Legislative Update

The legislature is in full swing. There are many bills being introduced. Among the notable is H.B. 6394, "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHERS," to address the shortage of qualified early childhood teachers by establishing a refundable tax credit for individuals who receive degrees in early childhood or a related field and teach in an early childhood program. A full list of bills the Alliance is actively watching is available HERE. Keep in mind as you read through the bills that not all bills make it out of committee for consideration and if there is very little language available on a certain bill, it could be a placeholder. We will alert you when public hearings are coming up so that you can draft testimony. 

CT Voices for Children Budget Forum Recap 

If you were unable to attend the CT Voices Budget Forum, the broadcast is available on-demand at CT-N. It included insightful panel discussions, a keynote from Governor Malloy and potential models to follow to get the state out of financial distress. 

In the News

Marilyn Calderon, the Executive Director of CT Parent Power, recently penned an opinion piece for "Viewpoints," part of the CT Mirror. Her editorial focused on the voices of parents, particularly when it comes to making the democracy work for everyone and when it comes to holding legislators, political leaders and government accountable. Click HERE to read the full editorial.

Last Tuesday, Abby Alter of CHDI was a guest on "Coffee Break Chat" on WICC in Bridgeport. She discussed the state of child obesity in Connecticut, how it can be prevented, and what states can do to keep it in check. To listen to the full interview, click HERE. 

All About Fluoride

Good oral health starts early, including a visit to the dentist by the age of one. Many parents have questions about fluoride.This brief answers some common questions when it comes to fluoride. The Office of Oral Health in the Connecticut Department of Public Health has released a Community Water Fluoridation video. It can be used to educate the public on the benefits of fluoride in public water supplies to decrease the incidence of decay. The video can be found on YouTube.  

Childhood Conversations Conference Registration Now Open 

Mark your calendars and register for the 11th Annual Childhood Conversations Conference, being held this year in Farmington. The conference takes place Saturday, April 1, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hartford Farmington Marriott. Early bird registration is open until 3/17. For more information or to register online, click HERE.  

Support for the Alliance comes from of our members and our funders: The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Connecticut Health Foundation, Children's Fund of Connecticut, Connecticut Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, The Fund for Greater Hartford, and The Eder Family Foundation