§ 10-550c — (Note: This section is effective July 1, 2025.) Early Start CT. Local and regional governance partners.

(a) There shall be established, within available appropriations, local or regional governance partners to assist in the provision of early care and education in a community under Early Start CT. A town or school district and appropriate representatives of groups or entities interested in early care and education in such town or school district may establish a local governance partner. Two or more towns or school districts and appropriate representatives of groups or entities interested in early care and education in a region may establish a regional governance partner. (b) The membership of each local or regional governance partner shall reflect the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic composition of the town or region it serves and consist of early care and education stakeholders, including, but not limited to, elected and appointed officials, parents, representatives with expertise in early care and education, a representative, where applicable, of Smart Start established pursuant to section 10-506 , local education and healthcare providers in the community, a local homeless education liaison, community representatives from a workforce or job training entity and other community representatives who provide services to children. (c) The role and responsibilities of a local or regional governance partner shall include, but are not limited to, (1) conducting and administering a data-driven needs assessment for its respective community or region in accordance with the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, (2) employing strategies to solicit parental engagement and membership, (3) providing periodic technical assistance regarding best practices in early care and education and family engagement for its town or region, (4) jointly sponsoring with the office, professional development opportunities, and (5) ensuring that community outreach is regularly conducted and maintained with community stakeholders. (d) Each local or regional governance partner shall, within available appropriations, conduct a data-driven needs assessment for the town or region in which such partner serves. Such needs assessment may include recommendations for the preferred distribution and allocation of child care spaces within such partner's respective town or region, and, subject to the office's approval, may include a data-driven methodology to reassign child care spaces before the contract date has lapsed. Such needs assessment shall be created by the office in collaboration with communities and shall directly inform, among other things, the assignment of child care spaces across a mixed-delivery system, including, but not limited to, licensed family child care homes, group child care homes, child care centers and license-exempt public schools. (e) Each local or regional governance partner shall employ a staff liaison to aid and support the local or regional governance partner in implementing the provisions of this section. Each staff liaison shall ensure (1) that partnerships are established and fostered among child care providers, (2) that cooperation is maintained with the Office of Early Childhood in monitoring and evaluating early care and education programs, (3) that existing and potential resources and services available to children and families are identified, (4) facilitation and coordination of efficient, data-driven, delivery of services to children and families, including (A) referral procedures, and (B) before and after school child care for children attending school day, school year programs, (5) the exchange of information with other community organizations serving the needs of children and families, (6) that recommendations are made to school officials concerning transition from child care programs to preschool programs and kindergarten, (7) that effective community engagement strategies are employed to ensure diverse participation, (8) that biannual child assessments, approved by the office, are performed at programs, and conducted in partnership with families, and (9) collaboration with the office related to planning improvements to the state early care and education governance structure. (f) The office shall monitor each local or regional governance partner to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

Legislative History

(P.A. 24-78, S. 27.) History: P.A. 24-78 effective July 1, 2025.