Substitute Senate Bill No. 6 aims to enhance resources and support for infants, toddlers, and disconnected youth in Connecticut by designating the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) as the lead agency for administering the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program, replacing the State Department of Education (SDE) in this role. The bill modifies the existing child nutrition outreach program to focus on increasing participation in the federal School Breakfast Program and the Summer Food Service Program, while removing references to the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It also introduces "kindergarten preparatory academies" for children who turn five after the school year begins, with the SDE responsible for developing guidance on these programs. Additionally, the bill establishes the Connecticut Smart Start competitive grant program, increasing grant amounts for preschool programs and requiring boards of education to demonstrate need and submit expenditure plans.

The bill imposes new licensing requirements for municipal youth camps, which were previously exempt, and expands the Early Childhood Cabinet's membership to include the executive director of the Connecticut Library Consortium. It mandates the OEC to maintain a document outlining developmental milestones for children aged birth to five, conduct quarterly reviews of children referred to the Birth-to-Three program, and provide support to teenage parents. The OEC is also tasked with reporting on the effectiveness of the Sparkler mobile application by January 1, 2026. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline and enhance early childhood education and nutrition programs while imposing new regulatory requirements on youth camps.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-215h, 10-506, 10-514
KID Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-215h, 10-506, 10-514
File No. 199: 10-215h, 10-506, 10-514