Alliance Issues 2019 Priorities

The Alliance has created its list of 2019 Priorities and a survey we ask you to take to let us know if you are in agreement.

The Alliance 2019 Priorities:

Improve the Quality of Early Care and Education

• Raise wages of early educators in state-subsidized child care and preschool programs and index them to future increases in the minimum wage.
• Raise Care4Kids payment rates to child care providers to the federally recommended 75th percentile of market
• Ensure parity in funding between various programs providing the same early care and education services

Support Parents in Raising Thriving Children

• Adopt Paid Family Medical Leave
• Require Predictable Work Schedules (with exceptions for industries with legally required staff to client ratios)
• Fix the broken Birth to Three Early Intervention Program
• Adopt Two-Generation Strategies to grow the economy and end poverty

Improve Access to Early Care and Education

• Expand eligibility for the Care4Kids child care subsidy to families earning up to 75% of the State Median Income
• Allow parents in school or job training programs to get Care4Kids for class and study time
• Provide more supports to homeless families, including child care, so they can get back on their feet
• Create a Child & Dependent Care tax credit

The Alliance also supports:

• Fixing the Bond Lock, Volatility and Spending Caps
• Protecting HUSKY eligibility for low-income working parents
• Raising the EITC to 30% of the Federal Credit

Care4Kids Backlog Hits Local Media; Event Planned to Discuss Issue

Backlog has been a big issue with the Care4Kids program - backlog in applications/redeterminations and backlog in wait times when a provider or a parent calls Care4Kids. The reason given is a transition to a new computer system. But for many providers, especially those who run programs out of their homes, it means they're going without pay. CTNewsJunkie sat down with several home child care providers, who share the difficulties they have been facing, seeking ways to alleviate it. The Alliance also sat down with one such provider and we will be bringing you her story soon.

In addition, CSEA SEIU Local 2001 will be hosting a round table discussion on Saturday, February 2, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Local 777's Plumbers and Pipefitters Training Center, 450 Murdock Avenue in Meriden. Incoming Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye will be in attendance to discuss the issues surrounding the Care4Kids backlog with attendees and legislators and work to come up with practical solutions. Open to anyone who would like to attend. The event includes lunch. Please RSVP by calling 203-895-4403 or 860-951-6614, ext. 122. 

Early Educator Compensation One Bill Raised by Education Committee

On Monday, the Education Committee met to raise bills. One concept that was raised would require the OEC to develop a compensation schedule for early childhood educators. CT NewsJunkie also looks at several items that were discussed at the Early Childhood Caucus meeting held on January 28. Click HERE to read the full story.

Preschool Benefits Longer-Lasting Than Once Believed

A study out of Duke University, which followed 1.5 million children over a 13 year period in North Carolina, shows that long-term impacts of a preschool education do not fade out over time in reading, writing, and arithmetic. NBC Nightly News covered the study.

Wanted: Connecticut Family for DC's Zero to Three Strolling Thunder 

The babies are coming, the babies are coming! On April 30, 2019, the third annual Zero to Three Strolling Thunder event will take place in Washington, DC. Zero to Three is seeking one family of a baby or toddler from each state to head to Capitol Hill to turn their Members of Congress and staff into champions for babies. Selected families bring their babies, their strollers, and their stories. Training, travel, and lodging provided. Learn more HERE. Do you know someone who you think would be a great #ThinkBabies advocate? Pass this information along to them!

Support for the Alliance comes from of our members and our funders: The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund, Connecticut Health Foundation, Connecticut Community Foundation, Children's Fund of Connecticut, CT Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, a project of CT Council of Philanthropy; The Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut; Community Foundation of Greater New Britain; and Community Foundation of Greater New Haven.