North Hartford Ascend Pipeline The North Hartford Ascend Pipeline is a cradle to career effort to ensure children living in the North Hartford Promise Zone – which includes the Clay Arsenal, Northeast, and Upper Albany neighborhoods – have the supports 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 Program to support the initiative, which officially launched in January 2022. Connecticut Children’s is now leading 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 and life outcomes of North Hartford residents. About Ascend Announcement of Promise Neighborhoods GrantLearn More Harlem Children's Zone Founder Inspires Ascend WorkLearn More The Ascend Model Overseen by Connecticut Children’s, Ascend partners are working to create a comprehensive and integrated network of programs and services that will be universally available to children and families in the North Hartford Promise Zone. Ascend will address academic, social, economic and health inequities faced by families in North Hartford, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Partners 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 an integrated and coordinated pipeline of services and supports 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 Note: The contents of this webpage were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Promise Neighborhoods Program. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government. In addition to the five year, $30 million grant, partners involved in the project plan to contribute $36 million in matching funds over the five-year period, bringing the total investment in North Hartford to $66 million.
