Funding aims to improve programs focused on child care and mental health in Waterbury

WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz (D-Conn.) and Waterbury Mayor Paul Pernerewski visited classrooms Thursday at TEAM Inc., a child care and educational facility. They then held a roundtable discussion about TEAM’s work in child care and mental health since the pandemic and how many families were negatively impacted.

TEAM received $250,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, which staff members said was used for rehabilitation and therapy services for children.

“Today’s conversation is going to focus on the pilot we did over the last year, how we do targeted interventions and supports to truly address the social, emotional wellbeing of our youngest, most vulnerable learners.” TEAM CEO David Morgan said.

“The work that they’re doing here is so very critical,” Penerewski said. “We know that from birth through age 5 is most important time for children to develop, and the earlier that we can address the concerns that they’re having at that young age, the better.”

This child care center serves roughly 200 children as young as six months old.

Since the pandemic, Bysiewicz said more mental health resources for kids have been placed in schools and communities.

“Kids missed out so much during those pandemic years, and now we’re trying to catch up.”

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