Sally E. Bahner Photo
BELC administrators and teachers, BECC reps, parents, and legislators met to discuss early childhood education funding.
There’s the belief that Branford’s streets are paved with gold, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Teachers and board members of the Branford Early Learning Center (BELC) presented some grim statistics to state legislators at a recent meet and greet. BELC is funded through the Department of Social Services and provides childcare and early childhood education to children of working parents.
BELC is part of the Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC), a town-wide group of individuals and organizations working toward improving opportunities for kids from birth to age 8.
BECC received $18,883 from state’s Office of Early Childhood this year, but given the anticipated budget cuts even that small amount of money could be in jeopardy. At the Branford Early Learning Center (BELC) tuition is on a sliding scale and many parents receive funds through Care4Kids, which is part of the state Office of Early Childhood. Care4Kids helps low to moderate income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs. To qualify, a family’s income must be below 50 percent of the state median income, depending on the number of people.
“Any extra income might jeopardize benefits,” said Diane Pappacoda, BELC director. “You can’t not take a child.” She said in addition to regular day care centers, there are 10 to 12 licensed home care providers that receive funds through Care4Kids.
Robin Comey, BECC coordinator, said, “The community is changing.” She presented some grim statistics that reflect the fact that Branford’s social service agencies reach out to a substantial number of working poor.
Comey said since 2009, there’s been a 71 percent increase in those qualifying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); a 44 percent increase in the number of kids in Kindergarten through grade 4 participating in free and reduced lunch programs; a 70 percent increase in the number of cases of abuse and physical neglect, which includes inadequate food, shelter or supervision, and impaired behavior.
Comey said that parents who are connected with social services are less likely to be neglectful.
On the plus side, the town has a lot to offer.
State Rep. Lonnie Reed (D‑102) said, “A lot of people are moving into town and their children are thriving.”
Jennifer Kelly, project coordinator for BECC, moved to Branford from East Haven after her divorce, specifically for the school system and the community. “I can’t say enough good things… My son is thriving.”
Comey added that one in four children are ESL (English as a second language) students and that 200 children a year cycle in and out of the school system. Reed added that Michael Pascucilla of the East Shore Health District keeps track of people as they move. “Money follows the child,” Reed said.
Paul Dzialo of the East Shore Region Adult and Continuing Education program, (ERACE), agreed, saying, “As people from East Haven and New Haven learn about our resources, they’re migrating” to Branford. He said adult education is becoming a “learning hub,” adding adults “need reading, writing, and math skills.”
He spoke of a local motel owner who helped the homeless by providing free lodging, clothing, and books.
He added that Family Resource Centers, such as Branford’s, “are closing the gap and bringing people to the next level.” He said that challenges are being addressed, but asked, “Are we meeting our goals?”
Reed said that 45 countries were represented during the recent naturalization ceremony held at Branford High School. “All were fluent,” she said. “All had gone to Paul’s ESL program.” She described the event as “a microcosm of the American dream reborn.”
However, Reed said the ECS (Educational Cost Sharing) formula, the largest general education assistance grant to Connecticut towns, “doesn’t work… we’re trying to figure out what programs are working. (Funds are based on the number of students in a district, the educational needs of the students, and the town’s grand list wealth.)
Michele Krumenacker, director of the Branford Family Resource Center, said that the state mandates 12 hours of professional development. “I have to pay for that,” she said. “The state takes away money, yet mandates unfunded mandates.”
“People become disincentivized,” said Reed.
Dzialo said, “We need to tap into opportunities for retaining quality people.”
State Rep. Sean Scanlon (D‑98), who represents Stony Creek, Pine Orchard and Guilford, weighed in via telephone, acknowledging the importance of these programs. “We want to be advocates.”
Photo by Diane Pappacoda
Ted Kennedy Jr. visits BELC classroom and performs magic tricks for the kids. .
State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr. visited the kids and teachers in the classroom before the meeting, performing some magic tricks to their delight. He said he missed having small kids around, especially on Halloween, when he called a neighbor so he and his wife, Kiki, could enjoy the costumes. Before leaving for another meeting, he said there was “a lot of pressure at the state level” regarding funding.
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Early childhood education should be a priority. We need to provide for these kids. Seems way more important than enlarging the rear entrance to the library, or building a grand senior center or community center. Bricks and mortar are great, but investing in kids has so much more impact on the community. They are our future. Have the folks at Early Learning Center fully tapped into volunteer help? Are seniors involved in working with the kids? I'd love to know more.