Head Start on Housing Expands, Stabilizing Families

0:00It's April 3rd. I'm Corey with the story, and this is Hartford News today, local news powered by AI. Two years ago, Caitlin Crowe from Manchester was homeless, crashing in her car while raising her young son. She reached out to his teacher, and that led her to Connecticut's Head Start on Housing Program. It hooks up families with kids in the federal Head Start early education initiative to housing vouchers, tackling instability head-on for low income. Folks? The program didn't stop at keys to an apartment. Case workers guided Crowe through job hunts, apartment searches, budgeting basics, and all the paperwork. Right now, it's got 151 families stably housed, proving this combo of education and shelter works. Teachers spot the need first, through kids missing school or casual chats, since they build real trust with parents. Families open up, get referred, and landlords play ball, knowing credit or income might be shaky at the start. This Thursday, state officials drop big news, 250 more vouchers coming, plus $750,000

1:04from the office of, early childhood to amp up case management and long-term supports. It's about more than roofs, its stability that lasts. With this expansion, Head Start on Housing keeps lifting families like Crowe's, turning rough spots into solid ground for kids to thrive.