Urgent Plea to Fund Nonprofits

February 27, 2024


My colleagues and I are urging the state to boost funding for nonprofit organizations all over Connecticut. I'll break down why it's so important to help nonprofits right now.

I'm joining top state officials in calling on insurance companies to comply with Connecticut's mental health parity law. Keep scrolling to learn how this issue affects patients all over Connecticut.

You do not want to miss my radio show with the superintendent of Windham Public Schools. We talked about the progress on the high school renovation, and we'll dig deeper into what new features are now available for our students.

Here are the sections in today's email:
  • Urgent Plea to Fund Our Nonprofits
  • Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
  • Let's Talk About It: Windham Education
 
Urgent Plea to Fund Our Nonprofits
I joined advocates and fellow lawmakers on Monday in urging the state to increase funding for nonprofits across Connecticut. Nonprofits provide many affordable and efficient services that serve as a safety net to a wide range of individuals who need help in different arenas. These vital programs cannot continue to function with limited resources and low wages. Fair and adequate funding will ensure nonprofits get the support they need and deserve in Connecticut.
 
Holding Insurance Companies Accountable

My colleagues, advocates, and I are calling on all insurance companies to comply with Connecticut’s mental health parity law. It states that health insurance coverage for mental health services is provided on the same basis as coverage for other medical conditions. Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and State Comptroller Sean Scanlon are joining us in our push to hold insurance accountable.

We want to ensure that patients have access to the necessary care they need and deserve under state and federal law. Everyone should have access to the full spectrum of treatment for behavioral health.
 
Let's Talk About It: Windham Education
My co-host Dennis O’Brien and I sat down with two leading education officials in Windham to discuss the latest on the high school renovation and our district's bilingual education program on my weekly radio show “Let’s Talk About It.” Tracy Youngberg, Superintendent of Windham Public Schools, gave us more information on the high school's recent opening of the science labs and an in-school restaurant for the culinary program. Crews are expected to finish construction on time and on budget in December.

We also spoke to Beth-Ann Brunet, Windham's Director of Equity and Multilingual Education, to discuss the Compañeros program. It provides education to our young students in English and Spanish. The district is holding a celebration in May to celebrate 30 years of the dual language program, which runs from Pre-K through eighth grade.

Click on the video below to learn more about the high school renovation and our wonderful dual language program.
Windham education leaders discuss the on-going progress in our schools.