UNITED WAY LAUNCHING SUCCESS BY 6 AT
FAIRFIELD U. EARLY CHILDHOOD FORUM

BRIDGEPORT, CT - (January 16, 2004) United Way of Eastern Fairfield County will play a major role in supporting early childhood readiness initiatives throughout its six-town service area in 2004 and beyond. As one of the first components of United Way's multi-faceted approach to impacting successful early childhood development, Merle Berke-Schlessel, Esq., President and Chief Professional Officer of the agency, plans to introduce the local 'Success By 6' (SB6) chair at a Fairfield University forum on January 23.

The Fairfield University forum, the second of a two-day series featuring Art Rolnick, Senior Vice President and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank, will examine the relationship between early childhood development and future economic development strategies. Both the Fairfield event and a preceding forum in North Haven January 22 will feature Rolnick, guest speakers and panels discussions with business, community and political leaders.

Berke-Schlessel will close the second day of the series with the introduction of both the 'Success by 6' initiative and its newly-appointed Chair. According to Berke-Schlessel, SB6 is the largest network of public-private community partnerships, engaging policymakers and stakeholders at federal, state and local levels to work toward building a comprehensive national early childhood system.

"Success By 6 enables communities to provide their children the best opportunity to succeed by the time they enter school," said Berke-Schlessel. "For the past 15 years, this nationwide program has achieved positive results for young children and families. SB6 provides national and local leadership in the areas of public policy, proven solutions and partnerships as they link critical early childhood development issues to educational success, economic strength and a competitive workforce."

Berke-Schlessel said the local United Way, which serves the communities of Fairfield, Stratford, Trumbull, Monroe, Easton and Bridgeport, is energizing the local SB6 initiative after findings from the agency's Community COMPASS project pointed to early childhood development, school readiness and related issues as top priorities in those communities. More recently, United Way of America announced its intent to make SB6 its top community impact initiative in 2004.

Lieutenant Governor M. Jodi Rell will also speak at the January 23 event, lending her voice to the issue of ensuring that all children enter kindergarten healthy and ready for school. Lieutenant Governor Rell has spoken on the early childhood issue on several occasions, most recently in a November forum where she stated that "providing coordinated, affordable, effective pre-school is essential to ensuring success." State Department of Education Commissioner Betty J. Sternberg will address the January 22nd event, along with Rolnick and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano.
Berke-Schlessel said United Way of Eastern Fairfield County is co-sponsoring and utilizing the forum for its launch of the local SB6 initiative because the program will have such broad and crucial implications for businesses, economic development, the educational arena and to taxpayers in Eastern Fairfield County.

Numerous Connecticut and national studies have demonstrated both the short and long-term return on dollars invested in high-quality early childhood programs, such as School Readiness in Connecticut, with as much as $7 returned for every $1 invested.

"Based on the information I've seen, these long-term savings come from reduced spending on special education services, reduced welfare assistance, higher taxes paid for higher earnings, and reduced crime costs," Berke-Schlessel said. "I understand that in Bridgeport, studies have shown that children who participate in a quality School Readiness program make gains that are sustained beyond kindergarten. In Stamford, School Readiness has already raised reading achievement, lowered retention rates, and decreased the need for special services for participating children."

The two day series is made possible through the generosity of several sponsors including The Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges; SACIA, The Business Council of Southwestern Connecticut; Bridgeport Regional Business Council; Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation; Connecticut Voices for Children; Connecticut Commission on Children; United Way of Eastern Fairfield County; Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition; and Ready, Set, Grow…CT Kids!

For further information on the local United Way initiative or to reserve a seat at either of the conferences, please contact: Andrea Kovacs, Sr. VP, Marketing and Community Relations at United Way, 334-5106, ext. 309 or via email (preferred) at akovacs@thewaytocare.org.

United Way focuses on what matters, and builds stronger communities by supporting nearly 80 health and human service programs that helped more than 180,000 people last year. United Way funded programs impact a range of critical services in its six town service area including Bridgeport, Easton, Fairfield, Monroe, Stratford, and Trumbull. A complete list of local United Way partners and initiatives, and a link to United Way's Virtual Volunteer Center can be found on the website, www.thewaytocare.org.