(Click on headers to view program details)

This group is a diverse organization of parents and parent-led organizations. Their goals include making sure that there are opportunities for parents to be involved at all levels of the education system.

In Meriden, the alumni of PLTI have created an organization, LION, which addresses issues concerning the community. It builds a community of leaders who focus on improving the healthy development of all children.

Middletown needed to show an interest in parent leadership programs before the city would fund a Parent Leadership Training Institute. To show such interest, the city offered PALS (Parents as Leaders). They conducted a five-night workshop series and used evaluation forms to show the effectiveness of the program. Funders felt it was effective and PLTI was brought to Middletown.

Parents in Danbury organized and started PASTA, which helps to bring arts programs into 11 elementary schools. In bulk, the cost of the programming is significantly reduced and all children in Danbury receive equal arts programming.

The playgrounds in Danbury needed to be repaired and replaced. Parents initiated requests for funding from the city government. They succeeded in raising enough funds to put four new playgrounds in area parks, including one of the largest special needs playgrounds in the country. They also replaced much of the public school playground equipment.

Both New London and Norwich brought the Parent Leadership Training Institute to their communities. This 20-week program developed by the Connecticut Commission on Children teaches parents the skills necessary to advocate for children in their community. (All the communities in the Children First Initiative have established PLTI to develop parent advocacy. The experiences of New London and Norwich are provided here as an example of the efforts of all the communities.)

A group of parent volunteers meet to review funding requests to Meriden's Children First Initiative. The parents receive initial training by CFI and support as needed. The parents make the final recommendation whether or not to fund a program.

Windham created a panel of two early childcare providers, two parents, and a representative from the town government. This panel reviews applications to the School Readiness Council. The childcare providers in Windham produced a collaborative application. Working together, they have begun doing group workshops, focused on staff credentials and pay, and increased the quality of care for Windham preschoolers.

This newspaper is written and published by parents, helping to develop parent leadership. It is published in English and Spanish and mailed to every household in the Hartford Public School System. Parents in Hartford are informed on issues of importance to the school community.