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Malloy Calls For New Office To Better Serve Connecticut Preschoolers

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy plans to reintroduce a bill to formally establish a Connecticut Office of Early Childhood to provide a comprehensive, collaborative system for delivering improved programs and services to children from birth to age 5 and their parents.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced plans to formally establish a statewide Office of Early Childhood.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has announced plans to formally establish a statewide Office of Early Childhood.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tito Davila

"I signed an Executive Order last year establishing the Office of Early Childhood because this fundamental priority was too vital to put on hold," Malloy said in a statement. "With another legislative session on the horizon, I believe it’s critical that the office be statutorily created to ensure future continuity of services. A smart, coordinated system that makes sure we are providing quality services to the children who need them is an important part of our effort to give everyone in our state the chance to succeed throughout their lives."

Passage of the bill would codify into statute the agency which was created by Executive Order No. 35 signed by Malloy last June. The legislation is also necessary to detail the transfer of authority of the other state agencies to the OEC.

“A strong foundation in early childhood education helps to ensure that our youngest children are not starting out already behind," Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor said in a statement. "The preparation of all our children for lifelong success is a shared responsibility across state agencies. The creation of the Office of Early Childhood establishes a critical partner in this work and promises to be an indispensable resource for young children and families.”

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