Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 14, 2020 Mayor visits ParentChild+ family at home By Tara Vocino M ayor Gary Christenson visited a family in the Malden ParentChild+ program on Wednesday morning at Malden Towers. According to ParentChild+ Coordinator Laura D’Angelo, ParentChild+ provides early literacy and school readiness support to low-income families and/or those who have risk factors by offering a curriculum of books and toys, which are alternated weekly over the period of two “years,” each year consisting of 23 weeks of visits. Funded by The Wellington Foundation, they cover the cost of $2,730 per family, including books, toys and program materials, which the family keeps after graduation in June. “It’s so fun to see him read to her,” said D’Angelo about Christenson, whose name Utsahi Luitel, 2, kept repeating leading up to Wednesday’s visit. “It’s great interaction – you can tell how much he cares.” Parbati Luitel, who has been receiving visits since April, said it’s an advantage to teach her daughter how to read early. Mayor Gary Christenson reads “Lola at the Library” by Anna McQuinn to Utsahi at her Florence Street home on Wednesday morning. “We feel lucky,” said Luitel, who moved from Nepal to the United States in 2014. “Early intervention is a great opportunity for us.” Her mother said toys are her daughter’s favorite part of the visit. Utsahi, who was dressed in a princess dress, plans to enroll in Head Start for preschool and Beebe Elementary School when she turns six years old. The program emphasizes relationships with child and parent, and D’Angelo said mother Parbati and father Biswa are a great example to Utsahi, with a brother, Utkist, on the way. The same goes for Malden Public Schools Early Learning Specialist Evelyn Baratam, she added. “Utsahi is doing great,” said D’Angelo, who added that research has shown a higher graduation rate for program participants. “They’ve established a wonderful relationship.” Christenson said it was fun and invited her family to visit his office. D’Angelo thanked Superintendent John Oteri, Massachusetts Program Director for ParentChild+ Carol Rubin and Malden Early Learning Center Principal Peter Dolan for their support with Malden’s 19 ParentChild+ participants. Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. Malden Public Schools Early Learning Specialist Evelyn Baratam, Parbati Luitel, Mayor Gary Christenson, ParentChild+ Coordinator Laura D’Angelo and Parbati’s daughter, Utsahi, 2, bottom center, with the snowman project and books that were read on Wednesday. Utsahi Luitel, 2, Parbati Luitel and Malden Public Schools Early Learning Specialist Evelyn Baratam during a 45-minute ParentChild+ session, which intervenes early in life and helps vulnerable toddlers on a path to possibility. (Advocate Photos by Tara Vocino) $600 H2226_191016_032735_M UHCSCO_191016_032735 to buy approved health items. Now available at Walmart. Are you 65 or older and have MassHealth and Original Medicare? Call today. 1-844-866-2944, TTY 711 Benefits and features vary by plan. Limitations and exclusions apply. UnitedHealthcare SCO is a Coordinated Care plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Medicaid program. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. This plan is a voluntary program that is available to anyone 65 and older who qualifies for MassHealth Standard and Original Medicare. If you have MassHealth Standard, but you do not qualify for Original Medicare, you may still be eligible to enroll in our MassHealth Senior Care Option plan and receive all of your MassHealth benefits through our SCO program. CST27301C Health & Wellness Products Card Jane Doe 9999 9999 9999 99999
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