Policy Resource

Expanding Access to Early Head Start: State Initiatives for Infants and Toddlers at Risk (Connecticut)

Feb 9, 2016

This joint report by ZERO TO THREE and CLASP draws on newly conducted research on state efforts to expand and enhance access to Early Head Start (EHS) services for infants, toddlers, and their families.

The federal EHS program was created to help minimize the disparities caused by poverty by supporting the healthy development of expectant mothers and low-income infants and toddlers in the context of their families and communities. However, less than 4 percent of babies and toddlers who are eligible for Early Head Start are currently being served. This report describes the diverse strategies states are using to build upon Early Head Start and offers recommendations for states interested in expanding this proven program. It builds on a previous paper, Building on the Promise: State Initiatives to Expand Access to Early Head Start for Young Children and their Families, released by the two organizations in 2008.

In 2014 Connecticut received new funding for EHS expansion and EHS-CC Partnerships. The projected number of children to be served with this funding was 272.

In 2014 Connecticut had the following slots funded:

  • Federally-Funded Early Head Start slots totaled 660
  • Early Head Start Home Visiting Office of Head Start-Funded slots totaled 344

For further information see the following pages in Expanding Access to Early Head Start:

  • Page 10: Table. Funding Mechanisms for State EHS Initiatives
  • Page 15: APPENDIX. Initiatives that extend the day or year if existing services

Read the full report at www.zerotothree.org/expandingehs.

Learn more about 2014 Connecticut EHS updates at https://www.nhsa.org/files/resources/connecticut_fact_sheet.pdf

Updated January 2016

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