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 andprepare 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 provideflexibility 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 andeducation and (B) enhancement of a family's capacity to meet the special needs of the children, includingchildren with disabilities(8) reduce educational costs by decreasing the need for special education services for school age children and toavoid grade repetition(9) assure that children with disabilities are integrated into programs available to children who are not disabledand(10) improve the availability and quality of school readiness programs and their coordination with the services ofchild care providers
