Membership
We’re Stronger Together!
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Anyone with ties to the early childhood care and education scene in Connecticut will tell you: the system just isn’t working. Childcare centers can’t find staff, care providers can’t afford to work in the field they love, and families can’t access care for their children so they can get back to work.
When your organization joins the CT Early Childhood Alliance, you’re joining a community of educators, business owners, community service organizations, researchers, and other advocates, all working in the Early Childhood space, and all of whom are dedicated to making a difference for CT’s young children and their caregivers.
Member Benefits
Our members recognize the need for meaningful policy change in early childhood care and education here in Connecticut. Engaging in legislative advocacy can be a daunting task, but we make it easier for our members to make their voices heard. Our members can focus on their own important work, knowing that Alliance staff will keep them informed about what’s going on in Hartford.
Joining the CT Early Childhood Alliance gives you access to all the support and information you’ll need to advocate on behalf of your organization and the communities you serve.
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The Alliance keeps members in the loop. We monitor legislative agendas and policy proposals pertaining to Early Childhood, so you can focus on your day-to-day. We host weekly updates, conference calls, and webinars, and in addition to our own staff, we connect our members with experts in the field to discuss what's happening with early childhood policy in other states.
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The Alliance regularly convenes its members to discuss new developments in Early Childhood in Connecticut, facilitating networking opportunities as well as direct engagement of our strategic partners for the purpose of open, honest, and respectful dialogue about the challenges of the field.
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In addition to keeping our members and the broader community informed about new legislation regarding Early Childhood, the Alliance also serves to inform Early Childhood supporters of opportunities to engage in the legislative process. We monitor bill progress, notify our community of time-sensitive matters, and make action recommendations as needed. We support our members' efforts to make their voices heard by coordinating media outreach, host Early Childhood Advocacy Days at the Capitol, put out Action Alerts, assist with creating public hearing testimony.
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Coming soon, our brand new series of courses is designed to meet the needs of anyone wishing to engage in the legislative process, regardless of previous experience. Access to Advocacy Academy is included for all our members.
Learn more by clicking on the headings below.
Member Testimonials
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"I would not have been as involved in Early Childhood without my membership in the Alliance."
Mary Cecchinato
Executive Director, Torrington Child Care Center -
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"Utilizing the Alliance to obtain advocacy-related information frees up our own staff and volunteers to do the other work of our collaborative."
Joanne Kelleher
Executive Director,
Early Childhood Collaborative of Southington -
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"The Alliance not only keeps me in the loop about the important things going on in CT in terms of policy, but has also educated me on so many topics in the Early Childhood arena. They have given me the tools to be the best advocate for the programs and families I work with."
Krista Pisano
Waterbury School Readiness Liaison -
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"The Alliance has given me the knowledge and the opportunity to positively expand my role as an Early Childhood Director. I would not be as informed as I am today if I had not been a member of the Alliance."
Edie Reichard
Director, Sleeping Giant Day Care, Hamden
Membership Levels
Choose the membership level that's right for your organization's size and presence.
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Single-Site Providers & Local Organizations
$150 per year
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Multi-Site Providers & Regional Associations
$300 per year
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Small Statewide Organizations
(annual budget < $3M/year)
$500 per year
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Large Statewide Organizations
(annual budget greater than $3M)
$1000 per year
The Alliance in Action
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The Alliance works with many partner organizations to improve early childhood outcomes. Examples include:
Childcare for CT's Future Campaign
Child Tax Credit Campaign
Campaign to End Child Poverty
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When COVID hit, childcare providers were in crisis. In response to the confusion and lack of information, the Alliance, in partnership with Childcare for Connecticut's Future Coalition, established weekly Zoom calls to share information, nurture connections, and provide support to Connecticut's essential childcare providers. Four years later, the Early Care Connection calls are going strong, with hundreds of attendees every week, hosting a variety of guests, experts in the field, and legislative updates. Sign up for future calls here. You can also view past recordings here.
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A one-of-a-kind series of educational opportunities to help our members and the public learn how to advocate effectively for issues they care about. Click here for more details!
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Alliance members and staff are regulars at the Capitol building; participating in the Early Childhood Caucus meetings, attending hearings, and meeting with legislators to make a difference for young children in Connecticut.
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The Alliance regularly organizes Advocacy Days for its members and the public to engage with their legislators about important early childhood policy changes.
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Each year, the Alliance recognizes a select group of people to receive its Children's Champion award for outstanding demonstrated commitment to Connecticut's young children and their families. These awards are received by legislators, members, and community members from across the state. See our 2024 honorees here.
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Alliance staff travel to Washington DC on a yearly basis to speak to US Senators and Representatives about issues impacting the early childhood ecosystem in Connecticut, and to meet with other advocates from across the country to exchange ideas and share resources.
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Alliance staff are available to provide consulting services and speaking events for issues related to early childhood. Contact us for details.