State Sen. Cathy Osten recognized for advocating for children

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut recently awarded its 2022 Children’s Champion Award to State Sen. Catherine A. Osten.

The youth mentoring organization honored Osten for going above and beyond to help Connecticut’s children in need reach their highest potential. Big Brothers Big Sisters called attention to the role Osten played as Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee in spearheading the largest investment in children’s mental health and preventions services in decades.

“I’m honored to be recognized as a 2022 Children’s Champion by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut,” said Osten. “The state budget is complex, but at its heart it is a statement of our priorities. I work hard with my colleagues to ensure that we look out for the health and well-being of children in need in Connecticut. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is all about mentoring to help kids reach their full potential. I’m proud our state is investing in this and other key programs to ensure kids avoid risky behaviors, stay healthy, get a good education, and pursue their highest goals and ambitions.”

Andy Fleischmann, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut, said, “Cathy Osten has been a tenacious advocate for children in need. As Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee, she’s worked to make sure we’re providing children with the services and support they need to thrive. And to address the special challenges kids have faced since the start of the pandemic. We’re happy to honor Sen. Osten with our 2022 Children’s Champion Award. What better time to call attention to Sen. Osten’s advocacy on behalf of children than during September, Big Brothers Big Sisters Month? Sen. Osten exemplifies the commitment to caring, support and prevention at the heart of our mentoring work.”

In May of 2022, as Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Osten championed a two-year state budget that invests close to $300 million dollars to support for life-enhancing childcare, mental health care, and preventative services for children.

Recently, Osten was also a leading advocate for Erin’s Law, important legislation requiring that children in kindergarten through 12th grade be educated on sexual abuse in a child-friendly manner, for the purpose of informing them and protecting them from sexual predators.

Osten was first elected in November 2012 and is now serving her fifth term representing the residents of the 19th state Senatorial District communities of Columbia, Franklin, Hebron, Lebanon, Ledyard, Lisbon, Marlborough, Montville, Norwich, and Sprague.

Osten’s years as an elected official have been marked by initiatives benefiting veterans, senior citizens and children, advancing women’s rights in the workplace, fighting for the middle class, and advancing open government and environmental integrity.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut is the state affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and is the state’s premier youth mentoring organization. It matches children in need with inspiring adult mentors, helping to change their lives for the better.

Founded in 1966, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut serves all the state’s 169 municipalities. To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters or inquire about volunteering as a mentor, visit www.ctbigs.org.