State legislatures represent critical decision-making bodies that directly shape policies impacting children, youth and families. They play an important role in shaping outcomes for children and youth and they set priorities for how states invest resources to achieve those outcomes. This year all of Connecticut's legislators are up for re-election in November. Now is the time to contact your legislator and let them know how important after school programs are to you and your community.
For a full list of all candidates running for State Representative click here.
For a full list of all candidates running for State Senate click here.
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After School Legislative Wrap-up
Congratulations! All your phone calls, emails and personal visits over the past year paid off. The grant program for after school programs was increased to $5.3 million in FY07-08 and $5.5 million in FY 08-09! The bill language we supported was also successful, changing the after school grants to a two-year award, adding a parent involvement component, increasing program accountability and allowing funding for training, technical assistance and evaluation. A second line item for after school enhancements was also added for $150,000, for a total increase of $2.35 million dollars over the current year's budget. See section 26 of the bill for the complete text here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/TOB/H/2007HB-08003-R00-HB.htm
Two additional bills passed this session (Public Act 07-129) which clarifies the types of programs that are exempt from the requirement that they become licensed as a child day care programs, and (Public Act 07-252) which allows waivers for certain plant regulations for school-based programs. See the actual text of the laws here: http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/PA/2007PA-00129-R00SB-01192-PA.htm
and here:
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/PA/2007PA-00252-ROOHB-07163-PA.htm
Thanks for all of your hard work in advocating for this much needed increase in funding!