Collaborative concludes 15th year, disbands

TORRINGTON — After 15 years of collaboration with more than 60 organizations and hundreds of volunteers, the Torrington Early Childhood Collaborative is passing the baton on its early childhood initiatives to existing community committees, and will no longer meet as an organized group.

This move has been implemented as TECC’s funding cycle from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund (WCGMF )comes to an end. The fund is now focusing on race and equity in education.

TECC membership included a diverse group of passionate individuals who were committed to ensuring the success of all of Torrington’s children, from birth through third grade. The collaborative was created in 2002 when the Torrington Public School system, City of Torrington and EdAdvance were invited to partner with the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund’s Discovery Grant Initiative, aimed at improving early school success for young children.

Through a variety of small work groups comprised of parents, educators, healthcare providers, state and city government, business, faithbased and other community providers, TECC was able to increase the quality of existing early care and education in Torrington through public policy and advocacy, parent empowerment, quality care and education, and successful transitions from Pre-K to Kindergarten.

Through dedicated and consistent leadership, the group secured over $5 million in public/private grants to help create positive outcomes for Torrington’s youngest residents. Its parent-guided creation of the District Wide Kindergarten Readiness Fair, as well as its free back to school clothing and supply event that has served over 4,000 families collectively will continue with a focus on schools supplies being offered and an annual event.

The free clothing portion will be phased out after this year, but school supplies will remain as a part of an annual event led by the Police Activities League. Parents can call 211 to find out where local organizations provide free and reduced priced clothing throughout the year.

An increase in parental civic engagement, affordable preschool slots providing comprehensive services and dual language learner programs are other initiatives that TECC has brought to Torrington. TECC cosponsored a training on race and equity via a continued partnership with WCGMF. Potential future work around this initiative will be championed by existing collaboratives that focus on community outreach.

A celebration of its accomplishments and display of TECC memorabilia will be a part of the Junior Dress for Success free back to school clothing and school supply event, scheduled for this Saturday, Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Torrington Armory.

Commenting on her over ten years in a leadership role, parent and co-chairperson Cheryl Petersen said, “TECC has been like another family through the years. It was there growing, teaching and supporting me and the people of Torrington in great ways. It will be truly be missed.”