Specifications include, but are not limited to: Purpose of Grant as outlined in Connecticut General Statutes 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 to avoid 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.
