The Vernon School Readiness Council was established in 1997 under Public Act No. 97-259. This legislation, An Act Concerning School Readiness and Child Care, established a grant program to provide spaces in accredited or approved school readiness programs for eligible children in priority school districts and severe-need schools.   Hockanum Valley Child Day Care Center (HVCDCC) was approved to become the recipient of funding for the Vernon School Readiness Program.

The legislation also provided a framework to link up and strengthen a wide variety of early childhood and family services within each eligible community.  The Vernon School Readiness Council was formed to provide this framework.  Since its formation, the Council has grown and maintained an active membership of community agencies, organizations, and private individuals who share the purpose and passion for enriching early childhood.

The Vernon School Readiness Council's activities, including the project manager's salary, are funded by a grant from The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. Through its Discovery Initiative, the Memorial Fund is working with 49 Connecticut communities.

Mission:    To ensure that every child in Vernon starts school "ready to learn."

   • We will collaborate with other community programs and services.
   • We will raise public awareness of the importance of early care and education through parent involvement and communication.
   • We will seek ways to expand high quality, affordable early childhood education.
   • We will create partnerships with businesses, families, community, and other resources to ensure funding.