Contact: Lisandra Sanchez-Crespo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2012

New London, CT Statewide Even Start Director’s Coalition will launch an “I Heart Even Start” initiative on February 14th to thank local and state legislators for their support in keeping the three remaining programs alive after federal funding was cut last March. The group hopes to increase public awareness of the importance of this comprehensive literacy-based program and bring more families in need into this network of parent/child-based literacy support.

The Connecticut Even Start Programs served 62 families last year. Its design includes five required components that address an Even Start family’s literacy needs. These components include: Adult Education; Early Childhood Education; Parenting Education; Interactive Literacy Activities (parent and child together); and home-based instruction (parent and child together). The Even Start program is operated by partner organizations that represent early childhood (School Readiness, Head Start) and adult education (Regional Educational Service Centers). Programs are evaluated on both quality and outcomes of program components and their participants.

Due to continued budget cuts, Even Start’s outreach has decreased over the past ten years going from eleven programs in 2001 to three remaining programs including sites in Middletown, New London and Torrington. Through systems development and enhancing its sophisticated outcome measures to track return on investment, the Connecticut Even Start is positioning itself to be a lead experience model for expansion. One step towards meeting this goal was taken last spring. Through dedicated outreach on behalf of the Connecticut Even Start Director’s Coalition and its families, $500,000 was allocated in the state budget to keep the remaining three programs operating with hopes of expanding statewide.

Representative Michelle Cook; D-65 Torrington, Representative Andy Fleischmann D-18; West Hartford; Senator Toni Nathaniel Harp D-10; New Haven & West Haven, Mathew Lesser D-100; Durham, Middlefield & Middletown, Senator Andrea Stillman; D-20 East Lyme, Montville, New London, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Salem and Waterford, Represntative Diana S. Urban; D-43 North Stonington & Stonington, and Representative Toni E. Walker; D-93 New Haven played an integral role in this effort that has received national recognition. This accomplishment that was unique to Connecticut was highlighted in the November 2011 U.S. Department of Education’s Even Start News Bulletin (http://www.evenstartnetwork.net/_version2b/assets/doc/pdf/bulletin/Nov%202011.pdf)

The benefits to society on a whole far outweigh the expense to run these programs. In a basic view of early intervention benefits, one child in need of public school special education services could incur additional expenses anywhere from$10,000-$$30,000 annually. Last year, 69 high risk children participated in Connecticut’s Even Start Program – a potential cost savings of $690,000 - $2,070,000. The return on investment is not just economical it has social benefits as well. Even Start’s multi-generational approach empowers the whole family. Last year, adults enrolled in the program spent an average of 35 hours a month learning to speak English and/or working towards a high school equivalency. Today’s Connecticut Even Start Programs are building on the successes of the past. Eighty-eight percent of GED and High School Diploma or high school equivalency students made progress toward literacy or toward attaining their diplomas. In addition, 74% of the children made expected gains in meeting expected learning standards in reading/reading readiness as measured by the CT Early Childhood Assessment, Developmental Reading Assessment or the Connecticut Mastery Test. When combined with the progress parents have demonstrated through the Parenting Towards Literacy Rating Scale,(Kristine Mika Associates, 2010), Even Start data illustrates the impact that the Even Start Program have towards closing the achievement gap.

These successes and future plans will be share during a fun, family “Valentine’s Day” themed celebration at each of the three sites where families and staff can meet and personally thank legislators who made this opportunity possible and help to give insight into how this outreach truly makes a positive difference at the local level.