Robert Sanchez

We are also awaiting a report from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood that details a more equitable early childhood teacher's compensation schedule; it is time these dedicated individuals get fair compensation for their indispensable work.  As House Chair of the Education Committee, I am very pleased with this announcement and I'm looking forward to working with my colleagues and the Governor's office to move these initiatives forward.

 

Some of the areas that we are working on include:

 

1. H.B. No. 6558 (RAISED) AN ACT CONCERNING ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT.  (ED) (LCO 5055) (JFS to Approps)

• Sec. 1: Child Care Incubators

• Allows the OEC commissioner to issue family child care home licenses in FY 22-26 to providers in certain cities who are partnering with another agency for space in a facility
• Sec. 2: Early Childhood Educator Loan Forgiveness Grant Program
• Establishes an early childhood educator loan forgiveness grant program administered by OHE with OEC; eligible individuals must (1) have worked in a licensed child care facility for at least four years; (2) earn an annual salary of less than $50,000; and (3) hold an associate or bachelor’s degree from a public higher education institution with a concentration in early childhood education; grants are given for the remaining balance of the person’s federal or state educational loans
• Sec. 3: Child Care Provider Tax Credit
• Beginning in 2022, allows a tax credit for individuals who have worked at least 6 months in a year as a child care provider with a salary of less than $50,000; credit ranges from $500 to $1,500 on a sliding scale based on the person’s education level

Read Governor's Press Release Here