Children's & Young Adult Collection: Connect & Play

Connect & Play is a parent and me program that offers monthly events to foster community, reduce stress, and support both parenting students and their children along with the parenting community. The Connect and Play activities aim to provide a supportive space where parenting students and parenting community can connect with one another, reduce stress, and engage with their children in a positive, meaningful way. The program aims to support the mental health and well-being of parenting students and parenting community, as well as their young children. The program events include read-aloud sessions, musical engagement, play activities, and regulating activities.

In the 2025-2026 academic year, with successful securement of external funding from our partners at Tri-City Mental Health, the program also aims to expand its offerings, incorporating more regulating activities for both parents and children, such as well-being workshops, as well as providing resources like parenting and children's books, story time materials, and well-being supplies.

Who should participate: Parents or parents-to-be and their child(ren). "Parenting" is defined expansively, if you consider yourself a parent, you are one! Can't make it with your child(ren)? Parents/parents-to-be are welcome to join event on their own to build community and support. 

*Parenting Community Research Luncheon is open to current CPP students, faculty and staff only.

Connect & Play Study (IRB-25-126)

The goal of this study is to identify the program's impact on building community and support for the parenting community and children's learning, development and well-being. Additionally, the study will offer valuable insights to enhance and tailor the program. 

Did you participate in a Connect & Play session?  Receive an Amazon Gift Card!

Have you attended one of our Connect & Play sessions? If you have participated in a Connect & Play session, and are eligible, you will receive a one-time $10 Amazon gift card (or luncheon equivalent) for the completion of informed consent and a pre-survey. In addition, participants can receive, if eligible, a $15 Amazon gift card for the completion of a post survey after attending each event. Participants must have attended a Connect & Play session during the Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 semester to qualify for the presurvey and post survey gift cards.

Additionally, at the end of the semester, participants may receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a gift for your child that totals $25 for taking part in a virtual focus group/interiview. Potential participants will receive an invitation via email. 

After successful completion of surveys, eligible participants will be contacted directly at the end of the semester to set up a date/time for gift card pick up. Participants will be required to provide valid ID to pick up gift cards. Note: Gift cards to compensate individuals such as research study participants are considered cash equivalent and are subject to tax rules. Additionally, gift cards issued $50 or greater require the Prize and Award form. The form will be provided during pick up, if applicable.

For questions regarding the study, please contact Dr. Sally Najera Romero, sallyromero@cpp.edu, Dr. Giselle Navarro-Cruz, gnavarrocruz@cpp.edu, and/or Denise Urzua, daurzua@cpp.edu. 

Connect & Play Team