Succeeding in the first 1000 days
MIND THE OPPORTUNITY GAP: Tasha’s Story
Why, despite our best efforts, do we still have children in Connecticut
entering school behind their peers, not fully ready to learn and
succeed?
Right from the Start (RFTS) is a Connecticut initiative that evolved from
the outcry of parents, early care providers, advocates and a range of
community stakeholders for a coordinated comprehensive early care
and education delivery system.
We want a system where all Connecticut children receive the early
education and development support they need.
Right From The Start conversations are bringing together
people in communities throughout Connecticut to identify
the best approaches to address four root causes that are
not receiving enough attention.

We want a system :
• that builds a foundation for learning and development during a
child’s first 1000 days – Early is Good, Earlier is Better
• with accessible health, mental health, and social-emotional
development support – Pay Attention to the Whole Child
• provides all children regardless of race or economic
background with the same opportunities – Mind the
Opportunity Gap
• where local communities are empowered to make effective
decisions for their citizens – Support Local Community Action
Video Preview: Important ideas and themes:
 “Gaps” in the early childhood system
 Achievement gap
 Opportunity gap
 “Age in”
 Inequities in the system
 Care 4 Kids
 Connecticut Works
SHOW VIDEO
(Insert still shot/link to video)
What would you tell your friends
who asked you about this video?
What important ideas did you hear in
this video?
about
about
about
about
about
what children need?
parents and families?
child care providers?
health care provides?
other services?
Why is this important to you?
How well are services in our community
doing in meeting the needs of children
and families in all economic situations?
Which of the following approaches
would make the system work better for
those who need the most help?
Approach A
Reduce barriers and increase access to
early childhood education, healthcare
and special services that support
parents and families.
“Programs like Early Head Start and Nurturing
Families reach the most vulnerable children at
an important stage of development.”
Approach B:
Create a system that supports both
generations by making sure that
parents have education, training and
job opportunities, as well as early care
and education for their children.
“Along with meeting basic needs, parents need
systems to work together so they can find and keep
jobs while their children are well cared for.”
Approach C:
Make public system more accountable
for the impact policies have on racial
and economic disparities. Policy makers
are responsible for how well the system
works and for deciding which families
and children receive services.
“The only way to serve the most vulnerable
families is to have a system of public support.”
WHICH IS THE BEST OPTION FOR
BUILDING A SYSTEM THAT CLOSES THE
OPPORTUNITY GAP?
Approach A: Reduce barriers and increase
access to early childhood education,
healthcare and special services that support
parents and families.
What are the advantages of this approach?
… the disadvantages of this approach?
Approach B: Create a system that supports
both generations by making sure that
parents have education, training and job
opportunities, as well as early care and
education for their children.
What are the advantages of this approach?
… the disadvantages of this approach?
Approach C: Make public system more
accountable for the impact policies have on
racial and economic disparities. Policy
makers are responsible for how well the
system works and for deciding which families
and children receive services.
What are the advantages of this approach?
… the disadvantages of this approach?
If you could choose only one of these
approaches which would you choose?
Why?
What was the most important idea
you heard today?
What do you like about that idea?
Why is that important?
What did you learn or hear about today
that you would like to know more about?
Is there anything that you, individually,
might do or do differently, as a result of
today’s conversation?
What would you like to see happen to
follow up on today’s conversation?
(ADD THE LOCAL PLAN OF ACTION AND
OPTIONS FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION)
We invite you to join our growing
network. Go to our website:
[email protected]
◦ Share your thoughts, feelings, and insights in
the Your Voice section.
◦ Connect with others in53 Discovery
communities working collaboratively to improve
early childhood.
◦ Learn more in our Resource section.