Take Action
Head Start: Proposed Federal Changes
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has proposed changes to Head Start standards that would weaken key requirements for teaching, staff qualifications, health and safety, family engagement, and services for children with disabilities - reducing the quality of care and education for children growing up in poverty.
Read: First Five Years’ State Of Play: The Head Start NPRMs (Rules and Regulation Changes)
Take the Next Step: Child Care for CT is asking CT residents to contact their state legislators and encourage them to consider signing onto a public comment.
📣Use Child Care for CT’s form to contact your legislators HERE.
📝Want to submit a comment directly to HHS? Find templates and resources on the Together for Head Start Linktree. Need help? Join Together for Head Start’s Comment Support Office Hour Thursday, October 1, at 3:00 PM ET. Register here.
The deadline to participate is Tuesday, October 6.
EVENTS
CT Immigrant Support Network | Special Webinar on TPS Changes
September 30, 6:00 PM | Zoom
The CT Immigrant Support Network will host a special webinar on recent changes to Temporary Protected Status (TPS), immigration policies, and available resources for Connecticut residents. The session will provide information on how these changes may affect residents, including details on state assistance, upcoming legal clinics, and other community resources. Interpretation will be available in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and Arabic. Register and see more details HERE.
CT Mirror | In The Room with U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal
October 7, 4:30–5:30 PM | SHU Community Theatre, 1420 Post Road, Fairfield
CT Mirror’s In The Room series will feature a live conversation between U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and CT Mirror Executive Editor Elizabeth Hamilton. The discussion will cover the upcoming election, generational changes in politics, child safety, and how Congress can respond to developments in technology. Doors open at 3:30 PM. The event is free and open to all, with in-person and livestream options available. Registration is required; find event details and registration information HERE.
CT CWCSEO | CWCSEO CivicsCon 2026
October 8, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Legislative Office Building, 300 Capitol Avenue, Hartford
The Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity & Opportunity’s CivicsCon 2026 is a three-day civic engagement conference exploring Voice, Voting & Volunteerism. Through interactive panels, activities, and community discussions, participants will explore ways to strengthen Connecticut’s civic health, bridge divides, and build stronger communities. Sign up and see more details on the in person and virtual events HERE.
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.
DATES FROM HARTFORD
CT Office of Early Childhood | Family Child Care Community Engagement Sessions
September 29–October 29, 2026 | Virtual and in-person sessions statewide
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is hosting a series of community engagement sessions to gather feedback from family child care system partners and providers on the future of the Family Child Care support system.
Family child care educator sessions: October 22 and 24 (virtual) and October 28 and 29 (in person, Waterbury and New Haven). Spanish-language and interpretation options are available for select sessions.
Registration is required; see the full schedule and register for a session HERE.
CT Office of the Treasurer | Early Childhood Education Endowment Public Hearing
October 21, 2026, 5:00 PM | Legislative Office Building, Hearing Room 2B, Hartford
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.
NEWS AND RESOURCES
Listen to Rooted in Impact, a United Way Podcast
- Confusion And Angst Follow Early Rollout Of Medicaid Work Rules
- Lamont administration signals universal free school lunch is still on the menu
- Report: Economic instability in CT hits lower-income families hardest
- Benefits Lost: Mapping Town-Level Declines in SNAP Coverage Since the Passage of H.R.1
DSS SNAP and HUSKY Updates
How You Can Help
We're asking our community partners to help members get ready:
- Encourage up-to-date contact information: Make sure DSS has current phone, email, and address. Save important numbers to recognize DSS calls and texts.
- Promote the prescreeners: It only takes a few minutes and will let you know if you qualify for an exemption.
- Know what counts: Part-time work, job training, community college courses, and formal volunteering may all qualify. Not sure? DSS can help.
Community Partner Outreach Resources
- SNAP and HUSKY Health online prescreeners
- DSS HR-1 information webpage
- DSS HR-1 non-citizen eligibility webpage
- See the latest Stamford HUSKY Stay Covered Task Force Newsletter for local updates
Have questions? Visit www.unitedwaycwc.org/advocate or contact Tida Infahsaeng at tida.infahsaeng@unitedwaycwc.org.