Champion equitable policies and practices at local, state, and federal levels, amplifying community voice to improve outcomes for all.

United Way Coastal and Western Connecticut works to stabilize households by meeting urgent basic needs while advancing long-term, equitable systems change. With 42% of households living at or below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold, our policy agenda prioritizes solutions that strengthen economic security, improve health outcomes, and expand educational opportunity. Through advocacy, collective impact, and targeted investments, we focus on both immediate relief and structural reforms that address root causes. Our goal is a region where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Who is ALICE?

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties, 42% of households – 336,000 - are at or below the ALICE Threshold. These households either find it difficult to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation, child care, healthcare, and utilities or are just one crisis away from financial instability.

Understanding the full impact of ALICE in our community is crucial for effective advocacy. Dive deeper into the data and learn more about the challenges faced by ALICE households by exploring our detailed ALICE report or see a snapshot of ALICE in our community by clicking here. For more ALICE data by state or federal legislative districts, explore the United For ALICE Legislative District Tool.

2026 LEGISLATIVE ASKS

To download our 2026 Legislative Agenda, click here. A Spanish version is also available, here.

#1 Legislative Priority: Early Care and Education

Strengthen Early Care and Education: Prioritize the Early Childhood Endowment, eliminate the Care4Kids waitlist, raise 0–3 rates, and implement prenatal-to-three developmental screening to stabilize providers and ensure families can access affordable, high-quality early care and education.

Secure state funding for Cora’s Kids Family Child Care Network, serving Greater Danbury and New Milford. Learn more here.

Check out CT Early Childhood Alliance’s 2026 Advocate’s Guide (EN/SP) for testimony resources and the latest bill information
Read Child Care for CT’s resources to learn more early care and education issues and solutions

Bills We're Watching

HB 5002: AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION FUNDING, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

HB 5163: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE TO STUDY METHODS AND PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVING AFFORDABILITY FOR CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

HB 5326: AN ACT INCREASING THE RATES FOR THE BIRTH-TO-THREE PROGRAM

HB 5375: AN ACT CONCERNING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE WORKING GROUPS

SB 298 AN ACT CONCERNING THE REALLOCATION OF CERTAIN STATE FUNDS AND VARIOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, GENERAL GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES AND WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

SB 265 AN ACT CONCERNING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE CARE 4 KIDS PROGRAM AND CERTAIN CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

#2 Legislative Priority: Child Tax Credit

Enact a permanent, refundable $600-per-child CT Child Tax Credit to provide flexible, reliable income for 250,000 households, including 350,000+ children -- helping working families manage the cost of raising children while strengthening the state economy with an estimated $414M in annual economic output. In UWCWC’s footprint, a Child Tax Credit could benefit 60k+ households and infuse $69 million into the regional economy every year.

Customize the CT Child Tax Credit Coalition’s online form to send a letter to your legislators and the Governor.
Learn more about the Child Tax Credit and check out She Leads Justice’s Legislative Change Toolkit

Bills We're Watching

SB 6 AN ACT CONCERNING SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 
SB 76 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CHILD AND DEPENDENT TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX
SB 103 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT
HB 5032 AN ACT ADJUSTING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2027
HB 5134 AAE A REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX

#3 Legislative Priority: Universal No-Cost School Meals

Provide free lunch for reduced-price–eligible students and free breakfast for all to reduce food insecurity and ensure every student has the nutrition they need to learn and thrive.

Check out the School Meals for All CT Coalition FAQs

Bills We're Watching

SB 6 AN ACT CONCERNING SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES 
- See SB 6 testimony templates
HB 5144 AN ACT CONCERNING FUNDING FOR SCHOOL MEALS
- See HB 5144 testimony templates
HB 5214 AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOL MEALS

#4 Legislative Priority: Advance Equitable School Funding

Index the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) formula foundation to inflation to fully fund schools and prevent cuts or added local tax burdens.

Learn more about the Education Cost Sharing Formula from School + State Finance Project, including a quick video explainer.

Bills We're Watching

SB 7 ACT CONCERNING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY
HB 5002 AN ACT CONCERNING EDUCATION FUNDING, SPECIAL EDUCATION AND EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS
HB 5033 AN ACT IMPLEMENTING THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EDUCATION

#5 Legislative Priority: Addressing the Fiscal Controls

Protect and Strengthen the Social Safety Net: Ease benefit cliffs in Care4Kids, TANF, and SNAP with phased transitions and hold-harmless protections, and safeguard SNAP and health care through state action and emergency funding to help families maintain stable access to essential programs and break the cycle of poverty.

Check out CT Voices for Children’s and CT Project’s SNAP advocacy resources

Dive deeper into cuts to the social safety net - Read Data Haven’s estimated SNAP reductions, impact of SNAP cuts and projected Medicaid and Access Health CT losses.

Explore CT Voices for Children’s policy options to offset federal cuts

Bills We're Watching

Your Voice Matters! Act TODAY!

Only have 1 minute? Customize online letters to your legislators and the Governor in support of the Child Tax Credit, School Meals for All, Early Childhood Education and Opportunity Youth

CT Child Tax Credit Coalition

American Heart Association’s Healthy School Meals for All

CT Project Action Fund – SNAP and HUSKY
Child Care for CT - Sign up to stay updated
School and State Finance Project Action Center: ECS, School Meals

1. Take 5 minutes to call and email your legislator and the Governor.

Identify your legislators where you live or work here.

Call or write an email to your legislators and the Governor today! A simple message can have a big impact!
Need help? Check out our Submitted Testimony or contact Tida Infahsaeng at tida.infahsaeng@unitedwaycwc.org

2. Reshare and like UWCWC’s social media: Facebook and Instagram

3. Attend an Advocacy Day in Hartford – For more details email tida.infahsaeng@unitedwaycwc.org