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Medicaid Matters for Kids: Part 1 - What is Medicaid? By Jane Baird: Welcome to the first of a three-part blog series about a critical health care issue for children: Medicaid. As Senior Director of Government Relations and External Affairs, I spend a lot of time thinking about the Medicaid program because it plays a huge role at Connecticut

FAQs: The COVID-19 Vaccine for Kids Ages 5 to 11 By John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH: This post was last updated May 18, 2022 Children aged 5 to 11 can get the Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine because experts for the CDC unanimously approved its use. Connecticut Children’s infectious disease expert John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH , answers common questions about the

Signs Your Child Might Be Depressed or Anxious – and What to Do Next By Lauren K. Ayr-Volta, PhD: Over the last few years, some parents and pediatric experts have noticed an increase in youth anxiety and depression. For general advice on how to support your teen, check out Is Your Teen Stressed, Sad or Angry? They May Be Feeling Grief . If you’re wondering how you’ll know

8 Ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month With Kids May Is Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, an opportunity to celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) in the U.S. It’s a great time to teach kids about these cultures, and what an

Collaboration in Action: Creating a Services Map to Improve Program Accessibility and Utilization in Hartford By Jacquelyn M. Rose, MPH: In April of 2023, CT Data Collaborative introduced the Neighborhood Profile & Mapping Project to the North Hartford Ascend Pipeline (Ascend) Family Navigation System Building Work Group. The tool, designed to be widely used and accessed by family navigators, providers, and

Norovirus is Spiking: What Parents Need to Know By Andrew Carlson, MD: People call norovirus the “stomach flu,” but it’s not related to influenza at all. Most children will brave the storm and recover quickly—though it’s not fun—but some may need emergency care. Get answers from the ones parents trust for answers to common questions about norovirus

We Fulfill our Commitment to Equity by Beginning the Crucial Conversation By Paul Dworkin, MD: By: Paul Dworkin, MD It is time for communities across the country to begin the crucial conversation – a dialogue about what it truly will take to bring about equity for all populations in health care and in society as a whole. We must eliminate racial disparities that date back

Gifting an E-Bike This Season? What Every Parent Needs to Know By Anna Stern, MPH: E-bikes are everywhere this holiday season. From social media videos to neighborhood rides, electric bikes have quickly become one of the most requested gifts for kids and teens. They’re fun, fast, and promise freedom and independence, while also getting kids outside and moving

Swimmer’s Ear: 7 Things to Know and How to Treat It By Christopher Grindle, MD: This article was originally published in May 2022 and was updated for accuracy in May 2025. Ah, summer—the time when our active kids jump right in the water for lots of swimming. Then, ouch. Or, double ouch. Sometime later, the ear pain sets in, maybe with some other unpleasant

Pathways to Action: Driving Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace By Lauren Dominique, MA: Driving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the workplace is a key focus of Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health’s Equity Committee. After working on numerous initiatives over the past three years, our members are excited to debut a new Subcommittee

UConn Students Dance Their Way to $1.34 Million for Connecticut Children’s at 23rd Annual HuskyTHON

UConn Students Dance Their Way to $1.48 million for Connecticut Children’s at 24th Annual HuskyTHON

Explaining Anesthesia to Younger Kids By Sarah Malvezzi: At Connecticut Children’s, we know how to make kids feel comfortable and special, including explaining medical procedures in a way that doesn’t feel intimidating. If your child has a surgery or procedure scheduled, you’ll probably want to talk to them about it at home too. To get

Is it a Sprain or Broken Bone? Here’s How to Tell. By Allison E. Crepeau, MD: This blog was originally published in June 2024 and was last updated in March 2025. Sprains and broken bones can be painful and can look similar from the outside. It is important to know when to seek treatment. Connecticut Children’s sports medicine expert Allison Crepeau, MD

Tips for Better Sleep for Mental Health in a Challenging World By Alyssa Nycz, MD: We all know sleep is a necessary part of life, especially at a younger age. Kids need sleep for healthy growth, development, behavior and overall success in society. But, did you know? Children 6 to 12 years old need between nine and twelve hours of sleep a day— naps and