The undersigned oppose the approach planned here in Connecticut to address the Care4Kids shortfall due to the federal changes in the program.  We recommend maintaining the current eligibility criteria (50% of SMI) for families approved prior to July 1, 2016 in order to ensure continuity for those children.  We recommend the state continue to maintain the 50% criteria until such time as the budget available for fiscal year 2016-2017 is consumed by services that will be provided that period for approved families.   At that time we recommend that all subsequent families be put on a wait list pending additional funds or the next fiscal year.   

Further, we strongly recommend that a joint effort be made to aggressively pursue an initiative to develop new federal and state funding to be allocated for this important subsidy that supports stable child care and employment for thousands of children and their families.

Signed,

Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance

Connecticut Child Care Association

Educational Playcare

CT Parent Power

Sleeping Giant Day Care

Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative

Children First Norwich/School Readiness Council

Good Shepherd Child Development Center

YWCA Hartford Region

Branford Early Childhood Collaborative

CT Voices for Children

Childcare Learning Centers

Southington Community YMCA

Cheshire Community YMCA

Even Start Middletown

United Way of Western Connecticut

All Our Kin

Stamford Family YMCA

Northwestern CT YMCA

Bridgeport YMCA

Greater Waterbury YMCA

CT Alliance of YMCAs

Bridgeport Public School Preschool

Bridgeport School Readiness Provider’s Network

New Britain School Readiness Council

Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington

State Funded Child Development Centers Directors Forum

Wallingford Community Day Care

Liz Brown, Consultant

Middlesex Coalition for Children

Regional YMCA of Western Connecticut

Riverbrook Regional YMCA

Meriden YMCA

Meriden YMCA Child Care

New Britain YMCA

Berlin YMCA

New Haven Early Childhood Council

Waterbury School Readiness Council

Riverfront Child Development Center

Wheeler Regional Family YMCA

Middlesex United Way

Hamden Partnership for Young Children

Indian Valley Family YMCA

YMCA of Greater Hartford

Wallingford Family YMCA

New Canaan YMCA

Northern Middlesex YMCA

Opportunity Knocks

Want to add your organization?  Contact Samantha and [email protected]