp

Head Of Youth Program Rescinds Resignation Amid questions about Hartford's funding of his youth anti-violence program, Andrew Woods, executive Director of Hartford Communities that Care, abruptly resigned last week - then rescinded his resignation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_120705.asp

Health Insurance in Connecticut - Summary of 2011 U.S. Census Current Population Survey Data The uninsured rate in Connecticut has held relatively steady over recent years, despite high unemployment and a struggling economy. Census data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) reveal that an estimated 8.6% of all Connecticut residents in 2011 were without health insurance for the entire previous year. (PDF document, 6 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: September 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/h12censusinsurancerelfact.pdf

Healthcare Crisis According to the Working Families Party (WFP), which organized a recent protest, an estimated 34,000 Hartford residents currently lack healthcare or are under-insured. That is enough people to fill the Hartford Civic Center to capacity two times over Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 14, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_news_021408.asp

Heat Out Of Reach For Many Low-income families in Connecticut continue to struggle to bridge the gap between what they can afford to pay for heating fuel and electricity and the actual costs. And according to a report released recently the forecast is a chilly one, prompting Patricia Wrice, executive director of Operation Fuel, to call for help from the legislature. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_120106_a.asp

Heating Aid Tangled In Politics The Senate recently stripped half this winter's allocation from the heating aid fund as payback for the defeat of an oil drilling provision; then congressional budget hawks quietly trimmed 1 percent from what was left. That last change, which should give Connecticut $40.9 million to serve about 85,000 households this winter, was at least the ninth time this year Congress has tinkered with the funding. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_122805.asp

Heating Poor Homes Community activists anticipate record demand for home heating assistance. Across the state the number of people seeking services is up more than 44 percent, which is clearly a sign of the struggling economy. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: December 25, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_122508.asp

Help for People in Need In this brochure, the Connecticut Department of Social Services, along with other Connecticut agencies and organizations, list a wide range of programs that may benefit your family. (PDF document 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Department of Social Services ; Publication Date: June 1, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/HelpforPeopleinNeed.pdf

Helping Teachers To Teach Rick Green writes that they're trying something radically different at a handful of Hartford schools: teaching the teachers about reading instruction. A small program funded by an $844,000 grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving emphasizes an instruction model created by New Haven's Haskins Laboratories, a private institute that studies speech, language and reading. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_111406_a.asp

High School Smoking Down Fewer Connecticut high school students are smoking these days, with the number using cigarettes dropping by about half over the past eight years, according to a state report released recently. The report also found that teenagers are less likely to drink alcohol or use inhalants to get high than they were in 1997, the last time the state completed a full-scale survey of youth risk behaviors. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060706.asp

Highway's No Place For A Giant TV Sex Ad Robert Thorson, a professor at the University of Connecticut comments on the gigantic TV screen perched above the westbound exit of I-84 at Sisson Avenue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_020906.asp

Hip-Hop Shakespeare There isn't an Elizabethan costume in sight, and none of the actors is saying lines in iambic pentameter. But there is a lot of dancing and rapping. At first glance, it's hard to tell that these 18 kids are rehearsing Shakespeare. The Hartford Stage Young Company, sponsored by the Greater Hartford Arts Council's Neighborhood Studios, presented "Breakdancing Shakespeare: The Comedy of Errors" at Hartford Stage recently, but with a twist. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_080909.asp

Hit-And-Run Victim Is Center Of Relatives' Universe Angel Arce Torres, 78, struck by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed Park Street in May 2008 remains paralyzed from the neck down. His life, once brimming with things to do and places to go, is now contained within a small room in the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain. The accident, captured on videotape, drew national attention. For a brief moment, the grainy image of Torres on the ground in full view of people who seemed — in this snippet of tape — indifferent to his plight became, in the eyes of many, the tragic embodiment of a city out of control. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_122608.asp

Holding The Family Together Helen Ubiñas writes about Mattie Laird’s effort to keep her family together in her home on Garden Street in Hartford over the last 40 years. The changes on the street eventually crept their way into the house until what happened outside mirrored their family. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_080609.asp

Homeless Veterans Owed A Debt Roughly a third of the homeless population are veterans, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Susan Campbell expresses the opinion that Connecticut needs more funding for shelters, and transitional, supportive and affordable housing for veterans. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Homelessness/htfd_courant_061307.asp

Homeownership Experience of Low-Income and Minority Families In the interest of supporting the development of effective policies for promoting and supporting homeownership, as well as to address the concerns raised about those who fear there is too great an emphasis on promoting homeownership, the purpose of this report is to review and synthesize what is known about the homeownership experience of low-income and minority households to assess the extent to which homeownership is likely to benefit these groups. While there have been several recent reviews of the literature that have assessed the empirical evidence on the benefits of homeownership, this study is unique in an explicit focus on what is known about the homeownership experience of low-income and minority households. (PDF file, 159 pages) Published by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research ; Publication Date: February 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/homeownership/Homeownership_Low_Inc.pdf

Honoring Our Commitment: Building A Stronger Future for Connecticut's Children: 2013 Connecticut KIDS COUNT Data Book Since 2004, the number of children living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level in Connecticut has increased from 24% to 30%. This report provides data and policy information related to child health, education, and family economic well-being. (PDF document, 84 pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services ; Publication Date: May 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/CAHS2013-KIDSCOUNT.pdf

Hope Is A Form Of Birth Control In Connecticut, communities with the highest number of births to teens are also the poorest. In Hartford, just under 19 percent of the city's live births are to teen mothers. Kids who believe they have a future are less likely to become teen parents. The most effective pregnancy-prevention programs teach children there's a big world out there with a place for them in it. Effective programs emphasize school performance, family life, career choices and sex education. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 02, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070208.asp

Hope is a Uniformed Cop Flipping Burgers Community policing has proven successful, as the number of shootings in the North End has dropped by nearly 80 percent, according to a recent Hartford police report. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081405.asp

Hope VI: Where Do We Go From Here? The 1993 HOPE VI program targets some of the most beleaguered housing in this country with the goals of "improving the living environment for residents of severely distressed public housing" and "providing housing that will avoid or decrease the concentration of very poor families." The seven briefs below are based on Urban Institute research conducted in 2001 and again in 2003 and 2005, following HOPE VI residents at five sites to evaluate where they moved and how the program has affected their overall well-being. Hartford is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point, although it was not included among the five sites in this study. Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp

HOPE VI’d and On the Move This brief evaluates how successful the HOPE VI program has been in achieving its ambitious objectives. Residents who have moved to the private market or to mixed-income developments reported substantial improvements in the quality of their housing and are living in neighborhoods that are considerably lower poverty. In contrast, those who remained in traditional public housing—either their original development or a different one—experienced virtually no improvement in housing quality over time. Hartford is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point. (PDF document, 10 page) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope1

House Tackles Drug Law Disparities State representatives, in a 92-52 vote, approved an amendment to a 1987 law targeting the crack cocaine trade. The law currently states that an individual with either 28 grams of powder cocaine or 0.5 of a gram of crack cocaine can be convicted for intent to sell. The amendment would change the amounts to 28 grams for either powder or crack cocaine. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051105_A.asp

Housing Assistance in Making Connections Neighborhoods This brief examines the scope and composition of housing assistance being provided through HUD programs to residents of the ten Making Connections neighborhoods. It also describes selected characteristics of the families that receive housing assistance and how their circumstances changed between surveys conducted in 2002/03 and 2005/06. At the latter date, the average share of eligible households that received assistance was 25 percent, the same as the national average, but there was considerable variation across sites: 46 percent of eligibles were assisted in Hartford and Louisville compared to only 13 percent or fewer in Des Moines, Indianapolis and Milwaukee. Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: December 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_12_2008.asp

Housing Choice Vouchers: How HOPE VI Families Fared in the Private Market This brief describes what happened to families who used a voucher to relocate from their original HOPE VI developments to the private housing market. The success of the HOPE VI program partly depends on the success of relocation with a voucher. HOPE VI has made significant progress in reducing poverty concentrations among original residents who moved with vouchers. (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope3

How Is the Economy Affecting Philanthropy in Our State? In late October, 2008, the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy asked its members to complete a survey on the effects of the current economy on the philanthropic and nonprofit sector. This document summarizes regional funders’ views. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Connecticut Council for Philanthropy ; Publication Date: January 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/2008_Economic_Impact_Survey_Summary.pdf

How the Nonprofit Community Can Take the Lead in Addressing Basic Human Needs Video A video of the February 13, 2009 community program, How the Nonprofit Community Can Take the Lead in Addressing Basic Human Needs, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: February 13, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_02_13_2009.asp

How to Get Food in Connecticut Connecticut Association for Human Services provides a useful guide about Connecticut's food programs. Includes sections on Food Stamps, WIC (a program for kids, women and babies), and programs for people 60 or older or who have disabilities, describing who is eligible and how to apply. (PDF file, 30 pages). Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/HowtoGetFoodinCT.pdf

Hundreds Of Hartford Residents Turn Out Against Violence Bushnell Park was recently filled with people for a vigil that was part outdoor concert, part neighborhood rally, part solemn, part hope. "Hartford Cares," organized in the wake of high-profile violence of the past month, drew several hundred people to the sprawling lawn as musicians and dancers performed, speakers offered stories of lives transformed in Hartford, community groups solicited volunteers and more than a few visitors offered their own prescriptions for change. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_070108.asp

Hundreds Seek Help With Energy Bills Rising energy rates combined with recently delivered shut-off notices recently drove hundreds of people to a social services agency in Hartford where they met with utility representatives in hopes of getting assistance with past-due bills. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_042708.asp

Hunger in America 2010: National Report Prepared for Feeding America This report presents the result of a study conducted in 2009 for Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), the nation’s largest organization of emergency food providers. It concludes that the Feeding America system served an estimated 37.0 million different people annually, an increase of 46% since 2005. (PDF document, 430 pages Published by Feeding America ; Publication Date: January 2011
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/feeding_america.pdf

Hurting For Work: Recession Hits Middle Class Hard In Connecticut The country's middle class has been under strain for years, but in this recession, thousands of once-comfortable Connecticut families have fallen into poverty. As Labor Day arrives in a sluggish recovery, a new report shows that the heaviest job losses have been in the middle of the pay scale and that Connecticut has seen more long-term unemployment than elsewhere. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 05, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_090510.asp

HUSKY Program Extended Governor M. Jodi Rell has agreed to extend the HUSKY program, which was slated to end June 30th, for another two years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_051105.asp

I Am - Playing Steel Drums This series appears every other Monday in the Hartford Courant, and explores the life experiences of teenagers and young adults in their own words. Kalea Griffith, 23, of Hartford, is no stranger to the sound of steel drums. Her father, Kelvin Griffith, has made all the instruments for the Hartford Steel Symphony, an orchestra made up entirely of steel drums. He also arranges all of the group's music. Each drum — "pan" in steel-drum vernacular — has a name such as "tenor," "bass," "guitar" or "cello." Kalea plays pan and also is a member of the National Guard. We caught up with the Griffiths during a recent rehearsal at the Trinidad and Tobago American Society of Hartford Inc. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 31, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_123107.asp

Immigration in Connecticut: A Growing Opportunity According to the United States Census Bureau’s newly released 2006 American Community Survey (ACS), about one out of every eight residents living in Connecticut was born outside the United States. This represents an increase in Connecticut’s immigrant population from one in nine residents at the time of the 2000 census and one in eleven at the time of the 1990 census. Many of Connecticut’s immigrants are the parents of children; these children represent an increasing proportion of Connecticut’s future workers and citizens. Importantly, many of these children are citizens, even if their parents are not. Policies aimed at non-citizens often have an impact on these children. (PDF document, 14 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: September 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Immigrants/econ_opportunity.pdf Related Link(s): Migration Policy Institute

Improving Access to Children’s Mental Health Care: Lessons from a Study of Eleven States A key piece of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) calls for the expansion of children's mental health coverage by strengthening state and local prevention, intervention, and treatment systems. This report identifies the systemic challenges to ensuring children's access to mental health care and points to encouraging examples of success from 11 states that can be used as a guide when implementing the ACA. (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ; Publication Date: March 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/ChildrensMentalHealthCare.pdf

Improving Care for Children and Youth in Connecticut's Child Welfare System Children in the foster care system are among Connecticut’s most vulnerable young citizens. As of June 2012, roughly 4,400 Connecticut children and youth were in the custody of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and removed from their homes because they had been abused or neglected by their parents. Many other children and families are receiving services from DCF to avert out-of-home placements. While there have been a number of significant and encouraging improvements in Connecticut’s child welfare system Connecticut has much work to do to ensure that it meets its responsibilities to the children and youth in its care. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/CB12childwelfare.pdf

In A Too-Violent City, Fertile Ground For Hope The urban plot on the grounds of Hartford's Charter Oak Cultural Center has blossomed with the help, donations and expertise of Urban Oaks Organics Farms in New Britain, among others. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081308.asp

In Fights Over School Services, DCF Children Getting Bigger Boost In an effort to ensure that the needy children under the care of DCF get what they deserve by law, DCF Commissioner Joette Katz has established the Connecticut Child Justice Foundation, a nonprofit group of lawyers working for free who will be available to defend the educational rights of DCF's 4,000 children. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 13, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_011313.asp

Increasing Prices Make It Tougher For Food Stamp Recipients To Get By As the economic downturn worsens and fuel prices continue to rise, thousands of Connecticut residents are swelling the food stamp rolls. And with the increase in the price of food outpacing increases in wages, and no boost in the federally funded program's payouts until October, it's getting tougher for food stamp households to get by. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 08, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070808.asp

Inmates' Forgotten Children Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that the state should use the $600 million it now spends on Connecticut prisons and transform them into educational and counseling centers. The greatest predictor of whether a child will end up in prison is whether or not they've had a mother or father in prison. Society has to reduce recidivism, and also remind the heirs of inmates that a prison stint is not a birthright, or something in their DNA. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 05, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_120507.asp

Insight Into Medical Careers Nine Connecticut high school students are taking part in a three-week summer medical camp program at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Hartford which allows students to observe doctors, nurses, physician assistants and other health care professionals as they make their daily rounds, interact with patients and carry out the responsibilities of their jobs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071706.asp

Institute Of Living Plans New Unit In response to an ongoing statewide shortage of emergency psychiatric treatment beds for children and adolescents, Hartford Hospital's Institute of Living is opening a new six-bed crisis unit for children later this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 21, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_072107.asp

Internet Safety Is Goal Of Bill Popular Internet social-networking sites like MySpace and Facebook would have to verify users' ages and get parental permission before minors could post profiles under a proposed law pending in the General Assembly. Connecticut would become a national leader in protecting minors on the Internet if it adopts the tighter age restrictions. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_030907.asp

Interval House: A Home Away From An Abusive Home Susan Campbell writes about Interval House, the Hartford area's domestic violence shelter. Women (and often their children) come here to escape slaps, kicks, shoves and name-calling. They vow never again to be a victim, and they come here in the middle of the night, the afternoon, on weekends. They bring belongings stuffed in trash bags, suitcases — or they flee their homes so quickly they come empty-handed. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_102509.asp

Interview with the Chief Until recently, Daryl Roberts was planning to retire from the Hartford Police Department at the end of this summer and assume a top-level security position at the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). And then he was asked to take over as Hartford’s top cop upon the retirement of Chief Patrick Harnett. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_news_071206.asp

Into School, Out Of Control More and more, school officials say they are encountering students in the earliest grades, including kindergarten, whose behavior poses a threat to both themselves and the children around them. The problem has become so serious that New Britain recently created special classrooms for young students with unmanageable behavior issues. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 2, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_040207.asp

Investigation Report: Hartford Transitional Learning Academy: A School in Need of Transition The investigation that generated this report began as an inquiry into allegations of abuse, neglect and other violations of student rights within the Washington Street campus of the Hartford Transitional Learning Academy (HTLA). Completion of the investigation was delayed by many months as the authority of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPA) to access parent and guardian contact information, and to visit the school while students were present, was litigated in Federal District Court. After the OPA’s authority had been established by the Court’s order, it was learned that the “hands on” disciplinary practices that had led to most of the original allegations of abuse had been administratively discontinued. It also became apparent that HTLA’s administrators were attempting to pursue a plan to transfer many of the school’s students, teachers and other resources back into neighborhood schools. This investigation’s findings support this plan, and the report concludes by recommending that HTLA’s middle school and high school programs ultimately be phased out. Published by Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, State of Connecticut ; Publication Date: November 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/htla_invest_report.pdf

Investing in the Early Years: A Great Return for Kids and for Connecticut Investing in the first five years of children’s lives benefits the children, their parents, and society at large. High quality caring and learning environments in the early years – starting at birth – are necessary if children are to be ready to enter school at age five. Affordable early care and education allows parents to participate in the workforce, and sets the stage for the next generation of workers to be productive members of society. (PDF document, 2 pages Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Education/CB12investearlycare.pdf

Is It Time For A Welfare COLA? Community advocates in Hartford are urging lawmakers to pass a bill this year that would give families receiving financial assistance from the state a cost-of-living adjustment. Advocates from Hartford Organizing for Power & Equality (HOPE) and Single Mothers on the Move say legislators last authorized a cost-of-living adjustment for welfare recipients in 1991. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_030907_a.asp

It Still Takes A Village This editorial expresses the opinion that when a teenager is out at 1:30 a.m. with a gun, that is a sign of minimal parental influence. The community has to respond at the first sign of such neglect, because by the time the kid is on the street with a gun, it's often too late. A team or case management approach for the children who need it, coordinated by school officials, would be a way to do it. It would build on an existing partnership between police and the board of education, which has succeeded in keeping violence out of the schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_060206.asp

It's Camp Courant's Season For 113 years, Camp Courant has been giving Hartford kids a respite from the city, making it the nation's oldest free day camp. This year it will offer water activities, games, sports and an array of classes and instruction. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_062707.asp

It's Class And It's Not In A Tent About 30 kindergarten through seventh grade Somali-Bantu refugees are attending the Hartford Public School Summer New Arrivals Program, learning reading, writing and basic math skills. The children in the program came from a place where they would be going to school in a tent one day, and running for their lives the next. One of the challenges the children face when they get here is learning that they're at school now - they're not allowed to go tearing down the hallway as they might have back home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Immigrants/htfd_courant_072706.asp

It's Sweet Success For Nearly 400 Capital Grads The three Dodo sisters who moved from Niger a few years ago not speaking a word of English exemplified the perseverance that characterized Capital Community College's graduating class at the recent graduation at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_060107.asp

It's Time For Men To Mentor Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that in Hartford, there's a dire need for more men to MEN-tor. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081608_1.asp

Its Job Done, Connecticut Gay-Rights Group Disbands After working for a decade to change public policy and opinion regarding same-sex couples, the state's most prominent gay-rights group is calling it quits. And that, say its supporters, is a good thing. Love Makes a Family will dissolve at the end of 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040209.asp

Jailhouse Blues Visiting a loved one in jail is traumatic enough without having to pass through a hellhole on your way in. At the Hartford Correctional Center on Weston Street, recent renovations forced the relocation of the visitors' entrance from the front of the building to the back, where it was replaced by a ghastly mess. Although the state Department of Corrections embarked on the $27 million renovation in March 2002, this jury-rigged entrance remains visitors' only access. To be fair, much of the construction, including a new gym, kitchen and visitors' lobby, will benefit the prisoners. But for now, it's wreaking havoc. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_092406.asp

John Edwards Brings Anti-Poverty Campaign To Hartford But John Edwards still is campaigning, five months after ending his run for president. Edwards brought his new anti-poverty campaign to a Hartford public housing project recently, where residents say they have struggled for attention at the state Capitol. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071108.asp

Journey Home: Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in the Capitol Region, Implementation Plan During the past year more than 4,000 people spent from a night or two to the whole year in an emergency shelter and nearly twice this number were turned away because there was not enough room for them. To address this need, Mayor Eddie A. Perez has led the region in developing a 10-year plan to end homelessness. The primary focus of this implementation plan includes reducing the frequency and duration of homelessness and moving more homeless into stable, permanent housing. (PDF document, 80 pages) Published by Hartford Commission to End Homelessness, Office of the Mayor ; Publication Date: October 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Homelessness/Hartford_Commission_to_End_Homelessness.pdf

Juneteenth Celebration The 15th annual Juneteenth Family Day was held at the Wadsworth Atheneum recently. The three day Juneteenth celebration, is named after the day that the last slaves in the United States were officially freed in Galveston, Texas. The exhibits and activities at Juneteenth Family Day were specifically geared towards children. Collages, jewelry-making, face-painting and refreshments were among the stations set up throughout the Atheneum. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: June 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_news_062106.asp

Jury Selection Set For Wednesday In Lawlor Police Shooting Case Jury selection began recently in the trial of a former Hartford police detective accused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Jashon Bryant and wounding another person while working with federal authorities on an anti-gun task force in May 2005. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_102709.asp

Justice For Troubled Teens This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that children with behavioral issues need treatment, not punishment. So it is a huge relief that the state Senate approved a bill ensuring that 16- and 17-year-olds who get in trouble with the law land in juvenile court rather than adult prison. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 31, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_053107.asp

Justin: Filling In The Blanks Talk to those who knew Justin Parent, and the same words come up again and again: Outgoing. Driven. Funny. He was the class clown who seemed to own a spot on the honor roll at Glastonbury High School, a pre-med student at Penn State who could lighten a room with an almost defiant ability to make people laugh. Not the kind of kid who dies of a heroin overdose two months before his 20th birthday. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 16, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/drugs/htfd_courant_121607.asp

Juvenile Justice Advocates At the State Capitol Coming this summer, most 17-year-olds charged with crimes will go from being treated like adults to being treated in the juvenile justice system. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: March 23, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/jcohen_032312.asp

Juvenile Justice Reform In Connecticut: How Collaboration and Commitment Have Improved Public Safety and Outcomes for Youth Perhaps more than any other state, Connecticut has absorbed the growing body of knowledge about youth development, adolescent brain research and delinquency, adopted its lessons, and used the information to fundamentally re-invent its approach to juvenile justice. As a result, Connecticut’s system today is far and away more successful, more humane, and more cost-effective than it was 10 or 20 years ago. (PDF document, 55 pages) Published by Justice Policy Institute ; Publication Date: January 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/jpi_juvenile_justice_reform_in_ct.pdf

Juvenile Justice: They're Just Kids Teenagers under age 18 who are charged with misdemeanors can no longer be tried as adults in Connecticut. As of July 1, 2012, those under 18 charged with non-felonies are being handled by Connecticut’s juvenile courts. Class A and B felonies are still automatically handled in the adult courts regardless of the defendant’s age, but those under 18 who are charged with Class C and D felonies will get a hearing, after which the case could be sent to either the adult or juvenile court system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 18, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071812.asp

Juvenile Records Access Resisted Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposal to allow the state Board of Pardons and Paroles access to sealed juvenile offender records is meeting resistance from youth advocates who are urging state lawmakers not to act hastily. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_012008.asp

Juvenile School Would Grow Nearly three years after pledging to close the troubled Connecticut Juvenile Training School for boys in Middletown, Gov. M. Jodi Rell is not only keeping the high-security facility open, but is more than doubling the number of children there. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_021008_1.asp

Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System: Raise the Age? Audio A audio recording of the April 16, 2007 community program, Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System: Raise the Age?, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: April 16, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_04_16_2007.asp

Keep Libraries Open The Hartford Public Library this week is closing two branches, one in Blue Hills and the other in Asylum Hill, and laying off 40 full- and part-time employees to help close an $875,000 budget deficit. In addition, some services for children, adults and immigrants are being cut. In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that the mayor and council should go back and find the money. The $8.2 million library budget is less than 1.5 percent of the city budget. Would that more of the budget were so well spent. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070108.asp

Keeping An Eye On Gang Signs About 400 officials and community members from around the state gathered at the Connecticut Convention Center recently for a gang-prevention summit. About half of the participants represented Hartford agencies, schools and community groups. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_093006.asp

Keeping Children on the Path to School Success: How is Connecticut Doing? How are young children (birth to age 5) progressing toward success in school? It is a question that is piquing the interest of parents as well as policy makers and business leaders across the country because of the strong association between school success and lifetime achievement. By highlighting trends and key findings at the state and local level in five critical areas affecting child development, this publication helps reveal how Connecticut's young children are faring and where action is needed to promote better outcomes. (PDF document - 100 Pages) Published by Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut and the Department of Social Services ; Publication Date: September 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_09_2004.asp Related Link(s): 2004 Connecticut Kids Count Data Book: Family Economic Security: Investing in Families . . .

Keeping Teenagers Alive The Governor's Teen Driving Task Force was formed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell in November 2007 in the aftermath of seven teenage deaths in car crashes over a four-month span last year. The group includes parents, police, and representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Department of Motor Vehicles, the insurance industry and others. The panel plans to make final recommendations to the governor in early May 2007. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_022108.asp

Kicked Out Before Kindergarten According to the study conducted by Yale University, "Pre-kindergartners Left Behind: Expulsion Rates in State Pre-kindergarten Systems,” Connecticut ranks 7th among 40 other states with state-funded pre-kindergarten programs for the highest rate of expulsions, with 12.3 students expelled per 1,000. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051705_a.asp Related Link(s): Prekindergarteners Left Behind: Expulsion Rates in State Prekindergarten Systems (PDF file)

Kids Count Data Center The Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT online database has a whole new look and feel. Now featuring child well-being measures for the 50 largest U.S. cities, this powerful tool also contains more than 100 indicators, including the most recent data available on education, employment and income, poverty, health, and youth risk factors for the United States as a whole, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. You may create your own maps, charts and graphs by topic or geographic area. Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/KidsCount.asp

Kids Count Data Center: State Profiles of Child Well-being This 18th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book provides national and state-by-state information and statistical trends on the conditions of America’s children and families. New this year is information on child well-being in Puerto Rico. This year’s essay examines the child welfare system and challenges the country to make lifelong connections for children and youth in foster care a national priority. Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation: Kids Count ; Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/KidsCount.asp Related Link(s): Connecticut Kids Count Report

Kids Count Data Snapshot: Reducing Youth Incarceration in the United States Although we still lead the industrialized world in the rate at which we lock up young people, the youth confinement rate in the United States is rapidly declining. In 2010 this rate reached a new 35-year low, with almost every state confining a smaller share of its youth population than a decade earlier. This decline has not led to a surge in juvenile crime. This report highlights this positive trend and provide recommendations that can encourage its continuation. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: February 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/DataSnapshotYouthIncarceration.pdf

Kids Get a Dose of College Life More than 500 students from Dwight Elementary School in Hartford's South End and several parents participated in the second annual whole-school college visit to Central Connecticut State University. The trip was sponsored by the nonprofit Foundation for Excellent Schools. The foundation pairs schools in low-income communities across the country with nearby colleges and universities to help students begin their college preparation at an early age. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 30, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_043005.asp

Kids Ready for Jobs Capital Workforce Partners, having a received a large number of applicants for summer jobs, needs a larger budget in order to employ youths – Hartford's future workforce. Providing jobs for these youths would not only benefit the city's economy, but also reduce violence and crime. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 23, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_052205.asp

Kids' Futures Will Demand They Choose This summer, 20 youngsters from the Nelton Court housing project and the new Stowe Village complex are taking part in the "Youth Investment Club," a pilot program run by the Hartford Housing Authority and designed by Executive Director Lance Gordon. The kids attend workshops on leadership, character and money management twice a week at UHart. They visited the Legislative Office Building. Other trips planned include a golf outing, a day with animator Joe Young, bowling, ice skating, a trip to the Wadsworth Atheneum and the Pequot Museum. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 19, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_071906.asp

Kids' Mental Health Care Imperiled If parents are lucky enough to find a child psychiatrist in Connecticut for their children, they are likely to find that half no longer take private insurance. Many of those who accept private insurance say restrictions also often force them to prescribe drugs rather than engage in talk therapy, according to a survey of child and adolescent psychiatrists released. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_041307.asp

Knox Parks Foundation: Garden Giants Knox Parks Foundation has been building a quiet legacy, beginning in 1966 as a trust by Betty Knox to fund improvements to the city. Not so much a familiar face of Hartford, theirs are the recognizable green thumbs whose imprints you see every day in every pocket of the city. Knox Parks' mission is to mobilize Hartford into beautifying itself, by banding together communities that can heal their urban scars by building community gardens, planting trees, cleaning graffiti and lining neighborhoods with flowering pots. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_012408.asp

Kordell Hinds is 'Youth of the Year' The Boys and Girls Club of Hartford selects Kordell Hinds for the "Youth of the Year" award. Kordell is described as a terrific young man, bright and gracious. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_032805.asp

Lack Of Financing Shuts Brazilian Cultural Center What began as a dream of helping fellow Brazilians has ended in disappointment for Hartford resident Esther Sanchez-Naek. In September 2004, the Brazilian native opened the Shaheen Brazilian Cultural Center at 1915 Park St., where she and volunteers offered lessons in Portuguese, English and computer use. But on Jan. 16, she closed the center, blaming a lack of money. Sanchez-Naek said she received monetary support from local churches, but not enough to keep things going. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_012406.asp

Landscape Report on Hartford Youth The Landscape Report uses data on selected topics as indicators to paint a broad portrait of the status of nine-to-24-year-old young people living in Hartford. (PDF document, 16 pages) Published by City of Hartford, Office for Youth Services ; Publication Date: March 2011
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/HOYSLandscapeRptV1.pdf

Larson Announces $691,000 in Federal Funding for Our Piece of the Pie On February 25, 2008, Congressman John B. Larson presented Hartford’s Our Piece of the Pie (OPP) with a check for $691,000 in federal funding to support their youth services programs. The money will go directly to OPP two programs. The first is an employment enrichment program that helps out of school youth become productive members of the community. The second provides aid and social services to grandparents who are raising their own grandchildren. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_022808.asp

Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund: An Uneven Split The appeal arrives on the personalized stationery of Mrs. Stephanie Lawlor, an emotional plea for contributions to a legal defense fund for her husband, former Hartford cop Robert Lawlor, who was indicted on "trumped-up charges" in the 2005 shooting death of 18-year-old Jashon Bryant. Lawlor's request has landed in mailboxes all over the country. And it is a fund drive that works.The nonprofit behind the note, the Virginia-based Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund, has already sent $45,000 to Lawlor and his attorney, with thousands more expected. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 23, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_112308.asp

Lawmakers Debate Plan To Restrict Home-Heating Aid With federal money being slashed deeply by President Obama, state legislators Tuesday debated the merits of a plan by the Malloy administration to distribute the federal money only to residents who use oil to heat their homes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 27, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_092711.asp

Lawmakers Promote Plan To Reduce Youth Violence U.S. Rep. John Larson of Connecticut and U.S. Rep. Robert Scott of Virginia recently came to Weaver High School to discuss federal legislation that would, if passed, put $2.9 billion each year into the hands of local organizations that work to understand and prevent youth violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 29, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_052908.asp

Lawyer: Shooting Justified The lawyer for Hartford police Officer Robert Lawlor has written a scathing rebuttal to a report released last month that concluded Lawlor was not justified in shooting and killing a teenager last year and should face criminal charges in the incident. Lawlor's attorney, Michael Georgetti, wrote the rebuttal in response to a report prepared by Waterbury State's Attorney John Connelly, who oversaw a grand jury investigation into the May 7, 2005, shooting in the city's North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060306.asp

Lead Poison: City at Risk Hartford's lead poison prevention program is in disarray. Federal funding is being lost, and children are being poisoned. Ramon Rojano, the city's health and human services director, is working to improve conditions. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 27, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_102704.asp

Learn About Hunger To raise both consciousness and donations, Charter Oak Cultural Center and Center City Churches are challenging individuals or families to live on a food stamp budget for either a week or a month during March 2007. Participants must agree to buy and eat only what food stamps will provide, and not accept food at social gatherings or eat what's already in the house. Participants can, however, visit soup kitchens or food pantries. In other words, they will eat as many in Hartford do, hand to mouth. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_011807.asp

Learning To Be A Lady The high tea had all the fixings: biscotti, mini cucumber sandwiches, croissants, delicate cookies and, of course, tea. What was unusual were the hosts - the contestants in the Miss Hartford High Pageant. The pageant isn't until the spring, but throughout the school year the 11 contestants are learning the behavior and etiquette that transforms a girl into a young lady. Mastering the poise to carry themselves at a tea party is a primary goal of the program run by Catholic Charities with a 21st Century state grant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_021907.asp

Leaving N.Y. for Hartford The writer expresses her reasons for returning to Hartford. Without hesitation and definitely without apology, she says she moved here: "Because I love Hartford and it's a great city." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081308_1.asp

Left Outdoors, School Activists Invited In Through a misunderstanding, members of the newly formed Milner Elementary School Community Board were under the impression that school officials had banned the group from meeting in the parents' lounge, and so met outside the school. The schoolyard meetings were quickly consigned to history. The activists will be meeting inside the building on Tuesday mornings. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_091405.asp

Legislative Action: What Does It Mean To Me? This article is a summary of what various pieces of legislation before the Connecticut General Assembly mean to the average citizen. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_051108.asp

Legislative Task Force Listens To Emotional Testimony On Fatherlessness A recent hearing was convened by the legislature's Task Force on Fatherhood. The panel was created earlier this year to address the impact of fatherlessness, and the ways public policy might encourage it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 09, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_120908.asp

Let's Give A Hand To Grandparents Raising Kids Robert K. Killian Jr., a family court judge, argues for more support for grandparents who care for grandchildren. The majority of child protective custody cases are placements with relatives, most often with grandparents. More than 20,000 kids are the court-appointed wards of their grandparents, their parents having been removed by a court. If only 8 percent of the grandparents caring for grandkids were unable to do so, the number of children in foster care could more than double. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_091006.asp

Let's Try To Turn Hartford Around Tom Condon proposes a variety of projects to help turn Hartford around, from funding a teen pregnancy prevention program to summer youth recreational programs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_061508_2.asp

Liberians: An Introduction to Their History and Culture This profile provides general information about Liberians - their history, culture, language, and resettlement experiences. The profile is intended primarily for service providers who will be assisting the refugees in their new communities in the U.S. The number of Liberian refugees in Hartford is increasing. Published by The Center for Applied Linguistics ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/immigrants/liberians.pdf

Life After High School An in-depth study based on a national random sample telephone survey of young adults, along with focus groups. The study sample includes those who have degrees, those who have graduated from vocational and technical schools, those who never went on to higher education or who dropped out, those who are full-time students, and those who are working. The survey demonstrates that regardless of race or ethnic background, financial or educational attainment, most young Americans believe that continuing to study after high school is an advantageous step. (PDF file - 50 pages) Published by Public Agenda ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Education/wsd_2005.asp

Life at Dutch Point Slowly Fades Away Hartford's largest-scale public housing project is being demolished to make way for modern apartments and townhouses. Dutch Point, like public housing across the country, was built on the theory that the poor could live happily and safely in high-density complexes. Now, the thinking is that dispersing low-income people to scattered neighborhoods and smaller projects is a better idea. Demolition forces the relocation of 186 families at government expense. Dutch Point sits on the southern edge of downtown Hartford in the Sheldon Charter Oak neighborhood (CSS CON NRZ) Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 26, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/courant_092604.asp

Life Terms For Juveniles: Change Is On The Way With several inmates in Connecticut serving more than 60 years for crimes committed as children, the question facing legislators is not whether they will change state laws in reaction to a U.S. Supreme Court decision barring mandatory life sentences for juveniles, but how far the change will go. Published by CT Mirror ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/ct_mirror_031213.asp

Liquid Temptation The police have responded to pool hoppers or complaints about the fences they've broken at Pope Park's pool at least 150 times in the past six years. Neighbors sit on their steps and watch the kids, dozens of them, cut the fence, swim in the pool, run from police and return to the water when they leave. Last week, a committee of the city council approved new metal fencing at Pope and Goodwin parks - the kind that has secured the pools at Colt and Keney parks for a couple of years. The city is also exploring further safeguards - including security cameras and retractable pool covers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_080106_a.asp

Little Green Giants For a dozen summer campers at the Asylum Hill Boys & Girls Club, the treasures at the Huntington Street community garden are the organic vegetables and herbs that they planted in late June. Families are invited to harvest the rest of the bounty when the seven-week program is over, said Sandy Fromson, a board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. The organization plans to continue the program for future summers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 31, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_073113.asp

Live Long, And Prove Your Worth Helen Ubiñas expresses the opinion that we have to stop making excuses for the young people in Hartford. It's undeniable they face poverty, hopelessness and other hardships each day, but we have to stop explaining away their self-destruction, their recklessness, their unwillingness to make the hard decisions. We have to hold them accountable. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_043006.asp

Living Below the Line: Economic Insecurity and America’s Families This report finds that large segments of the US population live on incomes that fail to provide even basic economic security. (PDF document, 15 pages) Published by Wider Opportunities for Women (WOW) ; Publication Date: December 2011
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/Living_Below_the_Line.pdf

Long Wait Remains Of 47,683 Connecticut families and individuals who applied, 12,000 were picked in a computerized lottery this summer to get housing vouchers through the federal Section 8 housing program and the state's Rental Assistance Program. But the winners, chosen at random and desperate for rental assistance, won't receive a coveted voucher that pays part of their rent in private housing any time soon. They have merely won placement on a waiting list. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 21, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_102107.asp

Longtime Hartford Educator Vernal Davis Dies At 74 Vernal Paul Davis, a longtime educator in Hartford who devoted his life to helping children, died Sunday, January 25, 2009. He was 74. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 30, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_013009.asp

Looking For A Little Help From Those Who Can Provide It Helen Ubinas writes that she wasn't thinking nearly big enough the other day when she suggested that politicians should venture out of the Capitol to get a taste of the real world behind all that legislation they're too quick to put on the back burner. After dropping by a utility clinic recently where people waited for help to keep their power on, she realized what she should have proposed was a full-on bus tour. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 29, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_042910.asp

Looking Out For Inmates' Children Representatives from an array of state agencies met at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford recently for a summit to hash out a plan to create a bill of rights for children of incarcerated parents. In Hartford alone, an estimated 4,500 to 6,000 children - about one in every six children in the city - have at least one parent in a state prison. The very fact that no hard numbers exist and that the state is left to extrapolate estimates from national trends illustrates the need for local attention. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 16, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/PrisonerRe-entry/htfd_courant_111606.asp

Low-Income Children in the United States: National and State Trend Data 1994 - 2004 After nearly a decade of decline, the number of children living in low-income families has been steadily increasing, a pattern that began in 2000. The data book available at this website provides national and 50-state trend data on the characteristics of low-income children over the past decade: parental education, parental employment, marital status, family structure, race and ethnicity, age distribution, parental nativity, home ownership, residential mobility, type of residential area, and region of residence. Published by National Center for Children in Poverty
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/low_income_children.asp

Low-Income Working Families: The Growing Economic Gap The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2011 American Community Survey, provides a snapshot of low-income working families in America and highlights the growing economic divide between working families at the top and bottom of the economic ladder. (PDF document, 9 pages) Published by The Working Poor Families Project ; Publication Date: January 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Winter-2012_2013-WPFP-Data-Brief.pdf

Lowest-Paid Falling Behind Although Connecticut has regained the jobs it lost in the last recession, the state's low-wage workers have not shared in its renewed economic growth, according to the 2007 annual Labor Day report issued by Connecticut Voices for Children. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 02, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_090207.asp

Magnets Can Attract Achievers Magnet schools in Hartford might have what it takes to send more youth on to college, and improve Hartford's image at the same time. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 31, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_083105.asp

Making Connections in Hartford: A Pathway to Better Results A summary of the Making Connections Hartford project. At its core Making Connections is a community-led change process. It relies on the active engagement of stakeholders from all sectors of Hartford to exert their will to influence the policies, programs, practices, and investments that will improve the well being of vulnerable families and distressed neighborhoods in sizeable, measurable and sustainable ways. The focus is on the Frog Hollow and Upper Albany neighborhoods, and on improving the lives of working families there. In particular, early childhood education, family economic security are the two areas in which the organization is working. (PDF file, 8 pages) Published by Making Connections Hartford ; Publication Date: December 20, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/MCHpathways.pdf

Malloy Proposes Plan To Balance State Budget Gov. Dannel P. Malloy handed the General Assembly a strategy to reduce the state budget deficit by $243 million recently, slicing deeper into programs that serve children and the needy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 07, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_120712.asp

Mandatory Sex Ed Would Help Keep Teens Safe In this opinion piece, the author suggests that with more than one-third of all sexually active state teenagers not using condoms during sex, we need to mandate sexual education in public high schools and teach students about safe sex; this will arm them with the information and knowledge to make healthy sexual decisions. Connecticut does not require public high schools to offer sexual education. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_111908.asp

Many Released Juveniles Return About a third of the boys who left the state's juvenile correctional center in Middletown wound up back at the facility or in adult prisons in a matter of months, according to a recent review. Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and state Child Advocate Jeanne Milstein say the revolving-door problem shows that the Connecticut Juvenile Training School continues to fail its mission, and they are demanding answers from the state Department of Children and Families, which oversees the school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 18, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061806.asp

Mayhem-First Mindset On Street A Perplexing Problem Stan Simpson discusses the youths mindset for mayhem that presents the families, the public, police, and elected officials with a perplexing problem of finding a solution. Mindless shootings over even the mildest of confrontations or perceived slights aren't just isolated in Connecticut. The solution may be spiritual. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_021506_a.asp

Mayor Plans Agency for Children Mayor Eddie A. Perez announced May 16th his vision to improve the health and education facilities for children up to age 8 in Hartford, describing it as a “new city agency.” Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051705.asp

Mayors Address Illegal Guns Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino opened an all-day summit in New York City recently, attended by Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez and 12 other mayors aimed at coordinating their efforts on curbing crime committed with illegal guns. The mayors - from cities including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas, Milwaukee and Seattle - gathered at the official mayoral residence, Gracie Mansion, to exchange ideas, consult experts and develop law enforcement cooperation among their cities. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_042606.asp

Meeting the Challenge: The Dynamics of Poverty in Connecticut This report aims to describe, statistically and anecdotally, and in narrative and graphic form, just how deep and wide the conditions of poverty are that existed in Connecticut in from 1990 to 2010. (PDF document, 52 pages) Published by Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis ; Publication Date: January 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Region/CT_Poverty_Report.pdf

Memorial Held For Hartford Teen Stabbed To Death Lewis Dickerson, who would have turned 19 in December, fell victim to the violence that his friends said he was trying to escape. Three males lying in wait attacked him while he took a break from class outside the Urban League building, just a block from St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 22, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_112208.asp

Men Announce Domestic Violence Initiative Some 30 prominent men from businesses, television news, law enforcement and several other agencies in Connecticut gathered at the Legislative Office Building recently to announce a new initiative in the battle against domestic violence. The men pledged to help Interval House, a nonprofit, domestic violence intervention and prevention program, combat the crime by raising money and helping to educate children and families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_092309_1.asp

Mentors Needed for Leading Roles in City Kids' Lives Several mentoring programs work to improving the chances for a successful life for young urban men, and everyone agrees that they need more mentors. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_030505.asp Related Link(s): Raising Boys to Men Takes Dads Too

Merva Jackson: An Advocate For African Caribbean Community And The Disabled A college internship led Merva Jackson to her real calling: helping parents of children with disabilities learn how to get appropriate help. In 1999, the Hartford resident created African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities (AFCAMP), which, by offering parents training in advocacy, networking and lobbying, has helped thousands of children obtain the special-education services they need. Jackson, 51, died on April 4, 2012. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 29, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052912.asp

Middle School Put On Lockdown After Melee Growing tensions between rival groups triggered by a fight in Keney Park had a ripple effect at Fox Middle School in Hartford recently, as about two dozen students got into a series of fights that stopped traffic on Albany and Blue Hills avenues. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_030906.asp

Military Says Harsh Economy And Patriotism Drive Recruiting Success The four main branches of the military are meeting or exceeding their active-duty recruiting goals in Connecticut and the rest of the nation. The sturdy numbers are being driven, in part, by the tough economy, but also by a strong sense of patriotism among the young recruits and by attractive enlistment benefits. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 17, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_011710.asp

Mind the (Wealth) Gap Connecticut has always been a state of haves and have-nots, but our economic challenges have widened the gap between them into a chasm. A new report from Connecticut Voices for Children (CVC), a research and advocacy group for low-income families with offices in New Haven and Hartford, offers a stark analysis: Connecticut is the only state in the nation to see a significant decline in the real wages of the poorest 20 percent of state residents. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: June 05, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_advocate_060508.asp

Mock Interviews With Corporate Executives Part Of A Day's Work At Hartford's High School Inc. More than 50 high school juniors participated in mock interviews with executives to prepare them for the real thing later in the year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_022813.asp

Monitor: DCF Is Doing Better The Department of Children and Families is making "tremendous progress" toward its federally mandated goals of improving the lives of abused and neglected children, but there are still significant areas that need work, a federal monitor reported recently. On the positive side, DCF is doing better at visiting abused children in foster homes, searching for relatives before placing kids in foster care and keeping siblings together in foster families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 25, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_032506.asp

More Funding Needed For Domestic Violence Shelters, Groups Say At Capitol Hearing On any given day, more than 225 domestic violence victims in the state find refuge in emergency shelters or in transitional housing provided by local programs. That number, up from 161 victims in 2008, underscores the growing need for more funding for shelters and support programs, according to officials at the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 26, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_012610.asp

More Of State's Poorest Are Feeling Tax Burden The state income tax is becoming a burden more and more to Connecticut's poorest working families, a report issued recently by a nonpartisan research group says. When Connecticut's state income tax was implemented in 1991, the threshold at which a family of four started paying the tax was 73 percent above the federal poverty line at that time. It was the highest threshold in the nation for a state income tax. Today, that threshold stands just 17 percent above the poverty line, a drop of 56 percentage points. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_033107.asp

More Schools May Have To Offer Breakfast Connecticut ranks among the worst in the nation when it comes to providing school breakfasts to needy students, a distinction state lawmakers are hoping to change. A bill pending in the legislature would require nearly two dozen elementary and middle schools to begin offering breakfast. And hundreds of other schools that already serve breakfast voluntarily would have their breakfast programs become mandatory if at least 40 percent of their students qualify for free and reduced-price lunches, an indicator of poverty. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_042708.asp

More Than A Buddy STAR Mentoring Services is a 5-year-old program in Hartford whose goal is to give troubled young people the kind of constant attention that most volunteer-based mentoring programs cannot afford to provide. The STAR program employs 29 mentors, three of whom work full time for the program, with the rest working part time while holding down other jobs. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: January 14, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_011407.asp

Movie Depicting Blacks' Unity Moves Students A group of Fox Middle School students joked and laughed as they entered the Real Art Ways theater in Parkville recently. But as images of Rosa Parks and the 1955-56 Montgomery bus boycott flashed across the screen, the middle schoolers got quiet. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 31, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_033106.asp

Moving On: Benefits and Challenges of HOPE VI for Children In this brief, the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable HOPE VI residents - the children - is examined. The report explores the potential benefits and challenges of relocation in the areas of behavior, health, and school engagement for children in families with different relocation experiences, including voucher holders, movers to other public housing, and those who remained in the original development. Hartford is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point. (PDF document, 10 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope4

Mr. Perez's Curfew In this editorial, the Courant expresses the opinion that the effects of the curfew on teens aren't clear, and the effort could be draining resources in the fight against other crimes. The best defense against teenagers with guns is one that aims to reduce teen pregnancy and give Hartford's youth more educational opportunities, job training and jobs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_091508.asp

Murphy Bequest Provides $14 Million A West Hartford manufacturing executive who died in April has left $14 million to The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to assist with a variety of local charitable efforts, including bolstering education and battling child hunger. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_092907_1.asp

My Sons Want to be Police Officers When They Grow Up The author talks about her experience growing up in the North End of Hartford, and the negative image of the police she developed as a child. In contrast, her children want to be police officers when they grow up. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 08, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_070810.asp

National Survey of Children's Health, 2011/2012 The National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH) includes national and state-level data on hundreds of child health indicators. These standardized national, state and regional level population data are specifically designed to assist states with child health needs assessment, program planning and evaluation, policy and standards development, monitoring, training, applied research and development of systems of care for children and youth. Published by Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health ; Publication Date: March 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/NationalSurveyChildrensHealth.asp

Nearly 400 Graduate From Capital Many graduates from Capital Community College overcame difficulties and hardships to earn their diplomas recently. Their successes came through hard work and sacrifice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052606.asp

Neighborhood Studios Connects Young Artists with the Arts For the eighth consecutive year, Greater Hartford Arts Council’s Neighborhood Studios teen apprentice program helped 14-18 year olds from 20 Greater Hartford towns learn and grow through the arts. The six-week hands-on program included photography, theater, dance, jazz performance, and video production and editing. This year, 75 participants had opportunities to train and create art at some of Hartford’s best known cultural institutions, including the Wadsworth Atheneum, Artists Collective, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford Stage and Real Art Ways. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 26 - August 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_news_072606.asp

Neighborhoods and the Black-White Mobility Gap One of the most powerful findings of this research has been the striking mobility gap between blacks and whites in America. This report explores one potentially important factor behind the black-white mobility gap: the impact of neighborhood poverty rates experienced during childhood. (PDF document, 44 pages) Published by Pew Economic Mobility Project ; Publication Date: July 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Neighborhoods/pew_neighborhoods.pdf

Never Too Young to Go To College More than 1,500, all of the Hartford city fifth-grade students, recently participated in Fifth Graders go to College 2005. They visited one of 11 campuses across the state, where they took tours and ate lunch with college students and participated in activities such as robotics, science experiments, drama or sports. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 9, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040905_a.asp

New Class Comes To A Point: Character After several months of lectures, classes and discussions about everything from the Connecticut River to making the right choices in life, 40 seventh- and eighth-graders involved in Riverfront Recapture's new river steward program did what you would expect. They went fishing. The students from Breakthrough Magnet School also took part in team-building and problem-solving activities, played soccer and football and ate pizza to celebrate their participation in "A Reel Chance." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_060707_a.asp

New DCF Leader Katz: Get Troubled Kids Back Home The state Department of Children and Families, long under pressure to improve its treatment system for young people, announced recently that it wants to get many of the 1,400 children now in residential facilities back to their families or into foster care. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 07, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080711.asp

New Group Fights For Hispanic Veterans A new veterans group says some former servicemen and women have trouble getting the education, medical and financial benefits they have earned. The Hispanic American Veterans of Connecticut Inc., was started last month to help veterans overcome such obstacles. The group, open to all veterans in the state, hopes its name will encourage Hispanic veterans to ask for help, said Juan Luis Cruz, the organization's president. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 28, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_122806.asp

New Law Channeling Older Teens Into Juvenile Court New "raise the age'' legislation introduced 17-year-olds into the juvenile court system for the first time on July 1, 2012, and by July 17, 2012, there were 25 of the older kids sitting in detention centers across the state. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 17, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071712.asp

New Option For Troubled Kids Each year, about 900 kids show up in the state's juvenile courts in the middle of a serious crisis at home. Many have committed no crime. They may be runaways, truants or simply out of control. About 300 of these so-called "status offenders" wind up in juvenile detention cells, placed there by judges who complain they have few other options and just want to keep the kids safe. With Gov. M. Jodi Rell's support, child advocates are pushing for passage of a bill this legislative session that would give judges a new resource in helping these kids, family support centers Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 5, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_030507.asp

New Poor: National Trends in Child Poverty Since 2000 This report examines regional differences in the family characteristics of children who have seen the greatest rise in poverty in the period from 2000 to 2004. The Northeast experienced an 11 percent increase in the number of children living in poor families between 2000 and 2004. The rise in poverty in the Northeast did not vary by parents’ employment, education, or nativity. Increases in child poverty did vary by race and ethnicity in the Northeast between 2000 and 2004. White children were the only racial/ethnic group to experience a statistically significant increase in poverty. Asian children in the Northeast were the only group to experience a decline in poverty. Children in Connecticut did not experience any statistically significant changes in the poverty rate during the study period. Published by National Center for Children in Poverty ; Publication Date: August 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/new_poor.pdf

New State Tax Credit For Working Poor Paid $601 On Average About 13 percent of Connecticut households worked either so little, or at such low-wage work in 2011 that they were eligible for the new state Earned Income Tax Credit. The average filer's income was $17,957, according to an analysis released recently by the fiscal policy center at Connecticut Voices for Children, an anti-poverty nonprofit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 10, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_011013.asp

New Tax Credit For Working Poor Faces Test In Next Budget Battle The state's new income tax credit for working poor families helped nearly 182,000 households last year. But with the state's continuing struggle with red ink, some advocates fear the Earned-Income Tax Credit (EITC) could become a target for cuts this spring. Published by CT Mirror ; Publication Date: January 11, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/ct_mirror_011113.asp

News Not All Good On Poverty The state's poverty rate decreased slightly from 2005 to 2006 and more residents had health insurance, but advocates for children and the poor said the state must do better. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 29, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_courant_082907_1.asp

Nineteen Are Named Fox Scholars Nineteen seniors from Hartford's three public high schools have been named Fox Foundation Scholars. The students were each awarded $12,000 scholarships. The scholars were selected by foundation trustees based on academic achievement, leadership, character, concern for others and a spirit of reverence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 12, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_041207.asp

No Catches, No Losers, No Money The Women in Transit program at Charter Oak State College is transforming lives in a big way. It has been offering a free college education, laptop computer and Internet access to underemployed single mothers. But there is the catch: It's running out of money. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 8, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040806.asp

No Dream Field For City Youth Several of the city's private Little Leagues jockey nightly for time on one of Hyland Park's four baseball and softball fields, even though the diamonds there lack grass and safe fencing. For many children in Hartford, rundown athletic fields are an unfortunate reality that goes along with playing sports. Hartford has 70 recreational athletic fields and 2,300 acres of park space, all under the management of the parks division of the city Department of Public Works. City officials say they work hard with the resources they have to keep up with demand. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 04, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_080413.asp

No Fooling Around Capital Preparatory Magnet School is a rarity, operating classes nearly year-round - part of a no-nonsense approach that includes a longer school day, a rigorous college-prep curriculum, regular homework, student uniforms and a strict behavior code. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 6, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_080606.asp

No Lights, No Tree, But Dad Is Home A Liberian refugee family has been reunited with their father, much to their joy and relief. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Immigrants/htfd_courant_122406.asp

No Place for Girls The second time 15-year-old Kristi ran from Stepping Stone, a private residential facility for troubled adolescent girls in Waterbury, she was stopped by a fellow resident soon after she fled through a gated exit near the gymnasium. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: December 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_advocate_120109.asp

No Place for Kids: The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration Forty percent of incarcerated youth in the U.S. are held in long-term locked youth correction facilities, even though such institutions have never been found to reduce the criminality of troubled youth. This report provides recommendations for how to reduce juvenile incarceration. (PDF document, 52 pages) Published by Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: 2011
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/NoPlaceForKids_Full.pdf

No Sense Of Urgency On Hartford Violence, Gangs In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that as the homicide toll mounts and claims about gang activity conflict, Hartford residents are worried sick. They are owed the truth; a sense of urgency by the mayor, the police chief and even the governor; and action equal to the threat. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 25, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_102509.asp

Nonprofits Brace For Fallout As the financial crisis spreads worldwide and uncertainty and gloom take hold in the region, Greater Hartford’s nonprofits are bracing for the worst. The United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s 2008 Nonprofit Pulse Survey found that area nonprofits are sharply more pessimistic about the next 12 months than they have been in previous surveys. As a group, they believe funding will tend to dry up while the need for services will skyrocket Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_101308.asp

Nonprofits Get Creative To Make Ends Meet Connecticut nonprofits — some stretched to the hilt like pizza dough — have adopted austerity measures ranging from layoffs and hiring freezes to reductions in employee healthcare contributions and relocation to smaller offices. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_101810_1.asp

Nonprofits Show Optimism Despite Serious Concerns, United Way Survey Finds Even as the economy continues its slow recovery, many Hartford-area non-profit organizations have a renewed sense of optimism, according to the United Way’s eighth annual Non-Profit Pulse Survey. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 10, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_101011.asp

Nonprofits, Local Heroes and Students Honored by Bank of America Recently, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation honored two Hartford area nonprofits, Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford and Mutual Housing of Greater Hartford, Inc., as recipients of the prestigious Neighborhood Excellence Initiative (NEI) Neighborhood Builder awards. Five community leaders and five local high school students were also recognized for making a difference in the Hartford community. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: November 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_112708.asp

North End Mural Project to Unveil Two New Works The Christian Activities Council’s North End Mural Project (NEMP) unveiled two new works recently. NEMP is a collaboration of the Connecticut Artists Initiative, local muralists, and the City of Hartford’s Marketing, Events and Cultural Affairs Office (MECA). Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: October 17, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_news_101713.asp

Not Near My School Yard Hartford state Rep. Kelvin Roldan is proposing legislation that would prohibit any future registered sex offenders from living within 2,000 feet of a school, which amounts to a 4,000 foot radius from the property lines of more than 40 city schools. The law would essentially render Hartford off limits to sex offenders unless they wanted to live in the North or South meadows or Bushnell Park. Published by Hartford Cityline, The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 23, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/cityline_032310.asp

Number Of Hartford Area People Living In Poverty Increases The poverty rate, particularly for children, increased faster in Connecticut than in any other state in 2008, according to figures released recently by the U.S. Census Bureau. The grim numbers prompted child advocates to call for more aggressive action by the state to help poor families. The statistics also heightened concern about the future because they portray only the leading edge of the recession, which grew more severe early in 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 30, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_093009.asp

Numbers Of Homeless Children Increase There are now 2,716 homeless school children in Connecticut, a number that has risen by 35 percent since the recession started. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_062111.asp

Officer in Fatal Shooting Among 19 Promoted Robert Allan, who shot and killed Aquan Salmon, 14, six years ago, was among 19 city officers recently promoted in a new effort in neighborhood policing focused on enforcing narcotics laws. Allan is white, Salmon was black, and though there had been rumors of protest, there were none at the event. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 25, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_032505.asp

Officer's Attorney Seeks Dismissal Of Charges The defense attorney for suspended Hartford police officer, Robert Lawlor, asked a Superior Court judge recently to dismiss the charges against his client because the prosecutors in the case had improperly shared secret information from the grand jury with other lawyers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_022008.asp

Officials Seek Solutions for Youth Violence Federal, state and local authorities are discussing ways to curb the violence in Hartford and elsewhere in the state. Mayor Eddie Perez expects the city to announce a new approach to targeting gun violence soon. The federal government is assigning two more Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents to Hartford this spring and is sending more funding for city police overtime. Others are attempting to find committed people in the city's schools: parents and advocates interested in working with city youths to change the way they resolve conflict. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031705.asp

Older Than His Years At 14 years old, Michael Moore Jr., is young to have his own community service organization. But then, he was a bit young - 8 - when he gave his first public speech. Michael, who lives in Hartford and is a high school freshman, started "Courage to Change Things" two years ago. Recently, he held a play day at a Hartford shelter for battered women and their children. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 19, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_041907.asp

On AIDS Awareness Day, A Push For Sex Education It wasn't a typical alliance: teenagers and AIDS activists rallying together on the steps of the state Capitol recently. But according to members of both groups, who teamed up to promote AIDS awareness and the need for comprehensive sex education in schools, the causes have a lot in common. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_042408.asp

On Hartford Streets, A Life Nearly Derailed By Bullets Aswad Thomas, who was a standout point guard for the Division III Blazers basketball team at Elms College, wants to share his story — from his tumultuous childhood, to the crumbling of his family structure, to the most productive year of his life being derailed by two bullets on a Hartford street in 2009, to his recovery and return to basketball at this summer's Greater Hartford Pro-Am. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 25, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_092510.asp

On Job For Working Poor A coalition of backers, including the Connecticut Association for Human Services and the League of Women Voters of Connecticut, gathered at the Capitol recently to announce their support for a state earned income tax credit, which would piggyback on the federal earned income tax credit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 2, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_020207.asp

On Street, 'Disregard' For Life Two kids, students at Fox Middle School, became innocent victims in a shooting war that is escalating for no apparent reason in Hartford’s North End. Several loose-knit neighborhood alliances, different from the more organized gangs of the early 1990s, are at the center of the violence. They include "The Ave." from Albany Avenue, "CNN" from the Nelton Court housing project and "West Hell" from Westland Street and bordering streets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 31, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_053106.asp

On Thin Ice Slammed by one of the worst recessions in recent history, a staggering 31 percent of the 100 Connecticut-based nonprofits in the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut’s seventh annual Nonprofit Pulse Survey reported they are concerned that their organization could cease operations within a year. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 18, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/hbj_101810.asp

Once A Domestic Violence Victim, She Now Helps Others Susan Campbell writes about Karen G. a court advocate for Interval House, the Hartford area's domestic violence shelter, who herself was a victim of domestic violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 27, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_102709.asp

One Word To Break Gangs: Jobs As many urban centers experience the re-emergence of turf battles, gunfire and loosely configured neighborhood posses, the term "gang" is creeping back into the Connecticut vernacular - particularly in Hartford. The solution, some say, is jobs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 5, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familesandchildren/htfd_courant_040506.asp

Operation Fuel: Home Energy Affordability Gap Report The Home Energy Affordability Gap report addresses the increasing energy affordability gap facing low-income households in Connecticut. Published by Warm Thy Neighbor: Operation Fuel ; Publication Date: September 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_09_2006_a.asp

OPP Opens North End Center The grand opening of OPP’s new North End Youth Learning Center was celebrated recently. Teens who have participated in the past reminisced about how the youth service agency turned their life around. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 18, 2007
Document Link: /Issues/Documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_news_071807.asp

Our Piece of the Pie Inc. Our Piece of the Pie Inc. or OPP, works with at-risk Hartford youth, ages 14 to 24, who face multiple barriers on their road to economic freedom. With the help of OPP’s education and employment programs, youth are able to achieve their short- and long-term goals. Those goals include a two- or four-year college degree, vocational certification and/or gainful employment in his or her chosen field. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: November 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/hbj_112008.asp

Our Violent Culture Vs. Our American Exceptionalism Ken Krayeske comments on the the violence in Hartford which continues to frighten suburbanites, and worse, this rash of violence paralyzes political leadership on all levels in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: August 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_news_082708.asp

Out There, Out of Touch Helen Ubiñas calls for a revised approach by community leaders and activists speaking out against recent violence and working with youths in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 19, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051905.asp

Outlook Tough for Nonprofits Basic services like food and shelter for the poor are still receiving support, but arts and culture face cutbacks. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: January 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_advocate_010609.asp

Parents Tell Schools: Stop The Bullying About 20 parents from Kennelly School in Hartford plan to give the school board a list of demands that includes an end to what they said is pervasive violence. At a recent press conference outside the school's playground, parents said Kennelly needs a comprehensive plan to curb bullying, needs more educators certified in dealing with special needs students and more social workers, psychiatrists and security guards. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 13, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_061307.asp

Parents, Caregivers Tell City, School Officials: Bulkeley High Does Have Gang Problems City and school officials continued to reject the notion that there is gang activity in city schools right up until they were told differently by mothers and grandmothers in the room with them recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 22, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_102209.asp

Parents, School Officials Surprised By Gangs In Hartford Parents, school board members and the school superintendent said recently they were taken by surprise by an internal police department memorandum that said the city is suffering from a "gang infestation" and that gang activity was increasing among middle school students. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 17, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_101709.asp

Partial Federal Takeover Of DCF Urged Recently, lawyers representing the thousands of children in DCF care in a class-action lawsuit called for a partial federal takeover of the state Department of Children and Families. Citing poor state leadership and unacceptable performance, advocates called the latest step dramatic but necessary. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_050608.asp

Pitting The Poor Against The Poorer In this opinion piece, the author expresses the opinion that requiring proof of citizenship from all HUSKY clients is making them complicit in a campaign that would persecute impoverished families for the crime of being poor, vulnerable and needing to live in the United States to survive. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_052007.asp

Plan For City Offered: Proposal Aims To Quell Violence Hartford legislators announced a 10-point plan on May 26th to address violence in Hartford, particularly among youths, with state funding for jobs and city juvenile review board. Other points support an anti-gun legislation and a Young Adult Commission for residents between the ages of 15 and 25. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 27, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_052705.asp

Plans For Children's Fitness/Wellness Center In Hartford Unveiled Congressman John B. Larson, First Lady Cathy Malloy and Family Life Education are well underway with their battle against what they call the silent killer of children: obesity. Plans for a new state-of-the-art Children's Fitness/Wellness Center in Hartford – estimated at $500,000 – were released Friday morning at the Family Life Education building, where the facility will be built. The purpose of the facility is to provide low-income urban families with free access to comprehensive fitness and health programs, said executive director Candida Flores. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 31, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_053113.asp

Playing Hooky Is Not a Game Anymore When Hartford Police Chief Daryl Roberts took office last summer, he said reducing Hartford’s truancy rate would be one of his top priorities. Since then, Roberts has assigned HPD detectives to identify habitual truants and discuss the problem with their families to see if and how the situation can be corrected. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: January 3 - 10, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_news_010307.asp

Police Blame Gang Feud In Shooting An ongoing feud between rival youth gangs in Hartford's North End is being blamed for a drive-by shooting that critically wounded a 14-year-old boy and a woman who rushed to his aid recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_041506.asp

Police Can't Do It Alone Stan Simpson suggests that an increased police presence alone won’t be enough to solve the problem of increased gun violence in Hartford. As much as the recent shootings are a public safety crisis, they are a reflection of a serious predicament at home. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060306_a.asp

Police Initiative Reducing City Shootings The number of shootings on Hartford streets has dropped significantly since city police launched an initiative to blanket troubled neighborhoods with more patrols. Some of the most noticeable decreases took place in the Upper Albany, Clay Arsenal and Northeast neighborhoods, the targets of the department's new Northeast Violence Reduction Initiative. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080305.asp

Police Tackle School Truancy A couple of months into Hartford's new school truancy program, police detectives have met with more than 70 families about chronic absences, and officers have picked up about a dozen students on the streets and taken them to school. Statistics released by Superintendent of Schools Steven J. Adamowski show that on any given day 1,600 of the district's 24,000 students - nearly 7 percent - are absent. Ninth-graders - many of them at crossroads academically and socially - last year accounted for more than 30 percent of total absentees on any given day. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_122206.asp

Politics Of Squalor Helen Ubiñas writes that for all of Jorge Ciuidanes' young life, reconstruction of the Westbrook Village housing project has been mired in Hartford Housing Authority politics: Bids were received, bids were discarded; mysterious memos appeared, mysterious memos were disavowed; an executive director was hired, an executive director was fired. So for all of 2-year-old Jorge's life, he has lived in a place of worsening squalor. Leaking plumbing, crumbling ceilings, peeling paint, roaches, mice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Housing/htfd_courant_092406_a.asp

Poor Health: Adding Insult to Injury for HOPE VI Families This brief suggests that the health situation of HOPE VI families is a problem so severe that it calls for urgent attention and new approaches to providing effective services to this extremely vulnerable population. Poor health is an even bigger problem for HOPE VI families than lack of employment. Hartford is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point. (PDF document, 10 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope5

Poor Kids' Teeth In Poor State An investigation into the oral health of Connecticut school kids has uncovered a particularly bleak picture for poor and nonwhite children. The state Department of Public Health reported recently that nonwhites experienced severe tooth decay at twice the rate of white children. And poor children - regardless of race or ethnicity - were three times more likely to have multiple cavities by third grade when compared to third-graders from families with higher incomes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 19, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_091907.asp

Poor State Families Need A Tax Credit - And Child Care Jim Horan, executive director of the Connecticut Association for Human Services, suggests two things that the state could do now that would encourage people to work and boost employment in low-income neighborhoods. First, Connecticut could follow the lead of the federal government and create a state Earned Income Tax Credit. A second idea to encourage work is to restore funding for the state's child care subsidy program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Taxes/htfd_courant_011706.asp

Popkorn Leads The Way Anthony Thomas, a Hartford resident who got his nickname, Popkorn, from years back when he would earn a few dollars by dancing hip-hop on city corners, is a juvenile detention officer at Community Partners in Action's residential detention center for girls. As a hip-hop artist, he teaches dance to the girls in the residence. His example has led the Connecticut Ballet to expand recreational dance and drumming programs for girls and boys in the residential detention centers in Hartford Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_090308.asp

Popular Program for Teens Halted A popular evening program for teenagers offered at the Trinity College Boys & Girls Club has been temporarily suspended because of unexpected expenses created by the agency's new Asylum Hill neighborhood site. Club President and CEO Ken Darden is working with Trinity on fund-raising solutions and has appealed to the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for support. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 18, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031805.asp

Portraits of Real Life Hartford teens voice their anger, fear and frustration on stage in "Aired Words," a multimedia performance at Hartford Stage in which the 11 city teens will use theatrical methods to condemn the gun violence that has shaken their neighborhoods. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 6, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080605.asp

Posh Spot for Seniors Work will begin soon on a wellness center for South End seniors that promises to give them a reason to leave home. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: August 02, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_advocate_080207.asp

Poverty Agency Warrants A Hard Look The tumult at the Community Renewal Team (CRT) may offer an opportunity. What if the governor were to appoint a group to take a big-picture look at the whole 1960s-vintage community action agency model, and ask if it is the best way to renew communities? A successful anti-poverty agency would put itself out of business. CRT boasts of its growth. It's been about the only growth industry in North Hartford for 40 years, and something seems wrong with that. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_021312.asp

Poverty, Peace, Planet Earth and the Prophetic Voice: Confronting Poverty Video A video of the March 20, 2012 community program, Poverty, Peace, Planet Earth and the Prophetic Voice: Confronting Poverty, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: March 20,2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_03_20_2012.asp

Poverty, School Failure Lead To Teen Pregnancy By now, almost every newspaper has printed an op-ed piece or column detailing the grim future that awaits teen moms - they are more likely to drop out of high school, end up in low-wage jobs and be poor. These opinion-makers are not lying, but they are wrong. They imply that adolescent motherhood is the cause of these problems when in fact it is just the opposite. Poverty and school failure are the causes, not consequences, of young motherhood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_091608.asp

Prekindergarteners Left Behind: Expulsion Rates In State Prekindergarten Systems This white paper reports on expulsion rates by program setting (public school, Head Start, private providers), gender, and race/ethnicity. It also presents expulsion data from all 40 states that fund prekindergarten programs. PDF file, 18 pages Published by Walter S. Gilliam, PhD; Yale University Child Study Center
Document Link: /issues/wsd/education/NationalPreKExpulsionPaper.pdf Related Link(s): Foundation for Child Development ; For Youngest Students, A Hard Lesson (Hartford Courant news article, May 4, 2005)

Premiums vs. Paychecks: A Growing Burden for Connecticut's Workers Families USA has undertaken the first state-by-state analysis of growing health care premiums versus stagnant earnings over the past six years. Over the past six years (2000 to 2006), family health insurance premiums for Connecticut’s workers rose 5.8 times more quickly than median earnings. On average, family health care premiums rose by 77.0 percent, while median earnings rose by only 13.2 percent. (PDF file, 12 pages) Published by Families USA ; Publication Date: 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/health/premiums_Paychecks.pdf

Presentation Made to Hartford Court of Common Council Quality of Life Committee by Enid Rey, Director, Hartford Office for Youth Services and Daryl K. Roberts, Chief of Police, October 20, 2009 A PDF version of the PowerPoint presentation made to Hartford Court of Common Council Quality of Life Committee by Enid Rey, Director, Hartford Office for Youth Services and Daryl K. Roberts, Chief of Police, October 20, 2009. The presentation was made in response to recent media reports of increased gang activity in Hartford Schools. (PDF document, 17 pages) Published by Hartford Office for Youth Services ; Publication Date: October 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Crime/HOYS_HPD_JointPresentation.pdf Related Link(s): Hartford Police Department

Primary Day Next Tuesday On the surface, Angel Arce and Kelvin Roldan have a lot in common. Both were born in Puerto Rico, moved to Hartford at a relatively young age and grew up in Stowe Village. They both became involved in politics and were elected to serve on 4th District Town Committee. Now Arce and Roldan have one more thing in common, they are campaigning to be the next State Representative from the 4th District. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: August 2 - 9, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Government/htfd_news_080206.asp

Private School Vouchers: A Civil Rights Issue Private school vouchers might be a way to provide poor children with equal access to a quality education. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061105_A.asp

Pro-Am Hoops League Departs — Could It Rebound To Hartford? The abrupt departure of the Greater Hartford Pro-Am summer basketball league from Hartford is not of the scope of the Whalers leaving the capital. But for those who love hoops and lament the lack of positive summer diversions for city youth, the move is significant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 06, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_060613.asp

Program Boosts Diaper Supplies At Hartford Agencies Since April 8, 2008, six social service providers in Hartford, including the city's Maternal Infant Outreach Program, have been receiving diapers paid for by the state Department of Children and Families. The purpose, said DCF spokesman Gary Kleeblatt, is to prevent child neglect before it is reported to the agency. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 22, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_042208.asp

Program Overhaul Worries Mentors Mentoring represents the brave new world of community services which the Department of Children and Families is pushing as an alternative to expensive institutional care for children at risk. But dozens of mentoring programs around the state may be imperiled if DCF follows through on its intention to dramatically overhaul its existing service contracts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_043007_a.asp

Program Readies Kids For School The youth services group, Positive Steps, and other organizations recently held the second annual "I Am The Future" School Readiness/Back To School Celebration, a back-to-school celebration that provided about 500 needy Blue Hills and South End students in grades K-6 with free haircuts, book bags filled with school supplies and school uniforms. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 17, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_081707.asp

Program To Delay Sex Brings Students Many Other Benefits Something interesting happens to Bulkeley High School students in their Postponing Sexual Involvement program. Though they come from neighborhoods with historically high teen birth rates, PSI students postpone parenthood. They graduate from high school. They go on to college. They often come back to volunteer. The program is a product of Breaking the Cycle, a compendium of groups dedicated to reducing teen pregnancy in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 21, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_012107.asp

Prom, Then Tragedy A Hartford high school student was assaulted and killed June 3rd after his senior prom, a 15 year-old was shot three times and killed on Franklin Avenue the following day, and information about three missing teenage girls was released June 6th. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060705.asp

Proposal Combines Departments To Improve Children's Services Proposals now being considered by the city council would establish a new Department of Children, Families and Recreation by combining services now performed by separate departments. The Office for Young Children, Office of Youth Services and the Recreation Division would merge to form the new department. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_050611.asp

Protecting Kids, Preventing Crime: Creating a Fair and Effective Juvenile Justice System Connecticut has made great improvements in recent years in its treatment of young people who have committed crimes. Going forward, Connecticut needs to continue to invest in research-based, developmentally appropriate services that keep children and communities safe. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Crime/CB12juvenilejustice.pdf

Providing Educational Opportunity for Every Child A free, equal public education is the right of every child. A quality public education system should provide a well-rounded, balanced curriculum and help prepare children for their adult lives. While Connecticut has a strong public education system, we need better ways to assess our children’s learning and the work that schools perform. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Education/CB12education.pdf

Psychiatric ER Visits By Children Increase The Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut recently released a report showing an 11 percent increase in emergency room visits by children with psychiatric problems from 2001 to 2005. The increases occurred even as the state was rolling out KidCare, a program that was supposed to expand community mental health programs to divert troubled children and teens from overcrowded emergency rooms. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_050107.asp

Pulling Apart in Connecticut: Trends in Family Income, 1981-2002 This report compares family incomes during three “economic trough” periods – 1980-1982, 1990-1992, and 2001-2003. The income gap between the richest and poorest has continued to grow in Connecticut. The growth in the gap in income between the top 20% of Connecticut families and the bottom 20% of families (as measured by the change in top-to-bottom ratio) is greater in Connecticut than in every state except Tennessee. (PDF file, 23 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: January 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/pulling_apart.pdf

Putting Kids' Benefits At Risk Despite recommendations to do otherwise, Gov. M. Jodi Rell has changed the Husky program — insurance for the state's children and youths — and linked it with her new Charter Oak Health Care, which is supposed to provide insurance for all. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_082708.asp

Putting on the Fitz: How One Hotel Concierege Is Forcing the City Retailer's To Get Real The name that may be the key to Hartford’s future as a welcoming city isn’t Larry Gottesdeiner, Eddie Perez or Michael Wilson, but Fitzgerald Heslop. Heslop, a Hartford native and Weaver High School alumnus, is the new concierge at the Hartford Hilton. By making recommendations to hundreds of guests each week, Heslop serves as the field general for city officials and planners who preach the importance of convention center-related business and foot traffic. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: August 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/hbj_080706.asp

Queen of HYPE: Conversation with Julie Daly “It’s my job to help other young people to see why [Hartford's] cool,” Julie Daly, the Executive Director of HYPE (Hartford Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs) told me, with a smile. She’s not alone in this job; HYPE’s “dedicated volunteers” really drive the networking initiative of the MetroHartford Alliance. Its membership — 3300 – has more than doubled since 2007. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: July 18, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/realhtfd_071811.asp

Race Key To School Fix The Vice Chairman of the Hartford Board of Education describes his opinion on how to close the race gap in education in Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 24, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_072405.asp Related Link(s): Can Whites Teach Blacks?

Racial Gap In Assets: $179,000 To $7,000 About one family in five in Connecticut doesn't have enough savings to survive for three months, according to a report released recently that measures family assets nationwide. The report, compiled by Connecticut Voices for Children and the Washington-based Corporation for Enterprise Development, also found that Connecticut has among the worst disparities in assets based on race, income, gender, and homeownership in the nation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_122007.asp

Raise Age For Adult Criminals Connecticut regards 16- and 17-year-olds as juveniles in virtually all aspects but one: crime. The state is one of only three in the country that treats them as adult criminals regardless of the offense. All other states have an age threshold of 18 for prosecuting teenagers as adults. Connecticut's law, a dismal failure, should be changed to conform with that model. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_113006.asp

Raisin Has Meaning For Ethnic Mix "A Raisin in the Sun" has been a smash hit at Hartford Stage. What's made the show a hit is that it is attracting an ethnic audience - mostly African Americans and West Indians - and students in addition to Hartford Stage's older white subscriber base. With this play the theater has scripted a primer for what a business has to do when its core clientele is aging. Instead of resisting the emerging demographics in its back yard, Hartford Stage is embracing it. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 11, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_031106.asp

Raising Boys to Men Takes Dads Too Half the households in Hartford are headed by women, a third by single women with children. Young males are being raised in a matriarchal system. Young boys learning from women about how to become men has its place. But there is no substitute for a real man in the house. Mentoring programs try to fill the void. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 2, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_030205.asp Related Link(s): Mentors Needed for Leading Roles in City Kids' Lives

Rally Against Violence Draws Clergy, Officials A group of ministers from several city churches gathered to urge young people not to avenge Jamie Carter's death. North End residents and youth say it will take more than a rally to turn things around in the violence-ridden neighborhood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 18, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051805.asp

Rally Urges Welfare Boost State legislators last authorized a cost-of-living adjustment for welfare recipients in 1992. In the past 15 years, utility costs and the costs of other basic needs have soared. A Hartford-based advocacy group helped organize a rally for young single mothers recently at the state Capitol complex. They called on lawmakers to approve a cost-of-living increase for residents on state assistance. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 17, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_021707.asp

Rappers' Program Sends Anti-Gang Message The two rappers from Boston who took the stage recently at the Learning Corridor in Hartford focused on drugs and violence. But unlike mainstream hip-hop, they didn't glamorize the thug lifestyle, they warned against it. Through short films and music Antonio Ennis and Edward Anderson, members of 4Peace, portray the realities of crime. The program, sponsored by the U.S. attorney's office in Connecticut, was presented to students, police, and school officials, from various parts of the state. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_101708.asp

Rate Of Child Poverty Rises In Hartford Hartford no longer holds the dubious distinction of having the second-highest child poverty rate among the nation's larger cities, but the number of poor children in the city hasn't decreased, recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau show. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_courant_091807.asp

Ready To Change The World Forty-four students recently graduated from the Watkinson School in Hartford. Highlights of the ceremony included a martial arts demonstration, a rendition of Hoagie Carmichael's "New Orleans" on trumpet and bass, an "Ode to Watkinson" written by student Jacqueline Knapp and "Pomp and Circumstance" played by a string trio: upright bass, acoustic guitar and fiddle. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061006.asp

Ready, Set, Skate Recently, a group of 50 youngsters from the Boys & Girls Club on Broad Street turned a neighborhood dream into a reality. The youngsters participated in a Learn to Skate program that marked the first community use of Trinity College’s new Community Sports Complex (TCCSC) near the corner of Broad Street and New Britain Avenue in Hartford’s Barry Square neighborhood. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: November 29 - December 6, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_news_112906.asp

Real News From Hartford's Curfew: Arrests — And Tips Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that the real "news" about Hartford's revived youth curfew is not that only 119 kids under 18 — about four teens a night — were nabbed within the last 30 days. No, the headline here is that police have made arrests after another high-profile crime cast the city in a bad light. And hear this: The cops attribute their success in recent days to neighborhood folks speaking up. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_091308.asp

Real World of Minimum Wage A working single mother's experience is compared to that of a State Representative's who insists that families can survive on minimum wage. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 1, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_050105.asp

Rebirth of Parker/Anderson Center Underway When the Parker Memorial Center/Kelvin D. Anderson Gymnasium was built in 1959, Dwight D. Eisenhower was still president and Elvis Presley was the “King of Rock and Roll.” Times have changed and the City of Hartford is already in the initial stages of demolishing the old Parker-Anderson Center and building a sleek, new center on the site. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: February 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_022808.asp

Recent Surge in Homicides Involving Young Black Males and Guns A recent study shows that the number of young black men and teenagers who either killed or were killed in shootings has risen at an alarming rate since 2000. The study by criminologists at Northeastern University in Boston, comes as FBI data is showing that murders have leveled off nationwide. Not so for black teens, the youngest of whom saw dramatic increases in shooting deaths, the Northeastern report concluded. (PDF document, 25 pages) Published by James Alan Fox, Ph.D. ; Publication Date: December 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Youth_Homicides.pdf

Recession Cutting Legal Aid Services For Poor Legal Aid offices around Connecticut, which open 25,000 cases a year for clients with little or no money, are facing a 2009 cut of at least one-third of their budgets. In the downturn, the state-sanctioned fund that finances their work is running dry. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 30, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/legalissues/htfd_courant_103008.asp

Recession's Lingering Effect: Big Rise In New Poor The Great Recession will have lifelong effects on families, a recent study from Indiana University says, probably more than we've figured on. This meltdown has created the greatest number of long-term unemployed people since 1948, the study said, and big growth among the New Poor comes from working-age adults, especially those between the ages of 18 to 34. Using Census Bureau figures, the Indiana study says Connecticut ranks among the 10 states for the largest percentage-point increase in poverty. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 15, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_011512.asp

Redirecting A Cycle Of Violence Stan Simpson writes that across the country, there has been a lot of re-examination of how best to deal with at-risk students. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in detention, only to see young offenders return to the community, scarred, hardened and labeled. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_052808.asp

Reduce School Bus Emissions Each day, the routine act of riding a school bus exposes children to a toxic mix of airborne carcinogens and particles from diesel exhaust. This Courant editorial supports the bill before the Connecticut General Assembly which requires the use of established technologies to reduce emissions for school buses around the state by 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 17, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_051707.asp

Relief for Grandparents Raising Grandkids For a variety of reasons, an increasing number of Hartford grandparents have assumed the role of actual parent with all its hardships. To help them, Kinship Fund provides financial assistance for grandparents and other relatives who are raising children. The Fund is a court-administered program that provides small grants for children in the care of their grandparents who have been appointed guardianship in a probate court.  Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: April 26 - May 3, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_042606.asp

Rell Among 22 Governors Urging Congress To Extend Jobless Benefits Gov. M. Jodi Rell was among 22 governors who recently petitioned leaders in Congress to again extend jobless benefits, as 400,000 unemployed workers throughout the nation lose their coverage this month. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_091909.asp

Rell Announces Urban Anti-Crime Plan Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced a new urban violence plan recently, calling for three special gun courts with judges and experienced prosecutors assigned to handle the cases in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport. One judge in the Superior Court in each of the cities will oversee a special docket for all cases involving possession or illegal use of a gun, starting on July 10, 2006. All gun-related cases will be automatically referred to the gun court in an attempt to ensure swift justice, Rell said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_070106_a.asp

Rell Proposes Closing Training School Governor Jody M. Rell is proposing that the Connecticut Juvenile Training School close its doors. Once described as a "world-class" and "state-of-the-art" juvenile correctional center, it is now referred to as a white elephant by many. Rell has ordered the Department of Children and Families to create a plan for the school's future and a place for the juveniles if it were closed. The report is due on August 1, 2005. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 2, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040205.asp Related Link(s): A Better Prison For Connecticut Teenagers

Rell Proposes Record $84 Million In Heating Aid Gov. M. Jodi Rell is proposing a record $84 million in winter heating assistance for low-income families, the elderly and families with small children. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080108.asp

Rell Tells DCF To Focus On Drug Abuse, Violence Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Monday ordered the Department of Children and Families to expand its substance abuse and domestic violence services to better protect kids. Rell wants DCF to shift its current budget to address domestic violence and substance abuse, which a recent review showed to be significant factors in child abuse and neglect cases. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Drugs/htfd_courant_031406.asp

Rell Vetoes Minimum Wage Hike Gov. M. Jodi Rell recently vetoed an increase in the state's hourly minimum wage, inviting an election-year override attempt by the legislature's Democratic majority. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 28, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_052808.asp

Rell, Legislators Plan Session On Heating Oil Costs Gov. M. Jodi Rell reached a broad agreement recently with Democratic legislative leaders to hold a special session to help consumers with skyrocketing heating oil prices expected this winter. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 02, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080208.asp

Relocation Is Not Enough: Employment Barriers among HOPE VI Families This brief evaluates the HOPE VI efforts to help residents attain self-sufficiency. While there have been dramatic improvements in quality of life, there have been no overall changes in employment. HOPE VI residents’ poor health impedes their ability to work. Efforts that address barriers such as physical or mental health, or child care availability may be more effective than job placement in helping residents to find or retain jobs. is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point. (PDF document, 10 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope6

Reluctant Kids Better In Uniforms Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that there's no doubt that uniforms contribute to discipline and order in top-flight city schools across the country. He supports the city school board's proposal to mandate uniforms for students in the elementary and middle schools next year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051006.asp

Rep. Gonzalez Urges Governor To Support Businesses, Women With Infants State Rep. Minnie Gonzalez, who represents Hartford, hailed the passage of an amendment she authored to protect small convenience store owners against the loss of their vendors licenses for the Women with Infant Children Program (WIC) that provides assistance with baby nutrients and products. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: May 21, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/northend_agents_052108.asp

Rep. Green Praises Legislation Promoting "Visit-Ability" Housing State Rep. Kenneth P. Green, House chair of the legislature’s Housing Committee, said legislation that he sponsored and was signed into law recently by the governor will promote housing accessible for the physically disabled who want to visit with their relatives or friends. The new legislation also addresses multi-family residential development by advocating that 25 percent of dwelling units be accessible if the projects use public money. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: August 04, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/northend_agents_080410.asp

Report Details Health Spending Connecticut could provide health coverage to every uninsured resident for $343 million annually, just 2.3 percent of the nearly $15 billion spent on health care in the state, a new study says. The Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut recently released the report to make the case that universal health care is an affordable solution to a 5-year trend of health insurance costs rising three times faster than wages. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_022806.asp

Report Lauds Connecticut's Role In Reducing Child Poverty A national report released recently praises Connecticut as one of a growing number of states that have taken a leadership role in reducing child poverty. The report, prepared by the Washington-based nonprofit Center for Law and Social Policy, lauds Connecticut for passing a 2004 initiative to cut child poverty in half by 2014. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 18, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_041808.asp

Report on the Death of Jashon Bryant and the Wounding of Brandon Henry A report from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice Administrative Policies and Procedures on the death of Jashon Bryant and the wounding of Brandon Henry. Published by Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice ; Publication Date: May 15, 2006
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Crime/wsd_051506.asp

Report: 37 Percent of Hartford Preschoolers Are Overweight Or Obese A recent study of city preschoolers shows that more than one-third are overweight or obese, far exceeding national standards and confirming a trend that Mayor Pedro Segarra called "extremely alarming." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 28, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_112812.asp

Report: Poverty Rate Increases In Hartford Suburbs The percentage of people living in poverty in the towns outside Hartford grew far more quickly than the city's poverty rate from 2000 to 2008, according to a Brookings Institution report released recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 21, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_012110.asp

Report: Youth Crime Down, But Minority Children Get Harsher Treatment A recent report released by an advocacy group for juvenile justice says that various measures show that youth crime in Connecticut is down. But the state nevertheless gives its minority youth offenders harsher treatment. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: December 20, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/jcohen_122010.asp

Reports Of Bullying Up In State Schools; But Definition Varies Greatly By last month, 217 bullying cases had been reported in this school year, an increase of 30 from last year. Under new legislation, schools are obligated to report acts of bullying to the state starting in 2013. The state has a lengthy definition of bullying, which includes the repeated use by one or more students of communication, gestures or physical acts directed at or referring to another student in the same district that causes physical or emotional harm, or the fear of such harm. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 25, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052512.asp

Representative Mccrory Fully Commits To Children Of Incarcerated Parents Since fiscal year 2008, Central Connecticut State University’s Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) has been receiving annual funding from the Connecticut General Assembly to administer competitive grants to providers who serve children of incarcerated parents (CIP). State Rep. Douglas McCrory (7th Assembly District) along with other legislative leaders recently secured $1.4 million dollars in the General Assembly’s budget to continue the program through the 2011 fiscal year. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: August 04, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/northend_agents_080410.asp

Rethinking Prison Terms For Juveniles Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and new developments in psychology and brain science are prompting Connecticut to reconsider prison sentences for juveniles. The courts allow for a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole for juvenile offenders, but juveniles in Connecticut can still receive mandatory sentences of life without parole in adult court. That discrepancy is why Judge Joseph Shortall, chairman of Connecticut Sentencing Commission, says it is time for the state to make some changes. The sentencing commission will hold a hearing on three proposals that address juvenile sentencing on Nov. 29. It expects to decide whether to recommend those proposals to state lawmakers on Dec. 20. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_111212.asp

Rev. Henry Brown Asks For Help From Mayor And Governor During Rally At City Hall In Hartford The Rev. Henry Brown has visited hundreds of homes around the city over the past several years to console grieving families who have lost loved ones to violence. Recently, Brown's tone switched from comforting to adversarial as he stood at the steps of city hall and publicly called for Mayor Eddie A. Perez, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other officials to take action to end a wave of violence that has resulted in 30 homicides in the city this year. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 20, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_102009.asp

Rise In Suspensions Protested Members of the West End Civic Association call for a solution to the 488% increase in school suspensions, including those at the pre-kindergarten level. The organization supports alternatives to such action, including in-school suspension rooms and providing classroom discipline and management training for teachers and administrators. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 25,2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052505.asp Related Link(s): For Youngest Students, a Hard Lesson ; /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051705_a.asp

Rising Food, Gas Prices Send More To Food Banks Rising food and gasoline prices are hurting minimum-wage working families who now have to choose between a gallon of milk for the children or gas in the tank to get to their jobs, officials at the food bank say. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_072008.asp

Rising Tide: Report Two - Statewide Utilization, 2001 - 05 Based on a recent analysis of emergency room (ED) utilization patterns in the state, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) reports that the total volume of ED visits increased by 15% between 1995 and 2004. This volume increase is almost entirely attributable to an increase in the rate of ED visits, as opposed to an increase in population. Against this backdrop of increases in overall ED utilization, this report examines ED utilization specifically for behavioral health crisis services for children during the period 2001-05. (PDF document, 50 pages) Published by Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut ; Publication Date: May 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Rising_Tide.pdf

Role Models' Lives a Message The Connect, an initiative of the Greater Hartford African American Alliance and the Neighborhood Enforcement and Stabilization Team is helping male students of color with a mentoring program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 19, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_021905.asp

Rowing Crew Is a Learning Experience The Riverfront Recapture rowing program is over for the season, and the oars and long, narrow sculls have been cleaned and stored away. But for many team members, fond memories of their experiences on the Connecticut River linger. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 14, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfdcourant_111405.asp

Safe and Sound In the past decade, Connecticut made major juvenile justice reforms. Now the juvenile court caseload has dropped dramatically, and Connecticut locks up fewer children. An extensive review of the data shows that public safety has not suffered. In fact, the opposite is true. (PDF document, 14 pages Published by Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance ; Publication Date: December 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Region/CTJJA_Safe_and_Sound.pdf

Safety Is the Most Important Thing: How HOPE VI Helped Families This brief, looks at the question of whether HOPE VI succeeded in its goal of improving residents’ life circumstances, or whether the critics’ predictions have been realized. It focuses on one key issue—neighborhood safety and fear of crime. It finds that most former residents are living in neighborhoods that are dramatically safer and offer a far healthier environment for themselves and their children. Hartford is the site of a major Hope VI project, Dutch Point. (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by The Urban Institute ; Publication Date: June 2007
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Housing/wsd_06_2007.asp#Hope2

Safety Net Full Of Holes Suzette Strickland, a former welfare mother herself, sees plenty of families stuck in poverty in her outreach job at End Hunger Connecticut! Inc. From her perch in a converted house on Hartford's Hungerford Street, it's clear to her that welfare reform - exactly 10 years in - has left behind the single mothers most deeply mired in the cycle of desperation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_082206.asp

Salaries at Nonprofit Agencies Under Spotlight The Hartford Courant reviews salaries of 54 local nonprofit arts, health care, educational, cultural and social service organizations in Greater Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 24, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_042405.asp Related Link(s): Community Renewal Team

Saving Kids, One Game at a Time From 7 p.m. to past 10 p.m., four days a week, a summer basketball league keeps about 30 young people occupied in the Upper Albany neighborhood. The league is the work of Reverend Patrice Smith. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 13, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_071305.asp

School Board Approves Uniforms For Students Hartford's school board recently approved a sweeping measure requiring school uniforms for all middle and elementary school students. Teachers' union President Cathy Carpino applauded the measure, but warned that schools that don't have the resources to offer in-school suspensions won't be able to enforce the uniform policy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_060706.asp

School Finance Battle Ahead A coalition of municipal officials and educators plans to go to court this month seeking to force Connecticut to dramatically increase spending on education and revamp the way it pays for public schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 4, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_110405.asp

School Funding Discussed A Denver-based company conducted a preliminary study for the Connecticut Coalition of Justice in Education that calculated expenditures by pupil and showed that Hartford was roughly $130 million short. Mayors and school superintendents from across the state attended the hearing on April 11th and discussed groundwork for a potential lawsuit to reform Connecticut's method of funding for education. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_041205.asp Related Link(s): School-Funding System Challenged: State's Existing Formula To Be Examined In Study

School Starts Searches With Metal Detectors Security guards began using metal detectors recently at Bulkeley High School. Principal Miriam Morales-Taylor said the combination of metal detectors and a new initiative in which police officers are giving students $103 tickets for cursing should improve the school's climate and make the students safe. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 1, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_120105.asp

School Suspensions Down, Report Says Amid community pressure and attention by top administrators, suspensions in Hartford's schools were down last year, according to new statistics released by school officials. But those numbers also show that expulsions were up sharply as violence in the streets spilled into schools, with one middle school accounting for a large share of the spike. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 15, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_091505.asp

School Uniforms On City Agenda Hartford's school board, led by Mayor Eddie A. Perez, is considering a policy to make school uniforms mandatory for all elementary and middle schools. The plan would give any district school that already has a uniform policy the authority to enforce it, and it would require all elementary and middle schools that don't have policies to get on board. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_051006_c.asp

Schools Fulfill State Mandate The Hartford school system has fulfilled a state law requiring that it receive accreditation for all of its 32 schools. The legislature passed the mandate when it wrote the law to take over the school system in 1997. The near-loss of Hartford Public High School's accreditation was the major factor that led the state to take over the school system. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 29, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_032905_a.asp

Schools Impress City Students Expansion and renovation of two elementary schools, Naylor and Rawson, is complete. The schools are part of a decade-long, $294 million project to renovate most of the city's schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_090705.asp

Schools Need A Few More SHEs Helen Ubiñas suggests that the the long-term solution for Hartford schools rests squarely in something old-school such as respect, a healthy dose of fear, and people such as the sometimes-scary assistant principal at Bulkeley High School, Ms. Gayle Allen-Greene. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 4, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_120405.asp

Schools Tempted To Ban Sweets Districts across the state are deciding whether to ban the traditional bake sales - and any other sale of fatty, sugary snacks - in exchange for a 10-cent-per-meal reimbursement from the state Department of Education. A state law passed earlier this year already bans soda from being sold in schools. The state incentive is meant to encourage districts to go beyond that. Under Public Act 06-63, snacks that do not meet the state's nutritional guidelines for fat and sugar content cannot be sold in schools that sign up for the program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_082206.asp

Schools, Union Trying to Resolve Snacks Dispute School and union officials in Hartford have been meeting in a bid to break an impasse over the distribution of snacks to children in weekend and after-school programs. But, with no solution in hand, Hartford school officials say they have decided - at least temporarily - to have parents hand out the snacks, which are paid for through a federal grant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 8, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_100805_a.asp

Science Center Scaled Back It has been three months since the planning board approved the Science Center design and now plans are being scaled back. The board planning the Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration trimmed the project's dimensions by 10 percent. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 16, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/downtowndevelopment/science_center/htfd_courant_121604.asp Related Link(s): Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration

Scores Show Low-Performing Schools Improve As previously poorly performing elementary schools in Hartford are showing improvement, well performing schools have slipped. Overall, in fourth-grade reading, the percentage of Hartford students reaching the state goal dipped from 20 percent to 15 percent. The most troublesome figure is the percentage of students reading at the lowest level, called "below basic," meaning they aren't reading anywhere near grade level. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040505.asp Related Link(s): Urban Schools Make Gains In Test Scores

Sculpture Is Imperfect, Perhaps, But Still Important Helen Ubiñas writes that it's easy to see the flaws of the Monument to the Puerto Rican Family. Critics have slammed the sculpture, unveiled at the Learning Corridor recently, as conservative and stereotypical. But the statue reminds us to pause for a moment and appreciate how far a community, a people, have come. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 24, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_092409.asp

Second In A Series: Summer Youth Employment - An Intern At Telemundo Credits His Parents With Keeping Him On Task Capital Workforce Partners runs a program to train, employ, and pay Hartford-area students. In the second in a series, Chris Walters, an intern at Telemundo Hartford/Springfield, is profiled. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: August 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/jcohen_080310.asp

Seeds of Prosperity: Children of Low-Income Working Families The Connecticut Association for Human Services has released the 2006 Connecticut KIDS COUNT Data Book, Seeds of Prosperity: Children of Low-Income Working Families, which highlights data and policy information related to family economics. In it, Judith Carroll and Kathleen Milnamow examine the condition of children in low-income working families and the association between income and child well-being. (PDF file, 84 pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. ; Publication Date: November 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Seeds_of_Prosperity.pdf

Seeking Help For Teen Girls In Prison The number of girls incarcerated at the state women's prison is increasing, and many of them are teenage victims of abuse or neglect awaiting sentencing for nonviolent crimes. The increase has prompted child advocates to demand improved state services for at-risk girls, including early intervention programs for abused girls, gender-specific programs and alternative placements for girls who break the rules at treatment centers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_010107.asp

Segarra Proposes Consolidating Offices Mayor Pedro Segarra recently proposed consolidating two offices to reduce costs and duplication. Segarra wants to combine the city's office for young children and the division of youth services and recreation into one entity. He said the consolidation would provide more continuity for children, offering services from birth to age 24, with a stronger emphasis on recreation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_041511.asp

Seniors Lauded For Their Hard Work Superintendent Robert Henry congratulated members of the Hartford Public High School class of 2006 for their hard work, and many of them for continuing to pursue an education after graduation. Henry also thanked the parents and guardians who helped their children get this far. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_062306.asp

Sentencing Modification for Juveniles is a Start Hartford’s outgoing state representative Marie Kirkley-Bey might have done at least one good thing this year: co-sponsoring House Bill 5546, an Act Concerning Sentence Modification for Juveniles. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: March 29, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_news_032912.asp

Service A Celebration Of Knight's Life Hartford native and local basketball legend, Bobby Knight, died on May 23, 2008 at the age of 79. At the celebration of his life, many spoke glowingly of the man who, despite all he did for others, was adamant about not being in the spotlight. He was well-known basketball player, first at Weaver in the 1940s, then for the Harlem Globetrotters and the Knicks in the '40s and '50s, and finally in the industrial/semipro leagues, and was elected to the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 31, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_053108.asp

Service Projects Help Community For National Youth Service Day numerous youths and organizations like ASPIRA, Our Piece of Pie, and GROW Hartford joined others from across the country for a day of gardening, yard work, donation, and various other community activities. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 16, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_041605.asp

Setting The Stage For Teamwork Like most summer theater programs, the eight-day camp sponsored by a consortium of Middlesex County schools and held at Hartford's Weaver High School teaches students the basics of stagecraft. But this one has a few other lessons to offer, such as the benefits of diversity, the importance of tolerance and the fact that the world is a whole lot bigger than their hometown. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_081406_b.asp

Settlement May Help Poor Get Dental Care For more than a decade, poor parents across Connecticut have complained about frustrating searches for dentists willing to take their cases, while their children cried in pain from rotten or broken teeth. But lawyers hope that the doors to dental offices will soon begin to open under the terms of a settlement that promises to dramatically increase state payments to dentists and remove some of the red tape that dentists say have made them reluctant to treat the poor. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_051608.asp

Sgt. Allan Doesn't Belong in Hartford Stan Simpson suggests that Sgt. Allan's history with the Hartford community, specifically the fatal shooting of a teenager six years ago, hurts efforts to strengthen ties with residents and advance neighborhood policing. Sgt. Allan was recently promoted to sergeant. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 26, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_032605.asp

Shaping Young Lives: A Profile of Connecticut's Early Care and Education Workforce A report of a survey of childcare workers in Connecticut which outlines their qualifications, compensation, and turnover rates. The survey includes directors, teachers, aides, and family providers at private, school-based, grant-funded programs and home-based providers. Published by Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut ; Publication Date: November 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/shaping_young_lives.pdf

Sharing A Timeless Love For Hartford's Past, Future In "House of Good Hope: A Promise for a Broken City," former Courant sports writer Michael Downs has created lavish love letter to Connecticut's capital city. The non-fiction book follows five young Hartford High graduates who are joined together by sports, a love of their city and a boyhood promise they make among themselves: They'll go to college, then come home and make Hartford better. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_052707.asp

Sharing Shelter Services Susan Campbell writes that it's rare to hear a woman in a homeless shelter speak freely about her violent past. Traditionally, homeless shelters have shied away from accepting women who are fleeing domestic violence, for fear their abusers will follow and harm staff or residents. Shelters - domestic violence and homeless - have security systems, but staff members are stretched, already. Domestic violence permeates both shelter systems. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 26, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/homelessness/htfd_courant_102609.asp

Sharing The Vision Program Helps Students In Hartford About 1,000 Hartford students received free eyeglasses this week through the "Sharing the Vision" program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 24, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_102408.asp

She's Sticking To Her Dreams Ramonita Maldonado could teach us all a little something about overcoming adversity, according to columnist Stan Simpson. She was recently awarded the Urban League's Youth Achievement Award. She is attending the University of Connecticut on a full scholarship in the Pharmacy program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 23, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_112305.asp

Shelter from the Scorn Queer teens stuck in intolerant foster homes, and the LGBT group that would give them safe haven. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: January 07, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_advocate_010709.asp

Shooter Carries Scars Every day, Hartford police Officer Robert Lawlor says, he pictures himself standing at the corner of Main and Sanford streets in the city's North End, and replays the events that led him to shoot and kill a teenager more than a year ago. Lawlor, 42, is facing possible criminal charges in the shooting death of Jashon Bryant, 18, who was killed after Lawlor fired five shots into the car Bryant was riding in the night of May 7, 2005. Lawlor has said he thought he saw Bryant reaching for a gun. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_052406.asp

Shooting Team, Curfew Announced After Weekend Violence In City Ezekiel Roberts, 21, died recently — the oldest of seven people shot at the end of the city's annual West Indian parade, the only one of the bloody weekend's 11 shooting victims to die. The city has said it believes the parade shootings were gang-related, chalking them up not to the old-school, highly organized gangs of the 1990s, but rather to fluid groups of young, armed teenagers. Mayor Eddie A. Perez and Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts announced "tough new measures" to secure the city. Some of the measures — like its "most watched list" of people who pose a safety risk — were already in motion. Another was a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. for all people 18 and under. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081208.asp

Shots By Night, Day Three men were shot, one killed on Hartford's North End this week. The murder is the 13th in Hartford so far this year. The man believed to have been the gunman is widely known to be a drug dealer who sells regularly in the area. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_061105_AB.asp

Show Time for Summer Students Founded in 1970, The Artists Collective emphasizes the cultural and artistic contributions of the African Diaspora. It is the only multi-arts and cultural organization of its kind in Connecticut. More than 200 students have participated in two programs during the summer of 2005 at the collective: camp culture and the capital workforce summer employment learning program. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_080305.asp

Shut Out After-school programs in Hartford say they aren't being given the chance to survive. These after-school programs were prevented from applying for funding from the State Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Center program because they were not selected in a vetting process run through Hartford Public Schools. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: July 21, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_advocate_072109.asp

Signs Of Stability In A Troubled Neighborhood Three years ago, Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity announced its most ambitious project to date. Instead of the infill strategy the organization had pursued — a few houses on this street, two on that one — Habitat leaders decided to build 30 units in 25 buildings in a three-block section of Hartford — in essence, to remake a whole neighborhood. Now 23 of the single and duplex homes have been finished, sold and occupied, and the last two buildings are nearly complete. And if all goes as planned, a neighborhood school will also be established. Trinity Preparatory School of Hartford, part of a nationwide network of some 65 private, Jesuit-inspired, tuition-free middle schools for youngsters from low-income families may be built in a closed factory building being donated by the owners. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 23, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_122307.asp

Singing Teens Record CDs There was a lot of giggling going on during a recent session of Hartford Public Library's "Bringin' the Beat," where local teenagers had the chance to record their own lyrics with the help of a professional musician. But the goofiness stopped once 18-year-old Melanie Rivera's smooth voice filled the room as she sang about lost love. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071506.asp

Single Mothers on the Move to Meet with DSS Chief For over a year, Single Mothers on the Move (SMOTM) has been trying to arrange a face-to-face public meeting with Michael Starkowski, Commissioner of the State Department of Social Services (DSS). Now it looks likes the group will finally get its wish. On Monday, June 23, 2008, SMOTM and Starkowski met at Trinity Episcopal Church, Hartford. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: June 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_061908.asp

Single Mothers Speak Out At a recent press conference held at the Legislative Office Building by Single Mothers on the Move (SMOTM), an outgrowth of Hartford Organizing for Power and Equality (HOPE), speakers listed several demands. Their main objective is to secure a cost of living increase in various state programs created to serve the poor, including Temporary Family Assistance, State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) and the State Supplement for People with Disabilities. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: Feb 21 - 28, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_news_022107.asp

Single, Teenage Mother Defying Stereotypes, One Success At A Time Helen Ubiñas writes about Jenicebeth Santiago, a teen mom from Hartford who persevered to complete her high school education at Hartford High. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 11, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061109.asp

Six Generations Gather In Bloomfield For A 106th Birthday Six generations of a local family gathered recently to celebrate a rare occasion — a 106th birthday. Jennie Brown turned 106 at the end of July 2008. She moved into Wintonbury Care Center, where the party was held, at 95 when she gave up living independently "to go live with people her own age," her granddaughter, Priscilla Poole Rawles, said. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_072708.asp

Sixteen-Year-Olds Will Fare Better In Juvenile System Connecticut is one of only three states that prosecutes all 16-year-olds as adults, even for the most minor offenses. Most states set the age of adulthood higher, recognizing that young people are unsafe in adult prisons and that the services offered by the juvenile system lead to much lower recidivism rates. It's humane and it's smart. That's why Raise the Age, which will place nonviolent 16-year-olds under juvenile jurisdiction effective Jan. 1, 2010 received such widespread support. Now the opposition is trying to grab a second chance of its own, inventing outrageous cost figures in a last-ditch attempt to cut off a lifeline to our most vulnerable youths. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 23, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_092309.asp

Smart Growth and Senior Citizens This fact sheet is a brief summary of a translation paper on smart growth, part of a series produced by the Funders' Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities. Published by CenterEdge Project ; Publication Date: 2003
Document Link: /issues/wsd/SmartGrowth/SmartGrowthandSeniorCitizens.pdf Related Link(s): Full text

Smartening Up On Approach To Young Offenders Two reports released recently establish Connecticut as a national leader in the trend to end the costly and counterproductive reliance on incarceration for youthful offenders. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 01, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_030113.asp

Some Problems Emerge At Housing Development For Grandfamilies Helen Ubiñas writes about problems at the grandparents housing development which Broad-Park Development Corp, manages. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 08, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_030809.asp

Sometimes A Break Is Right Thing Helen Ubiñas advocates for second chances and against "zero tolerance." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_012206_a.asp

Sometimes Church And State Can Work Together Stan Simpson writes about the one-on-one meeting between the Rev. Shelley D.B. Copeland the executive director of the Conference of Churches in Hartford and Joshua DuBois, the executive director of the revamped White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/faithcommunity/htfd_courant_041509.asp

Sons Must Now Step Up Helen Ubiñas writes abour Eleanore Davila, a woman who worked hard to protect her sons from the dangers of the street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 07, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_120708.asp

Sorrow, Joy at City Graduations Graduates of two Hartford high schools, Bulkeley and Classical, remember their departed peers as they look to the future at graduation ceremonies. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 26, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_062605.asp

South Ender Starts Anti-Litter Campaign Like many people, Donna Swarr used to complain about the litter in Hartford. Now, unlike many people, she’s doing something about it. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: July 15, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_news_071510.asp

South Green Plans Opposed A group charged with revitalizing the South Green area is fighting plans to build a new headquarters for the Institute for the Hispanic Family, saying the design would harm the neighborhood. Allan Ambrose, the chairman of the South Downtown Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, sent a letter to Mayor Eddie A. Perez and the city council asking them to withhold $355,000 in Community Development Block Grant Money that Perez wants to give to the institute to purchase land along Wadsworth and Cedar streets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 22, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_062206_a.asp Related Link(s): South Downtown NRZ Strategic Plan

Sowing Prosperity: Low-Income Working Families and Connecticut's Economic Future Sowing Prosperity: Low-Income Working Families and Connecticut’s Economic Future presents information about low-income workers, highlights the successful policies that are already in place to help them, and describes how we can complete the work that needs to be done. (PDF file, 62 pages). Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) ; Publication Date: December 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/economicdevelopment/sowingprosperity.pdf

Special-Needs Students to Mix In Hartford special education students will be mainstreamed into regular education classes this fall, in an effort to comply with federal regulations. Children's advocates outside the district laud school officials for making the shift, and caution that the pace of the change could make all the difference in its success. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 3, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_070305.asp

Stagnant Tax Threshold Hurts Connecticut Families Connecticut’s tax threshold has been frozen for over 15 years. The “tax threshold” is defined as the income level at which a taxpayer first owes income tax, taking into account exemptions, credits and deductions that are universally available. Connecticut’s tax threshold for families has not been increased since the enactment of the personal income tax in 1991. This means that each year, an increasing number of low-wage families are becoming subject to the state’s income tax. (PDF file, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: March 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Taxes/tax_threshold_brief.pdf

Star Athlete Tells Players They Also Score With Grades Young people ages10 to 14 hear positive messages from the adults in their community when they attend a basketball clinic sponsored by the Blue Hills Civic Association. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfdcourant_072805.asp

Start Snitching In this op ed piece, Michael Bailey, a police detective with the Enfield Police, suggests that what people need to do to stop the violence in our communities is to start snitching. He proposes that cooperation is the key and until the citizens are willing to tell the police what they saw, what they heard and what they know, the cycle of violence is doomed to continue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060706.asp

Starting School On Time It's an agonizing question for parents: Is little Johnny ready for school? The state Board of Education would have a bigger say in that decision — to the relief of kindergarten teachers and for the good of Johnny. The board would, wisely, narrow the window of time when children can enter kindergarten so there are fewer 4-year-olds in classrooms with kids two and even three years older. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 06, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/educationfunding/htfd_courant_120610.asp

State Budget Riles Groups As the legislative session enters its final weeks, nonprofit organizations say the governor and state legislators have little time left to provide a fair increase in the budget to cover the valuable services the nonprofits provide for those most in need. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_052007_a.asp

State Cuts Number Of Children in Juvenile Jail Once a state that poured tens of millions of dollars into its juvenile prison, Connecticut is now locking up far fewer children and beefing up community programs – with no uptick in serious, violent juvenile crime, a justice-system reform group reported recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 27, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022713.asp

State Doesn't Need More School Testing State Commissioner of Education Betty J. Sternberg discusses ways to balance providing the programs and rigorous curriculum and instruction with assessments to raise our students' achievement and lead to the goal of leaving no child behind. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 1, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040105.asp

State Help For Caregiver Grandparents Uncertain Earlier this year, grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren thought financial help was on the way from a bill in the state legislature that called for paying grandparents the same monthly stipend for raising their grandchildren that the state now pays to foster parents. But, the bill, as written now, won't increase the amount paid out to grandparents every month. Instead, the bill now calls only for closing a legal loophole and thereby granting Superior Court judges the authority to give grandparents access to an already existing fund. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_042008.asp

State Hoping To Pump Up High Schools A state committee is looking for ways to revamp high schools, motivate students and make the high school experience, including the senior year, more productive. As early as February 2006, the committee is expected to issue a preliminary draft suggesting potentially dramatic changes in high schools, possibly including off-campus experiences, college-level courses or student projects designed to pump new life into secondary education. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 25, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_012506.asp

State Panel Seeks Hike In Preschool Spending Connecticut should spend as much as $100 million over the next two years to expand children's services, including preschool classes, to make the state "a national model for early childhood education," a state committee said recently. The ambitious recommendation is the first stage of a five-year proposal to more than double the number of low-income children in preschool classes, to train more preschool teachers and aides, and to bolster the quality of preschool programs statewide. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_120706.asp

State Ranks No. 5 For Taking Care Of Kids Connecticut ranks No. 5 in the nation for child well-being in a study published recently by the Foundation for Child Development. The results come from pre-recession, 2007 data, the latest date for which all the data are available. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_011812.asp

State Representative Douglas McCrory’s Concerns Regarding the Governor’s Cut to the Children of Incarcerated Parents Program State Representative Douglas McCrory suggests that cutting programs for children of Incarcerated Parents, as Governor Rell has proposed, is shortsighted. The program provides support for children, most of whom are under the age of 10, and aims at stemming the tide of generational incarceration. Children with incarcerated parents are six times more likely than other children to be incarcerated as adults. Published by Northend Agent's ; Publication Date: March 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/northend_agents_030310.asp

State Safer With Fewer Children Locked Up Connecticut locks up fewer children than it did just a decade ago. But are we safer? The provocative answer is that not only is juvenile crime down, but we're saving money. A new analysis by the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance reveals that efforts to help young offenders without incarcerating them may be making a significant difference. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 17, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121710.asp

State Tax Credit Too Important To Cut In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion that the earned income tax credit, or EITC, is one of the best domestic policy tools ever invented. Since it can only be claimed by people who work and pay taxes, it encourages and rewards work. It keeps low-income wage earners out of poverty. The money saved goes right back into the local economy. It would be a shame to cut it, even temporarily. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 12, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_031213.asp

State To Cut Funds That Help Children Of Prisoners Seventeen thousand Connecticut children have a parent in prison. One study says the children of inmates are seven times as likely to follow their parents’ footsteps as children whose parents avoid crime. Another study says having a parent in jail doubles the chances of a child being homeless, if only temporarily. Programs for these children are important in preventing these outcomes. Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposed budget cuts programs for children of the incarcerated by $1.4 million over the next two fiscal years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_090609.asp

State's Children Better Off This Year, Study Says Connecticut now has the nation's lowest teen death rate and lowest percentage of children living in poverty, and has leapt from 11th to third place in a national study of child well-being released recently. The 2006 Kids Count report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation showed that Connecticut has made dramatic strides since last year's report, including an improvement from 30th to third place in terms of the lowest percentage of teenagers who are high school dropouts. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_062706.asp

State's Juvenile System Criticized Ten years after a study first showed that a disproportionate number of minority youth were being locked up in Connecticut detention centers, the state legislature has yet to take decisive action to fix the problem, according to critics and advocates. Many advocates and legislators are supporting a proposed bill that lays out aggressive steps to address the problem over the next several years. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 5, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040505.asp Related Link(s): Community Partners in Action ; Prison Chief Backs Budget ; New England Juvenile Defender's Center - Connecticut

State's Problem Is Revenue — Not Essential Services The latest news from the state confirms what Connecticut families already know: the Great Recession is not really over. Thousands of us are still out of a home or a job, and many are still tallying losses from 2008 and 2009. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 04, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_050412.asp

State, Coca-Cola Aren't In Perfect Harmony When Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn, announced a deal two months ago that would ban soda in public schools, the controversial issue appeared resolved. But the lobbyists and attorneys for Coca-Cola have been working to defeat the measure, thus keeping alive the long-running saga in which obesity, junk food, children and political interests collide. That saga entered a new stage recently, with Williams and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal charging that the Connecticut Coca-Cola Bottling Company was offering a financial incentive to public schools to push its "junk soda" drinks. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040706.asp

State: Tests Losing Value; Educators Feel Stymied by Law After spending five years and millions of dollars measuring schoolchildren on the latest version of the Connecticut Mastery Test, state officials say they can't be sure of the results. The federal No Child Left Behind Act has altered test procedures and required testing thousands of additional students with learning problems or English-speaking difficulties, making it difficult to compare Connecticut's latest scores with previous results. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_032805.asp Related Link(s): Urban Schools Make Gains in Test Scores

Stay In School, And Baby, Too Nearly 400 teenagers had babies in Hartford in 2005, about 18 percent of all births in the city. The odds are good that these babies will be the ones struggling when kindergarten starts for them in 2010. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_050107.asp

Stimulus Money Creates 4,500 Summer Jobs The state will parlay $11 million in federal funds into summer jobs for 4,500 young people aged 14 to 24 throughout Connecticut — one of the few stimulus programs that is a wellspring of new jobs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_060109.asp

Stop Jailing Minors As Adults This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that it's time that Connecticut stopped making the vast majority of juvenile offenders pay for the violent crimes of a tiny few. Connecticut locks up more minors in adult prisons than any other state in the nation, according to a study released recently by the Campaign for Youth Justice in Washington, D.C. Judicial officials justify this abnormality on grounds that Connecticut is one of only three states - the other two being New York and North Carolina - that prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. But Connecticut's level of incarcerating juveniles as adults is disproportionate even among those three states. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 28, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_032807.asp

Strategies for the Game of Life This year the Nelton Court Basketball League (NCBL) took on a new name, the Northeast Community Basketball League (NCBL). The initials may be the same, but the league now offers a lot more than basketball. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: October 25 - November 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_news_102506.asp

Street Drove A Wedge Efrain "Smokey" Nazario, a 38-year-old career criminal was fatally wounded on Jan 13, 2008, following an altercation in Hartford's South End. After a party early Sunday, Iran said, Efrain died intervening in someone else's "beef." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/prisonerre-entry/htfd_courant_011908.asp

Strengthening HUSKY as a Cornerstone of Health Care for Connecticut's Children and Families The HUSKY Health Program is a central component of Connecticut’s health care system, providing low-cost or free health care coverage for over 270,000 children and 130,000 parents and pregnant women. In addition, more than 200,000 Connecticut adults – seniors, low-income, or those with severe disabilities—also rely on HUSKY Health (Medicaid) for all or a portion of their health care coverage. (PDF document, 2 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/CB12huskyhealth.pdf

Struggling To Save For many of the state's working poor, economic security continues to deteriorate as the gap between the wealthiest and poorest residents accelerates. In Connecticut, the chasm between rich and poor grew at a faster pace during the early part of the decade than in any other state except Tennessee, according to two reports released recently on income inequality in the United States. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 27, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/people/htfd_courant_012706.asp

Student Charged In Gun Incident With the arrest of a Hartford student in an incident involving a loaded gun, Weaver High School students can expect a tougher response from school officials concerning students who bring weapons to school. Before, students could expect to be searched sporadically with metal wand detectors. That will change, said Principal Paul Stringer. He said he has asked his vice principals to assist the security staff during weapons searches, which will be done more often. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 13, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_101306_a.asp

Student's Dessert Wins Scholarship Although she did not win the top prize, a high school student from Hartford won $15,500 in scholarships in a national recipe contest in North Carolina recently. Casandra Guzman, a senior at A.I. Prince Technical High School, was one of nine finalists in the dessert category of the National High School Culinary Challenge sponsored by Johnson & Wales University. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_022406.asp

Students Get Summer Support About 30 students are participants in the Crossroads Cooperative Learning program, a three-week session led by teachers from Westminster School in Simsbury. But instead of traveling to Simsbury to improve their math, writing and science skills, the Hartford students meet at Immanuel Congregational Church, a few blocks from Hartford Public, in the Asylum Hill neighborhood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_081205.asp

Students In Brawl Reunite For Day Fox Middle School students who were arrested in connection with a March 8 brawl attended a daylong program recently that was meant to defuse tension and ease the youngsters' return to school. A juvenile court judge demanded the students attend the program. Eric Crawford, the district's violence intervention specialist who organized the program, said he hopes the session serves as a model for a permanent program for students who are suspended for fighting. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 23, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_032306.asp

Students Plant Seeds of Pride in Park Fourth-graders from SS. Cyril & Methodius School attended a recent community planting event at Hartford's city's South Green Park, located between Main Street and Wethersfield Avenue. The project, which included the planting of several trees, juniper and rose bushes and 400 daffodils, was a collaborative effort of the Garden Club of Hartford, the Knox Parks Foundation, the South Green NRZ, the Greater Hartford Green Team of Leadership Greater Hartford and Hartford Hospital. The bulbs were donated by White Flower Farm in Litchfield and the garden club. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfdcourant_102805.asp

Study Finds 1 in 5 Kids To Be Food Insecure One in five children under the age of 18 are struggling with hunger in Greater Hartford, according to a survey released by Foodshare, the regional food bank, and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: September 12, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/hbj_091211.asp

Study Finds Charter School Progress Children in Connecticut's charter schools generally are making faster gains on state tests than other public school students from the same cities and towns, according to a study commissioned by the Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 7, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_040705.asp Related Link(s): Connecticut Alliance for Great Schools ; Evaluating the Performance of Charter Schools in Connecticut - Full Report - (PDF document 43 pages)

Study: Hartford Children Have High Rates Of Obesity A study of Hartford pre-school students shows that many of the city's young are obese by the time they are four or five years old. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: November 28, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/jcohen_112812.asp

Suburbia Needs To Talk Honestly About Drugs Rick Green writes about drug use and abuse among teens in the suburbs of Hartford, and the need for discussion in the community about the situation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/drugs/htfd_courant_121208.asp

Success Easier In Connecticut Children who go to school and grow up in Connecticut have better prospects for a good life than do children in all but one other state, says a new Chance-for-Success index released recently. The index, compiled by the newspaper Education Week, measured 13 factors affecting children's prospects for success, ranging from preschool to careers. Connecticut ranked No. 2 after Virginia. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 4, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_010407.asp

Suitable Literature: Schools Walk The Line In East Hartford, a community member recently complained to school authorities about a novel her grandson was reading in 10th grade at East Hartford High School because of profane language it contains. "Upstate" received a 2006 ALEX Award from the American Library Association as one of the top 10 adult books of the year that will appeal to teen readers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_041506.asp

Suited To Succeed Dress for Success believes in the power of a good suit. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping women overcome obstacles to find employment and advance their careers. The Hartford organization recently celebrated its 10th year of providing business attire and career-development services to local women in need with a fashion show and fundraiser at Hartford Stage. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_060608.asp

Summer Camp Puts A Face On Hartford Growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut, the city of Hartford never meant anything special to me. My only knowledge of Hartford was of the hospital, the Civic Center and the state Capitol, which my class visited in fifth grade. It wasn't until I first worked at the Heart-of-Hartford day camp at the Emanuel Lutheran Church on Capitol Avenue two summers ago that I had the opportunity to discover Hartford for myself. Since then "New England's Rising Star" has come to mean a great deal to me. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Region/htfd_courant_120106.asp

Summer Classes in Jeopardy At least a half-dozen summer school programs in the Hartford region failed to win state funding this year, jeopardizing classes for more than 1,000 children. The loss of funding threatens programs that have run for several years at regional magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council. The problem stemmed from a different interpretation of whether state law allows use of the interdistrict grant money to fund programs in magnet schools. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 18, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_061805.asp

Summer Goes Swimmingly At Goodwin Park Pool People who know the swimming pool at Goodwin Park alternately call Hartford's summer swim program a jewel, a treasure and an island in a city sorely in need of some magic. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_082207.asp

Summer Jobs Enrich Lives At Risk, Counter Teen Violence A government program that trains young people for work and matches them with employers can be the best social welfare program out there. The program includes subsidized jobs and training for students at dozens of employers, both public and private. Some of them, such as Aetna, hire students with state assistance. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 12, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_061212.asp

Summer Programs For Kids Struggle Susan Campbell expresses the opinion that the residents of Hartford don't have to run a patchwork of privately-run summer programs for kids on shoestring budgets. There is money aplenty for everything the city needs to get their children off on the right foot. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_060307.asp

Survey Screens For Child Development Parents anxious about their child's development can get help from the state through a new survey being circulated by the state's Children's Trust Fund. The Ages & Stages survey targets parents of children 4 months to 5 years old. Parents who enroll in the survey program are asked a series of detailed questions every three to six months. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 8, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_040807.asp

Take A Shot By Investing In City Kids Kenneth Thompson as seen too many people walk away from the city's obvious problems. So he's at it again, struggling to scrape together cash, this time to get 22 kids to Springfield for a basketball tournament at the end of July, and to attract money and volunteers for his annual B-Ball Classic at Weaver High in August. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_071608.asp

Taking Truants Off The Street Data released recently showed a police pilot program during the second half of the last school year reduced unexcused absences by more than 40 percent among 73 habitual truants whose attendance was monitored for the program. Troubled by studies linking truancy to crime and by the staggering absentee rate in city schools, Police Chief Daryl K. Roberts made reducing truancy one of his top priorities in the fall of 2006. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 26, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_072607_a.asp

Talented Teens: Keeping City Students Focused, Positive Talented Teens, an after-school program at Fox Middle School in Hartford school that teaches students to dance, rap or write poetry, is providing a way to address social issues relevant to their lives. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 08, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_120808.asp

Tax Credit Helps Working Poor In this editorial, the Courant staff suggest that when it comes to anti-poverty programs, even the toughest skeptic ought to have a soft spot for the federal earned income tax credit, which gives low-wage workers a leg up in the world. Connecticut should build on that success by enacting a state credit. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_033006.asp

Teach Kids Skills To Fend Off Bullies Approximately 25 percent of Connecticut high school students — and at least 35 percent of ninth-graders — report being bullied. The victims can become depressed and less engaged in school. Last year, Connecticut passed an anti-bullying law that requires schools to investigate any reports of bullying and inform parents of the results. A program called "Bully Proof: Empowering Children Today to Prevent Bullying Tomorrow'' helps young people learn about the ramifications of bullying. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 24, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_052412.asp

Teacher's Supporters Miss Point Helen Ubiñas discusses the case of Hartford teacher Robert Williams who was suspended for 30 days without pay for poking fun of 13-year-old Jose Velez's pierced eyebrow in front of his classmates. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_082406_b.asp

Teachers Transferred To Ease Racial Tensions In an effort to ease racial tension at Simpson-Waverly Elementary School, Superintendent of Schools Robert Henry has transferred five teachers to other schools. Three of the teachers are white and two are black. Four of the teachers were at the center of a recent controversy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 27, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_072505.asp Related Link(s): Can Whites Teach Blacks?

Teachers' Union Threatens Suit The president of the teachers' union recently threatened to file an unfair labor practice lawsuit against the Hartford school district for hiring nonunion teachers to instruct expelled students. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 4, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_040407.asp

Teen Crimes, Adult Prisons A team of parents, advocates and state legislators is making a push this session to keep Connecticut's teenagers under the age of 18 out of the adult criminal justice system. Connecticut is one of only three states that automatically try and incarcerate teenagers 16 and older as adults, no matter how minor the offense. The majority of the country considers 18 the age of adulthood, although children under 18 can be sentenced to adult prison for certain crimes. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesAndChildren/htfd_courant_022106_a.asp

Teen Data Find Racial Differences The latest study of behavior among Connecticut high school students, was recently released by the New Haven nonprofit Connecticut Voices for Children. For the first time racial and ethnic differences were explored using the data. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 7, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_040707.asp

Teen Drug Use: A Deadly Conspiracy Of Silence Rick Green writes about efforts to engage and educate parents about drug use among children and teens. The message is reaching some people. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 31, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/drugs/htfd_courant_103108.asp

Teen Moms Can Make It With Effort Stan Simpson writes about Lorna Little, who has been the executive director of a group home for teenage mothers, St. Agnes Home Inc., for the last four years. Little and Shari L. Smith, the program director at St. Agnes’ were teenaged mothers who succeeded in getting an education. They are excellent role models for the young women in their charge, but they do not push their personal stories on the 12 young mothers they supervise. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_080206.asp

Teen Pregnancy Still A Problem This Courant editorial expresses the opinion that while the rate of unplanned teen pregnancy has fallen significantly, both in Hartford and across the country, the rate is still too high. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 10, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_081006.asp

Teen Pregnancy: A Major Problem In this editorial, the Hartford Courant expresses the opinion opposing the move by the U.S. House of Representatives to cut all funding for the Teenage Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, which assists more than 100 programs across the country, including Hartford's. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 28, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_022811.asp

Teen-Dating Violence Addressed By Hartford Area Students In Awareness Programs The advocates had gathered to spotlight a growing incidence of violence in teen-dating relationships, but the high school students in the room weren't waiting for a special campaign to bring a message of respect and self-esteem to their peers. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 03, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_100309.asp

Teenage Birth Stats Still Scary The recent news is that Connecticut's teen birth rates are the fourth-lowest in the nation. The truth is that a lot of what was done to help lower those numbers has become a casualty of budget cuts or a change of focus. So chances are pretty good that those numbers are going to get worse. In fact, we've got a way to go before there's real cause for celebration. Consider this sobering stat: The birth rate in Hartford is nearly three times the state average. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 06, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_020611.asp

Teenager Seeks To Avoid Prison Without guidance from his parents, Donnell Robertson, a husky 2006 Weaver High School graduate, had a rough life in Hartford's North End. But he stayed out of gangs, pulled his grades up and won the respect of school officials as one of Weaver's success stories. Then in March 2006, Robertson made a mistake - a serious one. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 1, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_020107_b.asp

Teens Having Babies Teen pregnancy is a very serious and hugely expensive social problem, particularly in the state's fast-growing Hispanic community. Why isn't it treated as such? The point was brought home yet again in a recent report by the Connecticut Health I-Team which found that Hispanic teen birth rates in Connecticut are 8.5 times higher than those of whites and almost double that of African-Americans. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 11, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_021112.asp

Teens In Adult Jails A State Specialty Connecticut locks up more minors in adult prisons than any other state in the nation, increasing the likelihood that those teens will be repeat offenders and increasing their risk of abuse, depression and untreated mental illness, says a recently released national report. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/PrisonerRe-entry/htfd_courant_032207.asp

Teens Study Neighborhood Conditions in City For the past six weeks, 35 teens working at the Institute for Community Research's Summer Youth Research Institute have been busy studying the neighborhood conditions of the city. The teens, ages 14 to 17, studied neighborhood conditions such as fighting, unsafe parks, litter, deaths and abandoned buildings. They worked in one of three groups: interviewing, surveying and visual/mapping. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081205.asp Related Link(s): Why Hartford Teens Hustle ; Institute for Community Research (ICR)

Tell The Truth About Violence Helen Ubiñas writes that the truth slipped out in an internal police memo obtained by The Courant and that painted a frightening picture of what's really going on with gangs in the city. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 18, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_101809.asp

Telling The Cops Isn't An Easy Call Helen Ubiñas comments on the street code against calling the cops. Her example demonstrates how this pathological phenomenon of silence paralyzes Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 19, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_101908.asp

Tenants Plagued By Bedbugs, Eviction Related Management Co. of New York, has filed eviction papers against several tenants in Hartford who have been witholding rent because of pest problems. The rents at the Casa Nueva Apartments, are subsidized by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 11, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/housing/htfd_courant_101107.asp

Terrifying Tale of a Childhood Mary Cameron Kilgour who experienced physical and verbal abuse as a child in Hartford in the 1950s has written a memoir detailing the events, "Me, May, Mary." Now a volunteer court-appointed advocate for children in Gainesville, Fla., she wants children in troubled homes to know there is a way out and she wants adults to know how to help. She recently visited Hartford to talk about her book. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 16, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_101605.asp

Thanksgiving On Wheels Scores of volunteers from Phillips Metropolitan C.M.E. Church in Hartford, spent the day preparing and delivering some 350 meals for guests, seniors and Hartford firefighters on duty. "Thanksgiving on wheels," as the church's pastor, the Rev. James Walker calls it, got its start a few years back, inspired by the police officers in the congregation who worked on the holiday. While many churches host their own dinners, Phillips Metropolitan found another niche to fill: bringing food to those who might not otherwise make it to a meal. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 24, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FaithCommunity/htfd_courant_112406.asp

The Brighter Side Of DCF Helen Ubiñas writes about the positive educational programs run by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, which can lead to very positive outcomes for the youth who can take advantage of them. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080209.asp

The Burden of Asthma in New England This report, produced by the Asthma Regional Council, represents the most current and comprehensive investigation of asthma prevalence conducted in the New England (NE) region. It examines the health, socioeconomic, behavioral, and environmental predictors that relate to adult and child asthma in the six states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont). (PDF file, 90 pages) Published by Asthma Regional Council ; Publication Date: March 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/BurdenofAsthma.pdf

The Bus No Longer Stops Here As of a couple weeks ago, CT Transit buses no longer enter the Bowles Park housing project in Hartford after 7 p.m. on weeknights and Saturdays. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 14, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Transportation/htfd_courant_121406.asp

The Clock Is Ticking: More Americans Losing Health Coverage In this turbulent economy, Americans are not only losing their jobs and their homes—they are also losing their health coverage at an alarming rate. The latest data from the Census Bureau indicate that some 45.7 million Americans lacked health coverage in 2007, and economists believe that the situation has only worsened in the intervening months as the economic downturn has taken its toll. Published by Families USA ; Publication Date: July 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/wsd_073109.asp

The Cost of Delay: State Dental Policies Fail One in Five Children An estimated 17 million low-income children in America go without dental care each year. This represents one out of every five children between the ages of 1 and 18 in the United States. Pew assessed and graded all 50 states and the District of Columbia, using an A to F scale, on whether and how well they are employing eight proven and promising policy approaches at their disposal to ensure dental health and access to care for disadvantaged children. Only six states merited A grades: Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, New Mexico, Rhode Island and South Carolina. These states met at least six of the eight policy benchmarks—that is, they had particular policies in place that met or exceeded the national performance thresholds. Published by The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Pew Center on the States ; Publication Date: February 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/wsd_022810.asp

The Cost of Delay: State Dental Policies Fail One in Five Children: Connecticut Factsheet Connecticut is a national leader, meeting six of eight policy benchmarks aimed at addressing children’s dental health needs. The state ranks fourth nationwide on its Medicaid reimbursement rate to dentists, and improvements in that rate have helped expand children’s access to necessary services. Published by The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Pew Center on the States ; Publication Date: February 28, 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/wsd_022810_1.asp

The Credit Impacts on Low-Income Americans from Reporting Moderately Late Utility Payments This report demonstrates that fully reporting utility payment data to nationwide credit bureaus presents few risks to low-income consumers because far more low-income consumers witness credit score increases than decreases with full utility credit reporting. (PDF document, 20 pages) Published by Policy & Economic Research Council ; Publication Date: August 2012
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/relay.pdf

The Disgrace Of Poverty In A Land Of Plenty Awards are well and good, but fighting poverty is a full-time job. Despite Connecticut's highest per capita income in the nation, poverty in the state doesn't quit, so neither has Patricia Wrice, now in her 10th year as executive director of Operation Fuel Inc. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Neighborhoods/htfd_courant_042207.asp

The Erosion of Child Care Funding for Working Families in Connecticut This report describes how Connecticut's current vision that all children enter kindergarten ready for school success, and the related new investments in early care and education, are being more than offset by insufficient funding, and in some cases funding cuts for related programs -- specifically for State Funded Centers, School Readiness and Care4Kids. Cuts in funding to the Care4Kids program (reduced by nearly 40% from FY02 to FY05) coupled with unequal payment rates across state agencies for similar services ($5,500 from DSS as compared to $7,500 from SDE per child) and no cost of living increases for State Funded Centers have actually driven programs into deficit, requiring them to borrow money just to make payroll. (PDF file, 18 pages). Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: December 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/Erosion_Childcare_Funding.pdf

The Focus Is City Violence In the continuing battle against an outbreak of violence in Hartford's North End, the mayor gave a pep talk to police. The governor announced that state troopers were on the way. And students at the Hartford Transitional Learning Academy watched a short film about gun violence, and pondered what should be done. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 3, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060306_c.asp

The Governor’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2014-15 Budget: The Impact on Children Governor Malloy’s proposed state budget for FY 2014-15 demonstrates how current constraints threaten to divert our efforts: a stagnant economy, his self-imposed no taxes pledge, and fast-rising public employee benefit costs leave him few options. In his budget proposal, Governor Malloy has done an admirable job of expanding Connecticut’s commitment to high-quality preschool and K-12 education, both vital to our future. However, to fund these commitments, the Governor has relied on Medicaid cuts that could cause thousands of parents to lose health coverage, one-shot revenues that will leave holes in future budgets, and substantial borrowing that will burden our children tomorrow. (PDF document, 6 pages) Published by Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: February 2013
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Government/bud13govanalysis.pdf

The Hartford He Came Home To Was A Different City Benjamin Cruse, Leadership Greater Hartford's director of youth services, is bringing Little League back to the South End after it folded a few years ago. When he recently returned to his hometown, he realized Hartford "wasn't the same as I left it." Parks were mausoleums. Kids wandered around with nothing to do. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_040608.asp

The Health and Well-Being of Children: A Portrait of States and the Nation 2005 The health and well-being of children is evaluated, nationally, and in the states at this website developed by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Connecticut is compared to the nation in terms of Health Status, Health Care, at school, in the child's neighborhood, and in the home. Based on the National Survey of Children's Health. Published by Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Health/wsd_2005.asp

The High Cost of Being Poor in Hartford This document reports on the challenges that low-income families in Hartford neighborhoods are faced with in attaining economic security in three distinct sections: 1) The high cost of going to work, 2) Paying more for basic needs, and 3) Paying more to get ahead. (PDF file, 16 pages) Published by Making Connections Hartford ; Publication Date: February 2004
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/highcosthartfordpoor.pdf Related Link(s): Connecticut Association for Human Services ; The High Cost Of Being Poor In Hartford And What Hartford Is Doing About It (Press Release) ; United Way of the Capital Area

The Impact Of State Income Taxes On Low-Income Families In 2006 This report reviews the impact of state income taxes on low-income families. Poor families in many states face substantial state income tax liability for the 2006 tax year. In 19 of the 42 states that levy income taxes, two-parent families of four with incomes below the federal poverty line are liable for income tax. In 15 of the 42 states, poor single-parent families of three pay income tax. And 29 of these states collect taxes from families of four with incomes just above the poverty line. In Connecticut, the income tax threshold has fallen over time from 173 percent to 117 percent of the poverty line. (PDF document, 23 pages) Published by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ; Publication Date: March 27, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Taxes/Impact_State_Taxes.pdf

The Kids Do Time, Too In a city with 36,000 children, as many as 6,000 - one in every six - have at least one parent in prison, according to Hartford-based Families in Crisis, an organization that helps families of prisoners. Among children in the Hartford area under the care of the state Department of Children and Families, a staggering 40 percent are estimated to have a parent in prison, on parole or recently released. The story of adults behind bars is about far more than numbers, it's intricately linked to the story of the children they leave behind. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/PrisonerRe-entry/htfd_courant_111206.asp

The Lead Poisoning Of Our Children Goes Beyond Toxic Toys Susan Campbell expresses the opinion that toxic toys are only part of the lead poisoning problem. As much as we need to pay attention to the playthings we hand babies, far more children are sickened by toxic chemicals in their homes, including old lead paint. A new law dictates that starting in January 2008, all Connecticut children younger than 3 must be tested for lead. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 10, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/health/htfd_courant_021008.asp

The Path Out Of Poverty Rick Green asks: If we truly care about ending poverty, why aren't we creating more incentives for people to get married — or join in a civil union — and stay that way? Children from families where there are two responsible parents are far less likely to grow up poor. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 11, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_121107.asp

The Pool Is Cool And So Is Camp Camp Courant, a free summer camp for Hartford kids 5 to 12, serves nearly a thousand Hartford children. The camp is located at a Farmington campground and this summer is the camp's 112th year. In addition to swimming, arts and crafts, and sports, campers can take yoga classes, get free dental screenings, listen to speakers from local health organizations and participate in healthy eating activities sponsored by the University of Connecticut. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_072106.asp

The Poor State Of Social Services Susan Campbell writes that when the Connecticut legislators convene on January 7, 2009 for the start of their regular session, members must figure out how to run the state in an economy that is out of control. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_010609_1.asp

The Racial Wealth Gap Increases Fourfold This research brief from the Institute on Assets and Social Policy reveals new evidence that the wealth gap between white and African American families has more than quadrupled over the course of a generation. (PDF document, 4 pages) Published by Institute on Assets and Social Policy ; Publication Date: May 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/Racial-Wealth-Gap-Brief.pdf

The Real Cost of Getting Health Care in Connecticut: The Health Economic Sufficiency Standard In this report, the Connecticut Health Economic Sufficiency Standard (HESS) measures the economic burden of health care and illness on Connecticut families. "The Real Cost of Living and Getting Health Care in Connecticut," also called "HESS," assumes that highquality employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI) in which the employer pays the average share of the premium, or an equivalent social insurance program, is essential for working families' health security. HESS tracks health care costs and related economic burdens and assesses the effect of public and workplace policies related to health access and costs. (PDF file, 10 pages) Published by The Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women ; Publication Date: February 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/health/Real_Cost.pdf

The Secret to Dwight's Success Something quite extraordinary is happening at Dwight, which four years ago registered among the lowest Connecticut Mastery Test scores in the district. This year, they're among the top. Dedicated teachers, high expectations of students and no excuses about limited resources are among the reasons why Dwight recently gained national attention as a Blue Ribbon school. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 28, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_courant_092805.asp

The Somali Bantu: Their History and Culture This booklet is a basic introduction to the people, history, and cultures of the Somali Bantu. It is designed primarily for service providers and others assisting Somali Bantu refugees in their new communities in the United States. The number of Somali Bantu refugees in Hartford is increasing. Published by The Center for Applied Linguistics ; Publication Date: 2003
Document Link: /issues/wsd/immigrants/somali_bantu.pdf

The Suburbanization of Poverty: Trends in Metropolitan America, 2000 to 2008 Between 2000 and 2008, suburbs in the US’s largest metro areas saw their poor population grow by 25 percent—almost five times faster than primary cities and well ahead of the growth seen in smaller metro areas and non-metropolitan communities. As a result, by 2008 large suburbs were home to 1.5 million more poor than their primary cities and housed almost one-third of the nation’s poor overall. The percentage of people living in poverty in the towns outside Hartford grew far more quickly than the city's poverty rate from 2000 to 2008. (PDF document, 24 pages) Published by The Brookings Institution ; Publication Date: January 2010
Document Link: /issues/wsd/region/Brookings_Poverty_Report.pdf

The Y's New Home Poverty and crime are two words that, unfortunately, have often defined Albany Avenue in Hartford's Clay-Arsenal neighborhood in recent years. Residents have dreamed of a day when the east-west artery would experience a renaissance. Today change is increasingly evident, and the latest example is the opening of the fancy new $10.9 million Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center at Albany Avenue and Brook Street. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_100209.asp

The Young and the Racists Hartford teens explored racism in their schools during a summer study sponsored by the Institute for Community Research. Published by The Hartford Advocate ; Publication Date: August 22, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_advocate_082207.asp

Their New World: Refugees Of Faraway Wars Are Being Resettled Here Hartford's employment opportunities, youth activities, and educational support are some of the reasons refugees are being settled here from war torn countries. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 26, 2004
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/courant_122604.asp Related Link(s): Hartford Catholic Charities

There's Just No Stopping Kids Like Jameik Heron There's something about Jameik Heron; everybody says so. You meet him once, and you come away thinking about 15-year-olds growing up in the North End of Hartford, kids who see the odds, and beat them anyway. Jameik is one of 10 students chosen through essays and interviews at Lewis Fox Middle School for a June 2008 trip to South Africa under the guidance of longtime teacher Thomas L. Hardy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 16, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_031608.asp

These Kids Don't Get It: Perez Warns Gangs After Boy Is Killed A recent flare-up of retaliatory gunfire between "loosely knit" neighborhood gangs claimed the life of a 15-year-old bystander and wounded a 14-year-old boy on Clark Street recently. Police said the boys were on the front porch of the 15-year-old boy's home at Clark and Elmer streets when they were shot about 11:30 p.m. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_053006.asp

Thinking About Drinking Stan Simpson comments on the proposal by university presidents to lower the age limit for drinking alcohol to 18 in order to prevent binge drinking and excessive consumption of alcohol on campus. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_082008.asp

Third In A Series: Summer Youth Employment - An Intern At Aetna, A Crew Trainer At McDonald's Capital Workforce Partners runs a program largely with public money to train, employ, and pay Hartford-area students. In the third in a series, an intern in the IT department at Aetna is profiled. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: August 04, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/jcohen_080410.asp

Third of Region’s Nonprofits May Close The recession has hit the region’s nonprofits hard, with nearly a third concerned that they may shutter their operations in the coming year, according to the annual survey conducted by the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut of the nonprofits in its 40-town service area. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: October 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/hbj_101909.asp

Thirteen-Year Old Initiative, Welfare To Work Program Is Latest Budget Victim A 13-year-old initiative that helps needy people move from welfare to work is the latest victim of Connecticut's budget impasse. Programs ranging from on-the-job training to child care stopped as of July 1, 2009 for thousands of people — mostly women — who receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, a state cash assistance program that can last 21 months. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/taxes/htfd_courant_080909.asp

This Is InSANE: Excellent Program Loses Funding A groundbreaking program that offered a rare, gentle landing for child survivors of sexual assault has lost its funding. During the most recent year, the sexual-assault nurse examiners program (known by its acronym, SANE) at Connecticut Children's Medical Center treated 85 patients and earned the respect of area advocates. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 11, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_111108.asp

This is Not A Race War Only hours after gunfire sent 10 teenagers running for their lives and forced the lockdown of an elementary school, Hartford's police chief and the school system's spokesman attributed the violence to racial tension at Hartford Public High School. Now they're not so sure. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 8, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/EconomicDevelopment/htfd_courant_030707.asp

This Year, Family's Smiles Widen Last year, Foster Danso returned from the dead, figuratively speaking anyway — a refugee from war-torn Liberia who arrived on U.S. soil from Ghana; he was reunited with his family after a three-year absence. After an article that ran in The Courant last Christmas Eve, people were touched by the plight of the family and wanted to help, donated clothes, appliances and more. But many of the Dansos' blessings are harder to trace, the result of their own hard work, determination and, perhaps most important, joy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 23, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/immigrants/htfd_courant_122307.asp

Those At Risk, And Those Who Have Lost, Long For Solutions A panel of community leaders and 70 others discussed youth violence for over three hours recently at Weaver High School's auditorium. The group focused on the role of pop culture, slavery, depression, communication, and family in youth violence. Reggie Hatchett, who organized the event, plans to hold a similar citywide discussion for high school students. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_041705.asp

Those Who Want To Help Hartford Are Getting A Flat Welcome Susan Campbell writes that we need new leadership in Hartford, because the business-as-usual/I-got-mine mentality just isn't working. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 01, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_020109.asp

Thoughts After A Week Of Watching, Listening And Learning Helen Ubiñas attempts to understand what makes Garden Street home to more homicides than any other street in the city. After spending a week there, she details her experiences with police, children and families in the neighborhood. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 09, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_080909.asp

Thousands At Risk Of Losing Medicaid Under new rules imposed by a federal law meant to block illegal immigrants from receiving Medicaid benefits, U.S. citizens are now required to produce birth certificates proving their citizenship before they can access benefits. The Connecticut Department of Social Services says there are 10,000 Medicaid recipients in the state who are at risk of losing their health care coverage because of the new federal mandate. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Health/htfd_courant_032007.asp

Time To Talk About Curfew Few are aware that there is a curfew prohibiting kids under 18 from being on the streets of Hartford after 9 p.m. Amidst the pointing of fingers and grasping for ways to stop the illegal activity and gun violence, police say they don't have the manpower to enforce the law. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 6, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_070605.asp

Too Many Mouths To Feed, Too Little Money Susan Campbell writes that though we're told the Great Recession ended months ago, try putting a sandwich on the table and see if people fight over it. At issue in Washington are two bills — one in the House and one in the Senate — that seek to revise a host of federal nutrition initiatives, including programs for school lunches, breakfasts, and summer food programs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 03, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_100310.asp

Too Valuable To Close Louise Blalock writes about the value of libraries, the Hartford Public library in particular. Libraries are part of the larger urban environment and a crucial player in the education of the city's youth — closing them should never again be an option. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 15, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_091508.asp

Tough Times? Stiff The Vulnerable Things are tough in Windsor. Kate Lubin, a caseworker for town social services, says she fielded 65 phone calls last month alone — 20 more than usual — asking for energy assistance. Many of the callers are first-timers. Things are tough all over, which makes Gov. M. Jodi Rell's proposed budget that much more the bitter pill. Overall, the governor's proposed cuts aren't as deep as the ones she suggested in December 2009, but her target remains children, youth and families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 14, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_021410.asp

Town by Town Federal/State EITC Data A table which shows the amount of Federal Earned Income Tax Credit data (EITC) for 2003 for each town or city in Connecticut. It also shows an estimate of the amount of a state EITC if it were implemented. (PDF document, four pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. and Connecticut Voices for Children ; Publication Date: September, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/ETIC_2006Oct.pdf Related Link(s): Connecticut Voices for Children

Tree Planted In Memory of Teen Slain by Police Officer The family and friends of Jashon Bryant, a Hartford teenager who was shot and killed by a Hartford police officer, gathered outside his family's home on Bellevue Street recently to plant a tree in his memory one day before the first anniversary of his death. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 7, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_050706.asp

Troubled School's Leadership Changed To revive the city's most troubled elementary school, Superintendent of Schools Robert Henry is overhauling Milner Elementary School for the second time in two years. After years of failing to meet the legal requirements of the No Child Left Behind Law, the school is facing sanctions - including such options as closure, conversion to a charter school and reconstitution under new leadership, new teachers and changes in curriculum. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 4, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_080405.asp

Trying To Help Teens ACTIONS stands for Active Community Transitions in Our Neighborhoods and Schools. New to the Hartford school district this fall, it is the latest weapon in the never-ending battle to keep at-risk kids out of trouble and in school. Patterned after several nationally acclaimed programs in places such as Milwaukee, Wis., ACTIONS offers kids coming out of the juvenile justice system intense "wraparound" services that include tracking, mentoring, tutoring, life-skills, substance abuse counseling, job training and family advocacy. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 2, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_100206.asp

Turnabout For Father Of Slain Youth Bryant In Hartford Officer's Manslaughter Trial Helen Ubiñas writes that it was the day of closing arguments in former Hartford police Det. Robert Lawlor's manslaughter trial, so Lawlor and his family's waiting outside the courthouse recently was nothing unusual. What was unusual was the man amicably chatting with the family before shaking Lawlor's hand and calmly walking away. It was Keith Thomas, father of the young man Lawlor killed and one of Lawlor's harshest and most vocal critics. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_120609.asp

Turning On The Heat Hartford's Robin Hussain took time off from raising her three grandchildren recently to tell the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families some things she figured it should know. Namely, the home-heating assistance that members talk about from a 30,000-foot perspective in Washington is about the only thing standing between her family and disaster. So she became the day's regular-person witness, putting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program into perspective. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 06, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_030608.asp

Turning The Tide On A River Riverfront Recapture is preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary June 2, 2006 with a celebration at Riverfront Plaza featuring the Four Tops. The organization, which is working on site improvements at the Riverside Park boathouse and along the linear trail system, offers programs on and near the Connecticut River for thousands of city youths annually. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 30, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_053006.asp

Twelve-Hundred Plus Turn Out for Utility Day More than 1,200 people came through the doors of the Community Renewal Team offices recently, seeking relief from high electric and natural gas bills. Hartford’s Utility Day was scheduled at the close of the so-called “No Freeze Moratorium,” during which utilities are prohibited from shutting off electricity or gas for nonpayment of bills. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: May 01, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_news_050108.asp

Twelve-Year-Old Organizes Cleanup Twelve-year-old Chanelle Adams traveled to Aichi, Japan, to attend an environmental summit last summer. What struck the eighth-grader the most was the enthusiasm people in Japan share about protecting the environment. When she returned home, Chanelle came up with her own environmental protection plans. She decided to clean up the neighborhood around her school located on Blue Hills Avenue. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 17, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_111705.asp

Twenty Minutes And Future Is In Doubt Helen Ubiñas relays the story of a young man who is caught in bad company whose parents must make a difficult choice. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 17, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Crime/htfd_courant_081706.asp

Twenty-four-Hour Domestic Violence Aid Asked House Speaker James Amann and a group of counselors and advocates recently urged the General Assembly to approve an additional $2.25 million for the state's 18 domestic violence programs to assist victims 24 hours a day. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 15, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_031507.asp

Two Connecticuts, One Weekend Khiree Smith said he knew the rest of Connecticut wasn't exactly like the city of Hartford, where he lives and goes to high school. But after spending the weekend in the woods of the state's northeastern corner, with a group of black city teenagers and their white counterparts from suburban Woodstock, Smith said he was stunned to realize just how different things are. Still, Smith said, he was pleased to learn "that we have more things alike than differences." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 03, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_120307.asp

Two Sides in City's Snack Flap There are two sides to the Hartford snack flap, which threatens to leave children in after-school and Saturday programs without the nourishment they need to stay focused. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 2, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_100205.asp

U.S. To Open Civil Rights Investigation In Jashon Bryant Case The U.S. Department of Justice has agreed to open a civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Jashon Bryant, an African American city resident, by a white Hartford police detective in 2005, Bryant's family said recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_031310.asp

UConn Report Cites Hartford Neighborhoods With Highest Risk Factors For Children A new University of Connecticut report measures risk factors that could hinder city children's learning and identifies specific neighborhoods that might benefit from more social services and programs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 26, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_042613.asp

Unemployment Up, Donations Down; Food Pantries Struggling With worsening unemployment and the suffering economy, directors of Hartford area food pantries say they are seeing longer lines, fewer donations and more clients who, like Tiffany, have held jobs or are working in low-paying jobs. Supplies of food are running low, they say, and while the shelves have not been bare, there are times when clients leave with grocery bags that are a little lighter than usual or don't contain enough items with protein in them. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 08, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/htfd_courant_110808_1.asp

United By Painful Losses, Mothers Continue Fight Against Violence This club doesn't recruit, and the membership dues are steep. In fact, most of its members would pay anything not to belong. The club is called Mothers United Against Violence and, as its name suggests, it's made up largely of moms. But these women share a bond on the opposite end of the spectrum from the joy of childbirth. Many know the unfathomable sorrow of burying their children, taken by the all-too-common gun violence on Hartford's streets. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 02, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_010209.asp

United Way Effort Sets Record The Greater Hartford United Way raised $27.7 million in a record-setting fundraising campaign, the nonprofit announced recently. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: November 15, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_111507.asp

United Way of the Capital Area Summary of Results of 2005 Non-profit Pulse Survey A summary of the results of the 2005 survey by the United Way of the Capital Area (UWCA). This is the second annual Non-profit Pulse Survey of UWCA partner agencies (funded and non-funded) and other non-profit organizations within its 40-town service area related broadly to health and human services. The survey found that respondents continue to feel optimistic given current economic news and trends despite the fact that the demand for services continues to increase. (PDF File, 9 pages). Published by United Way of the Capital Area ; Publication Date: 2005
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/UWaySurvey.pdf

Urban League Bike Shop Teaching Life Lessons The Hot Spot Bike Shop is run by six Hartford teens as part of the Urban League's Summer Youth Employment and Learning Program. In a day care room-turned-repair shop, Collin Browne and Odingo Quinn, both 17, put new tubing in a donated bike's tires, while Trivon Markland, 17, inspects another bike. After donated bikes are fixed, the teens sell them to passersby or people who respond to ads they've placed at Trinity College and on Craigslist. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 10, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_081009_1.asp

Urban Schools Make Gains in Test Scores In the state's most troubled urban schools, English-speaking children in regular classes have improved their test scores over the past five years. However, when special education and non-English speaking students' scores are measured, improvement is not so obvious. The No Child Left Behind Act has required the testing of thousands of additional special education students and non-English-speaking children, making it impossible to draw comparisons between the latest scores and previous results. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 29, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_032905.asp Related Link(s): Compare Towns (PDF File - One Page) ; State: Tests Losing Value; Educators Feel Stymied by Law

Urban Violence Drawing Attention In a closed-door meeting held recently at the Capitol with more than a dozen mayors, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said she was open to revising her proposed budget and address mayoral concerns about how best to curb urban violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 15, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_021506.asp

Valued Neighborhood Resource Threatened Aetna Center for Families a community focal point that has attracted residents may close. The center has run out of money, and will probably shut its doors at the end of the year, though a community effort is in the works to salvage the program's services. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: December 15, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_121505.asp

Victim's Mother: "Enough" Twelve hours after two young men were killed just blocks from their homes, scores of elected leaders, clergy, social workers and activists joined with young people in pleading for a cease-fire in Hartford's North End. As state and city leaders made a broad appeal for peace and proactive community support, and Christian and Islamic clergy prayed for an end to the violence, some of the most passionate voices came from family members of those slain in what the families characterize as "random" and "senseless violence." Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 6, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_060606.asp

Victims Of Violence Remembered Sunday Henrietta Beckman will have mixed feelings Sunday when she attends the 7th annual Day of Remembrance at city hall. The difficult part will be reliving the pain and anguish associated with son Randy's death in 2002. But she will also be celebrating her son's life and helping others cope with the loss of a family member to violence. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 23, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_062311.asp

Violence Won't End Until Media Stops Promoting It Rabbi Stephen Fuchs comments on the violence portrayed in the media, video games and the number of violent crimes that occur in Hartford and the nation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081208.asp

Volunteer Opportunities in the Greater Hartford Region Give Help: Search for volunteer opportunties in your community at this website from the United Way of Connecticut. Published by United Way of Connecticut
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/wsd_03_2009.asp

Volunteers Embrace Refugees' Needs Volunteers such as Jody Putnam provides support services to refugees through an outreach program sponsored by Jubilee House, an education center in Hartford that offers an array of services. Assistance includes helping with missing green cards, unemployment benefits, tax paperwork and educational opportunities. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 4, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Immigrants/htfd_courant_020406.asp

Wal-Mart Fined Over Child Labor The state Department of Labor fined three Wal-Mart stores - in Hartford, Putnam and Norwalk - for 11 violations of state child labor laws. Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal called for the state investigation after the retailing giant was granted privileged information about future investigations by the federal government. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: June 18, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/employment/htfd_courant_061805_A.asp

Walk Against Hunger Hopes To Raise $600,000 To Feed Children, Families, Seniors Hartford’s Foodshare, recently welcomed 4,000 walkers to Bushnell Park for their largest fundraiser aiming to raise approximately $600,000 to feed local families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 03, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_050312.asp

Want Well-Adjusted Kids? Raise Them In Hartford This writer expresses the opinion that if you would like to raise independent, socially conscious children who can get along with anyone, and if you would like your children to be grateful for what they have and be proud of where they live, don't wait another minute. Move back to Hartford where you can raise exceptional children and live where all the cool people live. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 03, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_080308.asp

We Need Fathers, Not Curfews Stan Simpson expresses the opinion that if the city of Hartford wants to get a handle on why teens are out late on the streets, it has to get a grasp on the home lives. What people will find, for the most part, is the absence of a father — almost 70 percent of Hartford households with children are headed by single parents. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/crime/htfd_courant_081308.asp

We Need More Affordable Housing For 'Grandfamilies' Elders in Hartford have been seeking help raising grandchildren. Already financially strapped, many of them were slipping off the financial edge when they found themselves back in parenting mode. In response, the Community Renewal Team’s program, Grandfamily Housing Development, opened last year in northeast Hartford. The affordable-housing campus includes 40 units and the cost of the subsidized housing is based on the grandparents' income and size of household. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 17, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_021708.asp

Weaver High's Principal Retires Paul Stringer Jr., principal of Hartford’s Weaver High School recently retired. Stan Simpson reflects that over three decades, Stringer has seen it all — gang fights on school grounds, funerals for 25 students and a revolving door of superintendents. He's also witnessed a lot of good kids succeed with little fanfare. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: July 05, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_070508.asp

Weaver Students Get Close Up With Nation’s Capital Five Weaver High School students gained greater understanding about the rights and responsibilities of citizens in “participatory democracy.” They were among hundreds of students participating in Close Up Washington, a seven-day experience in the nation’s capital. Published by The Hartford Guardian ; Publication Date: June 21, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/Education/htfd_guardian_summer_2006.asp

Welfare Can Make More Sense Than Work In this opinion piece, the author suggests that most decisions in life are the result of a cost-benefit analysis. When residents in Connecticut consider getting a job, they assume they would be better off having a job than not. They'd be wrong. Because in Connecticut, it pays not to work. The Cato Institute recently released a new study looking at the state-by-state value of welfare. Nationwide, our study found that the value of benefits for a typical recipient family ranged from a high of $49,175 in Hawaii to a low of $16,984 in Mississippi. In Connecticut, a mother with two children participating in seven major welfare programs (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, food stamps, WIC, housing assistance, utility assistance and free commodities) could receive a package of benefits worth $38,761, the fourth highest in the nation. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_081313.asp

When It Comes To Sports, City Girls In No Rush To Play Girls who arrive at high schools in Hartford have little sports experience. The high school coaches are teaching basics to the kids, who then compete against suburban youths who grew up playing sports in town recreation programs. According to a study released by the Women's Sports Foundation, Hartford girls are not alone. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: October 23, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_102308.asp

Where Would the Cuts be Made Under the President's New Budget? An analysis of reductions in education, human services, environment, and community development programs, including state-by-state projected cuts for specific programs, including the Community Block Grant program. (PDF file - 26 pages) Published by Center on Budget and Policy Priorities ; Publication Date: February 28, 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Government/wsd_022805.asp Related Link(s): Mayors Decry Proposed Budget Cuts ; State Braces For Pain From Bush Plan

Whose Kids Are Covered? A report issued by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation shows that, since 1997, employer offers of health insurance to parents with lower incomes have fallen three times as fast as offers to parents who earn more money. The report also provides details about uninsured children in every state. (PDF document, 12 pages) Published by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ; Publication Date: March 14, 2007
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Health/kids_covered.pdf

Why Hartford Teens Hustle Three high school students, hired through the Summer Employment Program of the Institute for Community Research describe the findings of the study that they performed on teen hustling. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_081305.asp Related Link(s): www.freewebs.com/projectobject ; Institute for Community Research (ICR)

WIC Services Will Be Merged After years of flat funding, Connecticut got a healthy spike in aid to a nutritional program for mothers and children in the federal fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, 2007. Yet state health officials recently merged oversight of five offices into five others, cutting staff to reduce administrative costs. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 30, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/government/htfd_courant_093007.asp

Will It Reduce Crime? The city council staked its ground recently in the immigration debate, unanimously approving an ordinance that bars police from inquiring about immigration status. The ordinance, if signed by Mayor Eddie Perez, would prevent police from arresting or detaining anyone solely because immigration authorities had issued an administrative warrant for them, which is a civil matter. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 13, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_081308.asp

Wilson-Gray YMCA Seeks To Curb Area Gang Activity City police Officer Steve Kessler, speaking to a community group recently, said that gang violence was a problem around the brand-new, $10.9 million, Wilson-Gray YMCA building in the city's North End. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: May 21, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_052110.asp

Wizards Earned Place In Parade, And Learned Teamwork After the school's elementary league championship basketball team was shut out of the UConn parade, people lined up to get the kids in. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 19, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_041909.asp

Women and Economic Security: Hard to Get, Hard to Keep Women earn less than men, bear a disproportionate share of family responsibilities, and live longer. However, economic security can be achieved with investments to help families reach economic self-sufficiency. (PDF file, 32 pages) Published by Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women ; Publication Date: February 16, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/EconomicDevelopment/Women_Econ_Security.pdf

Women Find Safety, Support For years, GoodWorks has functioned under the radar — a nonprofit organization funded mostly by private sponsors and year-round fundraisers. Its services include transitional living for a handful of women, weekly meetings, workshops and mentoring. Women are referred here from York Correctional and other recovery programs, though increasingly by word of mouth. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 06, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/region/htfd_courant_090609_2.asp

Word from City Gangs: It's On Helen Ubiñas suggests that there is a problem with youth gangs in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 26, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/htfd_courant_032606.asp

Working Hard, Falling Short America's Working Families and the Pursuit of Economic Security The Working Poor Families Project, with the support of the Annie E. Casey, Ford and Rockefeller foundations, has spent three years working in 15 states to examine both the conditions of low-income working families and public policies that can help improve lives. This report builds on that work and takes a broader look at low-income working families across the nation and key facets of an economic and public system that affect their ability to achieve economic security. PDF Document: 36 pages. Published by The Annie E. Casey Foundation ; Publication Date: October 2004
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Employment/wsd_10_2004.asp

Working To Keep Teen Pregnancy Rates Falling There was, let us recall, some good news in the past year, and near the top of the list was the decline in teen pregnancy. Connecticut's numbers are among the lowest in the country, with 18.9 births per 1,000, according to the CDC. But though the numbers are improving, teen pregnancy remains a stubborn problem in our cities. Though it is lower than it was, Hartford's rate of 55 births per 1,000 teens is way above the state and national averages, with the problem particularly acute in the Latino community. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: January 18, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_011813.asp

Working To Slow Teen Births In Hartford Teen birth rates are on the decline nationwide. But the rate of teen births among Hispanics In Hartford is staggering. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: January 24, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/jcohen_012412.asp

Works in Progress: A Report on Middle and High School Improvement Programs A recent review of the state of education in middle school grades points to poor academic success of students in grades six through eight. Poor and minority youth—those who need to be supported the most—are doing the worst. Works in Progress: A Report on Middle and High School Improvement Programs discusses key issues facing middle and high schoolers, including violence and bullying, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, parental involvement and more. For each issue, the report describes how the issue impacts student success and illustrates how each challenge has been addressed in schools and districts. Research-based evidence of how these approaches have worked in schools is reviewed. (PDF file - 124 pages) Published by Comprehensive School Reform Quality Center ; Publication Date: January 2005
Document Link: /Issues/wsd/Education/wsd_01_2005.asp

YES to a New American Dream A new state-wide initiative called “Young Energetic Solutions,” or YES, met for the second time to brainstorm strategies to recruit additional young talent for their cause and build a structured state-wide presence that will attract more people in their 20s and 30s to Connecticut. Published by Real Hartford ; Publication Date: September 13, 2012
Document Link: /issues/documents/economicdevelopment/realhtfd_091312.asp

YMCA Move Makes Waves In late October, the YMCA of Greater Hartford announced it was selling its building on the corner of Jewell and Pearl streets to Northland Investment Corp., who would build a $117 million, 18-story condominium/apartment tower on the site. The Y said it would keep a presence in downtown by leasing space on the second floor of Northland's Hartford 21 tower. But, it would not have a pool, racquetball courts, or a basketball gym. Now, a group of Y members is fighting the closure. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 5, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/DowntownDevelopment/htfd_courant_030506_a.asp

YMCA Moves Closer To North End Opening The Greater Hartford YMCA has begun final countdown toward completion of its newest community center in the city in 35 years. When it opens in September, the $10 million, 44,000-square-foot facility at 444 Albany Ave. in the city’s North End will officially restore the YMCA’s permanent base for community fitness and services disrupted with the closing of its former downtown Jewell Street facility three years ago. Published by The Hartford Business Journal ; Publication Date: July 13, 2009
Document Link: /issues/documents/neighborhoods/hbj_071309.asp

Young Artists Leave Their Mark Through a series of eight, 4-by-8 foot murals created during a summer employment program called Teen Teach, Brittany and a dozen other teenagers from Sheldon-Charter Oak have expressed how they see their neighborhood. The program was offered by the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC), with financial support from Capital Workforce Partners and the Coalition to Strengthen the Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighborhood, Inc. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 19, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_081905.asp

Young Cleanup Crew Upset For three weeks this summer, about 25 Hartford youths, mostly boys, picked up brooms, rakes and shovels and swept away the empty bottles and trash discarded on Albany Avenue. Their involvement in the Saving Our Kids from The Streets program was by many accounts a positive experience for the youths. Some community leaders and local police say it might even have helped keep violent crime at bay by engaging teenagers who had the potential to get into trouble. But, while they expected to be paid, there is no money to do so. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 12, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_081206.asp

Young Fathers Must Raise Their Children The Village for Families & Children is running a novel program geared toward young men in Greater Hartford, ages 15 to 24, who have fathered a child with a woman under 21. The aim of FatherWorks is to prevent future unplanned pregnancies and to get young dads involved in the lives of their children, even if relations with the mother have soured. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: February 14, 2013
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_021413.asp

Young Mothers Hit The River In Rowing Program The Hartford Rising Stars, a team of eight young, inner-city mothers - some of them teenagers - is learning to row. The Hartford program is a satellite of Rowing Strong, Rowing Together, based in Holyoke, Mass., which uses rowing to show young women who have children or are pregnant that they can be successful. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 10, 2007
Document Link: /issues/documents/Parks/htfd_courant_081007.asp

Young Voices Fan Poetry's Fire In this op-ed piece, the author expresses the opinion that we in Connecticut are lucky to have groups such as the Connecticut Poetry Society, created and run by volunteers, with chapters all over the state. Many others keep poetry alive by spending countless hours editing and publishing poetry and literary magazines that will serve as archives of the issues we cared about during our lifetime. "Poetry Out Loud," a national recitation competition for high school students, was recently held at the Artists Collective in Hartford. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: April 18, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/artsandculture/htfd_courant_041808.asp

Young, Successful and City Bred Contrary to most news reports, some city students have applied themselves academically, gotten exposed to worlds believed out of their reach and, through perseverance and encouragement, are accomplishing their goals. Some have returned to serve their community. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: September 10, 2005
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_courant_091005.asp

Your Family’s Money: Simple Ways to Build a Better Future This new Hartford handbook focuses on building assets, education, credit, money management, and planning. (PDF file, 40 pages) Published by Connecticut Association for Human Services, Inc. ; Publication Date: November 1, 2006
Document Link: /issues/wsd/FamiliesandChildren/2006HartfordFES.pdf

Youth Baseball League In Hartford Could Strike Out A vibrant baseball league for kids is one of those essential measures of a community's health. Which is why it's heartbreaking to hear that Hartford's Roberto Clemente Baseball League has fallen on hard times and may not even have a season this year, of all years. New league President Efrain Bracero said that he's trying to put the pieces back together after taking over in February and discovering the league was tens of thousands of dollars in debt. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 04, 2011
Document Link: /issues/documents/parks/htfd_courant_030411.asp

Youth Club A Hartford First A grand, if little-known achievement in Hartford history, was the founding of the Boys & Girls Clubs. The 1860 after-school program, originally called the Dashaway Club, evolved into an organization that now has more than 4.5 million members around the world. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 13, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/history/htfd_courant_031310.asp

Youth Gangs In The City. But Not In The Schools When it comes to small-time gangs in the city and its schools, Hartford’s police department and its board of education say different things. Police say they are concerned by gang activity, the schools say little or no such activity exists in their buildings. Published by Capital Region Report, Jeff Cohen @ WNPR ; Publication Date: October 07, 2010
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/jcohen_100710.asp

Youth Making an Impact Video A video of the November 5, 2009 community program, Youth Making an Impact, held at the Hartford Public Library. Published by HartfordInfo.org ; Publication Date: November 5, 2009
Document Link: /issues/wsd/Videos/wsd_11_05_2009.asp

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2007 Results from the 2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that many high school students engaged in behaviors that increased their likelihood of death from four causes: motor vehicle accidents, other unintentional injuries, homicide and suicide. (PDF document, 136 pages) Published by U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention ; Publication Date: June 2008
Document Link: /issues/wsd/familiesandchildren/youth_risk_2007.pdf

Youths Break Out With Shakespeare Eddie Duran, education director for the Hartford Stage Company, recently collaborated with the Neighborhood Studios to develop a program for high school students in which they learned responsibility and social skills through studying the elements of drama and dance. They explored the effects of prejudice and narrow-mindedness by creating a new version of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." This time, the Capulets and Montagues used break dancing instead of sword fighting and the two groups (wearing red or black) were gang members instead of rival families. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: August 18, 2006
Document Link: /issues/documents/FamiliesandChildren/htfd_courant_081806.asp

Youths Take Aim at Underage Drinking After months of research and study, a group of city teens presented their findings on how to reduce underage drinking in Hartford recently at Hartford City Hall. The teens are part of Teens In Hartford Promoting Sober Youth (TIHPSY), and their study was conducted with support from numerous city agencies and community groups utilizing a grant from the State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Published by The Hartford News ; Publication Date: March 27, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/education/htfd_news_032708.asp

Youths' Shelter Stays Lengthy The state's critical shortage of foster parents is forcing abused and neglected kids to stay longer than they should in temporary shelters, which can hurt their chances for adoption, a new report shows. State policy dictates that children in emergency settings should be there for no more than 60 days, but a report by a federal official monitoring state child welfare services shows that some have been stuck there for nearly a year because they have no other place to go. Published by The Hartford Courant ; Publication Date: March 20, 2008
Document Link: /issues/documents/familiesandchildren/htfd_courant_032008.asp

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