Click here to download the 2010 Faith, Families, & Schools Conference Brochure

Third Annual Conference
Faith, Families & Schools Conference:

Preparing the ground, sowing the seed, and nurturing the growing partnerships
with the right tools to ensure a good harvest...

Friday, September 24, 2010
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Crowne Plaza, Cromwell

“It is an ancient rule; a simple rule; but also one of the most challenging. For it asks each of us to take some measure of responsibility for the well-being of people we may not know or worship with or agree with on every issue. Sometimes, it asks us to reconcile with bitter enemies or resolve ancient hatreds. And that requires a living, breathing, active faith. It requires us not only to believe, but to do -- to give something of ourselves for the benefit of others and the betterment of our world. In this way, the particular faith that motivates each of us can promote a greater good for all of us. Instead of driving us apart, our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife and rebuild what has broken; to lift up those who have fallen on hard times.”

-  President Barack Obama, February 27, 2009

Request for Proposals

Faith, Families & Schools is an annual statewide conference.  The conferenceis an opportunity for faith-based leaders,educators, community leaders, and families to cometogether and shareideas about the practices thathelp support learningand educational success for all students.  The conference also provides an opportunity to hear about successful strategies that can be incorporated intothe rich fabric of the faith and community organizations.  There is growing evidence that successful collaboration between school and community groups and faith-based organizations has led to improved academic and socio-emotional outcomes for all students.

This Request for Proposals is intended to solicit dynamic, interactive, and thought-provoking presentations focused on successful partnerships among faith-based organizations, communities, and schools and their accomplishments.  Topics could include, but are not limited to, school reform, achievement gaps, dropout prevention, mental health, substance abuse interventions, and socio-emotional issues that affect families.  It is anticipated that 300 people will participate in this full-day conference.  Participants may include faith-based organizations, faith-based leaders, community organizations, educators, family members, early childhood educators and care providers, Family Resource Center personnel, and others.

Proposal Information

Proposals should relate to the conference theme of examples that demonstrate successful partnerships to ensure educational success of students.  The Conference Planning Committee is especially interested in proposals that will highlight the strategies and accomplishments of these partnerships.  These presentations should clearly outline the policies and practices currently being used regarding how best to support educational success.  The presentations/workshop sessions should also provide information that will help build capacity to support student learning.  All concurrent workshop sessions will be 90 minutes in length.  The conference registration fee will be waived for all presenters whose proposals are accepted.  

Proposal Format
Cover Sheet:

• Title of Presentation; and
• Name(s) of presenter(s) (maximum of 3), organization, complete mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address.

Session Description:

• Clearly stated objective(s) for the presentation;
• Description of presentation content (maximum 500 words), including format and how topic relates to the conference theme;

• Short statement that could be used to advertise the session in a flyer; and
• Intended audience (families, service providers, administrators, others).

Focus of Content:

• Accomplishments that demonstrate successful partnerships between faith-based organizations, families, and communities;

• Capacity building for communities and families;
• Best practices and/or strategies, lessons learned, and “real world” application;
• Partnerships with racially/ethnically, culturally, and economically diverse families, faith-based leaders, and communities; and/or
• Challenging, provocative, and innovative, yet practical, methods used to grow and sustain partnerships to ensure educational success.

Audiovisual Equipment Needed:  Please specify.   

Please send the proposal (in Microsoft Word) along with any additional materials by Friday, August 6, 2010 to Suequanna Lewis via e-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have questions, please call Nitza M.  Diaz or Veronica Marion, Consultants, at SERC, (860) 632-1485, or use CT PIRC’s toll-free number at   
1-800-842-8678.             

Please share this Request for Proposals with other potential workshop presenters. Thank You.