HRA - Children & Family Services

Division Heads

Elizabeth Donnellan

Janice Johnson

Day Care

Contact: Roseanne Brockman

Phone: (860) 224-8299

Head Start

Contact: Chuc Nguyen

Phone: (860) 225-4688

Special Ed. Parents Council

Contact: Sharon Saavedra

Phone: (860) 225-8601

Quality early childhood education and family programs have been the cornerstones of HRA's efforts to reduce poverty in New Britain. The Head Start philosophy embodies a comprehensive family centered approach to the delivery of services. State funded Day Care and School Readiness programs targeted to the needs of working parents have augmented HRA's child care programming. Read our Success Stories

Day Care - The Day Care program provides childcare to children of working parents on a sliding scale b ased on a family's annual income. The program provides educational, physical, social and emotional development for children between the ages of two and five.

Head Start/School Readiness - Head Start and School Readiness are comprehensive programs for children in New Britain between the ages of three and five. Head Start serves low-income families and includes transportation. School Readiness serves all families on a sliding scale, based on family income. (Click here for application)

Special Education Parents Council (SEPC) - The goal of the Special Education Parents Council (SEPC) is to improve the quality of life for children with special needs and their families by developing community awareness and understanding of disability issues. The council works with local agencies to develop appropriate programming to address the unique needs of children with speial needs. The council also provides scholarships to summer camp program that cater to children with speical needs.

Success Stories - A single mom was referred to the Day Care Program from New Britain's Spanish Speaking Center. After qualifying for the program she was able to place her child in Day Care which freed up her time to focus on her education. The mother began by taking ESL classes and significantly improved her English. Thereafter, she completed two certificate computer training courses and is now working to obtain her GED. Once she receives her GED, she will utilize HRA's One Stop Center to help her find a living wage job.