Corey P. Paris

I am pleased to announce that I have been selected by Connecticut Voices for Children's as this year's First for Kids honoree! CT Voices is a research-based advocacy organization dedicated to improving the financial wellbeing of Connecticut children and families, particularly those that have been historically disadvantaged.

The First for Kids event is an annual celebration that spotlights issues of importance and leaders who have worked to advance CT Voices' mission of improving family economic security and economic justice. This year's event will focus on the young leaders who have leveraged social media to engage their peers and provide access to accurate information that impacts young people's lives.

I am pleased to be named as this year's honoree for Connecticut Voices for Children's First for Kids celebration. Access to childcare and high-quality academic opportunity are vitally important for our state and families, especially as we rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic and work to move Connecticut forward.

Children often are among the first to be impacted by social, economic, and healthcare disruptions. To help relieve parents, I voted to support the inclusion of a child tax payment in our state budget. We also made other investments in children that include:

• Increased funding for infant and toddler care programs
• Increased pay to childcare workers to attract and retain more educators
• An expansion of the successful Birth to Three Program
• Assisting local childcare facilities with renovations

I continue to be focused on making our childcare system more resilient and supporting parents and guardians.