Children First Southeastern Connecticut Regional Council

In order to more effectively advocate and plan for the children and families in the region of Southeastern Connecticut, members from the local Children First and School Readiness Councils of Groton, New London and Norwich came together to create Children First SECT.  With support from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund members have created a unified logo, message and agenda for concerns and issues that effect and impact families throughout the region.  This Council plans region-wide events around early care and family issues, lobbies legislators as a group with a clear and unified message and

Among the initiatives the regional council is involved in is Eat Smart, Grow Healthy.
This initiative is an effort by Norwich, New London, and Groton to instill healthy eating habits at an early age. Three childcare centers, Pooh Corner in Norwich, Riverfront in Groton, and the Connecticut College Child Center in New London, have been selected to participate in this pilot program. A team of consultants is being developed to coordinate with these childcare centers to help staff, parents, and children work together to develop a comprehensive plan for nutritious eating.

Another task the Regional Council has taken up is the creation of a Regional website for Children First and School Readiness.  Through this website, community members can access their local councils for information about local events, meetings, and activities they may be interested in participating in.  The website is a way to keep regional momentum going for important issues on early childcare and family needs and concerns.