Senate Democrats voted this week to advance legislation to support children’s development, with provisions providing stricter oversight of municipal camps, improving youth nutrition and supporting disconnected youth in order to bring them back to schools and workplaces.
The largest focus of Senate Bill 6 involves its efforts to improve state regulations for municipal camps, efforts that came after horrific reports out of Bethany, where a parks and recreation employee was charged last year with committing sexual assault agaisnt several children.
Parents including Amy Lestinsy, whose daughter was among the children assaulted, said the bill’s additional oversight, including licensing, background checks of employees and inspections, will reduce the chances of future abuse in such circumstances.
“This was a horrible situation which never should have occurred in the first place for a variety of reasons. Now, with this bill which hopefully will pass in the House and be signed into law by the governor, we can help reduce the chances of this ever happening again,” said Sen. Jorge Cabrera, a Democrat who represents Bethany. “I want to thank the parents of Bethany for bringing this to my attention and for being such valuable and courageous partners in creating this legislation and in raising public awareness of this issue.”
That’s just one function of the larger bill, however, which has nearly a dozen sections seeking to improve youth development in Connecticut. Another focal point of its language connects early childhood education programs, group homes and family care homes with the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program. While these organizations can access program benefits, many are unaware, and their lack of involvement can cost Connecticut up to $30 million each year, with 20,000 children possibly accessing food through it just in the state.
The bill expands state oversight and seeks to help the more than 90,000 disconnected youth in Connecticut – youth who are not involved with education or employment. It increases the groups reviewing state reports and incorporates additional data from across state organizations, adding studies of child care subsidies and early childhood family support programs to the information tracked.
“The last half-decade exposed and worsened disparities throughout our state, and addressing those disparities now is crucial if we are going to start turning the tide,” said Sen. Ceci Maher, D-Wilton. “This bill will help reduce youth hunger by utilizing new connections between early childhood care programs and state offerings. It will help bring disconnected youth back into education and employment by increasing frequency and depth of communications. We’re looking to provide the early-life resources that lead to better overall outcomes for children and I’m excited to see the results once this bill becomes law.”
Among the bill’s actions, which earned it more than two dozen co-sponsors across the legislature, is an expansion of the Early Childhood Cabinet, dissemination of more public information about the Help Me Grow program and other early childhood development programs for young families, and analysis of a mobile application that offers development screenings and access to supports to young families.
