Stratford School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council

The Stratford School Readiness and Child Care Advisory Council, affectionately known as SRACCAC, is the voice for early care and education in the Town of Stratford.  The SRACCAC fosters joint planning and action between the Town government and the Stratford Public Schools on behalf of all Stratford children birth through age eight.  Advisory to the Mayor and Superintendent of Schools, the SRACCAC is comprised of early childhood professionals, community organizations including the Stratford Library Association, public school personnel, Town department representatives and parents.

The SRACCAC formed in July of 1998 as one of the requirements of Stratford's School Readiness grant from the State Department of Education.  Although the School Readiness grant continues to provide child care scholarships for 15 eligible three and four year olds, the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (GMF) has provided funding for the planning and action work of the SRACCAC since 2002.  At that time, Stratford was selected along with 48 other communities throughout the state to improve the lives of its youngest children by expanding the supply of high quality early care and education; increasing the quality of early childhood education; building strong connections between early care and elementary education; and improving students' social, emotional and academic performance. To date, GMF has dedicated over $32 million to improve the lives of Connecticut's youngest children.

The SRACCAC has made great strides toward meeting these goals during the last six years, and in 2007, deepened its commitment to early care and education by beginning a formal planning process with the goal of creating a comprehensive early childhood plan - Stratford's Promise to Young Children. This plan will align with two larger early childhood initiatives at the state level called First Words, First Steps and Ready by Five and Fine by Nine, which are the vision of Governor Rell's Early Childhood Cabinet.

The SRACCAC broadened its membership at the start of this new planning process in 2007 and became the Promise Leadership Work Group.  The Leadership Work Group (LWG) anticipates a June 2009 completion date for Stratford's Promise to Young Children.  When completed Stratford's Promise will provide the Town of Stratford with a blueprint for early care and education that will focus on a commitment that All Stratford children birth to age eight are safe, healthy and have access to the quality supports and learning experiences they need to achieve school success.

Residents interested in early care and education are invited to participate in the SRACCAC LWG. Please call Stratford Parents' Place at 203-381-6992 for more information or to get involved. 

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