Events
Manchester Early Childhood Fair
Saturday, February 21, 2026
9:00 AM to 12:0P PM
Cost: This is a no cost event.
Location: 134 Middle Tpke E, Manchester, CT 06040
Join the HELLO Lab and various daycares and preschools for Manchester's Early Childhood Fair, and learn about the different programs, services, recreation, and local resources available for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children up to age 8.
This event is free and open to the public. Please enter at Brookfield Street. We welcome families of children aged between 1 and 3 years old to participate in our play session study on the day of. Participation will be compensated and families will receive free assessment of their child's language development. Any questions can be directed to [email protected].
» Register for event
» View event flyer
Early Steps Together
Monday, February 23, 2026
6:30–7:30 PM
Cost: No cost
Location: Online
Early Steps Together
Are you a parent of a young child (ages 0–5) who has received Birth to Three (B23) services? You’re not alone!
Join our virtual parent support group starting October 6th, designed to bring families together to share, learn, and grow through early support.
In this group, you’ll find:
✨ A safe space to connect with other parents
✨ Support navigating early intervention
✨ Resources for your child and family
✨ Encouragement from others who understand your journey
Where: Online – join from the comfort of your home
When: Mondays starting October 6th, 6:30–7:30 PM
Come share your story, connect, and take your next steps with confidence. Together, we’re stronger. ?
» Register for event
Finding Your Voice as a Parent Webinar: Evaluations
Monday, February 23, 2026
7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST
Cost: This is a no cost event.
Location: Online event
Finding Your Voice as a Parent Webinar: Meeting Your Child’s Challenges with an Evaluation
Date: Monday February 23rd 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. EST
Register here on Zoom: https://bit.ly/20A201
Co-hosted online with the Stamford JCC (Stamford, CT). This event is on Zoom (online/virtual event).
Speakers:
Attorney Lawrence Berliner, Connecticut Special Education Law
Jane Faherty, Stamford JCC JumpStart Executive Director & Special Education Advocate
Dr. Michael S. Cohen, PhD., ABPP, Psychologist in Fairfield CT (licensed in CT & NY)
We will discuss evaluations for:
School Districts, including Initial Evaluations, Re-Evaluations, and the Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE).
• How to initiate a request for an evaluation if your child is struggling in school
• What is incorporated into an evaluation for the purpose of special education
• What are the areas to be assessed
• Differences between an initial evaluation and a re-evaluation
• Your child’s legal right to request an IEE under the IDEA if you disagree with a school district’s evaluation
• The differences between a school district evaluation and a private independent evaluation
• Presenting the results of an IEE for review at a PPT meeting and next steps for implementation
State of Connecticut – Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
• Evaluations for Eligibility – What is required for an application to DDS
• Different DDS programs • What to do when an applicant has been denied services from DDS
• How to file an appeal and request a formal administrative hearing
• Differences between an evaluation to establish DDS eligibility versus a school district evaluation
This webinar is free and open to the public.
Questions? Please contact Rachel Berliner, Public Relations Assistant at [email protected]
» Register for event
» View event flyer
Mentor Momentum!
Learn How YOU Can Become a Parent Mentor!
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
6:00pm
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual
Were you a Birth to Three parent, grandparent, or caregiver?
Do you have a big heart and a desire to lift others up?
Then our Family Connections Parent Mentor Program wants YOU!
Come to our Mentor Momentum Info Session and find out how your story and compassion can support families navigating early intervention.
» Register for event
Parent Conference
Saturday, February 28, 2026
9:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $60
Location: Fairfield University
For every parent looking for vital information and indispensable resources on learning differences: Hear from leading experts on ADHD, Dyslexia, Advocacy, Social Challenges, and much more.
Presented in partnership with the Fairfield University School of Education and Human Development.
Financial assistance is available. Please contact [email protected].
» Register for event
» View event flyer
Early Steps Together
Monday, March 2, 2026
6:30–7:30 PM
Cost: No cost
Location: Online
Early Steps Together
Are you a parent of a young child (ages 0–5) who has received Birth to Three (B23) services? You’re not alone!
Join our virtual parent support group starting October 6th, designed to bring families together to share, learn, and grow through early support.
In this group, you’ll find:
✨ A safe space to connect with other parents
✨ Support navigating early intervention
✨ Resources for your child and family
✨ Encouragement from others who understand your journey
Where: Online – join from the comfort of your home
When: Mondays starting October 6th, 6:30–7:30 PM
Come share your story, connect, and take your next steps with confidence. Together, we’re stronger. ?
» Register for event
CT Transition Community of Practice
Thursday, March 12, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Cost: No cost
Location: Virtual
CT Transition Community of Practice (CoP) - March
March 12, 2026 (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.)
Connecticut has created the CT Transition Community of Practice (CoP) to centralize all activities, resources, and initiatives related to secondary transition and to provide information and support to students, families, and professionals. The CoP is comprised of multiple stakeholder groups that have come together with a single focus: enhancing the transition of youth with disabilities to adult life. Come learn what we are all about! See how your ideas fit into Connecticut’s overall plans and help us plot our course for improving student outcomes.
» Register for event
Stepping Into School: Parent Tools for Readiness
Sunday, March 15, 2026
10:00am to 3:00PM
Cost: This is a no cost event.
Location: 28 Cutler St. Stonington, CT
Join the HELLO Lab and Hands and Voices for a fun and informational event about school readiness for parents of children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing ages 2 to 10. The event features free educational seminar to help families navigate the start to the public school system, lunch provided by Mystic Pizza, and exclusive playtime at the Niantic Children's Museum for Hands and Voices families.
» Register for event
» View event flyer
PART THREE: Your Family’s Emotional Superpower
Mindfulness & Tools for Compassionate Parenting
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cost: No cost
Location: Online
In Parts one and two we learned to crack the code. We've learned the language. But what happens tomorrow when life hits again? When your boss is demanding, your partner is stressed, and your child needs you to show up as the parent you've always wanted to be? This is where families either fall back into old patterns... or develop their emotional superpower. Let’s build the toolkit that makes compassionate parenting your family's new normal. Claim your SUPERPOWER! Learn with us how to:
Implement age-appropriate mindfulness practices for the whole family
Use Meta-Moments and Best Self strategies to transform conflict to connection
Create a Family Charter- a roadmap to lasting change
Presented by: Dr. Maureen Ruby, DMD, PhD
Sacred Heart University
Farrington College of Education and Human Development
Center of Excellence for Belonging & Leadership
» Register for event
PARTE TRES: El superpoder emocional de tu familia
Mindfulness y herramientas para una crianza compasiva
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Cost: Gratis
Location: Virtual
En las Partes Uno y Dos, aprendimos a descifrar el código. Aprendimos el lenguaje. Pero ¿qué pasa mañana cuando la vida vuelve a golpearte? Cuando tu jefe está exigente, tu pareja está estresada y tu hijo necesita que te presentes como el padre o madre que siempre has querido ser. Aquí es donde las familias vuelven a caer en viejos patrones… o desarrollan su superpoder emocional. Construyamos el conjunto de herramientas que hará de la crianza compasiva la nueva normalidad de tu familia. ¡Reclama tu SUPERPODER! Aprende con nosotros a:
Implementar prácticas de mindfulness apropiadas para cada edad en toda la familia
Usar Momentos Meta y estrategias de tu Mejor Versión para transformar el conflicto en conexión
Crear una Carta Familiar: un mapa hacia un cambio duradero
Dr. Maureen Ruby, DMD, PhD
Sacred Heart University
Farrington College of Education and Human Development
Center of Excellence for Belonging & Leadership
» Register for event