Gina Belen, Chair of West Hartford Great by 8; Chris Gomeau, Coordinator Enfield KITE; Jennifer Ryan, Marketing Coordinator Enfield KITE; Kim Bobin, Coordinator Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative; Donna Farr, Manchester School Readiness Liaison; and Lisa Puglielli, Accountability Coordinator Wethersfield Early Childhood Collaborative

We were so pleased to welcome OEC Commissioner Beth Bye to the Connecticut Children’s Collective’s big kick-off quarterly meeting held on December 12, 2019. It was a day of celebration as we unveiled our logo, website, brochures, and other swag to the Collective.

OEC Commissioner Beth Bye speaking to the CT Children’s Collective about the 2Gen Summary Report

We are encouraged that Commissioner Bye is looking to the Collective to help with the 2Gen bill that passed in the Office of Policy & Management (OPM), which is focusing on “systems change in state government and assisting families in overcoming barriers to economic success.” Bye recognizes that the work is already being done across the state by our local partners. She is looking to us to help inform the OEC’s work. She encouraged folks to contact her at [email protected] with any ideas, experiences, or suggestions that they might have regarding the 2Gen work.

Bye spoke of how the OEC under Elena Trueworthy’s leadership was looking to start a 2Gen Parent Advisory Group in January. It was requested that each local partner send Elena the names and contact information of two parents by the end of December that would be helpful in the work that lies ahead. Please contact Elena at [email protected]. It was an informative and inspiring meeting. We are grateful to move into 2020 with such a committed group of folks dedicated to improving the lives of children and families.

We are so proud of the work we have accomplished and thank you for the input that you have provided along the way. A big shout-out to Noemi Kearns, Principal & Creative Director at Ink&Pixel Agency.