Education Scholarships, Business Grants, and more

August 1, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday, I hope you've had a great week and stayed cool during yet another Connecticut heat wave!

In this week's eblast, you can read about new education scholarships, business grants, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.

Funding for Adaptive Recreation Center in Fairfield
Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program
WBDC Ignite & Childcare Business Grant Program
E-Bikes: Know the Law
Experience Fairfield's August Calendar of Events
60 Years of Medicaid
Over $1 Billion in Unclaimed Funds for CT Residents!
Jazz Fridays: Mama Train Band
Celebrating Fairfield's History
Stories and Play at the Fairfield Museum!

Funding for Adaptive Recreation Center in Fairfield

I was thrilled to see $2.5 million approved by the State Bond Commission today to help fund the adaptive recreation center in Fairfield!

The funds cover capital costs related to the design, planning, and construction of the recreation center at 224 Colony St.

When complete, the rec center will provide a wide range of activities for residents, featuring classrooms, a mock kitchen, fields, and playgrounds, and can even serve as a location for local programs that serve adults and children with disabilities, including various sports teams. You can read about the rec center here and see a rendering of one room in the rec center below:

The adaptive recreation center will be transformative for Fairfield. Families no longer need to travel across the state to find a recreational space accessible for all, as we will have one at home here in Fairfield. I can't wait to see the finished result!

Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program

Attention Future Educators in Connecticut!

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open for applications!

This scholarship supports students who:

Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District
Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
Are in good academic standing
Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements

Up to $10,000 per year is available for eligible students, including:

High school seniors planning to begin a teacher prep program this fall
Undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled in an approved program

Don’t miss this opportunity to get financial support as you prepare to inspire the next generation of learners!

Apply now and take the next step toward becoming an educator.

https://shorturl.at/r7Rfc

WBDC Ignite & Childcare Business Grant Program

The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.

The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs from August 5 through September 16, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here.

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31, 2025. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.

Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.

E-Bikes: Know the Law

New regulations will take effect for some electric bikes, or e-bikes, on October 1. The new law pertains to E-bikes without pedals and with batteries over 750 watts. They will be classified as motor-driven cycles and require a driver's license to operate them. E-bikes exceeding 3,500 watts will require registration and insurance, like motorcycles.

E-bikes are gaining popularity but medical professionals are warning that these bikes can be dangerous. Connecticut Children's Medical Center treated 25 e-bike injuries in May and June 2025, compared to three in May and June 2024.

Here’s what parents and kids need to know about riding e-bikes in Connecticut:

Speed limits matter: Class 2 e-bikes (the ones with a throttle) are capped at 20 mph. Class 3 models can go up to 28 mph—but only if they’re not throttle-powered
No passengers unless built for two: Most e-bikes aren’t designed for a second rider
Stay off the sidewalk: Unless otherwise posted, e-bikes are considered vehicles. They belong on the road, in the right lane
Be courteous and cautious: If riding on sidewalks or shared paths, yield to pedestrians
New in 2025: Class 1 e-bikes are now allowed on bikes and multi-use trails statewide, unless a town says otherwise.

Click here for more information.

Experience Fairfield's August Calendar of Events

Experience Fairfield has released their August calendar of events, which includes film screenings, farmers markets. There's something for everyone in this calendar, so I hope you'll take a look!

60 Years of Medicaid

On July 30th, 2025, we celebrated 60 years of Medicaid!

There has been a lot of talk out of Washington, D.C. recently about the "waste, fraud, and abuse" by Medicaid beneficiaries. Unfortunately, this is a false narrative spun to justify Medicaid cuts and restrictions in the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill."

Georgetown University recently published two pieces fact checking these claims, and found that there is little waste, fraud, and abuse in our Medicaid system. In fact, the biggest fraud perpetrated in Medicaid is by providers against enrollees, not the beneficiaries themselves.

The truth is Medicaid has transformed American healthcare over the past six decades. Medicaid is a lifeline for millions of children and families across the country, and for almost one-third of Connecticut residents. This program provides access to essential health services to our most vulnerable communities.

Let's celebrate this milestone and do what we can to support Medicaid services while they are under attack by those in power in D.C.

To honor 60 years of Medicaid, Connecticut Children's Medical Center created a list of 60 ways Medicaid continues to promote health, dignity, and opportunity for everyone.

Over $1 Billion in Unclaimed Funds for CT Residents!

The Connecticut Treasurer’s Office is holding more than $1 billion in unclaimed funds for Connecticut residents. Unclaimed property includes things such as payroll checks, refunds, bank accounts, liquidated securities, and insurance proceeds.

Property is returned at no cost with proper evidence. Be sure to check with the treasurer's office frequently as it gets new unclaimed property every year.

Click here to file a claim.

Click here for more information.

Jazz Fridays: Mama Train Band

Jazz Fridays: Mama Train Band
370 Beach Rd., Fairfield
August 8, 6:30-8pm

State Representative

Jennifer Leeper

Proudly Serving Fairfield and Southport

Education Scholarships, Business Grants, and more