Connecticut Voices for Children released a report that examines Connecticut’s school to prison pipeline and the racial disparities that exist across programs and systems. The report, entitled “Beyond Exclusionary Discipline: Re-Conceptualizing Connecticut’s School to Prison Pipeline to Address Root Causes,” identifies several structural and systemic factors that push students through the school to prison pipeline, which fall into three categories: discrimination, physical and mental well-being, and socioeconomic status.  Additionally, Connecticut Voices for Children offers the following recommendations that seek to mitigate the factors that make it more difficult for students to achieve in school and put students at an increased risk of facing exclusionary discipline and justice system involvement:

• Connecticut schools should provide additional counselors, social workers, and therapists to support students and teachers.
• Connecticut schools should hire teachers and administrators who have backgrounds that are relatable to the students they serve.
• Connecticut schools should dramatically limit the use of exclusionary discipline to create an environment that is supportive, not punitive.
• Connecticut schools should provide teachers and administrators with ongoing training and support on anti-racism.
• Connecticut schools should expand services and partner with other organizations to provide greater support to students and their families.

CT Voices partners with The Narrative Project, a communications consultancy. Press inquiries on this report should be directed to The Narrative Project via email at media@narrative-project.com or telephone at 203-913-5008

*Now with an epilogue that outlines the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (P.L. 116-139)*

Connecticut Voices for Children released a report that outlines the three, large, coronavirus-related Congressional bills to date. The report, entitled “Federal Efforts to Address the Coronavirus Pandemic & the Ensuing and Precipitous Economic Downturn” examines The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (P.L. 116-123), which became law on March 6, 2020; The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (P.L. 116-127), which became law on March 18, 2020; and The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), which became law March 27, 2020.  This report, in three parts, describes the key provisions of these federal efforts, with emphasis on those most relevant to Connecticut children and families.

Connecticut Voices for Children will host a webinar and Q&A with the report’s author on Tuesday, May 5, 2020 from 2pm – 3pm.  The webinar will be geared to municipal elected officials but is open to everyone.

CT Voices partners with The Narrative Project, a communications consultancy. Press inquiries on this report should be directed to The Narrative Project via email at media@narrative-project.com or telephone at 203-913-5008

Connecticut Voices for Children released a second crisis response report, as part of a series of reports, that outlines what the state can do to support children and families during and after the COVID-19 crisis. The report, entitled “The State of Early Childhood: Can Connecticut’s Struggling Family Child Care Providers Fill a 50,000 Child Care Gap Amidst the Coronavirus Recession?” examines the status of Connecticut’s child care industry, specifically family child care providers, before the coronavirus pandemic and finds the state continues to see the following: a shortage of child care slots, high child care costs that are not affordable to most families, and a continuing divide between preschool experience between higher- and lower-income towns. The report explores responses to the pandemic that can help state policymakers create a stronger early childhood environment necessary for rebuilding Connecticut’s economy.

CT Voices partners with The Narrative Project, a communications consultancy. Press inquiries on this report should be directed to The Narrative Project via email at media@narrative-project.com or telephone at 203-913-5008

Connecticut Voices for Children released its first crisis response report, as part of a series of reports, that outlines what the state can do to manage a recession and recovery that best supports children and families during and after the COVID-19 crisis. The report, entitled “Supporting Connecticut’s Economy: A Program to Manage the Coronavirus Recession and Recovery,” includes a total of six recommendations. Each recommendation categorized into two buckets: Using Monetary and Fiscal Policy to Support the U.S. Economy, and Using Fiscal Policy to Support Connecticut’s Economy.

CT Voices partners with The Narrative Project, a communications consultancy. Press inquiries on this report should be directed to The Narrative Project via email at media@narrative-project.com or telephone at 203-913-5008