The Senate Democrats issued a press release following the Aug. 25 press conference that highlighted the differences in funding between Governor Rell's and the Democrats' budgets. Their release also quoted Alliance members Karen Rainville of CTAEYC and Sherry Linton of CAHS.

Senate President Pro Tem Donald Williams and House Speaker Christopher Donovan, Juleen Flanigan, Alliance co-chair, Joan Karlsen, CT Head Start Association and parent Tawana Bourne all spoke during a well-attended press conference on Aug. 25 to highlight the fact that with each passing day without a budget, early care and education programs that serve children in Connecticut are being forced to remove children from their rolls or risk financial collapse. The Alliance also delivered an open letter to Governor Rell and members of the legislature asking that childhood programs be kept whole, either in a negotiated budget, or in lieu of a budget, in the September montly allotments and be compensated for services rendered and costs incurred in July and August.

Despite the gloomy budget outlook at the State Capitol, there was a reason to celebrate on May 28.

Sixty Connecticut legislators have been chosen to be recognized for their commitment to the health, educational and emotional well-being of young children in Connecticut.

A small crowd of supporters, including parents, providers and advocates, converged on the Children's Museum in New Haven on April 16 to highlight the importance of home-based childcare and urge lawmakers to continue to support continued state investments to keep these providers in business.

The country's lieutenant governors, including Connecticut's Michael Fidele, are joining a growing movement to support high-quality, voluntary pre-kindergarten for all children. The National Lieutenant Governors Association passed a resolution pledging support for pre-k at the winter meeting in Washington, D.C.

Patty Bryant, director of the Putnam Family Resource Center, spoke to WINY 1350 AM after returning from the CT Early Childhood Alliance Advocacy Day in Hartford on March 18. **In this audio file, Bryant speaks of one of several hypothetical scenarios that the Appropriations Committee came up with in order to close the budget gap of approximately $2.8 billion. While we should be vigilant, there is no official plan that would cut family resource centers. ** Mp3 file courtesy of WINY 1350 AM

On March 18, hundreds of children, parents, teachers and early care and education advocates converged on the State Capitol to speak one-on-one with their legislators, urging them to continue to invest in and protect direct-service programs for children, including Head Start, Care4Kids, School Readiness, Family Resource Centers and State Funded Child Development Centers.

Dona Ditrio, who serves as the early childhood director at New Opportunities, Inc., in Waterbury, recorded a piece that was sent to more than 75 radio stations throughout Connecticut to raise awareness of the March 18 Early Childhood Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. John O'Leary reports.

Most early care centers in Connecticut who had planned to hold Read Across America Day events, had to postpone or cancel their plans, due to an early-March nor'easter. Some may reschedule their plans, which included inviting legislators to come and read to the children.