There are nearly 400,000 children in Connecticut ages birth through age eight. Many are thriving, but more than a quarter of those children are at risk for factors that jeopardize their early learning and healthy development. Decades of research has demonstrated that early childhood programs and services can improve academic, social and economic outcomes as the child grows into adulthood.
Thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Fairfield County Community Foundation (FCCF), the CT Early Childhood Alliance will work with Fairfield County organizations – whose constituents are parents of young children, early childhood teachers, early childhood service providers, and state and local policy makers - to increase, improve and better coordinate early childhood services for young children and their families.
“Connecticut can and should take action to give every child the tools they need to succeed in life,” said Maggie Adair, Executive Director of the CT Early Childhood Alliance. “This grant from The Fairfield County Community Foundation will give us the opportunity to further spread that message and work to make that goal a reality.”
With support from FCCF, the Alliance will:
· Promote early childhood news, events, public policy and best practices through traditional and social media;
· Provide communication training and technical support to early childhood organizations in Fairfield County; and
· Build capacity for early childhood providers, community leaders, and parents to voice support for investments in early childhood programs and services at the local and state level.
“Access to affordable, high-level early childhood education programs is essential to the future success of Fairfield County’s youth and to our region’s broader economic future,” said Karen Brown, Vice President of Programs for the Fairfield County Community Foundation. “Helping the CT Early Childhood Alliance expand its services in Fairfield County is an important part of this work.”
Thanks to the funding from FCCF, the Alliance’s program, “Early Childhood Outreach, Communication, Education and Civic Engagement,” will continue in Fairfield County through 2013.
About the CT Early Childhood Alliance: The CT Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide membership and advocacy organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security, for children ages birth to eight. For more information on the CT Early Childhood Alliance, visit www.earlychildhoodalliance.com.
About Fairfield County Community Foundation: The Fairfield County Community Foundation promotes the growth of community and regional philanthropy to improve the quality of life throughout Fairfield County. Individuals, families, corporations and organizations can establish charitable funds and contribute to existing funds. The Foundation provides philanthropic advisory services, and develops and leads initiatives to tackle critical community issues. It is in compliance with the Council on Foundations’ national standards for community foundations. The Foundation has awarded over $135 million in grants to nonprofits in Fairfield County and beyond. For more information, visit www.fccfoundation.org.
