Crisco, Gentile hail imminent funding for TEAM

$170,000 allocation expected from state

HARTFORD – State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, and state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, today welcomed news of imminent state funding for the early care and education center operated by TEAM, Inc. in Ansonia.

State support is to be provided through a provision of state law enacted earlier this year for facility improvements where school readiness and daycare programs operate.

The grant for TEAM, Inc. is included on the agenda for Friday’s meeting of the State Bond Commission and is expected to receive final approval at that time, the lawmakers said.

“For nearly 50 years TEAM has been helping economically disadvantaged families throughout the Naugatuck Valley by providing direct services or by referring them to other sources for help, always with the goal of increasing their clients’ self-sufficiency,” Crisco said. 

“I’m delighted we can bring these state resources to bear to the benefit of TEAM, which in turn provides essential services to more than 5,000 area families each year.”

More specifically, the $170,000 allocation expected on Friday will help underwrite a security system upgrade, playground resurfacing, and improvements to the air regulation and cooling system at TEAM’s Howard Avenue facility in Ansonia, the lawmakers said.

“TEAM provides affordable daycare and Head Start programs for many children from not only Ansonia and Derby, but also from all of our Valley communities,” Gentile said. “I am pleased these funds will be put to good use to provide a safe and healthy learning and play environment for our children. We know that a positive early learning experience is fundamental to educational achievement and success.”

“When we improve early childhood education, we set a foundation for our young people that they will build on their entire lives,” Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said.

“Early learning programs like these provided in Ansonia will significantly contribute to a child’s overall healthy development, enabling them to learn the skills needed for success that will lead them through the rest of their lives.”

TEAM, Inc. operates more than a dozen separate programs for clients of all ages, ranging from school readiness and daycare for children to Meals on Wheels and home heating assistance for seniors.

 This is a press release from Crisco's office.