The History & Critical Importance of Juneteenth
On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation
June is Pride Month
"Colorful, uplifting parades with floats and celebrities, joyous festivals, workshops, picnics, and parties are among the principal components of LGBTQ (Gay) Pride Month, which is celebrated in June in the United States. Pride Month commemorates years of struggle for civil
Black Maternal Health Week
This year marks the fifth year anniversary of the Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to: Deepen the national conversation about
OEC’s Parent Cabinet Inaugural Press Event
On April 7, 2022 during the Week of the Young Child, the Office of Early Childhood officially launched their statewide Parent Cabinet. All fifteen Cabinet members were present at the celebration in downtown Hartford. It was truly a joyous occasion
Week of the Young Child 2022
The Week of the Young Child® is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 52 Affiliates. The purpose
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child abuse cuts across all socio-economic groups, races and religions. Most people who abuse or neglect their children are ordinary people whose stressors overwhelm their coping skills. What makes ordinary people lash out at defenseless children? Substance abuse, lack of
Morning Without Childcare
On March 15th, childcare professionals, teachers, advocates, parents, and children gathered in seven locations across the state to advocate for $700 million dollars to help save the struggling childcare system in Connecticut. In Bridgeport, Danbury, New Britain, New Haven, New
Hidden Dangers of Button Batteries
Recently, one of our local early childhood collaborative partners, Enfield KITE (Key Initiatives to Early Education) sponsored a live talk on the Hidden Dangers of Button Batteries. They wanted to share this powerful and moving event with the rest of
March is National Reading Month!
Did you know? March is National Reading Month! We’re joining United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut and our partners through the Hartford Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to ask children and families in central and northeastern Connecticut to pledge to read for at
Celebrating Women’s History Month
The 2022 theme for Women's History Month is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." This theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of