ALICE Advocate - October 15, 2026 Edition

Take Action 

Help Inform Care4Kids 

Are you a child care provider or caring for a child at home? 

Make your voice heard! The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood is partnering with Prenatal to Five Fiscal Strategies to understand the true cost of providing child care and help inform future Care 4 Kids payment rates. 

Make your voice heard:

The survey and input sessions are available in English and Spanish, with other languages available upon request when possible. All information will remain confidential. 

Learn more: www.prenatal5fiscal.org/connecticu


Explore Solutions to Help Connecticut Families Thrive 

Since 2019, financial hardship in Connecticut has increased by more than 14%, with 570,000 working families struggling to afford basic needs. In the UWCWC region, 42% of households are ALICE or below. 

For a family of four with two young children, meeting basic needs in our region costs approximately $136,000 a year. 

Together, we can take action to help Connecticut families thrive. 

Connecticut United Ways Priorities: Learn more HERE 

  • Establish a Fully Refundable Connecticut Child Tax Credit to help families meet the rising cost of raising children. 
  • Invest in 211 to Meet Increasing Demand and ensure Connecticut residents can connect with the resources and support they need.

 

EVENTS

 

The CT Nonprofit Alliance | Fairfield County Legislative Candidate Forum 
September 28, 6:00 PM | 9:00–11:00 AM | Maggie Daly Arts Cooperative, 1042 Broad Street, Bridgeport   

The Alliance and its member organizations will host an in-person legislative candidate forum connecting local nonprofit organizations with candidates for state representative and state senator. The forum will provide an opportunity to hear candidates’ priorities and educate them about issues affecting nonprofits and the communities they serve. Nonprofit staff, volunteers, and community members are encouraged to attend. Registration is required. RSVP Today. 

Darien Library | Immigration: Community, Policy and People 
October 20, 2026, 7:00–8:00 PM | Darien Library, Community Room, 1441 Post Road, Darien   

Darien Library will host a community conversation on immigration, current national policies, and their effects on immigrant communities in Connecticut. Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund, will join community immigration leaders and advocates for a discussion about current challenges and available perspectives and resources. The panel will include representatives from Building One Community, The American Immigrant Legal Clinic, Person-to-Person, and The Connecticut Project. Registration is required. Register HERE.
 

CT Cradle to Career Coalition | Statewide Convening on Kindergarten Readiness 
October 29, 8:30–11:00 AM | Ballroom, Western Connecticut State University – Westside Campus, Danbury   

Darien Library will host a community conversation on immigration, current national policies, and their effects on immigrant communities in Connecticut. Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center and Immigrant Justice Fund, will join community immigration leaders and advocates for a discussion about current challenges and available perspectives and resources. The panel will include representatives from Building One Community, The American Immigrant Legal Clinic, Person-to-Person, and The Connecticut Project. Registration is required. Register HERE.

UPDATES FROM HARTFORD 


Connecticut Career Pathways Commission | Virtual Public Feedback Session  
October 17, 2026, 10:00 AM (Virtual) 

The Connecticut Career Pathways Commission will host virtual public feedback sessions to gather input on its draft recommendations. Participants will hear an overview of the Commission’s work and proposed recommendations, then have an opportunity to ask questions and share perspectives to help inform the final  recommendations. Review the draft recommendations here and register for the Zoom session.  

CT Office of the Treasurer | Early Childhood Education Endowment Meeting & Public Hearing 
October 21, 4:00 PM (Meeting), 5:00 PM (Public Hearing) | Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 2B, Hartford & Virtual  

The Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board will hold its annual public hearing to receive public input on the endowment and early childhood education. Pre-registration is required by 5:00 PM on October 20 to speak in person or virtually. Register here to participate.

CT Office of Early Childhood (OEC) | Family Child Care Community Engagement Session 
September 29–October 29, 2026 | Virtual and in-person sessions statewide   

OEC is hosting community engagement sessions to gather feedback from family child care system partners and providers on the future of the Family Child Care support system. Spanish interpretation is available for both in-person sessions. Registration is required; see the full schedule and register for a session HERE. 

Family child care educator sessions: 

  • October 22 – Virtual, Spanish only 

  • October 24 – Virtual, English with Spanish interpretation 

  • October 28 – In person, Waterbury 

  • October 29 – In person, New Haven 


NEWS AND RESOURCES 

Listen: Rooted in Impact, a United Way Podcast 

Read:

DSS SNAP and HUSKY Updates 

New/Updated Partner Outreach Resources: 

Have questions? Visit www.unitedwaycwc.org/advocate or contact Tida Infahsaeng at tida.infahsaeng@unitedwaycwc.org.