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Visits
Congressman Joe Courtney, left, visited the kids at the Westview Child Care Center as part of his visit to Westview. Courtesy photo.


Courtney
visits
Westview
DAYVILLE — United States Congressman Joe Courtney (CT—2nd District) visited the growing family of organizations at Westview Health Care Center recently.  He visited the Country Living at Westview Commons when it was under construction; Westview Commons and the recently opened Westview Child Care Center.
This special stop-by was coordinated by Representative Courtney connecting with the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  Elle-Jordyn Sherman, executive director of the NCCC, stressed the importance of gathering Quiet Corner businesses and organizations with elected officials:
She said: “The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is committed to addressing our regions workforce needs.  In meeting with area businesses, a continued concern is access to affordable and accessible childcare in our region.  Northeastern CT is considered a childcare desert—which means there are not enough childcare seats as there are number of children under the age of 5.  This creates a huge gap in our workforce.  By collaborating with partnering agencies, businesses, and legislators, we are exploring innovative solutions to increase the number of childcare facilities, available seats, and qualified talent.”
Sherman said: “Knowing Westview Health Care’s innovation to address the childcare desert with their own workforce, in creating Westview Child Care Center, we knew Westview would be the best place to bring the Congressman to tour their facility and talk with area stakeholders about the childcare crisis.  It was the start of advocating for more seats, funding, and solutions to this barrier in NECT.  We look forward to continuing this essential conversation in our region.”
Courtney said: “It’s clear from our roundtable discussion, organized in partnership with Elle-Jordyn Sherman, the Executive Director of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, that David Panteleakos, Katy Holzer, and their great team at Westview have met a critical need for both employees and families across northeastern Connecticut.  Westview Child Care Center’s long waitlist—which is not unique to Westview—is a clear signal that we still have a great deal of work to do to increase access to care.  In Congress, I’m working to pass legislation that makes it easier for more businesses to start child care centers for their employees and communities.”

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