Rep. Fleischmann Named a 2018 Children's Champion

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is recognizing Rep. Andrew Fleischmann as one of twelve 2018 “Children’s Champions.” The Alliance recognizes legislators for their leadership on issues that impact the well-being of Connecticut’s young children in the areas of healthy development, early care and education, nutrition, and safety.

“Each of the legislators we’re recognizing this year stood up for children to protect funding for child care or to push policy change that supports families with children,” said Merrill Gay, Executive Director of the Alliance.

Legislation passed this year includes: A bill that will make it easier for homeless families to obtain child care, thus helping parents work and change their situations. Another bill that passed will allow the CT Office of Early Childhood to prioritize infants and toddlers if there is a Care4Kids wait list. It will also make it easier for the OEC to adjust provider rates for School Readiness and state-funded centers. An act mandating insurance coverage of essential health benefits including pregnancy and immunizations also passed this year.

“I’m deeply honored that the CT Early Childhood Alliance has chosen me for a Children’s Champion Award this year,” Rep. Andy Fleischmann (D-West Hartford) said. “It’s been a pleasure to work with the Alliance and the Office of Early Childhood to expand access to high quality early childhood education, and to improve the way we fund programs. I believe the legislation we collaborated on and passed this year will make it easier for young children in our state to attend pre-school, and move us toward a more equitable system of funding for pre-k providers.”

Legislators honored this year are: Rep. Cathy Abercrombie (D-Meriden), Rep. Michelle Cook (D-Torrington), Rep. Andrew Fleischmann (D-West Hartford), Rep. Noreen Kokoruda (R-Madison), Rep. Gail Lavielle (R-Wilton), Rep. Bobby Sanchez (D-New Britain), Rep. Toni Walker (D-New Haven), Sen. Toni Boucher (R-26), Sen. Beth Bye (D-5), Sen. Paul Formica (R-20), Sen. Marilyn Moore (D-22), and Sen. Cathy Osten (D-19).

The Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance is a statewide organization committed to improving outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security, for children ages birth to eight. The Alliance’s goal is for all children in Connecticut to enter kindergarten healthy, eager to learn, and ready for school success.