Hartford department outlines FY26 budget increases, expands early learning and youth services

The Department of Families, Children and Youth presented its recommended FY26 budget to the Hartford City Council Operations Management Budget and Government Accountability Committee on the evening of the department budget hearings, outlining program expansions in early learning, youth services and family supports.

Director Christina Baldwin told the committee the department’s recommended FY26 budget is $28,985,847, with a general‑fund component of $3,590,337 and a 5.6% increase from FY25 in the general fund. “We so appreciate the opportunity to be here today to present our FY26 budget for the Department of Families, Children, and Youth,” Baldwin said during the presentation.

The department described several areas of growth and grant activity that drove its recommended budget. Baldwin said investments include funding for a service navigator to support family enrollment and workforce stabilization, continued support for a parent‑connecting program, expansion of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) at city early learning centers, and funds for training and professional development for early childhood educators.

The office reported early learning highlights including: - 14 general‑fund full‑time positions and a total of 55 staffed positions in the department; - launched a parent ambassador position and four volunteer outreach ambassadors…