Advocacy Archives | Honey Bear Learning Center, INC.

Honey Bear contributes to round table discussion with Governor and OEC Commissioner

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | June 1, 2021

Two women smiling in a bright office with computers and screens.

Director, Catherine Vanicky, and Program Coordinator, Jackie Valle, pose for a photo at the end of their zoom meeting with Governor Ned Lamont, OEC Commissioner Beth Bye, and Merrill Gay, Executive Director at Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. Cathie and Jackie discussed the staffing crisis currently facing the Early Childhood community and advocated for additional funding…

Honey Bear hosts forum with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro about expanding Care4Kids

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | September 25, 2019

Two women smiling with two young girls in a warm indoor setting.

On Monday morning, a group of 20 parents and advocates meet with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro at Honey Bear Learning Center in Stratford. They celebrated the first substantial Care4Kids increase in payments to child care centers in 17 years. That rate increase was made possible by additional CCDBG funds, championed by Congresswoman DeLauro in the last…

March Rally results: Families now pay less, and programs paid more

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | July 1, 2019

Teacher reading a book to a diverse group of young children in a classroom.

After being stuck in neutral for years, the reimbursement rate for children served under the Care 4 Kids [Connecticut’s child care subsidy] program is going up. In Southwestern Connecticut, the reimbursement rate for infant-toddler care will increase from $221 to $300 a week and the preschool rate will increase from $175 to $210 a week.…

Honey Bear testifies in Hartford to advocate for higher teacher wages

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | June 3, 2019

Two women standing indoors near a large window with city views.

Honey Bear Director, Cathie Vanicky, and Program Coordinator, Jacqueline Valle, travel to Hartford to testify for increased teacher wages to the Education Committee on Early Childhood. They visited the offices of House Majority Leaders to present their testimony and left their written testimony with those not in their offices.

Honey Bear helps advocate for better [teacher] pay, and family affordability

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | March 22, 2019

Local advocates present a poster promoting better pay and disability rights.

Jacqueline Valleâ€™s love for early childhood education began in the basement of Good Shepherd Christian Church on Hancock Avenue in Bridgeport. Something about working with small children in a Bible study class gave the city teen a warm feeling. By the time she was 17, Valle was working part time in the infant and toddler…

Honey Bear assists The Early Childhood Alliance to oppose major Care4Kids budget cuts

By Honey Bear Learning Center, INC. | June 23, 2016

Woman speaking at a podium with audience members behind her.