Opening the press conference, NVCC CEO Lisa Dresdner, Ph.D. welcomed all and noted “how fitting the NVCC location is for the Governor to announce his plan for ‘a transformative comeback for Connecticut,’ because at the community college we, too, transform lives.” 

Dr. Dresdner introduced NVCC Student Government Association Treasurer, Will Herens, III, who reminded the audience of this past year’s challenges and welcomed the governor on behalf of students, faculty, and staff. 

Governor Lamont summarized the historic plan and invited his commissioners to summarize their agencies’ roles in its implementation. “We have a plan in place that will make lasting difference for the state of Connecticut.” 

Beth Bye, Commissioner for the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), led the announcement with plans for “the biggest expansion in childcare that the state has ever known.”  

Vannessa Dorantes, Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families described plans to improve the lives of children in foster care. Lifting children out of poverty, the plan recognizes prevention strategies and ways to collaborate with our community partners. Dorantes noted that the plan is carefully crafted to invest in the next generation, strengthen families, and build up communities.  

Commissioner of Education, Charlene Russel-Tucker, spoke about getting kids back to school, starting with summer learning camps and paving the way for school in the fall. She noted that early investments have a high rate of return and improve quality of life. The commissioner described plans that include working with museums, libraries, and other cultural partners to engage students, emphasizing that all programs will promote renewal and address opportunity gaps.  

Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Commissioner of Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services addressed how the plan will support an expansion of metal health and recovery services to create a stronger and more resilient Connecticut.  

Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, Deidre S. Gifford, described a Rescue Plan that will focus on reducing health disparities before they start, taking lessons from COVID and turning them into opportunities by investing in public health. The plan will fund new community health workers to serve children and families and get to the roots of health disparity. 

David Lehman, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development outlined “transformational investments” to support economic opportunities that focus on workforce investment. The plan has three main aspects – grow opportunities, make critical investments, and invest in the livability of cities and towns. Lehman described a plan to help people get back in the game and get a job for which he referenced apprenticeships programs and collaboration with the community colleges.  

Melissa McCaw, Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management described the basic financial tenets of the plan. McCaw noted that Connecticut has received over $6 billion to support recovery, with portions going to cities and towns to defeat COVID, continue testing and vaccination, invest in the future through infrastructure and small business. The plan includes provisions for creating a more affordable Connecticut through programs in childcare and education. Additionally, it will double the commitment to the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program, which supports qualified Connecticut residents to earn a degree or qualifying certificate without taking on debt. PACT supports full-time students entering community college in the fall 2021 semester who meet the qualifications of the program. McCaw summarized that the intent of the plan is economic growth that works for all, calling on partners at local level for matching funds to make dollars more impactful.