City of Shelton, Connecticut
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Shelton Early Childhood Capacity Development

Here is your chance to make a difference for the next generation of children in The Shelton Early Childhood Capacity Development Project has started a data collection campaign this fall and we need your help in taking this five-minute survey. All you have to do is click here to take SURVEY

An important goal for everyone

The goal of this project is important to everyone. We plan to develop a comprehensive community-wide plan for young children from birth through age eight that encompasses:

  • Early Care and Education
  • Social
  • Emotional
  • Behavioral
  • Physical Health
  • Family Support

This plan will align with the priorities established in Connecticut’s Early Childhood Framework, “Ready by 5 and Fine by 9” and needs to be completed by June 30, 2009.

A unique private/public partnership

The funding for the project is being provided by a partnership between

  • The Connecticut Early Childhood Cabinet
  • The State Department of Education, (funding approved by the State Legislature)
  • The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund

Shelton's funding

Shelton applied for this funding along with twenty-six other communities in a competitive grant process. All twenty-seven communities received some level of funding; while Shelton received $50,000 for the period of January 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

How we got started

The Shelton School Readiness Council (SSRC) launched the project by:

  • Securing the Funding
  • Setting an overall plan for the project
  • Providing general guidance and oversight

Steering committee formed

A Steering Committee was formed that is comprised of representatives and leaders from various sectors of the community.

This group is responsible for overseeing and leading the planning process and is being co-chaired by two Shelton Residents
  • Mala Vaish, a parent
  • Ted Pisciotta, Assistant Fire Chief in Shelton

Many community members involved

The 26 members of the Steering Committee include a cross-section of the community:

    Caitlin Augusta, Pat Banfe, Carolyn Berritto, Catherine Bradshaw, Joe Coleman, Patricia Curran, Karen DaSilva, Charlene DeFilippo, Ken Giangregorio, Rev. Tim Hare, Marge Heffel, Debbie Horvath, Eileen Lopez-Cordone, Pam Lorenzo, Cara Mocarski, David Morgan, Laura Mutrie, Julie Penry, Luce Rubin, Andrew Spadinger, Carla Sullivan, Shelly Taylor, Paul Vivian, John Walsh, Rev. Jack Whritenour and Debra Wurms.

Plan to be published

Once completed, this plan will provide a blueprint for Shelton to follow as to the issues that most effect children ages birth through age eight. The plan will illustrate where Shelton’s focus should be in regards to:

  • Education
  • Social
  • Emotional
  • Behavioral
  • Physical Health
  • Family Supports

Impact the entire community

This comprehensive plan will impact the entire community of Shelton for years to come and will be important for our future workforce. It will provide a guidepost for policy makers and involved citizens to make decisions about where to focus energy, time and resources to support Shelton’s youngest children and their families.

Other ways to stay involved

Thank you for completing our survey. There are a number of other ways you can get involved:

  • Host a focus group
  • on one of the subcommittees: early care and education, family support, and health care.
  • Be involved in community events that promote the plan.

For more information

Anyone interested in getting more involved should contact Cara Mocarski, the Shelton School Readiness Coordinator at 929-1430 or email to Shelton Readiness