Connecticut's Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board has approved a health insurance subsidy program for early childhood educators, with enrollment opening through Access Health CT on October 23, 2026, and benefits beginning in 2027.

Established under Public Act 25-93, the program dedicates $10 million of the Endowment's fiscal year 2027 spending to subsidize health insurance costs for an estimated 7,200 to 8,800 eligible child care workers statewide. Educators may access subsidies through individual plans on Access Health CT, a small employer group plan through Access Health CT, or in conjunction with an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) offered by their employer. Educators eligible for Medicaid or the Covered Connecticut program do not qualify.

Subsidies are income-based and structured in three tiers. Educators earning between 175% and 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) receive $1,200 per year; those earning between 250% and 400% FPL receive $1,100; and those earning above 400% FPL receive $1,000. Access Health CT will receive Endowment funding to conduct outreach and drive enrollment among eligible workers.

"Too many of our early childhood educators who we rely on every day to care for and educate our children cannot access affordable health insurance," said State Rep. Kate Farrar, Tri-Chair of the Endowment. "The new health insurance subsidy is an innovative way to support these essential workers across our state. This program will help to retain educators, provide stability to providers and families as well as businesses who depend on a strong early childhood education system in our state."

"The Endowment Advisory Board's vote to approve a health insurance subsidy for the early childhood education workforce is a core component of the state's commitment to a strong and viable early childhood system," said Elena Trueworthy, Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood, Tri-Chair of the Endowment. "Early childhood educators give so much of themselves to support families and strengthen communities. This subsidy will help them access the care they need to stay healthy, secure, and able to continue working in a profession that they love – caring for Connecticut's young children."

"The childcare providers who care for our children every day are on the front line for every child's cold," said State Sen. Ceci Maher, Tri-Chair of the Endowment. "The providers only succeed if they can take care of their health. This program will ensure thousands of Connecticut child care workers will be able to better access and afford health care amid the many pressures facing them."

"We are grateful for the steps Governor Lamont, our State Legislature and the Office of Early Childhood are taking to make health insurance more accessible for Early Childhood Education workers," said James Michel, Chief Executive Officer of Access Health CT. "Our children are the future of Connecticut, and it's important that the people taking care of them can access care themselves."

The Early Childhood Education Endowment, established in 2025, has already created up to 1,000 new child care spaces, supported an 8% increase in Early Start CT provider payment rates, expanded Smart Start preschool classrooms, and delivered operational grants to providers across the state.