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In this week's eblast, you can read about voter registration, free oral health services for veterans, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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Time is running out to register to vote in the upcoming November 4th municipal election.
First, are you eligible to vote? Check HERE.
While the option to register by mail has passed, registration can be done online by using the Connecticut Online Voter Registration System (CVRS), which you can find HERE.
Same-Day Registration (SDR) is also available during the early voting period (Monday, October 20, through Sunday, November 2), from 10am-6pm.
There are extended hours on October 28 from 8am-8pm. It can also be done at the designated Early Voting location in your town, which you can find HERE.
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Below is an important message from the CT State Department of Education on the allocation and distribution of special education and expansion development (SEED) grant money:
It has come to the attention of the Department that there is some misinformation concerning the way in which the SEED grants funds are allocated and distributed. Therefore, we offer this explanation and clarification.
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the Connecticut General Assembly established the Special Education and Expansion Development (SEED) grant in section 7 of Public Act 25-67. Subsection (a) of section 7 of this act references section 10-262f of the Connecticut General Statutes, which is the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) statute. Specifically, the SEED grant is required to use the same definitions of “base aid ratio,” “foundation,” and “resident students” as are used in the ECS calculations. ECS entitlements are calculated and allocated separately for each of Connecticut’s 169 towns, therefore, the SEED grant is also calculated and allocated separately for each of Connecticut’s 169 towns. Regional School Districts will need to work with their member local district to receive SEED grant funds.
It is important to note that all payments made by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) — whether it is for state entitlements (e.g., ECS, Excess Cost), state grants (e.g., After School Grant, Commissioner’s Network, State Bilingual Grant, Alliance District Grant), or federal grants (e.g., Title I, IDEA) — are made to the municipality. The local/regional board of education (BOE) is not a payee in the State of Connecticut’s financial payment system known as CORE-CT. The CSDE expects that different types of payments made by the State of Connecticut to the towns are managed in different ways in municipal accounting systems for proper tracking and audit purposes. Unlike entitlement funds (e.g., ECS) wherein the town is entitled to the funds and is paid those funds on a set schedule without needing to submit an application or a budget in advance of receipt of those funds, grant funds require recipients to submit a grant application with a detailed budget to the CSDE for CSDE approval in advance of receiving any payment. For grants, CSDE confirms that the proposed grant activities and the planned expenditures are in line with the requirements of the grant. Only then is the grant approved and the recipient can start requesting and receiving funds from the CSDE. End-of-year and end-of-grant expenditure reports submitted to CSDE offer further confirmation of adherence to grant requirements.
As stated previously, the SEED grant is required in law to be calculated and allocated separately for each of the 169 towns and paid like an entitlement to those towns. However, unlike other entitlements, the law establishes strict parameters for both the allowable uses of funds (e.g., direct provision of special education and related services to students, Tier 2 interventions, etc.) and the unallowable uses (administrative functions, or special education and related services provided by any third-party contractor). Additionally, unlike other entitlement payments, the law also charges the CSDE with monitoring the appropriate use of SEED grant funds and empowers the CSDE to withhold future payments if improper uses are determined. Moreover, the SEED grant also creates new reporting requirements for districts and the CSDE in subsection (a)(1) of section 22 of PA 25-67. In order to fulfill these new mandates, the CSDE is having to create a new grant template in its electronic grants management system to track the specific use of SEED grant funds to ensure that they comply with the statutory requirements and to collect the requisite student data. Like other grant funds that are paid to the town, the CSDE expects that SEED grant funds will be “passed through” by the town to the BOE and that the local municipal accounting system will track the SEED grant revenues and expenditures separately for proper auditing purposes.
We hope this clarifies how the CSDE has operationalized this new grant that is expected to be paid like an entitlement but monitored like a grant. |
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| In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the governor's office and public health officials are reinforcing the critical importance of early detection in the fight against breast cancer. Regular mammograms remain the most effective method for identifying breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages. |
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For Connecticut residents who may not be able to afford regular mammograms, the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s Early Detection and Prevention Program offers free breast cancer screenings. This program is available for low income residents and those with limited or no health insurance. Services will be available at various locations across the state.
Click here for more information to find out if you qualify for free screenings, if you need assistance accessing a mammogram, or for other available resources. You can also contact the Department of Public Health at 860-509-7804 for more information.
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The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) has received a $25,000 grant to provide free dental services for Veterans in need. They’re partnering with UConn Health Center and Tunxis Dental Hygiene School, which will be delivering the care.
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We’re making government work faster for you! The Connecticut Department of Social Services just launched Laurel, a new chatbot that cuts wait times and gives residents instant, 24/7 access to benefit information and resources.
DSS is actively working to be more accessible for people receiving services or those applying for in other ways beside waiting on the phone or having to physically go to physically visit their office. |
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The National Fire Prevention Association is raising awareness about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries because they can overheat, start a fire, or explode if damaged or not used correctly. This is concerning because lithium-ion batteries power many of the electronics we use in our homes every day, including smartphones, tablets, power and lawn tools, laptops, headphones, and toys.
You can take action and improve your safety by knowing where lithium-ion batteries are located in your home and going over tips to safely buy, charge, and recycle those batteries to ensure you are prepared for an emergency when it happens.
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The National Fire Prevention Association has put together a 3-step plan to safely use lithium-ion batteries:
1. Buy only listed products. When buying a product that uses a lithium-ion battery, look for a safety certification mark such as UL, ETL, or CSA. This means it meets important safety standards.
2. Charge devices safely. Always use the cords that came with the product to charge. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer. Buy new chargers from the manufacturer or one that the manufacturer has approved. Charge your device on a hard surface. Don’t overcharge your device. Unplug it or remove the battery when it’s fully charged.
3. Recycle batteries responsibly. Don’t throw lithium-ion batteries in the trash or regular recycling bins because they could start a fire. Recycle your device or battery at a safe battery recycling location. Visit call2recycle.org to find a recycling spot near you.
Click here for more information, and additional tips and tools for fire safety in your home.
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Haunted Torch WalkFarmers Market Field (220 Nevers Rd., South Windsor)Saturday, Oct. 18, 6-9pmRead more here
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If you have any issues, concerns, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at 860-240-8585 if you ever need anything or by email at maryam.khan@cga.ct.gov.
Sincerely,
Maryam Khan |
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