New Book on Grasso Recalls Tough, Popular, Groundbreaking Leader

When Ella Tambussi Grasso ran for governor of Connecticut in 1974, she had not lost an election since she was first voted into the state's General Assembly in 1952. The people of Connecticut chose her as the nation's first woman to be elected governor in her own right--the capstone of a long and successful career dedicated to public service, effective government, and the democratic process. That is the theme for a new book written by Jon Purmont, emeritus professor of history at Southern Connecticut State University, and a former Grasso administration staffer.  Purmont will be John Dankosky’s guest on WNPR’s Where We Live, discussing the late Governor.

Grasso, of Windsor Locks, played key roles in Connecticut Democratic politics during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s. Those decades saw emerging consumer protection laws, greater government transparency, the Vietnam War, and the rise of feminism. During her tenure as governor, Grasso's leadership was tested in the face of fiscal problems, state layoffs, and budget shortfalls. The daughter of Italian immigrants, she endeared herself to her constituents during the great Blizzard of 1978, when she stayed at the State Armory around the clock to direct emergency operations and make frequent television appearances.  Before being elected Governor, she served as a member of Congress and Connecticut's Secretary of the State.

Purmont worked for Grasso for 22 months, from the beginning of her second term through her resignation in 1980, to her death in 1981.  More than 30 years later, the New Haven Register reports he has written what may be the first piece of scholarly work on the state’s first female governor, using interviews, documents and his own personal recollections.“Ella Grasso: Connecticut’s Pioneering Governor,” to be released later this year, is being published next month by Wesleyan University Press.

CT Girl Scouts Celebrate Centennial by Honoring Top 100

In honor of its 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored 100 women, men, and organizations that embody the best of Girl Scout values at the 2012 Centennial Gala – Woman of Merit benefit dinner, held this month. The Centennial Gala had five categories of honorees:

• Distinguished Alumnae,
• Community Champion,
• Trail Blazers,
• Girls of Promise, and
• Women of Promise

Honorees included Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Cathy Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, State Treasurer Denise Nappier, State Representative Michelle Cook (D-65); Jen Rizzotti, women’s basketball coach at the University of Hartford; Carolyn Kuan, Music Director, Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz, Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; and Chief Lynn Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe.  The full list of honorees is on the Girl Scouts of Connecticut website.

“We were delighted to honor these 100 extraordinary people and organizations ,” said Teresa C. Younger, President of Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Board of Directors. “This has been a special year for Girl Scouts of Connecticut, celebrating its 100th Anniversary, and there’s no better time to celebrate the achievements of many throughout the state who are the role models for and help build girls of courage, confidence, and character.”

The categories of the honorees are:

Trailblazers are individuals, families, organizations or groups whose pioneering efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow. They may have been the ‘‘first’’ to reach a particular career or professional milestone, have participated in an organization or activity in a way that changed how women were involved, or challenged themselves in some way that created new opportunities for girls and women. If an organization or group, it may have demonstrated innovative solutions to working with girls to develop leadership skills or create unique opportunities for girls.

Community Champions are individuals, families, organizations or groups who have made significant contributions as volunteers within their own community, or on a regional or national level. They have distinguished themselves as mentors and role models. They have a proven track record of helping others succeed and have achieved personal success through the skills and abilities they have developed in the people around them. Their lives and work exemplify the value of community service intrinsic to Girl Scouts. If an organization or group, it has demonstrated through its mission, programs and support the importance of developing girls to reach their full potential and have proven success.

Distinguished Alumnae are individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, exceptional service, and an extraordinary dedication to the Girl Scout Movement. They are alumnae whose leadership, initiative, and energy have strengthened Girl Scouting, made a significant contribution to the mission, and who exemplify the true spirit of Girl Scouts.

Women of Promise are alumnae, age 35 and under, who have distinguished themselves in their profession and/or community. They are women who demonstrate exceptional promise in terms of their ability to ascend and assume significant leadership roles.

Girls of Promise are current Girl Scouts ages 12-18 who distinguish themselves through their work in Girl Scouting and exemplify the values and principles of the Girl Scout Movement.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday; 60 CT Sites Ready

State and local law enforcement officials in more than 60 cities and towns across Connecticut will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this Saturday, September 29, to give residents the opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Attorney General George Jepsen joined the DEA, the state Departments of Consumer Protection and of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership in detailing the state’s growing prescription drug problem and encouraging state residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by visiting a nearby collection site.  Connecticut’s  collection sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teenage years. Prescription medications are now the most commonly used drugs among 12 to 13 year olds. Two-thirds of teens who abuse pain relievers say they get them from their family members and friends

“Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and the problem is here, at our doorstep,” said Attorney General Jepsen. “Safe disposal of unused and unwanted prescription medications is an effective way of getting potentially dangerous substances out of medicine cabinets.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription painkiller overdoses.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity for us to increase awareness of the simple steps we all can take to slow the growth of prescription drug abuse, which is a 365-day a year problem, and to encourage everyone to use safe drug disposal practices every day,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, noting that Connecticut has sites for unused prescription medication to be turned in throughout the year, beyond the nationwide event  this Saturday.

This past April, Americans turned in 552,161 pounds – 276 tons – of prescription drugs at over 5,600 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,300 state and local law enforcement partners. In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 1.5 million pounds – nearly 775 tons – of medication.

“The Governor’s Prevention Partnership commends the leadership of the Attorney General and the DEA in bringing focus to the need for proper disposal of unused medicine in order to reduce the risk of youth drug abuse,” said Jill Spineti, president and CEO of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “We also remind parents and caregivers to have open communication with their children and to remain vigilant throughout the teenage years, so that misuse or abuse of medicine can be avoided.”

Eastern Connecticut's Increase in Hispanic Graduation Rate Is #1 Nationally

The Education Trust, a national education advocacy group, has ranked Eastern Connecticut State University as number one in a national study of the improvement of six-year graduation rates of Hispanic students among public universities and colleges.  The Education Trust study examined the graduation rates of 391 public and private colleges and universities in the United States, detailing the results for African American, Hispanic and white students, as well as the overall graduation rates of all students at those institutions. For the class of full-time, first-time students entering in fall 1998, the six-year graduation rate was barely 20 percent for Hispanic students at Eastern. However, for those Hispanic students entering in 2004, the proportion who had graduated by 2010 was 57.8 percent, the largest improvement among the 228 public institutions in The Education Trust study, "Advancing to completion: increasing degree attainment by improving graduation rates and closing gaps for Hispanic students."

José Cruz, vice president for higher education policy and practice at The Education Trust, said: "The lessons are clear.  What institutions of higher education do -- and don't do -- for students directly and powerfully impacts student success.  The schools we've identified provide vivid sign posts on the road to boosting graduation rates at colleges and universities across the country."

Eastern's 57.8 percent graduation rate for Hispanic students is actually above Eastern's overall graduation rate of 52.4 percent for the entire entering class of 2004. In addition, Eastern's improvement rate of 37.8 percent far exceeds the overall improvement rate among the study's 391 institutions of 3.5 percent, as well as the 3.9 percent improvement rate among the study's 228 public colleges and universities.

"While we know that there is much more work to be done on our campus in supporting Latino and other underrepresented students to achieve their educational goals and graduate from college, I am very pleased ," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez.  "This is a tribute to the work of our faculty and staff in providing support to students who face a myriad of issues in enrolling in and succeeding at college -- language barriers, cultural isolation, financial challenges and lack of family history as it relates to college attendance."

Núñez mentioned several grants from private and federal grant sources that have helped Eastern to identify and serve students who are academically at risk so that appropriate support systems can be activated early on. In particular, a Nellie Mae Education Foundation "Project Compass" grant and a U.S. Department of Education Title III grant have helped the University to create and improve its Student Success Model, which features additional advising staff; a revised, four-tiered advising system; faculty mentors; and a one-stop Academic Services Center that provides tutoring, math and writing instructional support for more than 10,000 student visitors a year.

"It is equally important for students of color to see familiar faces at the front of the classroom," said Núñez, indicating that Eastern has the largest percentage of minority faculty of any college or university in Connecticut.  Eastern also has two pre-enrollment programs each summer for students who may not meet the University's standard entrance requirements--the Summer Proof of Ability Program, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate academic potential, and the Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program, which provides intensive instruction in study skills and foundation academics to help low-income, first-generation and traditionally under-represented students transition from high school to college.

As The Education Trust report noted.  "... If America is to restore its status as first-in-the-world in degree attainment, colleges need to do more to ensure that all of their students -- especially Hispanic students -- graduate from college."

Deaf Child Bill of Rights is Focus at State Capitol

The focus at the State Capitol on Thursday, September 20 will be Connecticut’s deaf and hearing impaired children, with a particular spotlight on the Deaf Child Bill of Rights, approved by the General Assembly earlier this year and signed into law in June by Gov. Malloy. Represented at the Capitol on Thursday, with information for the public as well as legislators and staff, will be:

• Disabilities Network of Eastern CT Informational
• CREC Soundbridge Educational
• Relay Connecticut Telecommunication Services

Approval of the Deaf Child Bill of Rights made Connecticut, the birthplace of deaf education, the 12th state to have the Deaf Child Bill of Rights. The new law became effective on July 1, 2012. It was widely viewed as a historic day for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Connecticut as well across the country, because the DCBR law creates an environment that will allow deaf and hard of hearing children “to become who they really are, develop, learn, expand and shine in all education settings,” officials said.

The new law states that “The individualized education program for any child identified as deaf or hearing impaired shall include a language and communication plan developed by the planning and placement team for such child.

Such language and communication plan shall address:

(1) The primary language or mode of communication chosen for the child,

(2) Opportunities for direct communication with peers and professional personnel in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(3) Educational options available to the child,

(4) The qualifications of teachers and other professional personnel administering such plan for the child, including such teacher's or personnel's proficiency in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(5) The accessibility of academic instruction, school services and extracurricular activities to the child,

(6) Assistive devices and services for the child, and

(7) Communication and physical environment accommodations for the child.

CT nonprofit launches online financial literacy program

The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) has launched Financial Avenue, a free, online financial education program to help adults and young adults better manage their money and assets.  The program is the latest in a full range of financial literacy services offered by the New Haven-based CAHS, including in-person classes at partner nonprofits throughout the state.  The new on-line courses provide an option for those who have had trouble making it to  scheduled on-ground classes. Students can earn up to 16 certificates in specific topics and work at their own pace.  According to the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, two-thirds of American adults earning less than $30,000 use the internet. In addition lower-income internet users (earning $25,000 or less) tend to spend more time on the internet than others, about 13 hours online per month.

CAHS also offers the Connecticut Money School as well as a series of downloadable fact sheets on various financial topics. Connecticut Money School (CMS) is a project of the CAHS  and five nonprofit partners.

To sign up or receive more information on the Financial Avenue program, visit www.ctmoney.org.  Class topics span a wide range of topics including: Budgeting, Borrowing Money, Tackling Debt, Understanding Insurance, Taxes & You, Understanding a Paycheck, Importance of Saving, Banking Basics, Investing in Your Future, Your First Job, Paying for College, Working in College, Credit History, Credit Cards, Contracts, and Identity Theft.

A $25,000 grant from the First Niagara Bank Foundation helped launch Financial Avenue.

Nursing Numbers Highlight Need for More Educators, Nurses

Embedded in an interview with Lynn Babington, dean and professor in the School of Nursing at Fairfield University, featured in the latest issue of Hartford Business Journal, are a stream of statistics about nursing and our aging population that are worth noting:

• People 65+ represented 12.4 percent of the population in the year 2000 but are expected to grow to be 19 percent of the population by 2030.
• The average age of the registered nurse in this country is 48 years old. As the population ages and continues to live longer and chronic health conditions increase, there is a growing demand for nurses in all care settings.
• There are a shortage of doctorally prepared nurses and an aging faculty workforce. The average age of nursing faculty in the U.S. is 57 years old.

If these stats spark your interest in the professional, take a look at the Department of Public Health detail on education programs available in Connecticut, and the latest numbers on how they're doing.

EnvisionFest Hartford on September 29 Set to be Record-Setting Celebration

On one day in Hartford later this month, people can participate in setting a Zumba world record, climb 96 historic steps saluting soldiers and sailors lost generations ago, and be among an anticipated 1,000 bicycle-riders and walkers in the Capital City.  The event?  The iQuilt Partnership and supporting arts, businesses and community organizations are coordinating EnvisionFest Hartford on September 29.  It is a city-wide event filled with hundreds of free activities and countless opportunities to experience the vibrant arts community and get a sneak preview of the planned transformation along the proposed GreenWalk.

Among the scores of events:

• A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to break the current world record for the largest Zumba class, previously set by 3,105 participants in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The challenge is set for 1 p.m. and is perfect for children of all ages, especially those with a competitive spirit! Parents and grandparents will also love the cardiovascular benefits Zumba has to offer.
• Learn the living history, connection to the Civil War and current efforts for restoration of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch just across from the State Capitol near the Bushnell Park Carousel. Climb 96 steps for amazing views of Hartford. Free tours conducted 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The EnvisionFest celebration starts with Bike/Walk Connecticut’s Hartford Parks Tour, where an estimated 1,000 riders will begin their tours on Elm Street at 9 a.m.

New Law, New Program: Accelerated Master's In Early Childhood Launched

The University of Saint Joseph – formerly Saint Joseph College - is launching an accelerated master of arts degree in Early Childhood with Teacher Licensure for Nursery to Grade Three.  The new format responds to a shortage of licensed teachers in early childhood education, along with a new state requirement: as of July 13, 2013, new licensed teachers must hold the Nursery-Grade 3 license in order to teach kindergarten. Partners in the new program at the West Hartford institution include the nationally recognized University of Saint Joseph School for Young Children and the acclaimed Wintonbury Early Childhood Magnet School in Bloomfield. Each will host pre-school and kindergarten clinical experiences, and outstanding area elementary schools will provide clinical experiences for grades 1-3.

Details of the new degree program include:

• The 30-credit accelerated program is designed to be completed in one year (August-August) and includes a 10-week teaching placement and a 5-week practicum.
• Successful candidates are eligible to continue with a 3-credit course in Educational Research in fall 2013. Candidates who complete the cohort for the Nursery-Grade 3 license will be granted a tuition scholarship for this course.
• Comprehensive exam taken in spring 2014 for completion of the master of arts degree
• Candidates who complete all requirements participate in the university’s commencement in May 2014
• Accepting a maximum of 15 people in the 2012-2013 cohort

The Early Childhood Special Education Accelerated Program (ECSE/AP) combines the university’s Connecticut State Department of Education approved Early Childhood/Special Education program for teacher licensure with newly expanded clinical experiences to provide an intensive, research-based, practitioner-oriented teacher preparation program.

Video Campaign Seeks to Reduce Texting While Driving

Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen – the father of two teenage boys - has joined a national public service campaign featuring scenes from the award-winning television series “Glee” to help educate young adult drivers on the dangers of texting while driving. The campaign is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the State Attorneys General, Consumer Protection Agencies, and the Ad Council, with Twentieth Century Fox Television and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles reported last month that since tougher teen driving laws took effect four years ago, the number of teen drivers killed in crashes dropped from 7 in 2007 to one in 2011. NHTSA reports that in 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed and an additional 416,000 were injured due to distracted driving, which includes texting while driving.

The new television and digital public service announcements (PSAs) employ a catastrophic crash scene from “Glee,” caused by texting and driving, to emphasize that distracted driving can have horrific consequences.

The PSAs direct young adult drivers to the Texting and Driving Prevention campaign web site, StopTextsStopWrecks.org, where teens and young adults can find facts about the impact of texting while driving and tips for how to curb the behavior.  Three key facts are cited:

• Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field. (2009, VTTI)
• A texting driver is 23 times more likely to get into an accident than a non-texting driver. (2009, VTTI)
• Of those killed in distracted-driving-related crashed, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18% of fatalities in distraction-related crashes). (NHTSA)

Connecticut law prohibits use of handheld cell phones and texting while driving. Fines range from $125 for a first offense to $400 for a third or subsequent offense.  For teenage drivers, the state DMV will suspend the driver’s license or learner’s permit of a 16- or 17-year-old for 30 days to six months for any conviction of violating a teen driving restriction or using a cell phone or text messaging device while driving. Those teens will have to pay a $175 license restoration fee as well as court fines.

According to a new national survey conducted by the Ad Council, the message may be getting through. Thirty-four percent of respondents said that they never text while driving, a significant increase from 28 percent in 2011. All of the new PSAs will run and air in advertising time and space that is donated by the media.

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