Thriving Children, Thriving Community - TC2

What was the Thriving Children - Thriving Community (TC2) Project?
Through the Thriving Children - Thriving Community (TC2) Project, members of the Windsor community have created a community based plan to improve the wellbeing of Windsor's youngest children.  The goal of the TC2 plan is that all Windsor children ages birth through eight will come to school ready, willing and able to succeed as caring, capable and confident learners.  The TC2 planning project finished in June 2009.  

Now that the TC2 project has completed, the work of the plan is passing to Windsor's Early Childhood Council (ECC) which has agreed to be the steward for moving the agenda of the plan forward in Windsor.  Together with town leadership, school leadership, businesses, the health community, child care providers, the faith community, civic organizations, parents and other collaborative partners, the ECC plans to guide the work forward.

Why is early childhood important to you?
Young children are our future.

Education and care for young children impacts every Windsor resident, young and old.  Proven research shows that children who get a good start will later on experience:¹

• Higher employment rates
• Better earnings
• A greater commitment to community
• Higher grades
• Fewer anti-social acts
• Fewer referrals to remedial classes
• Lower detention rate
• Lower pregnancies
• Lower drug abuse and delinquency

    Isn't this what we want for our children and for Windsor?

How can you be involved?
The planning project is over, but the work continues.  We need you! Your thoughts, ideas and experiences are welcomed, needed and highly appreciated.  You can:
~      Share your ideas and concerns
~      Lend a hand as you are able
~      Openly support The ECC and policies and practices that support early childhood.  

If you or someone you know would like to participate in this exciting journey, or if you would like more information about this project, please contact the Laurel Slate at 860-688-4597.

Who funded this project?
This project was sponsored by 4 local groups:  1) Windsor Health Department, 2) The School/Family/Community Partnership - most commonly seen in our school Family Resource Centers (FRC's), 3) Windsor¡¦s Early Childhood Council (ECC), and 4) The School Readiness Council.  TC2 is supported by a collaborative grant from the Graustein Memorial Fund, the Governor¡¦s Early Childhood Cabinet and the CT Board of Education.  The grant reflects a landmark partnership and collaboration between public and private funders.

Support for Windsor¡¦s early childhood agenda extends beyond dollars.  This work is helped by countless volunteer hours, shared space, shared resources and trusting relationships.

¹The High/Scope Educational Research Foundation's Perry Preschool Project." National Mental Health Information Center. United States Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 10 June 2009.