Lamont Administration Proposal Focuses on Childcare

Childcare was at the top of Gov. Ned Lamont’s agenda when he delivered his state of the state address before a joint session of the legislature Feb. 7.

The administration’s wide-ranging legislative proposal, HB 5051, features a series of measures, including:

• Consolidating the state’s three early childhood programs into a single program
• Expediting the timeline for aspiring childcare educators to get certified by slashing the current 15-step process to a three-step process
• Opening the process to aspiring professionals with bachelors and associates degrees

The Governor’s bill also calls for expanding the existing childcare incubator program to New London County, providing aspiring childcare educators with business and early childhood training opportunities that will ultimately lead to broader certification and establish additional childcare centers.

The proposal also establishes a Tri-Share Child Care Matching Program in New London County, with costs are shared between participating employees, employers, and the state.

Workforce Issue

The lack of affordable and accessible childcare is one of the biggest concerns of CBIA member companies, making it more difficult to recruit, retain, and maintain an effective workforce.

CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima, who was appointed to the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Childcare, said the issue costs the state economy approximately $1.5 billion annually.

“CBIA convened members this past summer to highlight the issue of childcare affordability and accessibility, and find an effective path forward,” he said.

“The Governor’s proposals are a step in the right direction, and offer much needed relief to parents, and ultimately our workforce.”

CBIA’s Chris DiPentima said the issue costs the state economy approximately $1.5 billion annually.

CBIA’s Paul Amarone said the lack of childcare options was keeping many parents out of the workforce, including a disproportionate share of women.

“The expansion of the child care incubator program will allow aspiring childcare educators to get trained and certified, ultimately expanding accessibility for parents,” he said.

“The tri-share model will serve as a blue-print for the rest of the state moving forward.”

HB 5051 was included in a Feb. 21 public hearing in the Education Committee and will be considered by the committee in the coming weeks.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Paul Amarone (860.244.1978).