Specifications include, but are not limited to: Purpose of Grant as outlined in Connecticut General Statues (C.G.S.) Section 10-16o is to: (1) provide open access for children to quality programs that promote the health and safety of children and prepare them for formal schooling; (2) provide opportunities for parents to choose among affordable and accredited programs; (3) encourage coordination and cooperation among programs and prevent the duplication of services; (4) recognize the specific service needs and unique resources available to particular municipalities and provide flexibility in the implementation of programs; (5) prevent or minimize the potential for developmental delay in children prior to their reaching the age of five; (6) enhance federally funded school readiness programs; (7) strengthen the family through: (A) encouragement of parental involvement in a child's development and education; and (B) enhancement of a family's capacity to meet the special needs of the children, including children with disabilities; (8) reduce educational costs by decreasing the need for special education services for school age children and avoiding grade repetition; (9) assure that children with disabilities are integrated into programs available to children who are not disabled; and (10) improve the availability and quality of school readiness programs and their coordination with the services of child care providers.
