Early Start

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Early Start CT is a statewide initiative led by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to unify early childhood funding streams and expand equitable access to high-quality care and education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

The initiative strengthens collaboration across communities to ensure children are prepared for kindergarten and families have access to affordable, high-quality early learning opportunities.

Hartford’s Role as Local Governance Partner (LGP)

The City of Hartford serves as the Local Governance Partner (LGP) under Connecticut’s Early Start CT framework.

As the LGP, Hartford is responsible for:

  • Conducting a Local Community Needs Assessment

  • Coordinating early learning programs across providers and sectors

  • Monitoring program utilization and compliance

  • Engaging families and elevating parent voice

  • Reporting progress and recommendations to the Mayor, Superintendent, and OEC

This work builds upon the foundation of the Mayor’s Cabinet for Young Children and strengthens governance, accountability, and cross-sector collaboration.

From Mayor’s Cabinet to Local Governance Partnership

Hartford’s Mayor’s Cabinet for Young Children has long advised the Mayor on policies affecting young children and families. With the launch of Early Start CT, Hartford transitioned to the Local Governance Partner model to align with state requirements while honoring the collaborative work already underway.

The Local Governance Partnership:

  • Provides strategic leadership through a Community Table

  • Centers family voice through Parent Ambassadors

  • Uses data to guide decision-making

  • Aligns providers, schools, health, and community partners

Community Table & Action Teams

Hartford’s Community Table (Steering Committee) oversees Early Start CT implementation and supports age-focused Action Teams, including:

  • Prenatal–3

  • PreK–Kindergarten

These Action Teams work across health, education, and community sectors to identify service gaps, improve coordination, and support equitable access to high-quality early learning.

Local Community Needs Assessment

The Local Community Needs Assessment is a collaborative, data-informed process that:

  • Examines access to early childhood services

  • Reviews slot capacity and utilization

  • Identifies service gaps for children birth to five

  • Incorporates family and provider feedback

  • Guides strategic planning and funding decisions

This assessment informs Hartford’s Early Start Community Plan and future investments.

Early Start CT Snapshot (FY26)

  • 1,905 funded Early Start CT spaces

  • 700 Infant/Toddler spaces

  • 1,204 Preschool spaces

  • 75 participating providers

Community Table Meetings & Reporting

Meeting Structure

Community Table meetings are designed to support shared learning, dialogue, and collaborative planning. Meetings are structured to prioritize participation, transparency, and equity of voice rather than formal parliamentary procedure.

The Community Table does not function as a legislative or regulatory body and is not required to follow Robert’s Rules of Order. However, meetings are conducted in a manner that promotes openness, accessibility, and clarity.

Meeting Transparency

To support transparency and inclusive engagement:

  • Meeting dates are scheduled and communicated in advance

  • Agendas are shared ahead of meetings when possible

  • Discussion themes, feedback, and next steps are documented

  • Community members and stakeholders may be invited to participate or observe, as appropriate

The goal is meaningful participation and shared understanding, not formal decision-making procedures.

Reporting & Documentation

The Community Table serves as the primary forum for interpreting Local Needs Assessment (LNA) findings and shaping priorities within Hartford’s Community Action Plan (CAP).

As part of Hartford’s Local Governance Partner responsibilities:

  • Key themes and recommendations from Community Table discussions are documented

  • LNA findings and CAP priorities are shared publicly

  • Implementation updates are reported in alignment with state guidance

  • Compliance and fiscal reporting remain the responsibility of the LGP Fiduciary under contract with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC)

The Community Table does not approve funding allocations or oversee regulatory compliance. Reporting requirements related to contracts, budgets, and performance remain governed by state statute and contractual agreements.

Commitment to Equity & Voice

Hartford’s Community Table is committed to:

  • Centering parent and caregiver voice

  • Including cross-sector representation

  • Elevating lived experience

  • Supporting shared responsibility across systems

The emphasis of the LGP model is alignment and coordination, not competition or centralized control.

Public Participation

Hartford’s Local Governance Partnership values community voice and inclusive participation. Community members, families, and providers may express interest in participating in Community Table discussions or related engagement activities. While the Community Table is not a legislative body, meetings are structured to encourage dialogue, shared learning, and equitable participation.

Participation opportunities may include:

  • Community listening sessions

  • Local Needs Assessment engagement activities

  • Focus groups and surveys

  • Public information sessions

  • Action Team discussions

Individuals interested in participating or learning more about the Community Table may contact the Department of Families, Children, and Youth.

Statement from City Leadership

The City of Hartford is committed to strengthening early childhood systems through collaboration, transparency, and shared responsibility.

Through the Local Governance Partnership model, Hartford is building on the strong foundation of the Mayor’s Cabinet for Young Children to ensure families, providers, schools, and community partners work together to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

Early Start CT represents a statewide effort to align systems, elevate family voice, and improve outcomes for children birth to five. Hartford remains committed to implementing this work in a manner that is inclusive, equitable, and grounded in community needs.

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