Last Chance to Support Even Start and Early Head Start

From the Middlesex Coalition for Children

This is an unusual request, but we need to make it. We have two VERY important federally-funded programs for young children in Middlesex County that are threatened with elimination -- the Even Start family literacy program, and Early Head Start. Even Start, administered by Middletown Adult Education,  provides high quality early care and education to children 6 months to 3 years while parents complete their high school diplomas or learn English. Early Head Start, also for children up to age 3, reaches parents and babies in the greatest need with a whole array of educational and support services. Losing either program would be a tragedy -- for the families, the children and for our communities. Both programs are county-wide.

Would you consider signing on -- either as an individual or as an organization -- to the letter below to the two Connecticut Senators and the three Congresspeople -- DeLauro, Larson and Courtney -- who represent Middlesex County? If so, please email me back with the exact signature and institutional identification (if appropriate).

Thank you. You know that our families with young children have been the hardest hit by the recession. This is a small good deed that may help them.


 Dear (Senator/Congressperson)

Middlesex County supports full funding for

1) The Even Start Family Literacy Program, a program of Middletown Adult Education. To maintain its integrity and provide effective services, Even Start should continue to have a separate line item in the Federal Budget, and be funded at no less than 2010 levels.

2) The Middlesex County Early Head Start Program, administered by the ACES, North Haven. This is an ARRA-funded Early Head Start expansion program. As a result of very hard local work over the last two years, the program is fully operational, serving 70 families in Greater Middletown and along the shoreline. Unless new money for Early Head Start is included in the 2012 federal budget, as the Administration recommends, the program will close and the impacts of the ARRA investment of $1,389,066.00 will be minimized.

These programs are essential to the success of families hard hit by the recession. We ask you to do everything in your power to ensure that they continue to benefit children and families in Middlesex County.

Sincerely,