In This Issue

• Impact of Children's Futures
  • Improvements in Primary Care
  • Fridays at St. Francis Helps Teens Focus on Health
  • UIH Family Partners Receives Grants for Fathers
• Links to News Articles
  • Pregnancy, Caffeine Not a Wise Mix?
  • Study Links Folic Acid Supplementation with Reduced Preeclampsia Risk During Pregnancy
  • FDA to Declare Cold Medicines Too Risky for Babies, Toddlers
• Community Activities
  • CHANGE Coalition Meets Saturday
  • Community Town Hall Meeting Tuesday on Cervical Cancer and HPV
  • February Fair for Parents will Showcase Abbott Program

Impact of Children's Futures

Improvements in Primary Care

Physicians and their office staff members working with Children's Futures to strengthen primary care showcased their progress Tuesday evening and celebrated their impact on improving the health of Trenton's children and families. During their annual reunion session, leaders from medical practices reported measurable improvements in childhood immunization rates as well as advances in detection and intervention of lead poisoning, childhood neglect and delays, postpartum depression and asthma. A comprehensive training program supported by Children's Futures and the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services helped these practices implement office-based improvements and measure their results.

Eleven practices treating approximately 90% of Trenton's children participate in training offered through the Pediatric Council on Research and Education (PCORE) Foundation of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics' EPIC (Educating Physicians in the Community) program. An educational presentation from Atlanta-based Dr. LeRoy Graham, one of the nation's foremost pediatric pulmonologists, provided information on addressing the asthma crisis in children and minorities. In addition, Dr. Graham described an asthma education program he would like to bring to Trenton that would focus physicians and faith-based leaders around health literacy and community empowerment. He also praised Children's Futures, PCORE and the medical practitioners for uniting to improve the health status of Trenton's residents.

Children's Futures' president and CEO Floyd K. Morris, Jr. speaks with Dr. Puthenmadam Radhakrishnan from Bellevue Pediatrics and Dr. John Winant, one of the asthma trainers for the PCORE initiative.

Dr. LeRoy Graham presents, "Addressing the Asthma Crisis in Children and Minorities; National Guidelines and Community-Based Strategies" for Trenton doctors and their office staffs.

Barbara Welsh describes Capital Health Systems' work on behalf of Trenton's children.

Friday's at St. Francis Helps Teens Focus on Health

A weekly after-school program hosted by Children's Futures' East Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center is drawing teens from four different Trenton schools. Friday's at St. Francis provides students with information about an array of important health related issues like nutrition and HIV/AIDS awareness. The sessions also give teens opportunities to receive adult mentoring, socialize with their peers and enjoy dinner at the center.

A session last Friday evening drew high school teen moms who learned about and experienced the benefits of exercise for themselves and their children. According to Trenton Central High School teacher Ruthann Bailey, the Friday's at St. Francis program recently received added support through DonorsChoose.org, a web site that collects and distributes funding from anonymous donors for innovative projects that enhance student learning.

Three young Trenton moms (backs to camera) learn about teen and children's health issues during the after-school group. Sharing information are Children's Futures' East Ward Family Success/Parent Child Center director Lenore Scott (left) and Ruthann Bailey, an instructor from Trenton Central High School.

During the Friday's at St. Francis program last week, a child found that it's never too early to get a feel for books.

UIH Family Partners Receives Grants for Fathers

UIH Family Partners, home to Children's Futures' Father Center, has received two new "Community of Fathers" grants. These grants from the Horizon Foundation of New Jersey and the Bunbury Foundation will support the launch of a pilot program providing men with skilled mental health services that will help them cope with stress and deal with conflict.

According to UIH Family Partners' executive director Zuline Gray Wilkinson, "Our relationship with Children's Futures strengthens our capacity to compete for and obtain additional support to fill service gaps and meet pressing needs." Children's Futures' Father Center provides men with comprehensive training on a range of parenting and child development issues. The center also links fathers to community resources through a 25 agency consortium known as the Trenton Men's Collaborative (TMC).

This week, UIH Family Partners' executive director Zuline Gray Wilkinson announced the receipt of two "Community of Fathers" grants that will support skilled mental health services for men. Ms. Wilkinson is pictured above with Children's Futures' president Floyd K. Morris, Jr.

Links to News Articles

Pregnancy, Caffeine Not a Wise Mix?
The link between caffeine and the risk of miscarriage is reported by The New York Times.

Large Study Links Folic Acid Supplementation With Reduced Risk Of Preeclampsia During Pregnancy
Science Daily reports on a new study that suggests that the vitamin may reduce the risk of preeclampsia.

FDA to Declare Cold Medicines Too Risky for Babies, Toddlers
The FDA says babies and toddlers should not be given over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, according to this Associated Press report.

Consistency Will Keep Kids in Their Own Beds
Children's Futures' Board Member Dr. Kendall Sprott writes about children's health and development issues in his weekly column for The Star Ledger.

Community Activities

Ongoing Activities Throughout the Year 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 www.citysmiles.org

January 2008

Saturday, January 26:

CHANGE Coalition General Meeting: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Trenton Board of Education, Ellis Auditorium, 108 N. Clinton Avenue. Residents and representatives from Trenton organizations interested in improving the public schools and parent involvement are invited to attend.

Latino Reform Youth Council (First Meeting): 7 p.m.; 100 S. Clinton Avenue. For more information, please call 609-529-8448.

Tuesday, January 29:

Mercer County Cancer Coalition's Community Town Hall Meeting: Cervical Cancer and HPV: What are Your Concerns?: free; 10 a.m. to 12 noon; New Jersey Network, 25 South Stockton Street in Trenton..; Trenton Board of Education, Ellis Auditorium, 108 N. Clinton Avenue. For more Information, call Wanda Allen at (609) 989-3242 (ext. 108), Linda Johnson at (609) 815-7188 or Roslyn Council at (609) 292-8540.

February 2008

Saturday, February 9 and Sunday February 10:

PrimeTime Shootout High School Basketball Tournament: Day and evening Games; Sovereign Bank Arena. Trenton Central and Trenton Catholic High Schools will participate. For more information, please email Jeff Hewitson at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, February 12:

Pre-Kindergarten Fair for parents to learn about the Abbott Preschool Programs featuring NJ Family Care Sign-Ups: free; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Trenton Board of Education, Ellis Auditorium, 108 N. Clinton Avenue. Community organizations are encouraged to secure a table to provide information about their services for families. For more information, please call the Office of Early Childhood at 609-656-4900 ext. 5709 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tuesday, February 19:

Start of Centralized Preschool Registration for all three and four year olds: free; beginning at 8:30 a.m., Trenton Board of Education, 108 N. Clinton Avenue. For more information, please call the Office of Early Childhood at 656 4900 ext. 5709 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Trenton parents wishing to make a registration appointment for children who turn three or four by September 30th 2008 should call 609-656-4900 ext. 5667.