Statewide Feature

“The waters are rising and there's a hole in the bottom of the boat.”

Who is Debra Johnson? She works for the Department of Public Health in the Community Based Regulation Section, as the manager responsible for the licensing of child day care and youth camp programs. We sat down with Debra to discuss her job, how DPH goes through the licensing process, investigates complaints and other pertinent questions related to her position at DPH.

Q: How long have you been with the Community-Based Regulation Section? With the state of Connecticut?

Finding child care used to be one of the biggest battles. Now, it's trying to pay for it that is, as child care can cost between $1,000 - $1,500 a month. That's where the Care 4 Kids program comes into play.

Care 4 Kids, or CK4, is a subsidy for low and moderate income families to help pay for child care. In May, citing the budget deficit, the Department of Social Services, which administers the program, made abrupt changes that will impact families and centers alike.

Executive Director

Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance

Hartford, Connecticut 

CONNECTICUT EARLY CHILDHOOD ALLIANCE 

You may know who these people are, running into them at meetings and conferences, but do you know anything about their backgrounds or how they got into their field? The CT Early Childhood Alliance is introducing a new column to its monthly newsletter, interviewing people who hold positions in different aspects of the early care and education world. If you know of anyone who should be profiled, please contact Jessica at ciparelli.ceca@gmail.com. 

As the June meeting of the CT Early Childhood Alliance wound down, its executive director said he had an announcement to make.

“This will be my last meeting with you,” Shaun McNally said. For many of the group's members, it was the first time they were hearing this announcement and many were shocked to hear of the executive director's departure.

The recession is taking its toll on everyone – people are losing their jobs and homes and 401Ks have taken massive hits. And while it is expected the economy will eventually turn around, there is one group that no one is talking about – until now. This recession is going to have a very lasting effect on children, especially low-income children of color.

 Rep. Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) received a standing ovation as she made her way to the podium of the Old Appropriations Room of the State Capitol on May 28. Bye was recognized by the CT Early Childhood Alliance as “2009 Legislator of the Year” for her tireless efforts and her dedication to children's issues, particularly early care and education, and making it a priority at the State Capitol. She has ushered in legislation that will improve the health, educational and emotional well-being of young children.

It's one week devoted to public awareness of the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.