Families from across Connecticut, with children under the age of 6, are encouraged to participate in the Connecticut RAPID Survey Project. The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington has been selected as a community partner to recruit families with young children to complete these online surveys.
The RAPID Survey initiative is being run by The Connecticut Project in partnership with the Stanford Center on Early Childhood.
The first survey will focus on childcare needs and will be open from April 29 to May 24, 2024. A total of eight surveys, on a variety of topics, will be open through December 2025.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for these surveys. If a survey is open, you will be given the link to take the survey in English, Spanish or several other languages.
- Complete the 10-15 minute survey.
- You will be emailed a $10 gift card 1-2 weeks later by the Stanford RAPID Survey team.
- You will receive an email from the ECCS when each new survey is released, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
The goal is to gather data and amplify parents’ and family voices. The survey results will assist leaders and organizations in communities across the state in understanding families’ needs and experiences on high-priority areas in early childhood, family well-being, child care, health care and relevant topics. Sign up now!
The Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington is hosting its second Community Cafe for parents, grandparents, foster parents, childcare providers and community partners on Thursday, May 23rd from 5:45 to 8 pm.
Dinner will be provided. Childcare is available if requested during registration.
The goals are to:
- Learn about the association between screen time exposure in children and Autism Spectrum Disorder, lower Fine and Gross Motor development, emotional avoidance and addiction.
- Discuss how adult usage of screens impacts children in their care.
- Learn about recommendations of screen usage from the American Academy of Pediatricians and, for childcare centers, by age from National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
- Discussion of struggles, alternatives activities and sample materials you can take home.
This free event is funded by a grant from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood as administered by the Connecticut Children’s Collective (CTCC).
National Child Abuse Prevention Month brings awareness to the importance of protecting children from harm and ensuring their safety and well-being. It provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to come together and raise awareness about the issue, educate people on how to recognize and report child abuse and support victims and their families. By working together to prevent child abuse, we can create a safer and healthier environment for all children to thrive.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have long-term impacts on health, opportunity, and well-being. Nadine Burke Harris’s TED talk video, “How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime,” is a great introduction to the ACEs research, and you can learn more on the ECCS's Childhood Trauma page.
According to the Connecticut Children’s Alliance (CCA), a child is abused or neglected every 47 seconds in the U.S., with 90% of perpetrators being individuals the child knows. Child abuse and neglect are preventable. To prevent child abuse and neglect violence, we must understand and address the factors that put people at risk for or protect them from violence. Learn more about risk factors here.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline service is available to anyone with a telephone: children, parents, mandatory reporters, and other adults who are uncertain about the next best step when faced with questions related to abuse and neglect. The hotline is staffed 24/7, with professional crisis counselors with access to a database of tens of thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are anonymous. Contact them at 1.800.4.A.CHILD (1.800.422.4453).
Autism Acceptance/Awareness Month is a time to celebrate the unique qualities of people with autism and promote acceptance and inclusion. As parents, we can learn more about autism, support our children's needs, and promote understanding and kindness toward all individuals. Let us celebrate differences and create a more compassionate world for everyone.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can affect a child's behavior, social, and communication skills. About 1 in 36 U.S. children (2.8%) are diagnosed on the autism spectrum by the time they are 8 years old, with boys being diagnosed nearly 4 times more often than girls. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be screened for autism spectrum disorder at their 18- and 24-month checkups.
You can keep track of your 0-5 year-old's development with the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (and learn through play with fun activities) with the free Sparkler App. If you are concerned about the development, behavior, or mental health of your child go to the ECCS's development concerns page.
Learn more about Autism and available resources:
Connecticut Children's - Autism
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, Inc. (CPAC)
ECCS Office Hours at Southington Public Library
Friday, May 3, 2024 from 9:30 to noon
Stop by the Southington Public Library and see the ECCS Executive Director, Joanne Kelleher. Show her you are using the Sparkler app or have her help you get set up and you or your child can pick a thank-you gift. She can also answer your questions about summer camps, kindergarten registration or raising children here in town.
Look for the ECCS table near the Children’s Department.
Join Us
In addition to hosting the Community Cafe and State of Early Childhood presentation, the ECCS is planning to be at these family-friendly events this spring.
- Family Fun Day at The Southington Drive-in – May 4, 11 am to 3 pm. The rain date is May 11. Tickets are $5 and sold in advance at Pats Ice Cream, The Little Red Store, Lewis Farms and Play It Again Sports.
- Baby Prom at The Southington Public Library for children from birth to 3 with their caregiver – May 11, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. Registration is required and will open on May 4.
- Touch a Truck at The Southington Drive-in – May 18, 10 am to 2 pm, rain date May 19. Tickets are $4 per child, free for adults, and available at the gate.
- Southington Pride Youth and Family Festival at Camp Sloper – May 18, 2 pm to 5 pm. Admission is free but pre-registration is requested and they are collecting donations of gift cards.
- First Congregational Church of Southington's 300th Anniversary Community Block Party - May 19, 1 pm to 4 pm. There will be music, activities for the kids, Valentine the Clown, and many other fun events. Free admission.
- The Southington Public Library's Comic-Con at the Southington Drive-in - June 8, 11 am - 2 pm. Free admission.
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Our mailing address:
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington
PO Box 210
Southington, CT 06489-0210