WHAT: U.S. Representative Joe Courtney to "Walk A Day In My Shoes" with child development professionals and the infants, toddlers, pre-school, and kindergarten students they serve.

WHEN: Hands-on activity & observation begins at 9:15 AM -- Thursday, June 3, 2010.
Press availability with Union Members & Congressman Courtney at 11:30 AM.

WHERE: Town of Enfield Child Development Center, 132 South Road, Enfield, CT.

DETAILS: Representative Joe Courtney (D-2) will "walk a day in the shoes" of child care professionals on Thursday in order to experience the vital early education services they provide for Enfield's children and their families. The activity is being organized by CSEA/SEIU Local 2001, which represents head teachers and child care administrators who work at the Town of Enfield's two community-based Child Development Centers, and is part of the Union's on-going efforts to educate elected officials and political candidates at all levels on the complexities and challenges of their members' jobs.

Union members will host Rep. Courtney at the Enfield Social Service Department's South Road child development facility beginning at 9:00 AM. Courtney will begin the morning participating in hands-on activities with infants and toddlers, and will spend time working in two additional classrooms during his visit. A brief media availability is scheduled at 11:30 AM in one of the facility's classrooms where both Rep. Courtney and members of the Union will comment on the morning's events.

"We're excited about the opportunity to help the congressman better understand what our members do on a day-to-day basis," said Karen Edelson, the Executive Director of the Child Development Center. "I hope he's ready to roll-up his sleeves and join us in the classroom with the kids we serve," said Edelson, a member of the Union's chapter representing Enfield's supervisory staff.

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.

 June 3 "Walk A Day In My Shoes" With Child Care Professionals Agenda