DISCOVERY PROJECT 2003

What is the Discovery Project?

Last year West Hartford, along with forty-seven other Connecticut communities, received a Discovery Grant from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. The purpose of West Hartford’s grant was to discover ways to ensure that all children in town enter kindergarten ready to succeed. A Discovery committee was formed to move this initiative forward.

Who makes up the Discovery Committee?

The Discovery committee is a collaborative of community members including educators, childcare providers, town officials, parents, business owners, and seniors. Any member of our community is encouraged to join the committee.

What happened in the Discovery Project 2002?

• The Discovery Project 2002 contracted the Connecticut Policy and Economic Council (CPEC), a nonprofit organization, to gather information on the supply of childcare, preschool, social services, health care and dental care for children birth to eight years old. Transportation access to these services was also researched. CPEC then compiled their results into a report of services and issues surrounding early care and education in West Hartford. This anecdotal information, compared with the raw data collected by CPEC will help us to fine tune an action plan to meet the needs of West Hartford families with young children.

• The Discovery Project also organized a Community Conversation on Early Care and Education, under the direction of the League of Women Voters. Over 100 community members gathered to discuss the issue of early learning as it pertains to our West Hartford community.

What are the goals and objectives of Discovery Project 2003?

Our goal is that all West Hartford children, aged three to five, will have access to affordable, high quality early education so they enter kindergarten with the necessary learning and life skills. This year our objectives are to:

• Expand the Discovery Team to include a broader representation of the community.
• Through a strategic planning process, develop our mission and a public statement of beliefs, values, objectives and strategies.
• Organize support to implement the action plans.
• Provide growth and learning opportunities for the collaborative committee members.

How can you become involved in the Discovery Project 2003?

Call Paula Stabnick, project coordinator, at (860) 521-9365. There are many different ways to be involved in this project. Show your community that you care!