Williams Honored by Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for ‘Engaging in Early Childhood Issues’

Senator Williams: “Our work on behalf of children never ends.”

Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) was one of several legislators from Eastern Connecticut recognized by the CT Early Childhood Alliance for engagement on issues related to early childhood.

Senator Williams said considering the challenging economic times, working on behalf of children has never been more important, “It is critical that we don’t allow thousands of children to become victims of the recession. We worked hard this legislative session to help ensure children and their families have access to affordable pre-schools and health care. We also saw significant gains in the number of disadvantaged children who have access to dental care—something that is a result of action we took in 2007.”

Other lawmakers from Eastern CT who were recognized: Sen. Andrew Maynard (D-18), Sen. Andrea Stillman (D-20), Rep. Denise Merrill (D- Mansfield), Rep. Susan Johnson (D-Windham), Rep. Joan Lewis (D-Coventry), Rep. Melissa Olson (D-Norwich), Rep. Tom Reynolds (D-Ledyard), Rep. Betsy Ritter (D-Waterford) and Rep. Diana Urban (D-North Stonington).

Ann Pratt—Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance Executive Director—said, “The legislators who received this award from the northeast corner have been a positive force for early childhood by engaging programs in the community and supporting early childhood legislation at the Capitol.”

Elizabeth Aschenbrenner—Director of the Early Childhood Initiatives for Eastern Connecticut—said, “We feel so fortunate to have strong voices for young children from the Northeast Corner. We may be known as the ‘quiet corner’ but when it comes to supporting children and families, we aren’t quiet at all.”

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a group of organizations and individuals committed to improving developmental outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security for children ages birth to eight. Member organizations provide care and education for nearly 20,000 children. The Alliance’s goal is for all children born in Connecticut to enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success.

Highlights of action taken by the General Assembly in 2010 to help children include:

• Protecting the Care 4 Kids program in FY 11
• The Care 4 Kids program provides subsidized childcare for low income families. The subsidies allow parents to afford daycare while they work.
• Banning Cadmium in children’s jewelry
• Cadmium is a known carcinogen and has been turning up in high levels some children’s jewelry as toy makers look for alternatives to led.
• Allowing School Based Health Centers to bill insurance companies for the services they provide

Also, this year Connecticut was one of only 6 states to receive an A grade from the Pew Research Foundation for its approaches to ensure dental health and access to care for disadvantaged children. In 2007 the state dramatically increased provider dental care rates in the HUSKY program. The investment greatly increased access to oral healthcare for disadvantaged children in the state.