The Panel was charged with developing a 5-year strategic plan for a child care system that works for families, providers, and Connecticut’s economy.
Governor Lamont initiated the Blue-Ribbon Panel on Child Care by Executive Order in 2023. The Panel’s strategic plan will:
- Be actionable and data-driven
- Prioritize equitable access to early care and education
- Support families, providers, and the state’s economy
Our goal is to develop an equitable, high-quality, and sustainable system that ensures that every child has a quality educational foundation that will prepare them to grow, learn, and succeed.
Read the Panel’s report
On December 8, 2023, the final report was submitted to the Governor’s office. Read the report now.
The culmination of over a year of work, the Report incorporates extensive feedback from Blue Ribbon workgroups, national and local experts, Panel members, and other stakeholders, including providers, parents, businesses, and advocates.
You can also see how the report evolved by reviewing our draft outlines:
- Draft outline version 3 (October 2023)
- Draft outline version 2 (September 2023)
- Draft outline version 1 (September, 2023)
Working with early childhood leaders
On October 29, OEC and Governor Ned Lamont brought together state leaders and early childhood experts at the State Capitol’s Legislative Building for Shaping Connecticut’s Tomorrow: A Conversation with Early Childhood Leaders.
The event and discussions were built on the Blue Ribbon Panel’s goals to drive positive policy and system changes for children and families.
Check out resources from the event
- Watch a recording of the event from the Connecticut Network
- View the agenda
- Read the OEC Blue Ribbon Panel Plan: Year One Progress report
- View our progress visual
Learn more about the Panel’s work
Review videos, minutes, and other materials from past meetings. Visit the Blue Ribbon Panel meeting page.
We need the input and support of Connecticut’s families, providers, employers, and community members. Tell us your ideas for improving child care in Connecticut on our feedback page.
See how we helped others learn about our work and get involved.
• Flyer for parents (English) (Haitian) (Portuguese) (Spanish)
• Flyer for professionals (English)
2023 Blue Ribbon Panel timeline
Panel met to initiate the planning process
Panel met monthly
Review to assess proposed plan contents
Review of the draft plan — which was extensive to ensure broad-based feedback
Panel submitted the final plan
Panel members
Panel members are parents, early childhood education experts, business leaders, higher education, public school, and child care and education providers and legislators.
- Senator Eric Berthel
- Audette Bisaillon
- Emily Byrne
- Shawn Coyne
- Representative Jeffrey Currey
- Chris DiPentima
- Jamie Eden
- Dr. Monette Ferguson
- Diana Jepsen
- Dr. William Johnson
- Katherine Lantigua
- Courtney Larkin
- Karen Lott
- Althea Marshall-Brooks
- Representative Kathleen McCarty
- Senator Douglas McCrory
- Garrett Moran
- Kailyn Nadeau
- Fran Rabinowitz
- Jessica Sager
- Melissa Turner
- Carmelita Valencia-Daye
- Maria Del Pilar Vargas
Learn about the advisory groups that helped inform our approach and work.