OEC-WBDC partnership expands business supports and grants for Connecticut childcare providers
March 22, 2024 | Office of Early Childhood , Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut
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The Office of Early Childhood and the Women 's Business Development Council outlined a multi-year partnership that aims to stabilize and grow Connecticut's child-care sector by providing business supports and cash and technology grants.
Margaret Gustafson, the OEC lead on the WBDC contract, said the partnership began during the pandemic and is now in its fourth year. "WBDC has already worked directly with over a third of all the licensed providers," Gustafson said, describing free professional development, individualized business coaching and grant programs that help providers navigate zoning, technology and financial challenges.
WBDC vice president Louise Lisboa said the program has reached about 1,500 providers statewide (about 900 family homes and 400 centers) and that the partnership has put more than $6,000,000 in cash and technology grants into the hands of 400 providers. "These providers have gone on to create 73 new businesses, over 450 jobs for educators, and 1,400 new slots for children," Lisboa said, adding that many grantees later accessed external capital.
Tanya Kelly, a WBDC business adviser, said the grants served as a springboard: "Our grantees have gone on to access over $6,000,000 in external capital, including $2,860,000 by childcare grantees," she said.
OEC deputy commissioner Alina Truworthy framed the partnership as one element of a broader "blue ribbon" strategy on child care under Governor Lamont and cited an estimate — described in the webinar as a 7.4 benefit-to-cost ratio — that investment in early care could allow roughly 15,000 parents to rejoin the workforce and add about $2.7 billion to the state GDP.
The agencies urged providers to use WBDC resources (training, coaching, networking and grants) and invited providers to upcoming events where they can learn about supports and advocate for legislative priorities.
Next steps: speakers encouraged attendees to follow legislative developments and consider attending in-person advocacy events in Hartford.
Margaret Gustafson, the OEC lead on the WBDC contract, said the partnership began during the pandemic and is now in its fourth year. "WBDC has already worked directly with over a third of all the licensed providers," Gustafson said, describing free professional development, individualized business coaching and grant programs that help providers navigate zoning, technology and financial challenges.
WBDC vice president Louise Lisboa said the program has reached about 1,500 providers statewide (about 900 family homes and 400 centers) and that the partnership has put more than $6,000,000 in cash and technology grants into the hands of 400 providers. "These providers have gone on to create 73 new businesses, over 450 jobs for educators, and 1,400 new slots for children," Lisboa said, adding that many grantees later accessed external capital.
Tanya Kelly, a WBDC business adviser, said the grants served as a springboard: "Our grantees have gone on to access over $6,000,000 in external capital, including $2,860,000 by childcare grantees," she said.
OEC deputy commissioner Alina Truworthy framed the partnership as one element of a broader "blue ribbon" strategy on child care under Governor Lamont and cited an estimate — described in the webinar as a 7.4 benefit-to-cost ratio — that investment in early care could allow roughly 15,000 parents to rejoin the workforce and add about $2.7 billion to the state GDP.
The agencies urged providers to use WBDC resources (training, coaching, networking and grants) and invited providers to upcoming events where they can learn about supports and advocate for legislative priorities.
Next steps: speakers encouraged attendees to follow legislative developments and consider attending in-person advocacy events in Hartford.
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