Partnerships that work. Results that matter.

CT's Community Action Agencies are the federally-designated network of anti-poverty agencies in Connecticut. CT CAAs are foundational partners in CT’s Human Services infrastructure (HSI) and form a Results-based statewide service delivery system that is your constituents’ connection to CT’s human service network. CT CAAs achieve positive results that change lives and strengthen communities.

Reject the $100 million cut in Head Start and Early Head Start and Increase Funding

• Provide adequate funding to ensure full-day, high-quality Head Start programs. Children and families benefit most from quality full day and full year programs. Working families also need the holistic wrap-around services of Head Start and they need reliable child care for their children while they are transitioning off of welfare and continuing to move towards self-sufficiency.
• Reject the $100 million cut and increase funding to at least keep pace with inflation. Without additional resources, cut to Head Start will result in less children being served. Furthermore, without increased funding, programs will be unable to attract and retain quality teachers that deserve cost of living increases, provide training opportunities for staff, or continue quality improvement activities and enhanced services for families.
• Expand Eligibility to Serve More Families in High Cost of Living Areas: Head Start is one of the few federal programs that restricts enrollment to families earning at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. In states such as Connecticut, a single mother with one child earning minimum wage is ineligible for Head Start. Eligibility for head Start should be increased to 125% of the federal poverty level to help low-wage working families get the full benefit of the Head Start program.
• Head Start is a good investment of public resources. Research indicates the importance of early childhood brain development and the necessity of eliminating the risk factors associated with poverty that may impair brain development. A 2004 study the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis demonstrated quality early childhood programs also demonstrated a 16% annual return-on-investment, when adjusted for inflation, far better than most investments today.
• 5,750 children attended quality preschool programs that developed school readiness skills.
• 6,845 children obtained appropriate immunizations and medical care.
• 5,795 children obtained appropriate dental care.
• 2,972 adults demonstrated improved family functioning as a results of counseling and/or classes or other supportive family services.

Early Childhood Outcomes reported in FFY 2008 by CT CAAs:

For more detailed outcome information, visit our web site (www.cafca.org) and click on our annual report, Connecticut Community Action: Partnerships that work. Results that matter.