State Reps. Susan Johnson (D-Windham) and Victor Cuevas (D-Waterbury)
receive "Children's Champion" awards
June 3, 2013
State Representative Susan Johnson, joined Governor Malloy in receiving the 2013 “Children’s Champion” award from the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance.
State Reps. Susan Johnson (D-Windham) and Victor Cuevas (D-Waterbury)
receive "Children's Champion" awards
Rep. Johnson, House Chair the Legislature's Public Health Committee and other legislators were honored June 3 by the Alliance, a statewide membership and advocacy organization committed to improving developmental outcomes in the areas of learning, health, safety and economic security for children ages birth through eight.
“I am very pleased and honored to receive this wonderful award and proud to have been able to help support children’s issues and the creation of the Office of Early Childhood (OEC),” said Rep. Johnson. “The Office of Early Childhood will go a long way toward better coordination and programming for the thousands of children enrolled in many programs across the state.”
“The legislators we chose to honor as Children’s Champions put young children front and center as they shape policy and engage with early childhood advocates to create the most effective early childhood policy for our state,” said Maggie Adair, Executive Director of the CT Early Childhood Alliance. “We chose to honor Governor Malloy because of his on-going commitment to Connecticut’s youngest citizens and their families. He has a vision for building a comprehensive, integrated, aligned early childhood system that works for children, their parents, their teachers, and the community at large,” said Adair.
The proposed early childhood system is outlined in House Bill 6359, which is currently making its way through the legislative process.
“Early learning sets a foundation for our young people that they will build on their entire lives - if we are going to close the achievement gap and ensure children arrive at school ready to learn, early education must be an investment and policy priority,” said Governor Malloy. “I applaud the work being done by the membership of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. In partnership with the Alliance and other stakeholders, we are establishing better, more focused programming, and transforming early childhood care and education in Connecticut.”
Rep. Johnson said, “The early years in the life of a child are critically important in shaping their future.”
Susan Johnson is serving her third term representing Connecticut’s 49th General Assembly District in Windham. She is Chair of the state legislature’s Public Health Committee and a member of the Education and Insurance & Real Estate Committees.