The DUC is a program of Art Resources Transfer, Inc., a non profit organization founded in 1987, that is committed to documenting and supporting artists' voices and work, and making these voices accessible to the broadest possible audience.
A blog highlighting special funding streams of interest to the Connecticut library community.
Monday, February 27, 2012
The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC)
The DUC is a program of Art Resources Transfer, Inc., a non profit organization founded in 1987, that is committed to documenting and supporting artists' voices and work, and making these voices accessible to the broadest possible audience.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Online 2-part webinar: Serving Deaf Patrons More Effectively 2/22 & 2/29
Two-Part Workshop: Wednesday, February 22,, 2012 and Wednesday, February 29, 2012. 12:00-1:30pm Eastern. This is an online event hosted through Webex. Details and registration here.
If you are interested in viewing this event, and there turns out to be a group of interested people, the Division can probably spring for a group rate. ($130 instead of $75). Please let me (Douglas Lord) know at Douglas.Lord@ct.gov and I will get further details.
Make your library a welcoming place for deaf people. In this workshop, you will gain an understanding of Deaf culture, learn several useful library-related signs, and be ready to work confidently with interpreters for your programs. Links to video demonstrations and handouts for library-related signs will be made accessible to participants to encourage practice and implementation after the workshop.
Topics covered in this two-part workshop:
• An overview of the different ways deaf people communicate
• Understanding and meeting your library’s legal obligation to serve the deaf
• Strategies for communicating with a deaf or hard-of-hearing person in the library
Tips for finding, hiring, and working with interpreters
About the Instructor: Kathy MacMillan is a writer, American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, and storyteller. She is the author of Try Your Hand at This! Easy Ways to Incorporate Sign Language into Your Programs (Scarecrow Press, 2006), A Box Full of Tales (ALA, 2008), and Storytime Magic (with Christine Kirker, ALA, 2009). She holds an MLS from the University of Maryland, and her library career includes work at the Maryland School for the Deaf and Carroll County (Maryland) Public Library. Kathy presents storytelling programs introducing sign language through Stories By Hand and offers training and resources for enhancing storytimes through Storytime Stuff.
MacMillan, librarian and certified American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter, will guide you in making your library a welcoming place for deaf people. You will gain an understanding of Deaf culture, learn several useful library-related signs, and be ready to work confidently with interpreters for your programs. An experienced and sought-after trainer, MacMillan’s programs are praised for their practical focus on common library interactions. Links to video demonstrations and handouts for library-related signs will be made accessible to participants to encourage practice and implementation after the workshop.
If you plan on viewing this event with a group of 3 or more people, please let Douglas Lord know at Douglas.Lord@ct.gov; my Division can probably spring for a group rate. ($130 instead of $75.)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Mental Health Association of CT: 2011 Symposium: Ideas for Innovation in Community Mental Health
Ideas for Innovation in Community Mental Health on November 8, 2011
Saint Joseph College, Carol Autorino Center for the Arts and Humanities, Hoffman Auditorium in the Bruyette Athenaeum, 1678 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT
Full info is here.
Agenda:
8:30 Registration Opens (includes continental breakfast)
9:00 Welcome
9:15 Plenary Sessions 1 and 2
1:00 Lunch on Campus (included in the admission price)
2:00 Plenary Session 3
3:00 Reactions from Panelists
4:00 Adjourn
Presenters will invite participants to reconsider long-established paradigms of treatment to incorporate evidence-based ideas that give:
• new insights into the use of psychiatric medications
• new approaches to clinical care that heighten the decision making role for clients and
• new models that address health and wellness in people with psychiatric illnesses.
The content of our symposium will be relevant to many stakeholders. Providers of service will receive new concepts that might guide their efforts in delivering quality patient-centered care. Recipients of that care and their families will gather empowering information that will make their choices more informed. Decision makers and funders who shape the delivery of care will hear stimulating and provocative perspectives that will put their leadership role in a new light.
The 2011 Symposium concludes with a panel discussion among key mental health leaders including David Shern, PhD, President and CEO of Mental Health America, Patricia Rehmer, MSN, DMHAS Commissioner, and William Halesy, Director of Behavioral Health, CT Department of Social Services, who will share their reactions and insights into the potential implications and improvements for mental health care.
This program has been approved for 5 CEUs by the NASW - CT, and meets the continuing education criteria for CT social work licensure renewal. Also approved for 5 hours CECs from the CT Certification Board; application pending CT State Medical Society.
Registration is $75.00 ($50.00 for contributing members of MHAC).
You can register online at with a major credit card or PayPal account, or contact Maryann Steele at 860-529-1970 or 800-842-1501, extension 16, or email her at msteele@mhact.org. Space is limited, so please register at your earliest convenience.
Speakers include:
Robert E. Drake, MD, PhD, is the Director of the New Hampshire Dartmouth Research Center. Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Psychiatry at Dartmouth Medical School, Dr. Drake has been the principle investigator or co-investigator in 35 research grants that focus on co-occurring illness, evidenced based practices, supported employment, shared decision making and other topics. Dr. Drake will share his insights on an important new practice in healthcare. The title of his presentation is "The Promise and Power of Shared Decision Making for Community Mental Health."
Larry Davidson, PhD, is the Director of the Program for Recovery and Community Health at Yale University. A professor of psychology, Dr. Davidson is Senior Policy Advisor to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and is a prolific researcher and author. Dr. Davidson will present "The Growing Evidence for Peer Support."
Robert Whitaker is the author of "Anatomy of an Epidemic". Previous publications include "Mad in America," "The Mapmaker's Wife," and "On the Lamps of Gods," all of which won recognition as 'notable book of the year'. Mr. Whitaker will talk about his investigative reporting which comprises his new book, "Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
8/23 U.S. Senate Committee on Aging Field Hearing on Elder Abuse - Hartford
The hearing will occur at the Legislative Office Building on 300 Capitol Avenue in Hartford CT.
Senator Richard Blumenthal invites individuals who have been victims of abuse to share their stories at this field hearing.
If you are aware of anyone, please forward the information to Joe Rodriguez, Research Aide and Outreach Organizer; Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office; 30 Lewis Street, Suite 101; Hartford 860-258-6940 and mention the Field Hearing on Elder Abuse.
Questions can also be directed to Mr. Rodriguez.
Friday, July 15, 2011
IMLS looking for input

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is looking for input in examining all grant programs, research, and leadership initiatives to assure they continue to meet the evolving needs of the American public. Provide your comments and ideas to help shape the future here.
IMLS is developing a strategic plan to guide its work and priorities over the next five years. The new plan will help IMLS to rigorously examine all of its grant programs, research, and leadership initiatives and to focus on results. The years ahead will be critical ones for the nation's libraries and museums and your help is needed to shape IMLS programs and services to most effectively meet public needs. They have developed five strategic questions and a special website to gather answers.
How can IMLS leverage its resources, position, reputation and relationships to...
1. Promote effective public access to physical and digital content?
2. Promote policy that sustains information access for the American public?
3. Support lifelong learning for a competitive workforce and engaged public?
4. Promote museums and libraries as community anchor institutions?
5. Achieve excellence in public management?
About the Institute of Museum and Library Services
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development. To learn more about the Institute, please visit the web site.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Save This Date: Thursday, August 25, 2011

This sounds like fun.
The Mental Health Association of Connecticut (MHAC) will host its first ever Membership Day to make friends, raise awareness, and increase membership.
A full day of fun at Lake Compounce Amusement Park is $10.00 to MHAC members and membership is FREE, so you can't go wrong!
More information as it comes, or contact Maryann Steele a call at 800-529-1970, extension 16 and/or msteele@mhact.org.

Monday, June 13, 2011
Picture Book Math, Picture Book Science at the Hartford Public Library

The Hartford Public Library is collaborating with the Connecticut Science Center to bring age-appropriate understanding of numeracy, scientific inquiry, and literacy for Hartford children age 3-6.
It's the kind of LSTA project that is scaleable to any size community and which is based on a foundation of solid, specific curricula developed by the State Department of Education.
Check out the best practices story and smiling kids on CT.WebJunction.
Comcast Internet Essentials
Internet Essentials will be available during the 2011 "Back to School" season.
For $9.95 per month, participating families receive:
• XFINITY Internet Economy Service (currently up to 1.5 Mbps download)
• Option to purchase a computer for under $150
• Access to online, in print and classroom digital literacy training
• No modem rental charges, no deposit or activation fees. Prices are subject to applicable tax
• As XFINITY Internet customers, participants gain other benefits at no extra charge, including NortonTM Security Suite, a $160 value
A household is eligible to participate in Internet Essentials if it:
• Is located where Comcast offers Internet service
• Has at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program
• Has not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days, and
• Does not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment
Friday, June 10, 2011
CVS Caremark Charitable Trust

The CVS Caremark Charitable Trust seeks to support organizations that are most effective at creating positive and measurable outcomes for:
- Children with disabilities
- Health care services for underserved populations
Deadlines:
- June 15 for applications targeting children with disabilities.
- July 1 - August 15 for applications targeting health care services for underserved populations
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC)

The Distribution to Underserved Communities Library Program (DUC) distributes books on contemporary art and culture free of charge to rural and inner-city libraries, schools and alternative reading centers nationwide.
The program aims to actively further a more egalitarian access to contemporary art offering over 490 titles by more than 90 different publishers. The program reaches readers in all 50 states and has placed over 200,000 free books in public libraries, schools, and alternative pedagogical venues.
The DUC is a program of Art Resources Transfer, Inc., a non profit organization founded in 1987, that is committed to documenting and supporting artists' voices and work, and making these voices accessible to the broadest possible audience.
According to the FAQ, every book, including its shipping, is absolutely free to public libraries and schools. Public schools, libraries, and community centers within the U.S. that are located in either rural or inner-city communities are eligible to receive free materials from the DUC.