Visit highlights EASTCONN's work to support children and families, expand access to childcare, and strengthen the early childhood workforce across northeastern Connecticut.

EASTCONN welcomed U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney on September 10 for a firsthand look at its Head Start and Early Learning program and a conversation about the needs of young children and families across northeastern Connecticut.

Throughout the visit, Courtney saw a program where early learning, family support, health and nutrition, workforce development, and expanded access to childcare are closely connected.

One example is EASTCONN’s new community garden. Gardening is woven into the learning experience, giving children opportunities to build physical skills, learn outdoors, explore healthy foods, and better understand where food comes from.

That work is taking place within a facility EASTCONN is actively renovating and expanding to create greater childcare capacity for families in northeastern Connecticut, a region where access to care remains a significant challenge. The investment in the facility reflects a larger commitment to creating more opportunities for children and families while strengthening the early childhood resources available to the region.

The people needed to do this work are part of the picture as well. Professional pathways are embedded within EASTCONN’s approach to Head Start and early childhood education, creating opportunities for individuals to build skills, gain experience, and grow professionally while helping strengthen the region’s early childhood workforce. As part of that work, EASTCONN is utilizing funding for center-based educator registered apprenticeships, creating a structured pathway for early childhood educators to build their skills and advance in the field.

Center Based Educator Registered Apprenticeship - Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Courtney’s visit also created an opportunity for EASTCONN leaders to discuss proposed changes to the federal Head Start Program Performance Standards. Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs providing comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and family support to income-eligible children and families. The model recognizes something EASTCONN’s work reflects every day: supporting a young child also means supporting the family around that child.

The conversation with Courtney connected what is happening inside EASTCONN’s Head Start and Early Learning program with some of the larger questions facing early childhood education-how communities expand access, support families, develop a strong workforce, and sustain programs that give young children a strong start.

EASTCONN Executive Director Eric Protulis, Director of Early Childhood Initiatives Diane Gozemba, Director of Head Start Kim Mansfield, and Head Start Family Service Manager Suzanne Michaud joined Congressman Courtney during the visit.