Expanded Family Resource expo draws parents

CROMWELL — The Town Hall gymnasium is often a mix of sounds at night: squeak of sneakers on the polished floor, players setting picks or blocking shots, the exclamation when a shot drops.

But on one night this week, the gymnasium was alive with the sound of happy and excited children.

The children were there in the company of their parents to sample the range of offerings at the Family Resource expo that was presented by Cromwell Youth Services and the Edna C. Stevens elementary school.

Nearly 30 groups or organizations took part in the event, which was held in the gymnasium for the first time.

In the past, the event had been held at ECS.

But with Youth Services Director Katelynn Puorro, and Sylvia Webb, who oversees early childhood programs at ECS, working to expand the number of vendors, it was necessary to move to a larger facility, hence the gymnasium.

The program was originally intended to offer parents information about preschool programs, particularly parents who might be new to the community.

It has since grown into an event that “offers parents an opportunity to learn about family resources” as well as preschool programs, Youth Services Program Assistant Marcia P. Sacco said.

The event has expanded as the need for service has expanded, Puorro said.

And so, vendors were on hand who address issues such as behavioral and mental health, and child enrichment.

Several town agencies were represented at the expo, including the Food Pantry, the Recreation Department, the Health Department, the Cromwell Belden Public Library and representatives of both the police and fire departments.

Puorro said while the intent is welcome new residents to town and provide information they can use, there are also any number of people “who live here but who maybe don’t realize all the other things that are available.”

The vendors were many and varied, ranging from Mary Perrino, nutritionist for the ShopRite supermarket in town to Sharon Emmett, the preschool director, and Terri Camilleri, a teacher at the Bethany Lutheran Preschool.

Brittany Carlascio, assistant director of the Pumpkin Patch Preschool and Children’s Center, was on hand complete with artificial pumpkins to explain the center’s programs and opportunities.

The Fire Department connected with children by offering them free plastic firefighter’s helmets.

Youth Detective Jason Tolton had a stock of plastic police badges available for young would-be crime fighters.

Julia Jesmond, a speech language pathologist at ECS (and a mother of three children), was greeting parents who had questions about the school’s Early Learning program.

Children with special needs get priority to be included in the program, she said. A lottery is used to fill any remaining spaces.

“It’s a great program,” Jesmond said.

Bob and Tanya Kauffman attended the program in the company of their 3-year-old daughter Vivian. The couple’s 15-month old remained at home.

The Kauffmans, who live on the Middletown/Cromwell town line, “were doing a visit at Northwest School,” Tanya Kauffman said.

They had a flier about the expo, and so they decided to attend. As they wended their away through the expo, the Kauffmans picked up fliers from several preschools.

The event “was very useful,” Tanya Kauffman said.

“This was an opportunity for us look at a lot of options,” Bob Kauffman said.

Puorro was pleased with the turnout.

“We got a lot of favorable feedback and a number of requests from vendors and parents alike requesting that we have a second expo,” Puorro said. “That’s something we’re considering.”

Parents who may have missed the expo or who have questions about preschool programs are encouraged to contact Sylvia Webb at ECS.

Jeff Mill / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The recent Family Resource expo was presented by Cromwell Youth Services along with the Edna C. Stevens elementary school.