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Community Corner

Local Legislators Recognized as Children's Champions

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is recognizing 24 state legislators for making Connecticut’s young children and their families a priority this session.

Each year, the Alliance seeks nominees from its membership, taking into account active assistance during the legislative session on issues that are of interest to the membership, as well as availability and access for constituents. This year’s nominees proved they put young children front and center as they shaped legislation and engaged with early childhood advocates to create the most effective early childhood policy for Connecticut.

This year has been a particularly successful year for early childhood, with the passage of the CT Office of Early Childhood, planning for universal access for preschool, expanding School Readiness, increasing rates for not only School Readiness, but also child development centers; and budget increases for Care4Kids and full-day, full-year rates for state-funded programs.

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“For years, we’ve worked with legislators to make early childhood a priority issue, both  at the Capitol and in the districts, and we’re seeing results of that work,” said Karen Rainville, CT Early Childhood Alliance co-chair and the executive director of CT Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC). “The Children’s Champions stepped up this year for their youngest constituents.”

Senator Carlo Leone, who represents Stamford and Darien, was one of five local legislators honored with the 2014 Children’s Champions Award. He received the award at an event at CLC-Palmer’s Hill in Stamford on July 2.

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“Connecticut’s young learners are the best investment we can make in a strong future for our state and our nation,” said Senator Leone. “Children who receive a high-quality early education come to school prepared for success. They have higher high school graduation rates, fewer academic issues, and are more prepared for success as adults.”

Legislator of the Year 2014:

Rep. Michelle Cook (D-65) Torrington

Children’s Champions 2014:

Senator Andres Ayala (D-23) Bridgeport and Stratford

Senator Dante Bartolomeo (D-13) Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield and Middletown

Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton

Senator Beth Bye (D-05) Bloomfield, Burlington, Farmington and West Hartford

Senator Carlo Leone (D-27) Stamford and Darien

Senator Andrea Stillman (D-20) Bozrah, East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Salem and Waterford

Senator Don Williams (D-29) Brooklyn, Canterbury, Killingly, Mansfield, Putnam, Scotland, Thompson and Windham

Representative Cathy Abercrombie (D-83) Berlin and Meriden

Representative Tim Ackert (R-08) Columbia, Coventry, Tolland and Vernon

Representative Joe Aresimowicz (D-30) Berlin and Southington

Representative Juan Candelaria (D-95) New Haven

Representative Victor Cuevas (D-75) Waterbury

Representative Andrew Fleischmann (D-18) West Hartford

Representative Mae Flexer (D-44) Killingly and Plainfield

Representative Daniel Fox (D-148) Stamford

Representative Gerald Fox (D-146) Stamford

Representative Mary Fritz (D-90) Cheshire and Wallingford

Representative Patricia Billie Miller (D-145) Stamford

Representative Bobby Sanchez (D-25) New Britain

Representative Hilda Santiago (D-84) Meriden

Representative William Tong (D-147) Stamford and Darien

Representative Toni Walker (D-93) New Haven

Representative Roberta Willis (D-64) Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Torrington and Sharon

In lieu of an event at the State Capitol, Children’s Champions will be honored in-district with local early childhood advocates.





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