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2023-R-0249 November 1, 2023 Page 3 of 5

Table 1: Annual Household Income Limits (Before Taxes) for Head Start Eligibility Household Size Maximum Annual Income Level 1 $14,580 2 19,720 3 24,860 4 30,000 5 35,140 6 40,280 7 45,420 8 50,560 Source: Connecticut Head Start Eligibility

School Readiness Program The school readiness program provides early care and education services to children who aren’t yet eligible for kindergarten. PA 23-160, §§ 35 & 37, extended the eligible age groups for this program. Under prior law, three- to five-year-olds could enroll, and the act allows children to enroll beginning at birth as of July 1, 2023.

The school readiness grant program funds part- and full-time programs in communities that are (1) designated as a priority school district or former priority school district, (2) in the lowest 50 towns ranked by wealth that are not also priority school districts, (3) formerly in the second category, or (4) designated as an alliance district but not a priority school district (CGS § 10-16p(d)). OEC determines applicants’ eligibility for a three-year period and annually issues a request for proposals from communities. According to OEC’s school readiness website, at least 60% of the children enrolled in the school readiness program must be at or below 75% of the SMI. The programs can charge families using the OEC fee schedule or may use the Care 4 Kids program’s eligibility requirements (see below).

Care 4 Kids Program The Care 4 Kids program is a state and federally funded subsidy program that provides child care assistance to low to moderate income families in the state. Participating families receive a Care 4 Kids certificate to cover certain child care costs, which is funded by a federal and state partnership program. The program requires families to meet certain eligibility requirements to receive subsidies, and subsidies are generally available until children reach age 13 (CGS § 17b-749).