Champion equitable policies and practices at local, state, and federal levels, amplifying community voice to improve outcomes for all.
At United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut, we believe that every individual and family should have the opportunity to thrive. With 42% of households living at or below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold across Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties, ALICE households are a focal point of our work. Our advocacy efforts are rooted in equity, collective action, and a commitment to creating long-term, systemic change that fosters well-being and financial security for everyone.
Who is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. In Fairfield and Southern Litchfield Counties, 42% of households are at or below the ALICE Threshold. These households either find it difficult to afford basic necessities like housing, food, transportation, child care, healthcare, and utilities or are just one crisis away from financial instability.
Understanding the full impact of ALICE in our community is crucial for effective advocacy. Dive deeper into the data and learn more about the challenges faced by ALICE households by exploring our detailed ALICE report or see a snapshot of ALICE in our community by clicking here.
2025 LEGISLATIVE ASKS
To download our 2025 Legislative Agenda, click here.
#1 Legislative Priority: Child Tax Credit
Support a Permanent, Refundable Connecticut Child Tax Credit: A permanent, refundable Child Tax Credit at $600 per child. In Danbury, 85% of low to moderate income families could receive up to $8.8M in refunds, representing more than $12M in potential local economic activity.
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Send a letter to your reps on the Child Tax Credit: Link
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Learn more about the Child Tax Credit: Link
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Child Tax Credit Fact Card: Link
Bills We're Watching
- HB 5986 "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX. To establish a refundable child tax credit." - $600/child
- SB 740 "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CHILD TAX CREDIT. To establish a refundable child tax credit." - Starting at $150/year
- SB 119 "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CHILD TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.
- SB 112 "AN ACT ESTABLISHING A CHILD AND DEPENDENT TAX CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX"
#2 Legislative Priority: Universal No-Cost School Meals
Every child has access to nutritious food, helping them succeed in school and supporting overall well-being.
Bills We're Watching
- H.B. No. 6864 AN ACT CONCERNING THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM...
- SB 1217 “An Act Providing School Meals to All Students”
#3 Legislative Priority: Early Care and Education
Identify a stream of funding for the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund to provide immediate resources and long-term sustainability to parents and caregivers in the early care system.
Identify state funding for Cora’s Kids Family Child Care Network, serving Greater Danbury.
Bills We're Watching
- HB 6899 Early Educator Pay Equity: This bill would create a pay equity grant at OEC to give all Early Care providers funds to raise the salary and benefits of their employees to the levels in the compensation scale developed by OEC for the state funded programs.
- HB 6987 An Act Creating the Universal Preschool Endowment: HB 6887 establishes a Universal Preschool Endowment, initially funded with up to $300 million from Connecticut's FY25 unappropriated surplus, with future surpluses also directed to the fund. Starting in FY26, the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) can use up to $30 million annually (or 10% of the endowment balance in future years) to expand subsidized preschool through a mixed delivery system, including public schools, family child care homes, and centers, with a focus on making preschool free or affordable for families earning under $150,000. As the endowment grows, the number of subsidized preschool slots will expand—reaching an additional 20,000 by 2032—while also increasing provider payments to ensure early educators earn wages comparable to public school staff with similar qualifications.
#4 Legislative Priority: Enhance 211 Call Center Capacity
Invest an additional $2 million to ensure the 211 system is adequately staffed, enabling the service to respond to an additional 2,000 callers per week.
#5 Legislative Priority: Leverage 211 to Address Youth Disconnection
Invest $1 million in 211 to reduce youth disconnection - Fund additional call center specialists, a youth-focused awareness campaign, and flexible funds to bridge gaps in existing services for the 119,000 young people aged 14-24 who are at risk or disconnected from school or work.
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RSVP for 211 Day at the Capitol: Link
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Send a letter to your reps on the Child Tax Credit: Link
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Register for ALICE Advocacy in Action: A Step by Step Guide to Advocacy - January 29th | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM | Register for Webinar
FOR MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions or would like to discuss this policy agenda, please contact: Ashley Gaudiano, Ashley.gaudiano@unitedwaycwc.org.
For additional information, visit alice.ctunitedway.org