As promised, Governor Malloy vetoed the GOP budget proposal approved by the House and Senate. We've reached October 1 and there is still no budget. This is when the ECS funds are cut to 85 towns and reduced for 54 others via the governor's revised executive order. To read more about the executive order, click HERE.  The House has been summoned to a veto override session on Tuesday afternoon. For more about the veto override session, click HERE. 

We know this can become tiresome, but this is the time we need your advocacy the most.

The budget the governor vetoed would eliminate the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) and move the functions (including licensing, Birth-to-Three, Care4Kids, home visiting, and others) to the State Department of Education.  The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance strongly opposes this measure.  A state agency focused on all the needs of our youngest children must be maintained. 

It is very important that early childhood advocates speak up to ensure that the best budget for early childhood is passed.  Please take a few minutes today to make 2 phone calls:

1) Call your state Senator and State Representative and say “I am calling about the Office of Early Childhood.  Please make sure it stays as its own agency so that early childhood gets the focus it deserves.”  You can look up your legislator and their phone number HERE.  Phone numbers for each of the Legislative caucuses are as follows:

House Democrats: (860) 240-8500 or toll-free  (800) 842-1902
House Republicans: (860) 240-8700 or toll-free (800) 842-1423
Senate Democrats: (860) 240-8600 or toll-free (800)842-1420
Senate Republicans: (860) 240-8800 or toll-free  (800) 842-1421

Congress Misses Crucial Deadline on CHIP and MIECHV

Congress did not take steps to reauthorize MIECHV or CHIP by September 30. The Congressional Committees are expected to move a bill this week that will address CHIP, MIECHV, along with some other health-related programs, with a floor vote likely next week. Until that time, where does that leave the 17,000 children in Connecticut and the 9 million children on CHIP throughout this country? Connecticut officials say they have enough money to keep the program running into next year. CT Mirror has MORE.  

Washington Post: By Age 3, Inequality is Clear

This Washington Post article touches on issues the Alliance follows closely - infant and toddler care, accessible care, and equality. The article speaks to how families deal with child care. To read the article, click HERE. 

CT-AIMH Hosts Annual Fall Conference

The CT Association for Infant Mental Health will host its annual fall conference on Thursday, November 16, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Woodwinds in Branford. The theme is: the Underlying Meaning of Infant and Young Children’s Behaviors: How the embodied experiential nature of our interactions can build emotional expression, social engagement and strengthen the attachment relationship between infants/young children and their caregivers. To register, click HERE. 

CT Parent Power Hosts Annual Gala

On Friday, October 13, CT Parent Power will be hosting its 5th Annual Red Carpet Hero Awards Gala, from 6 p.m. to midnight, at the Four Points Sheraton in Meriden. Tickets are $100 per person. To register a group, click HERE.  For tickets, click HERE. To make a donation, click HERE. DEADLINE is October 10 - no tickets will be sold at the door to this event.