Catholic Charities of Fairfield County (CCFC) has joined Connecticut’s growing CT Baby Bonds Ambassador Network, a coalition of nonprofits, cities, and community groups enlisted by State Treasurer Erick Russell to spread the word about the state’s first-in-the-nation wealth-building trust for children born into poverty.
“A CT Baby Bonds Ambassador is a trusted community partner committed to sharing information about CT Baby Bonds with the population they serve,” the program website explains.
Why Baby Bonds Matter
Under the CT Baby Bonds program, every baby whose birth is covered, even in part, by HUSKY Health (Medicaid) automatically receives a $3,200 deposit in a state-managed trust. The funds are projected to grow to between $11,000 and $24,000 by the time participants turn 18. They can be used for:
- College or job training
- Purchasing a first home in Connecticut
- Starting a business
- Retirement savings
State Treasurer Russell emphasized the program’s innovative approach:
“It’s an example of how the government can do big things to really invest in people long-term.”¹
Catholic Charities of Fairfield County’s Unique Reach
Catholic Charities estimates it serves about 1,600 HUSKY-eligible parents of infants each year through its food, housing, early-childhood, and advocacy programs. Internal data show the agency already connects with roughly 700 parents of babies under 12 months annually through SNAP outreach, homeless services casework, the Room to Grow Preschool Family Resource Center, and community pantries.
“That footprint made Catholic Charities a natural fit for the ambassador initiative,” said Executive Director Mike Donoghue. “Catholic Charities is stepping up to help the working poor and the most vulnerable members of our community build stable, thriving futures.”
How the Ambassador Role Works
As an ambassador, Catholic Charities integrates Baby Bonds education into regular client interactions. No formal state contract is required. CCFC staff have already begun:
- Distributing bilingual Baby Bonds flyers in waiting rooms, intake packets, and home visits
- Adding a brief Baby Bonds explanation to prenatal, SNAP, and housing intakes
- Encouraging families to keep their contact information current with DSS and Access Health CT to ensure future eligibility notices reach them
“This is a unique opportunity to help break cycles of generational poverty and build a financial foundation for the children we serve,” said Angela Piscitello, CCFC’s Chief Operating Officer, who is coordinating the roll-out across the agency’s 38 programs.
Next Steps
Over the summer, Catholic Charities will:
1. Train frontline staff on a concise Baby Bonds “elevator pitch”
2. Launch an awareness campaign across its social media channels
3. Host informational tables at community events in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Stamford, and Danbury
Treasurer Russell believes these grassroots touchpoints are critical:
“Baby Bonds are a piece of the puzzle in creating more economic opportunity for all of our residents, but we have to continue to do all of the other work around this program.”²
For parents served by Catholic Charities, that “other work” includes nutrition support, housing stabilization, immigration services, and financial literacy coaching. These are the essential supports that help families bridge the gap between poverty and promise.
Families seeking more information can visit CT Baby Bonds or speak with any Catholic Charities case manager.
References
1. Lau Guzmán, “Treasurer: Baby Bonds a ‘Piece to This Puzzle’ of Tackling Wealth Gap in CT,” CT Insider, February 22, 2024.
2. Ibid.