Connecticut, like all states, has a unique early childhood policy landscape that is shaped by economics, demographics, political history, coalitions, and other factors that create a state-specific environment for policy advocacy.
State early childhood policy progress is dependent both on the state’s environment and the numerous efforts—by the organizations listed on this page, other organizations, parents, policymakers, practitioners, and more—who work both independently and collaboratively to achieve wins for young children.
Research shows that family economic security is foundational to children’s overall wellbeing. Research also shows that widespread disparities in opportunity (especially by race) drive wide disparities in outcomes. States with policies that offer strong support to young children and their families are more likely to see 1) declining numbers of children in low-income households and 2) low racial disparity among those children.
Young Children in Low-Income Households: Declining
Approximately 26% (87,000) of the state’s children 0-8 live in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (2022). This number represents a decrease from 32% (106,000) in 2017.1
Racial Disparity Among Young Children Living in Low-Income Households: High
Black, Hispanic/Latino, and/or Native children aged 0-8 are significantly more likely to be living in households below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level than are Asian and non-Hispanic White children.2
State General Fund Appropriations: Growing
In 2023, Connecticut’s governor signed the state’s budget covering fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The budget provides total funds of $25.1 billion in fiscal 2024, an increase of $922.8 million, or 3.8 percent, over fiscal 2023, and total funds of $25.99 billion in fiscal 2025, an increase of $875.6 million, or 3.5 percent, over fiscal 2024.3
Key Revenue Sources (after federal transfers):4
State Budget Rules:4
Permanent State Funding Stream Dedicated to Early Childhood: Yes
Since 2014, Connecticut has been expanding pre-k with funds from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. Smart Start grants fund preschool classrooms in public school buildings and are budgeted at $10 million per year through 2025.
Political Alignment: Aligned Democrat
During the 2024 session, the state’s Senate and House were both Democrat controlled. The state’s Governor was also a Democrat.5
Types of Common Ballot Measures Available:6 One
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Organizations Include:
Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Multi-State Initiatives Include:7
Highlights from the state’s early childhood policy advocacy community include:8
Early Childhood Care and Eduction bill HB 5002 (Public Act 24-91) was a win for advocates on numerous fronts:
Sections 24 through 41 of SB 14 (Public Act 24-78) establish the Early Start program, finally combining various state ECE programs into one program. This will simplify things for programs that may have operated with 3 different funding streams each with its own eligibility requirements and payment processes. Section 31 simplifies the requirements for “Qualified Staff” in Early Start Programs, and Section 39 Allows the expansion of the Family childcare business incubator to a total of 20 facilities around the state.
HB 5005, a groundbreaking paid leave win for advocates, requires 40 hours of paid sick leave for virtually all people employed in Connecticut.
Our lead ally in Connecticut is Advancing Connecticut Together. ACT is an umbrella agency that includes several organizations that address the root causes of poverty, addiction, and health inequities through strength-based services and advocacy to ensure all people in Connecticut have equitable resources necessary to achieve multi-generational health, wealth, and happiness.
ACT is working to advance early childhood policies in several areas:
Child Care
Child Care Workforce
Preschool and Pre-K
Family Economic Security
Click here and here for more information on advocates’ policy agenda.
Family child care providers typically must navigate an incoherent and often conflicting set of regulations, as well as frequent opposition from landlords, homeowners associations, and condo associations. The good news is that states across the political spectrum are beginning to take action to address these difficulties.
NOTES:
1 Kids Count Data Center, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, January, 2024.
2 National Center for Children in Poverty, Children Ages 0 to 8 Below 200 Percent Poverty, March 2023, NCCP analysis of ACS 1-Year Estimates – Public Use Microdata Sample 2021.
3 National Association of State Budget Officers, Proposed and Enacted Budgets, FY 2025.
4 Urban Institute, State Fiscal Briefs, June 2024.
5 National Conference of State Legislatures, 2024 State & Legislative Partisan Composition, April 29, 2024.
6 Ballotpedia, Ballot Measures by State, Kids Count Data Center, retrieved July, 2024.
7 Alliance for Early Success, Multi-State Initiatives for Early Childhood Policy Advocacy, July, 2024.
8 Alliance for Early Success, State-Wide Advocacy Highlights Survey, April-October, 2024; and 2024 Prenatal-to-3 Legislative Highlights, Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center, July, 2024.
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© 2024 Alliance for Early Success
The Alliance for Early Success does not endorse or advocate for specific legislation or candidates.
