Legislative Update

On May 5, the 2010 session of the CT General Assembly ended and several early care and education bills were passed in the process, thanks to hard work by Alliance members and early care advocates, who attended press conferences and hearings and contacted their legislators to help stress the importance of these bills. Two bills that passed were:

On March 8, a joint informational forum between the Education and Human Services committees focused on early childhood and federal funding opportunities. The forum covered a range of topics about early childhood and federal funding, including Early Learning Challenge Grants, Race to the Top and quality enhancement money (ARRA). For anyone who wishes to see the hearing in its entirety, it is available “On-Demand” on CT-N. Click HERE to view it.

 Following a joint informational forum between the Education and Human Services committees, Rep. Karen Jarmoc, who is a member of both committees, wrote the following letter to The Enfield Press.

A Hearing on Early Care and Education

CT Voices for Children has issued a newsbrief on the impact the Governor's proposed FY 2011 budget will have on children. The Governor’s budget calls for an estimated net $74.9 million reduction in funding for a variety of services that have a clear and direct impact for children, youth and families. Among the biggest changes, the Governor has recommended that a reduction of 12% ($11.5 million) be made to the 2011 budget for Care4Kids, reducing total funding to slightly over $84.4 million. As a result of the decrease, fewer families will receive subsidized child care.

The CT Early Childhood Alliance issued an open letter to Governor Jodi Rell and the General Assembly, noting that with each passing day of the budget impasse, early care and education programs, like Head Start, Family Resource Centers and School Readiness are being forced to remove children from their rolls or risk financial collapse.

Sherry Linton of the CT Assocation for Human Services has drafted a summary regarding the Department of Social Services Child Care and Development Block Grant application that must be submitted by July 1 to Washington. Public comment on the report itself can be directed to Julie Bisi at julie.bisi@ct.gov prior to June 24. The report can be found on the Alliance Web site under Data and Reports or on the DSS Web site, www.ct.gov/dss

Dear legislators and fellow child advocates:

On behalf of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, I wish to congratulate you on being recognized as a “Children's Champion” for 2009.