2024 Children’s Champions

Each year, we recognize a select group of legislators from the CT General Assembly for demonstrating their commitment to young children and their caregivers.

Join us in celebrating 2024’s Children’s Champions!

in alphabetical order by last name...

State Representatives Hector Arzeno, Rachel Khanna, and Steve Meskers

with Merrill Gay, Executive Director of the CT Early Childhood Alliance, at member organization Family Centers’ Grauer Preschool in Greenwich.
State Representative Rachel Chaleski

with Vanessa Hawke, Manager of Membership & Advocacy for the CT Early Childhood Alliance, at member organization Danbury School Readiness' 2024 Professional Development Day event.
State Representative Holly Cheeseman

with Merrill Gay, Executive Director of the CT Early Childhood Alliance, at CTECA member organization Carelot Children’s Center in East Lyme
State Representative Robin Comey

with Diane Pappacoda, former Director of member organization Branford Early Learning Center, at the center’s 50th anniversary celebration (and Diane’s retirement party!)
State Representative Michelle Cook

with Merrill Gay (CTECA Executive Director), and Mary Cecchinato (Director, CTECA member organization Torrington Child Care Center)
State Representative Jeff Currey

with Valencia Williams (VP of Operations, YMCA of Greater Hartford), Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA), Laura Floyd (Site Director, East Hartford YMCA), and Chris Pallato (CEO, CTECA member organization CT & RI Alliance of YMCAs)
State Representative Martin Foncello

with Vanessa Hawke, Manager of Membership & Advocacy for the CT Early Childhood Alliance, at member organization Danbury School Readiness' 2024 Professional Development Day event.
State Representative Kate Farrar

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA) at CTECA member organization YWCA Early Learning Center - West Hartford
State Representative Jillian Gilchrest

with Margaret Hann (Executive Director, CTECA member organization Bridge Family Center) and Vanessa Hawke (Manager of Membership & Advocacy, CTECA), at Bridge Family Center’s Family Resource Center inside Charter Oak International Academy in West Hartford
State Representative Dominique Johnson

with Mary Oster, Director of CTECA member organization Norwalk Early Childhood Council
State Senator Julie Kushner

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA), Mini Santosh (Childcare Director, Action Early Learning Center), Michelle James (Executive Director, Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut), Kate Conetta (Danbury Board of Education) and Action ELC staff
State Senator James Maroney

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA), Dr. Patrice Farquharson (Executive Director, CTECA member organization West Haven Child Development Center), and West Haven CDC staff
State Representative Kathleen McCarty

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA) at Carelot Children’s Center’s Waterford location
State Representative Corey Paris

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA) at CTECA member organization Children’s Learning Centers of Fairfield County’s William Pitt location in Stamford.
State Representative Toni Walker

with Merrill Gay (Executive Director, CTECA) at Hope Child Development Center in New Haven