Weekly Digest: March 26, 2009

Event: CT Voices for Children Annual Budget Forum

CT Voices for Children will host its 8th Annual Budget Forum - State Budget Options for a Stronger Connecticut on April 15, 2009.  Registration will begin at 2:00 and the program will run from 2:30-5:00.  The event will be held at the State Capitol in the Old Judiciary Room.

Event Description: The next few years will be challenging for the state budget, and our state needs creative solutions that preserve the programs and services that make Connecticut a great state in which to raise a family. This forum will explore budget options that can help to keep Connecticut strong and help families and communities prosper.  The agenda for State Budget Options for a Stronger Connecticut will include the following presentations:

* The Role of State Government in an Economic Downturn
Miles Rapoport, Demos

* State Strategies for Balancing Budgets
Jon Shure, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities

* Revenue Solutions to Connecticut’s Revenue Problems
Douglas Hall, Connecticut Voices for Children

* Maximizing Federal Revenues
Shelley Geballe, Connecticut Voices for Children

* Panel of Respondents
Panel of legislators

Space is limited - Reserve your seat today!
Please RSVP to Linda Deemy via e–mail at ldeemy@ctkidslink.org or by phone at (203) 498-4240

For an event flier and related links, see the CT Voices Web site:
http://www.ctkidslink.org/announcement_76.html

Grant Opportunity: Target Early Childhood Reading Grants

Target Early Childhood Reading Grants support programs like weekend book clubs and after-school reading programs that foster a love of reading and encourage children, from birth through age nine, to read together with their families. The maximum award is $3,000.  Schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations are eligible to receive these grants.

Deadline: May 31, 2009. 

For more information, visit the Target website at http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031821

Early Childhood Alliance Talking Points

The Early Childhood Alliance has developed a set of Early Childhood talking points which can be found on the Alliance website at http://www.earlychildhoodalliance.com/talkingpoints