About
What is
North Hartford Ascend?
North Hartford Ascend is a prenatal-to-career initiative to ensure children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – have the support they need to reach their full potential.
Connecticut Children’s received a five-year, $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Grant Program to support the initiative, which officially launched in January 2022. Connecticut Children’s is now facilitating an impressive cross-sector team of early childhood experts, community leaders, community-based organizations, and residents to identify community priorities and enhance the academic, health quality of life outcomes of North Hartford Promise Zone residents.
The Ascend Model
Facilitated by Connecticut Children’s, Ascend affiliates are working to create a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated network of programs, services, and other resources that will be universally available to children and families in the North Hartford Promise Zone. Ascend addresses academic, social, economic and health inequities faced by families in the North Hartford Promise Zone, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Affiliates will work to eliminate disparities in outcomes based on race, ethnicity, disabilities and other factors so children and families are able to thrive.
The Goal of Ascend
Ascend is partnering with the community to build a comprehensive, integrated, and coordinated network of programs, services, and other resources that will help children and families reach their full potential. Ascend will:
- improve developmental outcomes so children are healthier in their earliest years and are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten;
- enhance academic outcomes by increasing standardized test scores and graduation rates while reducing absenteeism; and
- strengthen long-term well-being and quality of life so children can successfully transition to college or a career.
Desired Outcomes
The U.S. Department of Education’s Promise Neighborhoods Program seeks the following outcomes for students:
- Enter kindergarten ready to succeed in school
- Proficiency in Math and English Language Arts
- Successfully transition from middle to high school
- Graduate from high school
- Obtain post-secondary degrees, certifications or credentials
- Are supported by families and communities in their learning
- Are healthy
- Feel safe at school and in the community
- Live in stable communities
- Have access to 21st century learning tools
Looking to
Get Involved?
Understanding
North Hartford Ascend
Explore a series of short, engaging videos that break down the mission, initiatives, and community impact of North Hartford Ascend. Learn how you can get involved, provide feedback, and be part of the change in your neighborhood.
