Education | Greater Norwalk Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

SBA Launches Ascent

by Eva | Feb 1, 2021 | Business, Community, COVID-19, Education, Tuition

SBA has announced Ascent, an interactive digital platform packed with resources women business owners need to set, and achieve, their business goals. Ascent is designed for the “missing middle” — growth-oriented women entrepreneurs who are beyond the start-up phase and already generating revenue yet looking to grow and scale. Most learning resources for business owners focus on either start-ups or mature businesses. Ascent is here to change that!

During these challenging times, SBA’s Ascent can also help you elevate your business with research-backed tips and strategies. Within Ascent, you can examine both internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) that may have arisen because of COVID-19 to help you set up a comprehensive recovery strategy. And Ascent is a resource you can turn to again and again, as your business grows and your needs change.

Join the Ascent today at Ascent.SBA.gov

Ascent was created through a joint initiative between the White House, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the U.S. Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau, and the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Bringing these agencies together provides Ascent users with unique access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise not found anywhere else.

La SBA ha anunciado Ascent, una plataforma digital interactiva repleta de recursos que las empresarias necesitan para establecer y alcanzar sus objetivos empresariales. Ascent está diseñada para el “medio que falta”, es decir, para mujeres empresarias orientadas al crecimiento que ya han superado la fase de puesta en marcha y que ya están generando ingresos pero que buscan crecer y ampliar su escala. La mayoría de los recursos de aprendizaje para las empresarias se centran en las empresas de nueva creación o en las empresas maduras. Ascent está aquí para cambiar eso!

Durante estos tiempos difíciles, Ascent de la SBA también puede ayudarle a elevar su negocio con consejos y estrategias respaldados por la investigación. Dentro de Ascent, puede examinar tanto los factores internos (fortalezas y debilidades) como los externos (oportunidades y amenazas) que pueden haber surgido a causa de COVID-19 para ayudarle a establecer una estrategia de recuperación integral. Y Ascent es un recurso al que puede recurrir una y otra vez, a medida que su negocio crece y sus necesidades cambian.

Únase a Ascent hoy en Ascent.SBA.gov

Ascent se creó a través de una iniciativa conjunta entre la Casa Blanca, la Administración de Pequeñas Empresas de EE.UU. (SBA), la Oficina de la Mujer del Departamento de Trabajo de EE.UU. y el Departamento del Tesoro de EE.UU. La unión de estas agencias proporciona a los usuarios de Ascent un acceso único a una riqueza de conocimiento y experiencia que no se encuentra en ningún otro lugar.

$15 Million From Coronavirus Relief Fund Toward Innovative Workforce Programs

by Eva | Oct 28, 2020 | Community, COVID-19, Education, Tuition

In this article we provide the short version of the announcement (on 10/23/2020) as well as all the links to the organizations that will get the funds for you to ask how you can apply for one of these training programs. The budget is covering up to 1,000 persons training. Please, share this information with whom you consider appropriated.

En este artículo ofrecemos la versión corta del anuncio (el 23/10/2020) así como todos los enlaces a las organizaciones que obtendrán los fondos para que usted pregunte cómo puede solicitar uno de estos programas de capacitación. El presupuesto es para la formación de hasta 1.000 personas. Por favor, comparta esta información con quien considere apropiado.

CT Government allocates $15 Million From Coronavirus Relief Fund Toward Innovative Workforce Programs Connecting Workers To in-Demand Jobs

Funding Will Provide Training to More Than 1,000 Displaced Workers Needed to Fill High-Growth, In-Demand Jobs

Governor Ned Lamont announced on 10/23/2020 that he is allocating $15 million from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which utilizes federal CARES Act money, to fund innovative workforce programs that will provide job training to more than 1,000 displaced workers in the state and connect them to high-growth, in-demand jobs.

The funding will be utilized on 19 programs that offer participants access to supportive services, including childcare and transportation, as well as a general training subsidy and job placement services that connect participants with full-time employment.

El gobierno de CT asigna 15 millones de dólares del Fondo de Ayuda contra el Coronavirus para programas de fuerza laboral innovadores que conecten a los trabajadores con los empleos más demandados

La financiación proporcionará formación a más de 1.000 trabajadores desplazados que se necesitan para cubrir puestos de trabajo de alto crecimiento y demanda

El gobernador Ned Lamont anunció el 23/10/2020 que está asignando 15 millones de dólares del Fondo de Alivio del Coronavirus del estado, que utiliza el dinero de la Ley Federal CARES, para financiar programas innovadores de fuerza de trabajo que proporcionarán capacitación laboral a más de 1.000 trabajadores desplazados en el estado y los conectará con trabajos de alto crecimiento y demanda.

Los fondos se utilizarán en 19 programas que ofrecen a los participantes acceso a servicios de apoyo, incluidos el cuidado de los niños y el transporte, así como un subsidio de capacitación general y servicios de colocación de empleo que conectan a los participantes con un empleo a tiempo completo.

Available Programs / Programas Disponibles

Workforce Alliance, serving South Central Connecticut, is receiving $1.4 million to partner with DCI and Gateway Community College to train 156 participants for jobs across IT, warehousing and healthcare such as help desk technicians, cyber security specialists and business analysts; certified power fork lift operators; and certified nursing assistants with special training to work in long-term care facilities and with the elderly.
Capital Workforce Partners, serving North Central Connecticut, is receiving $3.8 million to partner with Yale New Haven Health, Aetna/ CVS, Year Up, DCI, and local community colleges to train 418 participants for jobs across healthcare, IT, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, financial services, and construction. Such jobs include, CNAs, pharmacy technicians, licensed trades workers, insurance sales agents, accounting and auditing clerks, truck drivers, web developers, user support specialists, and mechatronic and industrial automation technicians.
The Eastern Workforce Investment Board is receiving $686,024 to partner with workforce stakeholders such as employers and community colleges to offer skills training to about 86 participants in healthcare, manufacturing and transportation in jobs such as pharmacy technicians, CNAs, commercial drivers, and a variety of skills-based manufacturing trades.
The WorkPlace, serving Southwestern Connecticut, is receiving $250,115 to partner with local employers and community colleges to train 50 people as community health workers.
The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board is receiving $289,191 to partner with a local utility services company to train 19 participants for construction jobs including laborers, drivers, operators, plumbers, gas fitters, and foremen and $1,689,624 to provide supportive services to all WDB program participants across the state.
In addition to Connecticut’s Workforce Development Boards, several strategic state partners received funding for additional training programs:

The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT) is receiving $915,000 to train 60 residents for advanced manufacturing jobs in Quality, Inspection, and Industry 4.0 technologies.
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities is receiving $762,663 for community colleges programs to prepare 100 students for jobs such as medical assistants, emergency medical technicians, phlebotomy technicians and central sterile processing technicians.
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood is receiving $5.3 million to partner with All Our Kin to train and license 165 family childcare programs and provide the overall childcare supply for individuals in workforce training programs.
An additional $1.4 million has been allocated to the five Regional Workforce Development Boards to provide supportive services to over 600 workforce training participants.

Workforce Alliance, que presta servicios en el centro-sur de Connecticut, está recibiendo $1,4 millones para asociarse con DCI y Gateway Community College a fin de capacitar a 156 participantes en trabajos relacionados con la tecnología de la información, el almacenamiento y la atención de la salud, como técnicos de asistencia, especialistas en seguridad cibernética y analistas comerciales; operadores certificados de carretillas elevadoras eléctricas y auxiliares de enfermería certificados con capacitación especial para trabajar en instalaciones de atención a largo plazo y con personas de edad avanzada.
Capital Workforce Partners, que presta servicios en el norte del centro de Connecticut, recibe $3,8 millones para asociarse con Yale New Haven Health, Aetna/ CVS, Year Up, DCI y universidades comunitarias locales para capacitar a 418 participantes en trabajos de atención médica, informática, fabricación, transporte y logística, servicios financieros y construcción. Estos trabajos incluyen, CNA, técnicos farmacéuticos, trabajadores de oficios autorizados, agentes de ventas de seguros, empleados de contabilidad y auditoría, conductores de camiones, desarrolladores de web, especialistas en apoyo al usuario y técnicos en mecatrónica y automatización industrial.
La Junta de Inversión en la Fuerza de Trabajo del Este (de CT) está recibiendo $686.024 para asociarse con los interesados en la fuerza de trabajo, como los empleadores y los colegios comunitarios, para ofrecer capacitación en habilidades a unos 86 participantes en atención de la salud, fabricación y transporte en trabajos como técnicos de farmacia, CNA, conductores comerciales y una variedad de oficios de fabricación basados en habilidades.
El WorkPlace, que presta servicios en el suroeste de Connecticut, recibe $250.115 para asociarse con empleadores locales y universidades comunitarias para capacitar a 50 personas como trabajadores de la salud de la comunidad.
La Junta Regional de Inversión en la Fuerza de Trabajo del Noroeste está recibiendo $289.191 para asociarse con una compañía local de servicios públicos para entrenar a 19 participantes para trabajos de construcción, incluyendo obreros, conductores, operadores, plomeros, instaladores de gas y capataces y $1.689.624 para proveer servicios de apoyo a todos los participantes del programa de la WDB en todo el estado.
Además de las Juntas de Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral de Connecticut, varios socios estratégicos del estado recibieron fondos para programas de capacitación adicionales:

El Centro de Tecnología Avanzada de Connecticut (CCAT) está recibiendo $915.000 para capacitar a 60 residentes para trabajos de manufactura avanzada en tecnologías de calidad, inspección e industria 4.0.
Los Colegios y Universidades del Estado de Connecticut están recibiendo $762,663 para programas de colegios comunitarios para preparar a 100 estudiantes para trabajos como asistentes médicos, técnicos en medicina de emergencia, técnicos en flebotomía y técnicos en procesamiento central estéril.
La Oficina de la Niñez Temprana de Connecticut está recibiendo 5.3 millones de dólares para asociarse con All Our Kin para capacitar y otorgar licencias a 165 programas de cuidado infantil familiar y proporcionar el suministro de cuidado infantil general para los individuos en los programas de capacitación de la fuerza laboral.
Se han asignado 1,4 millones de dólares adicionales a las cinco Juntas Regionales de Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral para proporcionar servicios de apoyo a más de 600 participantes en la capacitación de la fuerza laboral.

Childcare Openings in Norwalk

by Eva | Oct 20, 2020 | Community, Education, Family

We have immediate openings for infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children in Norwalk. All programs follow strict health and safety protocols using guidance from the CDC and the CT Office of Early Childhood. Please encourage the families that you work with who are in need of care to contact programs with openings.

Tenemos vacantes inmediatas para bebés, niños pequeños y niños en edad preescolar en Norwalk. Todos los programas siguen estrictos protocolos de salud y seguridad usando la guía de los CDC y la Oficina de la Infancia Temprana de CT. Por favor, anime a las familias con las que trabaja y que necesitan atención a que se pongan en contacto con los programas que tienen vacantes.

COVID-19 Guidelines Updates for Restaurants

by Eva | Sep 25, 2020 | Business, COVID-19, Education, Food, Restaurant

Reopen Connecticut Safer, Stronger, Together

Restaurants in Connecticut are subjected to the Phase 2 reopening rules (started on June 17th). Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has released an update on 9/23 (downloadable HERE). This applies for outdoor & indoor restaurants (no bar areas).

General Considerations from the CDC

CDC offers the following considerations for ways in which operators can protect employees, customers, and communities and slow the spread of COVID-19.

NOTE: CDC’s considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which businesses must comply.

Guiding Principles to Keep in Mind

The more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as follows:

Lowest Risk: Food service limited to drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick up.
More Risk: Drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick up emphasized. On-site dining limited to outdoor seating. Seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
Even More Risk: On-site dining with both indoor and outdoor seating. Seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
Highest Risk: On-site dining with both indoor and outdoor seating. Seating capacity not reduced and tables not spaced at least 6 feet apart.

Learn More about CDC’s Considerations HERE
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Sources for this artice:
Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen – CT.gov
Considerations for Restaurants and Bars – CDC.gov

At-Home Learning from Stepping Stones Museum

by Eva | May 4, 2020 | Education, Family, Member Spotlight

Playful learning opportunities abound on Stepping Stones Museum for Children’s social media, now more than ever. Follow their channels for daily videos and activities that your child can do offline. Then, share your at-home learning with Stepping Stones to Facebook or Instagram, with the hashtag #mysteppingstones, for a chance to be featured!

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Stepping Stones content is diverse and engaging, ranging from step-by-step craft project instructions to instructor-led reading lessons. What makes it possible for them to share this quality of content for free? Membership. ALL memberships – first time and renewals – will be extended for the duration of time the museum is closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their team is currently working remotely and can answer any questions you have by emailing membership@steppingstonesmuseum.org or by calling 203-899-0606, ext. 264 and leaving a voicemail. Become a member today to support free at-home learning content for all families!

Professor James on Penguins: Penguins can’t fly – but they sure can swim and, even, travel on their bellies! Professor James shares a fun friction experiment and teaches us how penguins get around in their habitats.

Stepping Stones Museum Celebrates 20 Years

by Eva | Mar 1, 2020 | Education, Family, Member, Member Event

In March, Stepping Stones Museum for Children will celebrate its 20th birthday.

Activities

To kick off the month long celebrations, they invite you to share your favorite Stepping Stones stories, photos, memories and happy birthday wishes to social media using #MySteppingStones.

Starting February 10, a weekly winner from the #MySteppingStones submissions will be selected to receive a $20 food voucher to redeem in the museum’s Healthyville^® Cafe. On March 7, three lucky winners will be selected from the submitted videos to receive a complimentary Family Plus membership worth $210. Favorite videos will also be shared on the Stepping Stones website, and inside the museum.

Celebrations

The community is invited to join the celebration with two special event opportunities. Click the flyers (right) for more information.

What’s next for Stepping Stones?

From its earliest planning stages, Stepping Stones has made a fundamental commitment to inclusion. Through its Open Arms accessibility initiative, the museum provides children of all backgrounds and abilities with brain-building fun and play-based learning opportunities.

As the museum embarks on this exciting new decade, Stepping Stones will offer a fantastic year of new multi-sensory exhibits, STEAM-infused programs and experiences to generate lasting impact for the children and families it serves.