Madison Lawmaker Named 2015 Children's Champions

Senator Danté Bartolomeo, the co-chair of the Children’s Committee and Rep. Noreen Kokoruda, a ranking member of the Children’s Committee, were honored as 2015 CT Early Childhood Alliance Children’s Champions at the Middlesex Coalition for Children’s October 8 meeting in Middletown. The legislators represent two of 26 state legislators honored this year by the CT Early Childhood Alliance. The CT Early Childhood Alliance is a membership and advocacy organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security, for children ages birth to eight.

Every year, the Alliance recognizes legislators who worked closely with early childhood advocates to shape legislation that impacts the well-being of Connecticut’s young children in the areas of healthy development, early care and education, nutrition and safety.

Senator Bartolomeo, who represents Cheshire, Meriden, Middletown, Middlefield & Rockfall, was recognized for her commitment to issues surrounding children’s mental health and trauma. This is her third recognition by the CT Early Childhood Alliance.

“This year I continued working to further the Children’s Behavioral Health Plan and improve Connecticut’s system for addressing the wellness of children and families. I also fought to preserve funding for vital programs that support children’s health and education,” said Senator Danté Bartolomeo (D-Meriden). “I am very appreciative of the support and assistance the CT Early Childhood Alliance provided throughout the session. I look forward to working alongside these incredible advocates in the future as we strive to make Connecticut an even better place for families to raise healthy children.”

Representative Kokoruda, who represents Durham and Madison, is a ranking member of the Children’s Committee and serves on both the Education and Appropriations Committees.

“I’m thrilled – this is an honor,” said Kokoruda, who is also a three-time Children’s Champion award winner. “As a mother and grandmother, how can I not be on committees that represent children? Early childhood issues are very much a bipartisan initiative. If we impact our youngest children, we impact everything down the road.”

Also recognized as a Children’s Champion, but unable to attend the ceremony was Rep. Matthew Lesser, who represents Middletown. Lesser is currently out of the country for a policy fellowship.

“Matt’s always willing to listen to the issues and is very responsive to the needs of our youngest children and their families,” said Liz Fraser, who worked with Lesser as a program director for Even Start in Middletown and as an advocate through her role as a policy analyst with the CT Association for Human Services.

“All three of our award recipients are so generous with their time,” said Izzi Greenberg, Executive Director of the Middlesex Coalition for Children. “They are truly working in the best interest of their constituents, which is a real gift to our coalition and our community.”

Much of this year’s early childhood success centered on programs and services that were saved from elimination or major cuts in the biennium budget, including Community Plans for Early Childhood, HUSKY A, Early Literacy, Parent Trust Fund and the Children’s Trust Fund. Among the legislation passed, a bill that gives early childhood educators additional time to obtain their degrees, a bill that addresses safe sleeping practices for infants, a bill that implements a comprehensive mental, emotional and behavioral health plan; a bill that expands School Readiness seat eligibility by allowing programs to serve children who don’t live in the district; and a bill that would require law enforcement agencies to inform child care centers in emergency conditions.

“Most of the focus this year was on the budget, but some good legislation passed,” said Karen Rainville, CT Early Childhood Alliance co-chair and the executive director of CT Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC). “Advocates worked with legislators, including those named as Children’s Champions, to craft effective policies for Connecticut children and their families.”

This year’s honorees are:
Representatives: Cathy Abercrombie (D), Tim Ackert (R), Joe Aresimowicz (D), Juan Candelaria (D), Michelle Cook (D), Jeff Currey (D), Andrew Fleischmann (D), Noreen Kokoruda (R), Gail Lavielle (R), Matt Lesser (D), Kelly Luxenberg (D), Patricia Billie Miller (D), Bruce Morris (D), Christine Rosati (D), Bobby Sanchez (D), Diana Urban (D), Toni Walker (D).

Senators: Dante Bartolomeo (D), Toni Boucher (R), Beth Bye (D), Len Fasano (R), Mae Flexer (D), Martin Looney (D), Marilyn Moore (D), Gail Slossberg (D), Gary Winfield (D).