In This Issue

• Impact of Children's Futures
  • Data from CJNMCHC Supports CF's Work
  • Armstrong Lauds CF and Children's Home Society at North Ward Celebration
  • 8th Annual Fatherhood Conference Will Focus on Men's Health and Social Services Issues
  • Community Survey Reminder
• Links to News Articles
  • Disabilities Common After Extreme Premature Birth
  • Editorial- End Health Disparities
    
  • Depression Linked to Subsequent Pregnancy in Black Teens
• Community Activities
  • Seminars on Foster Care, Adoption, Special Education & Student Rights
  • Latino Health Fair

Impact of Children's Futures

Data from CNJMCHC Supports CF's Work

Maternal and child health data gathered, tracked, and analyzed by the Central New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium (CNJMCHC) helps Children's Futures focus resources to address the needs of vulnerable Trenton residents. "What we track and share with Children's Futures, like the incidence of low birth weight of Trenton babies, helps determine outreach and data-driven interventions to specific populations," explained CNJMCHC's data manager Pamela Kelley, MSW, PhD. The data also supports CF's efforts with its community partners to eliminate gaps in services, reduce duplication and make home visiting efforts and center-based educational programs more targeted.

The Consortium's participation goes back to CF's early planning stages when CNJMHC staff provided guidance important in the initiative's formation. Since then, CNJMCHC has worked with CF's evaluator, Public/Private Ventures, on the development of outcome measures. CNJMCHC is also responsible for Trenton's highly regarded Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies program, which now coordinates CF's expanded community outreach program.

"A real value of having Children's Futures in Trenton is that there is one entity in place that is bringing all of the major community partners around the table to become more efficient in addressing the needs of this high risk community, " said CNJMCHC executive director Robyn D'Oria, MA, RNC, APN. "One of the most important things Children's Futures does is help link what we see with data trends and translate it to promote program improvement and policy change," Dr. Kelley added.

To learn more about the not for profit CNJMCHC and its Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) program to advance the health of infants, children, and women of childbearing age in Trenton and throughout Central New Jersey, please link to cjmchc.org

CNJMCHC's data manager Pamela Kelley, MSW, PhD, discussed Trenton's Black infant mortality data with staff last Thursday as CNJMCHC's executive director Robyn D'Oria, MA, RNC, APN, looked on.

Armstrong Lauds CF and Children's Home Society at North Ward Celebration

Rev. Darrell L. Armstrong, Director of the Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships of the N.J. Department of Children and Families (DCF) joined with more than a hundred children, parents, staff and guests for the Children's Home Society of New Jersey's Family Success/Parent Child Center - North Ward dedication Thursday. During the ribbon cutting of New Jersey's newest Family Success Center (FSC), Rev. Armstrong noted that the success of the statewide program hinged on the type of, "positive relationships of faith-based and community-based organizations such as the ones we have in Trenton with Children's Futures (CF) and Children's Home Society (CHS of NJ)."

"The vision for each center is to be a neighborhood clearinghouse for all families regardless of their socio-economic status. These centers are intended to co-locate a host of services ranging from health, early childhood education, employment and others vital to the success of families," Director Armstrong explained. FSCs aim to develop networks of family services that result in preventing child abuse and neglect and fostering healthy families; reduce isolation and build connections within families, between families and to the community.

CHS of NJ was one of 20 grant awardees chosen to receive DCF funding through a competitive process last year. According to Director Armstrong, there are now 37 such centers throughout New Jersey. The 1554 Princeton Avenue location in the North Ward is one of CF's original four Parent/Child Centers. According to CHS of NJ president Donna Pressma, "The renovation and opening of this new space is a testimony to the good will of private industry, government and community leaders working together to deliver quality services to families, youth and children in the city of Trenton." The center's North Ward Partnership consists of Capital Health System, Capitol Corridor Community Development Corporation, Henry J. Austin Health Center, Puerto Rican Community Day Care Center and the Trenton Board of Education.

A grant from The Wachovia Foundation helped to fund the center's Bright Space play and learning areas designed by The Bright Horizons Foundation for Children. In a Bright Space, the environment is transformed by a team of early education and design professionals to create a warm, inviting area for children and families.

Anne McVeigh, Regional Manager Bright Horizons Family Solutions; Anne Murphy, Center Director/Skillman, Bright Horizons Family Solutions; Dolores Bryant, Director Early Childhood & Community Based Services, CHS of NJ; Sunday Gustin of the NJ Department of Children and Families.

A mother and her son, Connie and Jedaiah Carrette, play together in one of the North Ward Center's transformed Bright Spaces areas.

Celebrating at the event were Rev. Darrell L. Armstrong, Director of the Division of Prevention and Community Partnerships of DCF; Donna Pressma, Executive Director of CHS of NJ; Ms. Bryant; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Senior Program Officer Marco Navarro and CF President Floyd K. Morris, Jr.

8th Annual Fatherhood Conference Will Focus on Men's Health and Social Services Issues

Children's Futures and Horizon NJ Health will sponsor UIH Family Partners' 8th Annual Fatherhood Conference on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. The Conference, "Fatherhood 2008: What's Driving The Agenda?" will be held from 8:30 am to 4 pm at The Holiday Inn National Conference Center in East Windsor. Dr. Henrie Treadwell, Senior Social Scientist and Associate Director of Development for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta will deliver the Keynote Address. . Dr. Treadwell has major oversight of the men's health programs managed by the National Center for Primary Care. Her special work includes development of strategies to inform policy, working to address health disparities among underserved populations, and dissemination of various media products to inform the public and communities of health related issues.

In addition to Dr. Treadwell, other prominent speakers scheduled include Brian C. Jenkins (Executive Director, Chosen 300 Ministries in Philadelphia, PA); Herb Levine, (Executive Director, Mercer Alliance To End Homelessness); Andrea Connor, (NJ Office of Child Support Services); Dr. Philip Bonaparte (Chief Medical Officer, Horizon NJ Health); Dr. Jeffrey Johnson (President, National Partnership For Community Leadership); Bishop Edward Jenkins (Pastor, True Servant Worship and Praise Church); Rev. Dr. J. Stanley Justice (Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Church) and Qareeb Bashir (Imam, Islamic Center of Ewing). Conference contact information appears below.

(Photo Courtesy of Judith Arnold/J F Arnold Group)

Dr. Philip Bonaparte, Medical Director of Horizon NJ Health will be one of the speakers at the 2008 UIH Family Partners 8th Annual Fatherhood Conference in April.

Community Survey Reminder

Public/Private Ventures (P/PV), a national research organization based in Philadelphia (ppv.org), is conducting an evaluation of the Children's Futures' initiative. As part of the evaluation, beginning this month, interviewers from the Center for Survey Research at the University of Virginia will be randomly selecting Trenton residents to complete a 30-minute telephone interview, the 2008 Children's Futures Community Survey. This is the second time that Trenton residents will have participated in this interview - 654 residents completed a similar interview in 2002.

Trenton residents eligible to complete the interview include parents of children aged 5 years or younger. Those who complete the interview will receive a $10 gift card from Wal-Mart as compensation for their time. The interviews will ask residents questions about their background, neighborhood, child care, health, health insurance coverage, family planning, and social services utilization. Interviewers will call residents primarily during the evening hours and on weekends. The evaluation will help Children's Futures identify the ways in which Trenton agencies have met the initiative's goals of improving the health and well-being of Trenton's young children. P/PV thanks residents in advance who agree to participate in this important study.

Links to News Articles

Disabilities Common After Extreme Premature Birth
Med Page Today reports on research the shows Infants born before 33 weeks gestation are more likely to show physical disabilities and cognitive deficits as they grow, with the degree of impairment linked to gestational age at birth.

Editorial-End Health Disparities
In an editorial, the Contra Costa Times (CA) cites the need to take action to end health disparities.

Depression Linked To Subsequent Pregnancy In Black Teens
African American adolescent mothers who have symptoms of depression may be more likely to have a subsequent pregnancy within two years of giving birth, according to a report described in Science Daily.

Community Activities

The Family Living Unit at Trenton Central High School is looking to borrow an "Empathy Belly" pregnancy simulator and a "Baby Think It Over" infant simulator for a week or two. If you have these products and can lend them, please contact Ruthann Bailey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

March 2008

Monday, March 3 to Monday, March 31:

March CF Center-Based Programs for Parents and Children- free; programs at Children's Futures' centers provide expectant parents and parents of newborns and toddlers with opportunities to enhance their parenting knowledge and skills. Children's Futures offers these sessions to improve literacy, promote nutrition, build children's musical awareness and encourage parent/child bonding. For more information, please call Tonya Bellamy at 609-989-3306 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The calendar is also posted in English and Spanish at www.childrensfutures.org here ».

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Month for Children and Families: For more information about community programs, please contact CitySmiles at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or link to citysmiles.org

Thursday, March 13:

HM/HB Trenton Coalition Meeting: free; Thursday, March 13, 2008, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Thomas Edison State College, Room 301, 101 W. State St. Please contact Laura Mitchell at 732-937-5437 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Parent Workshop: Transition to Kindergarten from Home or Preschool: Free; 5 to 8 p.m. Wilson School, 175 Girard Avenue. For more information, please contact Denise Holguin 609-656-4900 (ext. 5709).

Saturday, March 15:

Foster Care and Adoption Seminar: Featuring Marcus Robinson from DYFS-Children and Families: free; 12 to 2 p.m. at Classics Used and Rare Books, 117 South Warren Street. For more information, please contact Eric at 609-394-8400.

Special Education and Student Rights Seminar: Featuring Ralph Gerstein, attorney-at-law: free; 2 to 4 p.m. at Classics Used and Rare Books, 117 South Warren Street. For more information, please contact Eric at 609-394-8400.

Both of the events above are part of the Classics Events Series funded by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, the Harbourton Foundation, the Trenton Downtown Association and the Friends of Classics Booster Club.

Tuesday, March 18:

Mercer Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction "Party Drugs Workshop and Town Hall Meeting on Underage Drinking: Free; 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Erini Restaurant, 1140 River Road/Route 29 North in Ewing. For more information, please call Geetha Arulmohan at 609-396-5874.

Sunday, March 30:

Latino Health Fair Sponsored by the Puerto Rican Parade of Trenton: Free; 1 to 3 p.m.; St. Joseph's Church School Cafeteria, 540 North Olden Avenue. For more information, please call 609-977-7466 or 477-4321.

Monday, March 31:

Annual Meeting of Members of the Central New Jersey Maternal and Child Health Consortium: 11:30 to 2:30 p.m.; Forsgate Country Club, Jamesburg, NJ.. For more information, please call (732) 937-5437.

April

Thursday, April 3:

Parent Workshop: Transition to Kindergarten from Home or Preschool: Free; 5 to 8 p.m. Parker School, 117 Ferry Street. For more information, please contact Denise Holguin 609-656-4900 (ext. 5709).

Thursday, April 10:

Parent Workshop: Transition to Kindergarten from Home or Preschool: Free; 5 to 8 p.m. Kilmer School 1300 Stuyvesant Avenue. For more information, please contact Denise Holguin 609-656-4900 (ext. 5709).

Friday, April 11:

Stand Against Racism: Free; Organizations throughout Trenton invited to join the YWCAs of Trenton, Princeton, Children's Futures and others (corporations, non profit organizations, schools and other community and faith-based groups) in taking a stand against racism and to visually show a commitment to ending injustice in our communities. For more information, please call Caroline Mitchell at 609-396-8291 (ext. 407) or go to: StandAgainstRacism.org.

Tuesday, April 15:

SAVE-THE-DATE...Dedication of New Children's Futures' and Department of Children and Families' South Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center at Children's Home Society: Free; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children's Home Society of New Jersey; 635 South Clinton Avenue. For more information, please contact Maritza Raimundi-Petroski at 609-695-6274 (ext. 160) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wednesday, April 16:

UIH Family Partners, Children's Futures and Horizon NJ Health Present the 8th Annual Fatherhood Conference: $75; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; The National Conference Center at the Holiday Inn, Monmouth Street and Route 33 in Hightstown/East Windsor. For more information, please contact Ed Gittens at 609-695-3663 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Sunday, April 27:

Fourth Annual "Trenton Real Men Cook" Cancer Awareness Program Featuring Prominent Trenton Men Sharing Samples of Their Personal Recipes from Appetizers to Desserts: Donation requested at door; 1 to 4 p.m.; Trenton War Memorial. For more information, please call 609-895-0101.