HPYC's Newsletter

A huge thank you to the Rotary Club of Hamden for their grant which has allowed Hamden's Partnership for Young Children to provide calming kits for Hamden early education programs. HPYC values its partnership with the Hamden Rotary Club and their shared commitment to making the development of social emotional skills in young children a top priority.

Members of HPYC celebrate the launch of Early Start CT and the transition from the School Readiness Council to the Local Governance Partners. A special thank you to Rita Esposito, Chair of HPYC, who has volunteered endless hours over the past several years supporting the efforts of the council. HPYC is committed to continuing its support of Hamden families, children, and childcare providers, and values the ongoing collaboration with community partners who share the belief that every child has the potential to grow, thrive and reach their fullest potential.

CHILDREN MUST BE 5 BY SEPTEMBER 1ST IN ORDER TO ATTEND THE HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

ANY PARENT WHO WOULD LIKE THEIR CHILD ASSESSED FOR ENTRANCE TO KINDERGARTEN IF THEY TURN 5 AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, SHOULD CALL THE SCHOOL THEIR CHILD WOULD ATTEND IN THE FALL IF GOING TO KINDERGARTEN. THE HOME SCHOOL STAFF WILL COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENT.

If you are registering a child who has attended preschool, please consider also having your child's teacher complete the Preschool Information Sheet. This will help your child's new teachers plan appropriate curriculum for them!

The Family Resource Center (FRC) of Hamden, CT directly serves parents with children from prenatal to kindergarten as well as families with children in Hamden Elementary Schools. Our services enhance parenting, promote family involvement with the schools, help children to succeed academically, socially and emotionally and connects families to community resources. The Family Resource Center believes that parents are their child's first and most important teachers.

Did you know that Hamden has over 50 home and center-based childcare options, serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers and some after-school care? Due to state funding, Hamden has 4 programs offering low to moderate cost full day child care for 3 & 4 years olds, and one program offering low to moderate cost full day child care for infants and toddlers.

Our program serves pregnant and parenting individuals—including moms, dads, and grandparents—who either have a history of substance use themselves or are part of a family unit impacted by substance use. This includes family members currently caring for a child affected by substance use. We work with clients at all stages of their recovery journey, with support from our trained Recovery Navigators, who specialize in perinatal mental health, family dynamics, and substance use concerns.

For pregnant clients, we assist in creating Family Care Plans that can be shared with healthcare providers during appointments and delivery. These plans demonstrate active engagement in treatment and a commitment to safety, helping to reduce the need for DCF involvement and supporting families in staying together.

The use of children’s literature is a particularly effective way to anchor social-emotional learning experiences, because books can serve as a point of reference for children, as characters model coping strategies, creative problem-solving, and the acceptance of differences. Reading fictional stories with children allows them to learn from experiences they have never had—including those that involve difficult emotions—within the safety of a world that is not real.

Would you like to participate in the Partnership's efforts to support families and improve the education, health, and development of children??