Please complete this survey to help us learn more about your needs and hopes as a family with young children!
Local Governance Partners (LGPs) are located in cities and towns that receive Early Start CT funding, or they are regional across multiple communities. They bring together parents, early childhood providers, and community organizations to strengthen services for children from birth to age five. The LGPs empower the community's voice to shape how services are delivered locally. LGPs are part of the Early Start CT system, but they are intended to engage and support all early care and education programs in the community, including those that do not receive state funding.
A group of community members who meet regularly to assess local needs and champion improvements. The Community Table is responsible for engaging parents and offering technical assistance and professional development opportunities to local early childhood providers.
Parent Ambassadors
Sydney, Lauren, and Doris are our community parent leaders who are currently learning from families about what they value and need as they raise their young children. As they grow in their roles, they will be available to connect families with resources and ensure that family voices are central to planning and decision-making.
The Fiduciary
EASTCONN is the local organization that manages the LGP contract and distributes fiscal resources to support the collective efforts of the Liaison, Parent Ambassadors, and Community Table.
The Liaison
Terry Surprenant, Early Childhood Specialist at EASTCONN, is the liaison responsible for coordinating this work, including supervising and mentoring the Parent Ambassadors and supporting community-wide early childhood efforts and partnerships. Terry also provides coaching and technical assistance to Early Start CT programs.
Parent Ambassadors are parents just like you. They are part of the regional Early Roots Collaborative — a group of local parents, community organizations, and early childhood partners in Andover, Hebron, and Lebanon working together to improve supports for young children and families.
Parent Ambassadors:
• Listen to parent experiences and concerns
• Share family perspectives with community leaders
• Help strengthen early childhood programs and supports
• Connect families to local resources
Parent Ambassadors are not evaluators or decision-makers — they are trusted connectors and advocates for families. They listen, share information, and bring parent perspectives into community conversations about local programs and services. Conversations are informal and voluntary. When Parent Ambassadors share feedback, they focus on general themes— rather than names or personal details—unless a family asks for help connecting with a specific resource.
If you’d like to connect, a Parent Ambassador would be happy to talk with you.