ENFIELD—2nd Congressional District Representative Joe Courtney (D) spent this morning working alongside teachers, head teachers, aides, and assistants who provide early education and school readiness services for infants, toddlers, and young children in Enfield. Today's activity was the latest in a series of "Walk A Day In My Shoes" events that CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 has organized to demonstrate the value of the quality public services its members provide for elected officials and political candidates.

"It's rewarding to see the impact we have on the lives of children's families," Sharon Keenan, an infant/toddler head teacher at Enfield's Child Development Center, told Rep. Courtney. "It's a great feeling to know we've helped them succeed by caring for their kids," said Keenan, a member of the Union's chapter representing Enfield's supervisory staff and a nine-year veteran municipal employee.

"Staff qualifications make the difference in maintaining quality services," Patricia Tyburski, a pre-school and school-age head teacher with 10 years of service at the Center, told Rep. Courtney. "Part of our credentialing requires our teachers and instructional aides to be certified or in school for early education certification. Clearly, we're more than 'babysitters,'" said Tyburski, also a member of the Union.

Union members have been raising concerns about the future of Enfield's local public services in the recently adopted municipal budget for 2010 through 2011. The package approved by a majority on the Town Council last month cuts support for the Social Service Department's Child Development Centers, which will result in 16 fewer slots for infants and toddlers and four unfilled education positions beginning in September.

"I want to thank you and your Union for raising awareness of the impact on services when funding is cut," Rep. Courtney said after completing a busy agenda that included direct hands-on work in several classroom settings at the Center's main facility in Enfield. "You're helping to start a debate about the country's future, and about our quality of life," Rep. Courtney said.

Rep. Courtney's comments refer to the long-term economic forecast for municipalities and school districts across Connecticut and the rest of the nation. As the prospect for further federal recovery funds that helped shore up local budgets over the past two years remains in doubt, Rep. Courtney and his congressional colleagues on the House Committee on Education and Labor are continuing to press for emergency funding to preserve local school services.

CSEA/SEIU Local 2001 represents 25,000 active and retired public sector workers serving in state and municipal agencies, as well as local school districts across Connecticut. Visit www.seiu2001.org online for more information about how the Union's members are working to support quality public services for our children, our families, and our communities.


Rep. Courtney "Walks a Day" with Child Care Professionals