Posted on May 7, 2024
Hartford, Conn. – The State House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to bolster early childcare education.
The bill does several things, including renaming the Early Childhood Education Fund to the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund (ECCEF), establishes the ECCEF Commission and its duties, directs the Office of Early Childhood to establish a Tri-Share Child Care Matching Program in New London County, and establish a one-time lump sum payment program for childcare workers.
Chaleski is part of a bipartisan group of legislators shepherding this bill through the General Assembly.
“I’m proud to be working on a piece of legislation to bolster the early childcare sector, which will have an immense impact across the board and ultimately lead to an overall thriving economy to the benefit of all Connecticut residents,” said Rep. Chaleski. “This bill was truly a labor of love, with input from colleagues on both sides of the aisle, the childcare sector advocates, the Office of Early Childcare, and the business sector. While this doesn’t solve for all that we set out to accomplish this session, it is progress.”
During debate on the bill, Rep. Chaleski acknowledge the struggle some parents face in finding quality, affordable childcare, the cost of which can cripple a household’s budget.
“We know families are the backbone of our communities, and in these challenging economic times, there’s a growing divide between incomes and the cost of living. This bill sets innovative solutions in place on an issue that cannot wait and deserves our immediate attention and action,” said Chaleski. “Danbury residents have held rallies annually to mark A Day Without Childcare and it seems their voices have fallen on deaf ears. I’m glad we’ve started something here with this bill which will open the door to additional sources of funds to support early childcare, support our working families, stabilizing our local workforce, assist businesses and have, most importantly, long lasting impacts on a child’s life and future success.”
The state Senate has until adjournment on May 8 to vote on proposed bills this session.