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Ready, Set, Grow...CT Kids! is a 30-month, nonpartisan, citizen engagement campaign designed to build policymaker support for the goal of getting all CT children -- born beginning in 2004 -- to kindergarten healthy and ready for school success. The campaign will recruit "Friends of CT's Young Children" and engage "Children's Champions" to press for supports and resources essential to accomplishment of the public goal. While Ready, Set, Grow does not itself deliver early childhood services, it is a major component in the effort to create a greater sense of priority among policy makers, encouraging them to seek effective solutions to Connecticut's crisis in school readiness. The early years matter Children’s experiences during their earliest years set the stage for their later development and success. Yet, not all of our children are ready for school when they reach the kindergarten door. With only one child for every three adults in Connecticut, we can’t afford for any of our children to fall through this "preparation gap." And with $5 – 6 billion invested in the state’s K-12 public education system each year, we must ensure that our dollars are spent wisely. A smart investment National studies confirm a 400% to 700% long-term return on investment for every early childhood dollar spent! These savings accrue from reduced spending on special education services, reduced welfare assistance, higher taxes paid for higher earnings, and reduced prison costs. Connecticut has exemplary models for getting children ready for school—like our School Readiness Program and HUSKY health care system—and Connecticut research has proven that quality early childhood programs work. Our challenge is to take these kinds of successful programs to scale. We all have a stake We all have a stake in closing the "preparation gap"— parents and mayors; businesses and grandparents; providers, funders, and advocates. The Ready, Set, Grow ... CT Kids! campaign will work with these "big people" to shine a light on the needs of our young children and their parents, support state efforts to identify workable solutions, and persuade state leaders that now is the time to recommit our resources to our youngest children. It is a child’s job to leap out of bed in the morning eager to learn and ready to grow ... It is our job to see that they can, and do. Who is "Ready Rabbit"?
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"Ready Rabbit" is the newest advocate for young children in Connecticut. He is a wonderful blue rabbit who will hop all over Connecticut encouraging adults everywhere to help young children get to school healthy and ready for school success. From the Capitol to the boardroom, look for Ready Rabbit to appear in the most unusual places and have your cameras ready! Ready Rabbit is available for photo opportunities and news stories, along with his expert friends in the Ready, Set, Grow ... CT Kids! campaign. Please contact