In addition to a $14.1 million proposal announced last week to continue education reform efforts in Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Feb. 4 a new Office of Early Childhood for improved programs and services for children ages zero to five.
The new agency will combine the programs previously held in five separate state agencies and continue to build off the $9.8 million early childhood initiatives passed in 2012, which created 1,000 new spots for early learners.
About $370,000 has been designated to the new office, as a part of  Malloy’s budget proposal to be released Feb. 6.
According to several economic development specialists, children without support during their earliest years are more likely to drop out of school, earn lower wages, depend on government program or be incarcerated.
Additionally, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said last summer that returns on investments in early childhood programs are estimated to reach 10 percent or higher.
