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Mind the Chatter By Annika Anderson, MPH: What comes to mind for you when you think about Mindfulness ? You might envision a guided meditation practice, a tech-free walk outside, the fragrance of your favorite candle as you end the day with a journal entry, or intentionally relaxing your jaw when you notice it’s tense

Community Health & Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood By Annika Anderson, MPH: Last week, I had the opportunity to present at the second annual Work of Fred Rogers conference in Latrobe, Pennsylvania - Fred Rogers’ hometown. The conference, organized by the Fred Rogers Institute, invited educators across contexts to consider how Fred’s legacy is “in action”

Partnering for Family Support: Connecticut Newborn Screening Network and Alexion Charitable Foundation By Debra Ellis, NBS, RN: The Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), a program within the Office for Community Child Health , provides crucial support to families of infants who receive out-of-range newborn screening (NBS) results. Our goal is to ensure that every family—regardless of their

Ensuring Every Child Gets the Care They Deserve: How Physicians Advocate for Families By Michael Isakoff, MD: When your child is sick or needs specialized care, nothing else matters. You focus on their health, on getting them the care they need, and on being there for them every step of the way. For any parent, even small barriers, such as long waits, limited specialists, or complicated

A Promising Opportunity to Transform Child Health Services By Paul Dworkin, MD: Background I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Children’s Subcommittee of Comptroller Sean Scanlon’s Healthcare Cabinet alongside Alice Forrester, the chief executive officer of Clifford Beers Clinic in New Haven. Comptroller Scanlon formed this subcommittee following his

Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide Hazards The Office for Community Child Health works to enhance healthy child development across a variety of areas. As part of this mission, two of our programs—the Injury Prevention Center and Healthy Homes —focus specifically on safety, helping to protect children and families from

A Conversation with Kirsten Carlone on Strengthening Families in North Hartford By Annika Anderson, MPH: In February of 2025, Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) led the second North Hartford Ascend Strengthening Families Protective Factors Community of Practice with 12 service providers and leaders. The Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework (SFPFF) is a research

Medical Pioneers: Honoring Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians & Pacific Islanders Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have contributed extensively to the rich history of our country and their impact on the healthcare field as medical pioneers is remarkable. As part of Connecticut Children’s diversity, equity and inclusion journey, and our

The Power of Practice Change By Jacquelyn Rose, MPH: How many of us have participated in a training only to forget what we learned shortly thereafter? It’s not just you—we all have a mountain of knowledge collecting dust somewhere in our brains. Childhood Prosperity Lab (the Lab) leverages the science of adult learning theory to

How to Support a Child's Media Diet By Annika Anderson, MPH: By: Annika Anderson, MPH In a world that is more digitally active than ever before, childcare professionals, physicians and caregivers are toggling widespread beliefs about children’s media use and whether it hinders or promotes development. Adults who facilitate children’s media

For the Love of Charlotte… The Inspiration Behind “PJ Day for the Kids” Charlotte Wesoloskie is a sweet, soft-spoken girl with a big heart and an even bigger message for children diagnosed with cancer: “Don’t be scared and never give up!” As a cancer survivor, 11-year-old Charlotte speaks from experience and truly “walks the walk.” And, as the

Getting to Know Genetic Counselors: What They Do and What to Expect in a Session By Ginger Nichols, MS, LCGC: Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health is home to the Connecticut Newborn Screening Network (the Network), which responds to flagged newborn screening results in the state. The Network is staffed by board-certified physicians, genetic counselors, nurses, and a

The Innovative Role of Comics in Child Health Education By Annika Anderson, MPH: By: Annika Anderson, MPH Do you remember what your favorite thing to read was when you were a child? Perhaps it was a picture book, like Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, or Click, Clack, Moo by Doreen Cronin. It might have even been the Peanuts comic strips by Charles Schulz from