Kate Farrar

State Representative Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford and Newington) was recognized this week as a Children’s Champion by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance. This award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a strong commitment to improving the lives of young children in Connecticut.

Rep. Farrar was presented with the award by Adrienne W. Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Hartford Region, and Merrill Gay, Executive Director of the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance, in recognition of her leadership and advocacy for early childhood issues at the YWCA Hartford Early Learning Center in Elmwood.

“I am grateful to the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance for this recognition,” said Rep. Farrar. “Our families, our businesses and our economy depend on access to high-quality and affordable childcare. This year, I was proud to lead our bipartisan priority House bill to address this critical issue but there is much more to do. I will continue to be a champion for the much-needed investment in childcare as the essential infrastructure it is for our state and the 20^th District.”

During the 2024 legislative session, Rep. Farrar led the bipartisan coalition to pass House Bill 5002, now Public Act 24-91: An Act Concerning Early Childhood Care and Education. This comprehensive law, signed by Governor Ned Lamont, establishes the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, which aims to maximize public and private investments in early childhood care and education. The legislation also introduces the Tri-Share Child Care Program as a pilot initiative in New London County, which shares childcare costs among employers, employees, and the state government. Additionally, the act addresses the low pay for childcare workers by creating a wage supplement program for educators in state-funded childcare and school readiness programs.

“YWCA Hartford Region was honored to host the Children’s Champion Award presentation at our Elmwood Early Learning Center in West Hartford,” said Adrienne W. Cochrane, Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Hartford Region. "Representative Kate Farrar is so deserving of this award. She is a passionate advocate and warrior for children and families. Her tireless work led to comprehensive legislation to fund early childhood care and education. What she has done will improve access to affordable early education for all children. We are proud to call Rep. Farrar our partner and friend.”

"We’re thrilled to present this Children’s Champion award to Representative Kate Farrar in honor of her work leading the effort to create the Early Childhood Fund at the Treasurer’s office,” said Merrill Gay. “We recognize her hard work to garner bipartisan support to win unanimous passage of HB 5002."

Rep. Farrar represents the 20th District of southern West Hartford and Western Newington. She is a Deputy Majority Leader, Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee as well as a member of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, and the Transportation Committee.