Facts About Early Care in CT | 2009 Connecticut Leadership Empowerment Action Project Course

| Early Care and Education Sytems in CT | Policy Agenda | Testimony | Links

The CAHS Early Care and Education Program Area is a statewide initiative designed for the purpose of advocating for increased access to quality and affordable Early Care in Connecticut.  Our primary focus is to expand upon the capacity building services available to Connecticut’s parents and providers.  We place special emphasis on the needs of low and moderate income families.

To achieve its goals, the Early Care and Education Program Area is engaged in a variety of collaborative efforts.

We approach Early Care and Education through collaborative efforts.  We engage in statewide partnerships with the Early Childhood Alliance, Connecticut Voices for Children and Connecticut Parent Power (CT PP) to ensure that our advocacy is driven by those most affected and relevant data.  We focus on building strong relationships in our effort to maintain an inclusive yet cohesive voice within the statewide movement in early care and education.

We conduct public education.  CAHS staff participates in statewide forums to inform parents and the community of relevant Early Care and Education issues.  CAHS, in collaboration with the Hartford Area Child Care Collaborative administers the Connecticut Leadership Empowerment and Advocacy Program (CONNLeap) for parents and providers looking to advance their education and skills.

We organize early care and education communities.  CAHS organizes early care and education professionals on public policies that affect families with young children, program quality and the early childhood workforce. (WCGMF website)

We work to ensure that laws and regulations are implemented in a manner that will best meet the needs of families.  We actively participate in the analysis of existing regulations such as the Care for Kids regulations to insure that amendments reflect the best interest of parents and providers.  In addition we, are active participants in the legislative processes of the state though bill tracking and being responsive to pending legislation. (ECE Testimonies)

Through ongoing activities and initiatives such as these, we will help ensure that all families in need of child care have access to quality, affordable services they deserve.

For more information contact,

Sherry Linton

Early Care and Education Policy Analyst

Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS)

110 Bartholomew Avenue, Suite 4030

Hartford, CT  06106

(860) 951-2212 ext.233

slinton@cahs.org