CCA’s 2025 Legislative Priorities
After 27 years, CCA’s determination to fight for the legal rights of Connecticut’s most vulnerable children is stronger than ever. Our work with children and families and providers gives us the unique perspective of identifying issues that at-risk children and youth face in their daily lives. This year we will use that knowledge to advocate for systemic changes to support vulnerable kids throughout the state.
Access to Healthcare
CCA will work to address the crisis of children stuck in hospital Emergency Departments, in-patient hospital settings, or who are languishing on waiting lists unable to access the behavioral health care they need. Improving investment in services and infrastructure for our children’s behavioral health system is a top priority.
CCA will continue our advocacy for children with developmental disabilities and seek state reforms to ensure that community-based autism clinics are adequately funded and licensed. Right now, too many children wait for care and are served in settings that are not licensed or inspected by the state.
Building on our multi-year campaign in partnership with the Husky 4 Immigrants coalition and our healthcare partners, CCA will champion efforts to expand HUSKY for undocumented youth through age 16 to 18. For more information, contact the Director of CCA’s Disability Rights, Medical-Legal Partnership Project, Bonnie Roswig or the Center’s Executive Director, Sarah Eagan.
Child Welfare
Building off CCA’s work to ensure older youth in foster care can retain access to their attorneys if they remain with DCF after turning 18, we are seeking to ensure that older youth who suffer abuse or neglect can find safety and support in state care, when needed. For more information, contact the Director of CCA’s Child Welfare Advocacy Project, Josh Michtom.
In collaboration with its partners, CCA will advocate for legislation designed to increase educational success and equity. These legislative initiatives include:
• Preventing school suspensions for children in PreK through Second grade, and mandating these young children receive developmentally appropriate interventions and support.
• Requiring meaningful oversight by the State Department of Education of educational services for students with disabilities, including public reporting regarding corrective actions and interventions undertaken by the State.
For more information, contact the Director of CCA’s Yale Child Study Center, Medical-Legal Partnership Project, Kathryn Scheinberg Meyer.
Youth Homelessness
CCA is working to ensure that state agencies report to an Interagency Council on Homelessness regarding their involvement with, and outcomes for, older youth in their care. These data will inform policies and resource allocation to ensure we target youth who are particularly vulnerable to “aging out” of state care to homelessness. For more information contact Deputy Director and Director of CCA’s Right Direction: Homeless Youth Advocacy Project, Stacey Violante Cote.
Juvenile Justice
CCA’s attorneys are advocating for improved services to help justice-involved youth re-enter their communities with the appropriate support to help them be successful. CCA continues to Co-Chair the Reentry Subcommittee of the Connecticut Legislature’s Juvenile Justice and Policy Oversight Committee, advocating for needed services for youth and families, including vocational, employment and basic need supports. For more information contact CCA Founder and Special Counsel, Martha Stone.
Protecting the Most Vulnerable in Our Community
CCA is working with partners across the state to support initiatives for equitable education funding, strengthening protection for immigrant children, and reducing evictions of vulnerable families from their homes.
CCA is also working to protect children from harmful policies, including efforts to roll back protections for immigrant and LGBTQ youth. We are steadfast in our advocacy for the most vulnerable children in our community.
Access to Transportation
CT SB01243
An Act Concerning Fare-free Bus Public Transportation Services For High School Students, Veterans And Low-income Passengers.
