Weekly News - September 25, 2017
Call Your Legislators!
The GOP budget proposal approved by the House and Senate has not yet been sent to the Governor's desk, but Governor Malloy has indicated when it does get transmitted, he will veto it. We know this can become tiresome, but this is the time we need your advocacy the most.
This budget eliminates the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and moves the functions (including licensing, Birth-to-Three, Care4Kids, home visiting, and others) to the State Department of Education. The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance strongly opposes this measure. A state agency focused on all the needs of our youngest children must be maintained.
1) The Governor has vowed to veto the budget, but it is still important to call his office at (860) 566-4840 or toll-free at(800) 406-1527 and say “I am calling to ask the Governor to veto the budget, and keep the Office of Early Childhood.”
2) Call your state Senator and State Representative and say “I am calling about the Office of Early Childhood. Please make sure it stays as its own agency so that early childhood gets the focus it deserves.” You can look up your legislator and their phone number HERE. Phone numbers for each of the Legislative caucuses are as follows:
House Democrats: (860) 240-8500 or toll-free (800) 842-1902
House Republicans: (860) 240-8700 or toll-free (800) 842-1423
Senate Democrats: (860) 240-8600 or toll-free (800)842-1420
Senate Republicans: (860) 240-8800 or toll-free (800) 842-1421
Weekly News - September 11, 2017
It's Time to Contact Your Legislators Again! Budget Vote on Thursday
This is hopefully the last time we ask you for your help! The state legislature is expected to vote on a budget on Thursday. It is up to us to make sure they go into that vote with early childhood on their minds. Here’s what we need you to do:
Call or text (if you know their cell phone) or Facebook your legislators with this message:
“When you vote on Thursday, please remember our youngest children. All of our early childhood programs and interventions are investments that help children and save money down the line. I especially ask that you support the Care4Kids program with the proposed $124 million in funding.”
If you know that your legislator has been supportive of early childhood, please add a thank you for all that they have done.
Not sure who your legislator is? Click HERE.
Weekly News - September 5, 2017
Budget Update
Care4Kids in the News
Following up on the Care4Kids info, the Alliance has created a chart to show the highs and lows in enrollment over the past few years. As you can see from the chart, June, July, and August are often the highest peaks for enrollment, which include summer camps. As you look at 2017, those highs are not there anymore.