Three Local Legislators Honored as Children's Champions

As the summer drew to a close, the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance recognized the final three “Children’s Champions” honorees. Since July, 22 state legislators have been recognized for making Connecticut’s young children and their families a priority this past legislative session.

On September 12, Senator Dante Bartolomeo, Rep. Cathy Abercrombie and Rep. Hilda Santiago were honored at the John Barry School in Meriden, bringing the final count to 25 legislators honored.

Senator Bartolomeo, Rep. Santiago and Rep. Abercrombie stood in a brightly-colored Family Resource Center at John Barry Elementary School in Meriden, the room filled with supporters and well-wishers from the early childhood world. One by one, each legislator was presented with their award, following a few words by CT Early Childhood Alliance Executive Director, Merrill Gay.

“Anybody who knows me and my personal background knows that an award like this and to be honored by you all around children is absolutely one of the most wonderful things I could hope for,” said Senator Dante Bartolomeo. “I thank you so much for the opportunity and to be recognized.”

“I’m really humbled by this award,” Rep. Hilda Santiago. “Merrill [Gay, Executive Director of CT Early Childhood Alliance] and I go back a long way – many years, dealing with children’s issues. This was a no-brainer. This is something we really have to support in the legislature and it’s my pleasure to always fight for children’s issues.”

“We can’t do what we do at the Capitol without you guys,” Rep. Cathy Abercrombie said to the group gathered to honor the three. “We’ve been working on these issues for many years and I think here in Connecticut, we can be really proud with the progress that we’ve made around childhood education and early education. If it wasn’t for you guys, we wouldn’t be where we are.”

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.

“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.”

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide advocacy organization working to ensure that all children are healthy, safe and ready for lifelong success.