Early Childhood Plan Unveiled

From Elizabeth Morgan

Thursday, Middletown released its early childhood blueprint, the "Middletown Early Childhood Plan", at a community meeting at 1 pm at Snow School, 299 Wadsworth Street, Middletown. Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, Superintendent of Schools Michael Frechette, and David Nee of the Graustein Memorial Fund were among the speakers.

The comprehensive community plan for children 0 - 8 is the result of nearly two years of work by over 150 Middletown residents and three organizations, the Middletown Discovery Collaborative, the Middlesex Coalition for Children and Opportunity Knocks children's health collaborative. The 35 page document identifies the unmet needs of Middletown's young children in three areas -- education, health and strong families -- and spells out strategies for meeting those needs. It is described as both a wake-up call and a call to action. Copies of the plan are available HERE, and from the Middletown Discovery Collaborative, 860-345-7354, faheyc@comcast.net and the Middlesex Coalition for Children, 860-346-1522, emorgan@wesleyan.edu.