Connecticut webinar urges flexible funding and cross‑sector action to shield young children from homelessness

Elena Truworthy, acting commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, opened a state webinar titled “There’s No Place Like Home,” saying that housing stability is foundational for early brain development and child wellbeing.

In a keynote, Sarah Fox, chief executive officer of the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, presented data and called for cross‑sector solutions. Fox said Connecticut faces an acute housing shortage — "nearly 100,000 units," she said — and described a 57% increase in 2‑1‑1 calls for housing and shelter assistance over the past three years. She also cited the coalition’s counts: a single‑day point‑in‑time tabulation showing hundreds of family households experiencing homelessness and a by‑name list with thousands of people statewide, which she said includes families with young children.

Why it matters: Panelists linked those housing pressures to child development and educational outcomes. Anne Giordano, an early childhood specialist at EdAdvance, summarized developmental research and warned that instability during the period of fastest brain growth — between birth and about age 3 — can harm attachment, language, executive function and school readiness. "The science is clear," she said. "We know that brains grow the fastest right between birth and 3 years old."

Speakers described practical responses that local systems are using now. A recorded vignette and a parent who joined the panel highlighted how coordinated services and vouchers can change outcomes: the vignette speaker said enrollment in Early Head Start and receipt of a Section 8 voucher helped her move into stable housing and that her children’s grades improved after the move. On services, panelists emphasized active casework over passive referrals — helping families with paperwork, transportation, language access and direct advocacy with landlords and schools.

Local partnerships and programs mentioned included Head Start on Housing, the Be Homeful diversion program run by the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, FISH (Friends in Service to Humanity) shelter services in the northwest of the state, EdAdvance home visiting and McKinney‑Vento liaisons in schools, and coordinated access through United Way 2‑1‑1 hubs. Deirdre DeCari, executive director of FISH, described shelter capacity and wraparound supports such as vocational connections, a weekly community health presence, and summer camp funding for children.

Panelists repeatedly urged flexible funding and stronger coordination. Fox and others said flexible dollars can prevent entry into shelter: Fox described holiday campaigns that raise small flexible grants and called those funds "critical" because they can resolve immediate barriers that otherwise push families into homelessness. Multiple speakers recommended scaling programs like Head Start on Housing and strengthening enrollment and identification through school‑based McKinney‑Vento supports.

The webinar included concrete outreach and training steps: Michelle Anderson (director of early childhood and family programs at EdAdvance) described working with schools, 2‑1‑1 CAN navigators and shelter case managers to identify families and connect them to home visiting, Head Start, birth‑to‑3 and other supports. Anne Giordano described a "no wrong door" triage and consistent home‑visiting touchpoints that provide predictable support for families amid instability.

Speakers also underscored the human side of services: trust, nonjudgmental engagement and celebrating small milestones (birthday parties, kindergarten graduations) as part of promoting resilience. The host closed by noting that webinar materials and a survey link would be shared with participants for follow‑up.

The webinar did not include formal votes or policy adoptions. Organizers encouraged continuing cross‑sector collaboration and increased flexible funding to prevent unsheltered homelessness among children and families.