Veterans Day, Digital Equity, and more

November 8, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,
Happy Friday!

Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day.

Those who live in freedom will always be grateful to those who helped preserve it. This Veterans Day, to all those who have served and their families, thank you for all you have done for our country. 🇺🇸

For a database of programs, organizations, and services to military members and their families, please visit the CT Veteran Resource Page.

And in honor of the service of all our veterans, CTtransit will offer free bus rides to veterans, active-duty military personnel, retirees, and disabled veterans throughout the day. Individuals must present a valid military ID to ride for free. Click here for more information.
 
Connecticut was awarded $9 million to close the digital divide - this is great news for CT!
 
Our digital equity plan aims to close the digital divide, particularly among the most disenfranchised groups in the state, including residents at or below 150% of the poverty line, racial and ethnic minorities, the aging, those incarcerated in or in transition out of state correctional facilities, individuals with disabilities or language barriers, those living in rural areas, and veterans.
 
The first wave of initiatives funded through the federal Digital Equity Program will support critical projects, including through:
  • “Digital navigation” pilots: Local partners will receive support to work directly with residents to address skill gaps and lack of access to Internet connections and computers.
  • Digital equity collaboratives: Covering the entire state, six new collaboratives will provide the resources and professional network for educators, policymakers, and community organizations to learn and share best practices that scale and improve efforts to connect and train residents.
  • Digital equity curriculum: Through the collaboratives, the state will release a set of common assessments and teaching resources freely available to adult education and other local training programs to help meet residents where they are to close the digital skills gap in Connecticut.
  • Asset map: Residents will be able to conduct online searches and call a telephone hotline to find and use the community-based programs and resources to help them get online and develop the technical skills necessary to thrive in the digital world.
You can learn more about Connecticut: Everyone Connected at https://portal.ct.gov/.../2024/das_de_plan_5-24.pdf.pdf
 

Teenage students and high schools in Connecticut can win up to $26,000 in prizes by entering a submission into Connecticut’s 16th annual Teen Safe Driving Video Contest hosted by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Travelers.

 

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens in the United States. In 2022, there were 2,514 people killed in crashes across the country involving teenage drivers between the ages of 15 and 18.

 

The Teen Safe Drive Video Contest is open to all public, private, and home-schooled high school students in Connecticut between the ages of 14 and 18.  Contest entrants are required to create a unique and effective video public service announcement no longer than 45 seconds, highlighting interactions between drivers and other teens while illustrating ways to practice safer driving habits and obey Connecticut’s teen driving laws.

 

The videos must also address at least one specific Connecticut teen driving law. Click HERE to read the full contest rules and instructions on submitting a video. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 3, 2025. To watch winning videos from previous years, click here.
 

STEM is our future! 🔬🧪🥽🧬

Join me  in celebrating National STEM Day. Let’s inspire the next generation to discover the wonders of STEM and unlock endless career possibilities. 

Get your children or students involved with this fun activity book:  https://tinyurl.com/bddsaard
 

The state is inviting low-income residents to apply for a voucher to cover the spaying or neutering of up to two pets. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) is accepting applications for the Animal Population Control Program’s (APCP) Low-Income Program using the new APCP portal.

Pet owners must live in Connecticut and receive benefits through the following programs from Department of Social Services to be eligible for the voucher:

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Husky A, C, or D (Medicaid)
  • State Administered General Assistance (SAGA)
  • Temporary Family Assistance (TANF)
  • State Supplement

CT DoAG is encouraging individuals to apply as soon as possible because the program will end once all the funds are used. The voucher is valid for 60 days and provides two vaccinations and a one-time sterilization benefit of $200 for a female dog, $180 for a male dog, $120 for a female cat, and $80 for a male cat. Applicants, including low-income individuals, municipalities, and feral cat organizations, will be able to apply electronically and track the status of their application.

Click here for more tutorial guides and FAQs

The APCP aims to reduce the overpopulation of dogs and cats in Connecticut and to increase the level of immunization against infectious animal diseases. Connecticut is one of only a few states to provide a companion pet sterilization program administered by a state agency for municipal pound animals, feral cats, and low-income owned pets.
 
Sincerely,

Juan Candelaria
State Representative
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