Connecticut Voices for Children

10/15/2026

Our communities deserve to be counted.

Census data help determine representation in Congress and inform how resources are distributed to communities across the country. An accurate census depends on counting everyone, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, or immigration status.

You still have time to weigh in on proposed changes to the 2030 Census. Tell the Census Bureau why an accurate and inclusive count matters to you, your family, your work, or your community.

Public comments are due November 2: https://handsoffourcens.us/comment-guide.html

10/13/2026

When families have the support they need, fewer people live in poverty. When that support goes away, more families struggle to make ends meet.

Our new report, "Poverty and Public Benefits in the U.S. and Connecticut, 2019–2025," examines just how much programs like SNAP, Medicaid, and other public benefits matter for Connecticut families.

In 2021, expanded government assistance helped bring poverty to historic lows. But as those programs ended, poverty began to rise again.

Now, with new federal cuts to food assistance, health care coverage, and other essential programs taking effect, more families are struggling to afford the basics.

The report also looks at different ways we measure poverty, showing why the numbers don't always tell the full story of what families are experiencing.

📊 Read the full report to learn what's changed, what's at stake, and what it means for Connecticut families: https://ctvoices.org/publication/poverty-and-public-benefits-in-the-u-s-and-connecticut-2019-2025/

10/12/2026

Connecticut. Mystic. Niantic. Naugatuck. Housatonic.

We see these names on maps, road signs, rivers, and communities across our state. But how often do we stop to think about where they came from?

Indigenous languages and histories are woven into the places we call home. These names offer just one glimpse into a much larger story, one that began long before Connecticut became a state and continues through Indigenous peoples and communities today.

This , we’re taking a closer look at some familiar names and the histories they carry. Because understanding Connecticut means understanding its full history, and every child deserves the opportunity to learn it.

10/10/2026

voters are sending a clear message: essential services need investment.

A poll commissioned by the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance found that 86% of Connecticut voters surveyed believe the state should step in to help address federal cuts to social services. The consequences of federal cuts are already being felt. As CT Mirror highlights, our research found that nearly 63,000 Connecticut residents have lost SNAP benefits since July 2025, roughly twice what state officials initially projected.

Connecticut has choices about how we respond. We can pass a state funded food assistance program in the image and likeness of the federal SNAP. As families face rising costs and cuts to essential programs, we must ensure our state’s resources are working for the people who need them.

Read more from CT Mirror: https://heyor.ca/1Z7K39

The poll also found that more than half of respondents would ease CT budget caps to bolster human service programs affected by federal cuts.

10/08/2026

With comprehensive federal safeguards still lacking, states have an important role to play in determining how AI develops and how people are protected. has already taken meaningful steps, but this work is far from finished.

Other states are moving quickly, too. California recently expanded protections for children and families and is pursuing greater independent oversight of advanced AI systems. Connecticut has a foundation to build on, and as AI becomes more powerful and more embedded in our lives, we need policies that keep pace and put the safety and well-being of children and families first.

We raised these questions in our report, Beyond the Algorithm: AI Governance for Building Safe Digital Futures. The technology has continued to evolve since then, making that work even more urgent.

The future of AI isn’t predetermined, and we have the power to shape it.

Read our report on ctvoices.org or check out yesterday's newsletter (https://heyor.ca/miVUs5) to learn more about how Connecticut can build a safer digital future.

10/07/2026

Your voice matters, and you don’t have to wait until Election Day to use it.

Early Voting for Connecticut’s 2026 general election runs from October 19 through November 1, giving voters 14 days to cast their ballot in person before Election Day.

Most Early Voting locations are open from 10 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours from 8 AM to 8 PM on October 27 and 29.

Not registered yet? Eligible Connecticut residents can also use Same-Day Registration during Early Voting for the general election.

Make a plan that works for you. Find your Early Voting location, check your registration, and learn more at MyVote.CT.gov.

Election Day is November 3.

10/06/2026

Mark your calendars for our 26th Tax and Budget Forum!

On December 15, 2026, we’ll discuss how we can build a fair, equitable, and sustainable fiscal future for Connecticut’s children and families.

RSVP for this virtual statewide event: bit.ly/voicesbudget26

10/04/2026

Head Start has helped children and families thrive for more than 60 years, but now, proposed federal changes could upend the quality standards that make the program so effective.

These standards help ensure children receive high-quality early learning, developmental screenings, family support, and inclusive services for children with disabilities. We can’t afford to lose them. Now is the time to speak up. Use our public comment template to tell federal leaders why Head Start matters and why these critical standards must be protected. Every voice matters. Submit your comment today and share this post to help your community understand what’s at stake: https://bit.ly/4bAn9nk

10/03/2026

Looking for some family fun this October? 🎃

Connecticut Paid Leave is hosting its Family Fun Expo in New Haven, bringing families together for a day of fun, activities, and community!

📅 Saturday, October 10
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Dixwell Community House “Q House,” 197 Dixwell Avenue, New Haven

Save the date, bring the family, and spread the word!

10/02/2026

Voting absentee in Connecticut just got easier. 🗳️

Starting today, October 2, absentee ballots are available for the November 3 general election. And this year brings an important change: you no longer need an excuse to vote absentee in Connecticut.

Any active Connecticut voter can request an absentee ballot, giving voters another option for making their voices heard this election.

You can request your ballot online or submit a paper application to your Town Clerk. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 2, and completed ballots must be received by your Town Clerk by 8 PM on Election Day, November 3, to be counted.

Make your voting plan and learn more through the Connecticut Secretary of the State: https://portal.ct.gov/sots/election-services/voter-information/absentee-voting