February 14, 2018 - The Branford Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC), a community organization that connects families with services and resources, has been granted non-profit status by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

"This marks an important milestone for our community organization, now 16 years old, because it opens access to new funding opportunities and qualifies BECC to receive tax deductible bequests and gifts," Robin Comey, the organization's executive director, said.

After a year of organizational growth and board of directors' development, the BECC submitted an application to the IRS in 2017. The process included completing a three-year strategic plan which focuses on how best to support Branford's youngest learners and how to provide programs to strengthen and support families and childcare providers.

Dr. Bruce Storm, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said "We are excited about the new opportunities to expand our programs that the IRS designation provides. We are already well known for our Children's Resource Guide, monthly Professional Development Roundtables for childcare providers and Week of the Young Child activities

Storm added, "...offering a program of trained home visitors to every baby born in Branford will connect new parents to the network of resources that Branford has to offer while working

to reduce the fear and isolation that can come with being a new parent."

BECC began in 2001 as a grassroots community organization created by a Discovery partnership grant from The William Caspar Graustein Memorial Foundation, the CT Office of Early Childhood, and matching funds from the Branford community. Its purpose was aimed at improved health, safety and early learning success for children through age 8, forever transforming the early childhood landscape in Branford.

If you would like to be involved with BECC, or to visit a Roundtable, check out the website at

www.branfordbecc.com, or call Executive Director Comey at 203-415-5613.