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www.cga.ct.gov/olr OLRequest@cga.ct.gov Connecticut General Assembly Office of Legislative Research Stephanie A. D’Ambrose, Director (860) 240-8400 Room 5300 Legislative Office Building

Points of Entry for Early Childhood Care and Education in Connecticut

By: Jessica Callahan, Associate Analyst November 1, 2023 | 2023-R-0249

Issue Describe state programs available to assist families with child care and related costs and the eligibility requirements for these programs.

Summary The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) funds early child care and education programs across the state through grants and contracts. These programs include child day care contracts, Head Start programs, and the school readiness program. Local providers are responsible for family enrollment and ensuring that families meet program eligibility requirements. Generally, programs require families to meet federal low-income guidelines, but providers may also use the OEC fee schedule or the Care 4 Kids program’s eligibility requirements. The OEC fee schedule is based on state median income (SMI) levels annually published in the Federal Register.

Child Day Care Contracts OEC contracts with child day care programs to allow them to serve lower income families. The contracts provide state financial assistance (i.e., grants) to municipalities, human resource development agencies, nonprofit corporations, and group or family child care homes for developing and operating child care homes or centers for disadvantaged children. Contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2022, must include a provision requiring at least 60% of the enrolled children to be from families with incomes at or below 75% of the SMI.