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$1 Million Gift Establishes the Schilberg Family Playroom in Connecticut Children’s New Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit Hartford, CT—Connecticut Children’s, the state’s only health system 100% dedicated to children’s well-being, has received a $1 million gift from Bernie and Beth Schilberg to support the hospital’s new eight-story clinical tower and the expansion of facilities and services across
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When and How to Talk to Young Kids About Sex By Andrew Carlson, MD: “Hey, Alexa, how are babies made?” Kids as young as 3 or 4 have turned to voice assistants to ask this question. Just like that. It’s no surprise because sex is a normal part of life, not “taboo” or “dirty.” As a pediatrician, parents ask me all the time: “When and how should I
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Grow Active: Finn’s Story If it races, rolls or jumps, 8-year-old Finnbar Prenty has probably mastered it – from skis to scooters to skateboarding. But not long ago, this kind of activity was out of the question. Finn began his health journey at another hospital in the state, where he was diagnosed with
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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 Article
Social Innovation Spotlight: Lactation Innovations Social innovators, also known as changemakers, seek to address social needs by developing new and improved practices compared to existing solutions. Changemakers have made significant contributions in areas such as working conditions, education, community development, health, and
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Walk to Work Program Connects Hartford Residents to Jobs By Luis Rivera: By: Luis Rivera, MSW How did you learn about the SINA Walk to Work program? Jessica Rios : I learned about the SINA Walk to Work Program through friends on social media who connected me with Elsa Huertas, the Career Navigator who manages the program. Esther Figueroa : Luis, I’m
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The Power of People: How Co-Design Enhances Project Management Tools By Annika Anderson, MPH: Have you ever developed a project management tool that's supposed to make your life easier, but ends up causing more frustration or inefficiency? You're not alone. In Connecticut Children’s Office for Community Child Health (the Office), we attempt to “work smarter, not harder”
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Support Beyond Imagination: JJ’s Story Connecticut Children’s new Westport Specialty Care Center already has a happy family. John B. Jr. — “JJ” to his family — is a giggly, boisterous 16-month-old from Stratford. Every couple months, he’ll visit the Neurosurgery team at the new Westport center, which opened its doors
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Back-to-School Safety: Helping Your Child Navigate the Roads By Anna Stern, MPH: As kids head back to school, it’s a great time to talk with your child about how to stay safe on the roads. Whether they walk, bike, take the bus, or ride in a car, it's essential that they have the skills to get to and from school safely. That might mean discussing where to wait
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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
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Honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Kids Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month provides an opportunity to teach children about the tremendous contributions Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have made in the United States during past and present times. At
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Advocating for Safer Teen Driving in Connecticut By Kevin Borrup, DrPH, JD, MPA: The recent teen driver tragedy in Glastonbury, CT, has left the community mourning. As a parent, it is impossible not to feel the weight of such a loss. Moments like these are devastating and a powerful reminder of why the work I do, advocating for policies that protect young
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Building Healthy Futures: Celebrating the Impact of Connecticut Children’s Healthy Homes Program By Chris Corcoran: What is the Healthy Homes Program? In celebration of National Healthy Homes Month, we are thrilled to highlight the incredible achievements of the Connecticut Children’s Healthy Homes Program, a program dedicated to making homes safe and healthy for families across Connecticut
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Who to Contact When Your Child Needs Behavioral Health Support Anxiety. Eating disorders. Suicidal thoughts. Uncontrollable aggression. No matter what your child or family may be dealing with, it’s important to remember that you are not alone – and that there are resources to help. Here’s who to contact for information and support. Article
Grow Inspiring: Natalia’s Story The staff at the hospital where Natalia Rodriguez Sabala was born hadn’t seen a patient like her in seven years. She was born with cloacal exstrophy, also known as OEIS syndrome: Her bladder and portions of her large intestine were on the outside of her belly, and her bladder was