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Founded in 1910, CAHS is an independent, nonprofit public education, research and policy development organization committed to decreasing poverty, neglect and inequality in Connecticut. A key strength of CAHS is our ability to work in coalition with others. We bring together diverse interests - concerned citizens, policy makers, human service providers, corporate leaders, labor leaders, academics, state and municipal organizations, and religious organizations - to help ensure that all state residents have the opportunity to lead healthy, productive lives.

CAHS champions important issues through research, advocacy, policy development and outreach. We focus on the critical areas of , family economic security, hunger, healthcare, childcare, education, employment and community strengthening:
Research: CAHS gets to the root of the problem. And research is a vital part of the process. For instance, CAHS publishes the annual KIDS COUNT data book, a compendium of state data indicators in child health and well-being. Our community-based research, including surveys and focus groups, directs the development of public policy on issues such as hunger, family health, and family economic security;
Policy Development and Advocacy: CAHS gives those in need a voice at the Capitol in Hartford. We coordinate the Child Care Legislative Collaborative, a highly effective grassroots advocacy group. Our administrative advocacy helps shape state child care regulations and workforce policy. At the federal level, we continue to work closely with national partners to shape legislation on food stamps and welfare reform, among other issues;
Outreach: CAHS makes connections to those in need. Our outreach advocates inform residents of their eligibility for food stamps and other nutrition programs. CAHS also helps individuals take advantage of economic opportunities, plus health care and child care programs. And we continually work with other agencies to expand our reach, addressing additional topics vital to improving the quality of life for those in need.

CAHS has participated in efforts that have:

• Increased the number of children participating in the federal School Breakfast Program from 2,489 in 1986 to over 29,000 today—a more than 1100% increase;
• Increased the number of Connecticut youngsters eligible for Medicaid coverage by 30,000;
• Helped more low- and moderate-income families afford child care by securing reforms which improved eligibility levels and increased subsidy amounts for the state's primary child care subsidy program;
• Created the first scientifically valid tools to document childhood hunger in local communities. Our Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project (CCHIP) has been replicated nationwide and has led to increased funding for nutrition programs for pregnant women and children in many states.

For work such as this, CAHS was one of only four nonprofit organizations nationwide to receive special recognition at the Peter F. Drucker Foundation's first Award for Nonprofit Innovation ceremony in Washington, D.C.

We are proud of our accomplishments but we cannot rest on our laurels. In the current climate, when cutting and dismantling programs that serve poor people is the order of the day, we must work harder than ever to ensure that low-income people are not scapegoated and that help is available. We must also work proactively to improve services and enhance opportunity for Connecticut's individuals and families in need.

Connecticut Association for Human Services | 110 Bartholomew Ave, Suite 4030 | Hartford CT 06106-2201
Email: info@cahs.org | (860) 951-2212 | www.cahs.org