We Need your Input
I hope you all were able to enjoy some sunshine and rays of hope this weekend, while continuing to engage in safe practices – social distancing, hand and face hygiene and mask wearing. So many of the e-mails I send are information I am getting out to you. Today, I am asking for your help in getting information back to organizations who need it.
Fairfield CARES
I have the privilege of chairing Fairfield CARES Community Coalition, Fairfield's local resource for helping our young people make healthy choices, support parents and prevent youth substance use, suicide and addiction. In these difficult times, Fairfield CARES want to understand more about your family's current well-being.
The coalition is asking all Fairfield parents with children in preschool through 12th grade to complete a short parent survey. Likewise, they are asking all Fairfield students in 6th through 12th grade to complete a short student survey.
This survey is anonymous and does NOT ask for information which could identify you.
Your answers will be used to understand Fairfield as a community and provide a road map for the kinds of supports we need to provide and advocate for. The parent and student surveys will be open until May 8th.
For information and resources, please follow Fairfield CARES on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and sign up to receive their e-mails at fairfieldct.org/fairfieldcares.
Fairfield Public Schools
Earlier today Superintendent Mike Cummings reached out to Fairfield Public Schools parents asking for input on reopening schools in our community, whenever that does occur. To do this, an online anonymous tool called "ThoughtExchange" will be used to gather feedback efficiently across the state.
Your participation and feedback are essential to the process and necessary for our State leaders to consider as decisions are made about reopening our schools. Please click here to share your thoughts and help evaluate the critical issues.
The Governor will be joined at tomorrow’s press conference by the Commissioner of Education Miguel Cardona who will share school information and presumably make an announcement about the remainder of the school year. Briefings are televised live on CT-N and usually occur at 4 pm.
Steps to Reopen
The Governor is working with a team of leaders to plan for a gradual re-opening of CT. May 20th is the target date for the first phase, assuming the necessary benchmarks are met. As a legislator, I am sending input and feedback to this committee and I would love to send along your ideas and suggestions. Please e-mail me, particularly if you have specific ideas, input and advice for this group of decision makers.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Throughout this month, I will try to share resources for you or those you love. Today, I am sharing resources shared with the Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board specifically geared for our front line workers.
- Hero Hotline 1(888) 217-HERO (4370): As part of Community Health Resources’ Zero Suicide initiative, they’ve released the new Hero Hotline 1(888) 217-HERO (4370) for people like you and other Frontline workers and their families and friends. The Hero Hotline is staffed 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and will connect callers to a trained professional, and refer them to resources for ongoing care and support. Click here for the flyer.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: In Crisis call 1(800) 273-TALK (8255) or 211 in CT or Crisis Text Line: Text CT to 741741; In an Emergency Call or Text 911
- National Disaster Distress Helpline: Call 1(800) 985-5990 or text "TalkWithUs" to 66746
- Talk It Out Line: 1(833) 528-5011
- Hero Hotline: 1(888) 217-HERO (4370) for Frontline Workers and those who care for them
Previous COVID-19 Updates:
May 1
April 30
April 29
April 27
April 23
April 22
April 20
April 17
April 15
April 14
April 13
April 8
April 6
April 5
April 4
April 2
April 1
March 31
March 26
March 23
March 21
March 20
March 17
March 16