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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of October 20.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the play button to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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| In the last week, I’ve attended a range of community social events: meet and greets for local candidates, fundraisers, a fire department open house, a hike sponsored by two local nonprofits, a panel discussion at a community college, a farm bureau dinner, the grand opening of newly conserved land, and two gatherings of women active in local and national causes. All were scheduled before the violence taking place in the Middle East, with other purposes in mind. But at each of these events, we talked about the painful international news, with broad common agreement that one thing we can do is continue to build community and connection among and between all of us locally in small and big ways. There are many organizations in our region that do that work, and they help knit us together.
This building of community is tested by social media, where the demand for an immediate, visceral and simplistic response to events next door or around the world can drive wedges between us. Sitting with uncertainty is hard amidst that cacophony. One of the articles I read in the last week recalled some words from Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson, who suggests that “we must avoid quick-tempered criticism and furious, power-driven arguments”, which he calls “emotional booby traps baited with pride and vengefulness.” Sage advice
Another event I participated in this week was a Mock Session organized by the CT Association of Student Councils. Along with a bipartisan group of fellow legislators and staff, I volunteered to help coach a team of high school students in examining the strengths and weaknesses of a particular proposed bill, deciding whether to amend it, and presenting it to their assembled colleagues. One of the most important things we passed on to them was the multitude of little choices we make every day to build connections throughout the assembly, which help tamp down the vitriol we see in other parts of the country. The kids did a great job, and I’m sure we’ll see some of them officially seated in the legislature someday.
And yesterday was Purple Thursday, a day to raise awareness about domestic violence, and let those affected by it know that they are not alone. In the Northwest Corner, we have two excellent agencies dedicated to helping victims and families affected by domestic violence, as well as doing tremendous work to help prevent violence before it happens: Project Sage in Lakeville (serving Salisbury, Sharon, Kent, Cornwall, Falls Village and North Canaan) and the Susan B Anthony Project in Torrington (serving Norfolk, Washington, and other neighboring towns outside my district). |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- October 20 is National Mammography Day. Click here.
- Work to Address Disconnected At-Risk Youth. Click here.
- CTDOT Announces Launch of the Snowplow Naming Contest. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
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The month of October is recognized nationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the third Friday of each October is celebrated as National Mammography Day. This year, that day falls on Friday, October 20, 2023. The officials say that these commemorations are a good reminder about the importance of making an appointment to get screened for breast cancer on a regular basis.
Anyone can develop breast cancer. The standard screening test for breast cancer is called a mammogram, which are x-ray exams used to detect breast cancer in those who may not be showing or be aware of breast cancer symptoms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all women between the ages of 50 and 74 have a mammogram screening every two years. Women ages between the ages of 40 and 49 are recommended to discuss with their health care provider whether and how often they should get screened.
People who live in Connecticut and cannot afford regular mammograms may be eligible for free services. The Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Early Detection and Prevention Program provides breast cancer screenings at locations throughout the state for patients who have low income and who have no or limited health insurance.
Anyone who needs assistance obtaining a mammogram can find resources available online at ct.gov/dph/screening or they can call 860-509-7804 for more information.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women of all races and ethnicities. In 2020, the incidence of breast cancer in Connecticut was 133.2 per 100,000 women – the highest rate in the U.S. The national rate that year was 119.2 per 100,000 women. In 2020, the breast cancer mortality rate in Connecticut was 18.0 per 100,000 women. The national breast cancer mortality rate that year was 19.1 per 100,000 women. These rates highlight the importance of detecting breast cancer early when treatments are more effective.
In 2022, Connecticut ranked fourth in the nation for breast cancer screening rates in women 40 years and older (76.2%), which is higher than the national rate of 70.2%. A total of 81.7% of women in Connecticut between the ages of 50 and 74 reported that they had a mammogram within the preceding two years, while the rate nationally is 76.3%.
The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 43,700 women in the U.S. will die this year from breast cancer and that more than 480 will be in Connecticut. These numbers warrant attention because when detected early, a women’s chance of surviving breast cancer decreases. Breast cancer screening exams can help detect the disease at its earliest stages of development, often resulting in less aggressive treatments and ultimately saving lives. |
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| Connecticut-based Dalio Education recently released a report it commissioned that focused on "disconnected and at-risk youth" and found more than 63,000 young adults were disconnected, and 56,000 students were at risk between 2021 and 2022, according to the compiled data.
These are young people who have either dropped out of school or are in danger of dropping out of school, and who are, for those aged 18 to 26, unemployed and in many cases unemployable.
A number of laws were passed in the last two legislative sessions meant to help disconnected and at-risk youth.
2022 Legislation - School-Based Health Centers (HB 5001, SB 1, HB 5506)
- Provided grants to local schools to hire more support staff, including in the areas of mental health like social workers, psychologists, and counselors
- Funded the expansions of school-based health centers and the services they provide
- Created new walk-ins for mental health emergencies
- Initiated a new position at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate to help families navigate care for children and adolescents
- Expanded 24/7 emergency mental health response
- Established state oversight and coordination of state response to kids' mental health needs
- Expanded mentorship opportunities
- Helped school-based health centers develop new mental health programming
- Assisted local schools in expanding mental health staff and access to care
- Provided mental health training to parents, students, and pediatricians
- Established the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (legislation passed in 2022; updated in 2023 with PA 23-90)
2023 Legislation - State Budget (HB 6941)
- Prevented any town from receiving a funding cut to their local schools
- Ensured more districts will meet eligibility requirements for the federal School Breakfast Program
- Doubled grants to school districts for bilingual education
This report shines a light on critically important data that shows elected officials, state agencies, and branches of government must collectively work better together to bring more stakeholders into this conversation, so that "at-risk and "disconnected" youth do not become "lost" adults. |
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation is thrilled to announce this year’s “Snowplow Naming Contest.” Schools across Connecticut will be able to submit their best and most creative names for four snowplows, which represent the four CTDOT maintenance districts in Connecticut. Winning schools will have their snowplow names featured on the side of a CTDOT tandem axle Tow Plow that operates on our state roads clearing the ice and snow during inclement weather.
Connecticut K-12 schools will have until December 15, 2023, to submit their most creative snowplow name. In January, CTDOT will reveal the winning names.
Connecticut schools can submit an original and creative snowplow name here: Snowplow Naming Contest. All names from schools must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on December 15, 2023. The complete set of Rules and Regulations can be found here: Snowplow Naming Contest Rules (ct.gov).
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| Save the Date: Region 1 Flu Shot Clinic |
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| The clinic at Housatonic Valley Regional High School Library on October 20 will now be offering BOTH flu and Covid vaccinations for everyone ages 5 and up. Come to receive one or both vaccinations.
Please bring photo ID and insurance card, and call 860-435-9388 with any questions.
Please note: there are limited quantities of the Covid vaccine, so that one is while supplies last. |
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| Invitation to Steep Rock's HVX Grand Opening Celebration
The Trustees of Steep Rock Association (SRA) will celebrate the grand opening of SRA’s Hidden Valley Expansion Project—206 acres of mixed forests, wildlife habitat, and recreational lands that are essential to the Litchfield Hills community – on Friday, October 20 from 1-2pm in Washington Depot, CT.
The grand opening celebration will take place at the main entrance of Steep Rock’s Hidden Valley Preserve, 198 Bee Brook Road, Washington Depot, CT. Following the ceremony, guests are welcome to partake in an optional hike to the 76-acre Cook parcel, a cornerstone in this transformative venture.
Three parcels—Cook, Mt. Tom, and Bantam— totaling 184 acres were acquired with $736,000 in grant funding from the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition (OSWA) program administered by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and a $1.2 million grant from Highlands Conservation Act funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
These acquisitions expand the size of Hidden Valley Preserve by more than 25 percent and have been among SRA’s highest land priorities for the past 17 years. Within these parcels, core forests, biological diversity, wildlife corridors, and high-quality streams and rivers are now protected forever. In addition, recreational access on the Shepaug Railroad bed expands by 0.75 miles and is a major step toward creating an unfragmented greenway trail from Litchfield to Roxbury, with connectors to Mt. Tom State Park and other regional trails. |
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| 5K & Fun Run Saturday, October 28 in Falls Village
Click here or the graphic below to register. |
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Crescendo's 20th Anniversary Celebration Concerts: Fantastic Baroque!
These acquisitions expand the size of Hidden Valley Preserve by more than 25 percent and have been among SRA’s highest land priorities for the past 17 years. Within these parcels, core forests, biological diversity, wildlife corridors, and high-quality streams and rivers are now protected forever. In addition, recreational access on the Shepaug Railroad bed expands by 0.75 miles and is a major step toward creating an unfragmented greenway trail from Litchfield to Roxbury, with connectors to Mt. Tom State Park and other regional trails. More details on these events and more can be found on their website.
The concerts will take place on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Saint James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, MA, and on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 4:00 pm at Trinity Church, 484 Lime Rock Rd., Lakeville, CT (parking through Dugway Rd. entrance). A brief reception with the performers will be offered after the concerts. Please visit Crescendo’s website: www.crescendomusic.org for online ticket purchases, more details, and other season concerts, or call 860.435.4866. A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door 45 minutes before each performance.
October 28, 2023, 4 pm - Saint James Place, Great Barrington, MA
October 29, 2023, 4 pm - Trinity Church, Lakeville, CT
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| Salisbury Affordable Housing Exhibit
The Salisbury Association is currently running an exhibit on affordable housing co-designed by the Salisbury Affordable Housing Commission, the Salisbury Housing Committee, and the Salisbury Housing Trust. Visit the exhibit at the Academy Building to learn more about what affordable housing is, why we need more of it, and the organizations creating housing solutions for Salisbury residents. Visitors will also get a preview of future affordable housing projects and will learn more about how to get involved in this movement. The exhibit will run through November 30. |
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| It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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