Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Another evening e-mail from me. I look forward to the day when there is not so much COVID related information for me to send out to you. But for now, I will continue to get resources and information in your hands as best I can.

Beginning last week, the Department of Labor began mailing letters to those who might be eligible for the 13-week unemployment extension known as the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). For more information about this program and how to access these benefits, click here.

Student Input Requested

Similar to the parent survey that was sent out a few weeks back, the regional education services centers (RESCs) are seeking student feedback to be shared with the Commissioner of Education, the State Board of Education and other leaders regarding student thoughts on re-opening school in the Fall. According to the survey’s introduction, the Thoughtexchange process has 3 steps: Share - Star - Discover

• Share: share thoughts to open-ended questions, independently and confidentially
• Star: read thoughts shared by you and others, and rate thoughts out of 5 stars
• Discover: learn what matters to the group by exploring the thoughts and how they were rated

There are three ways you can access the Thoughtexchange

• Please click here to participate
• Go to the website, click Join and enter the code 542-224-813
• Download the Thoughtexchange app (IOS) only, click the Join button and enter the code 542-224-813

Please share this with your students of all ages and ask them to let state leaders know what they think and how they feel.

Governor Lamont releases Reopen Connecticut report

Governor Lamont yesterday released his Reopen Connecticut report, which contains recommendations from the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group – the panel of local health, business, workforce, and education experts who provided his administration and legislative leadership with recommendations on the reopening of Connecticut’s economy and education system as the nation emerges from the unprecedented public health emergency caused by COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, Governor Lamont has been using the advisory group’s recommendations, combined with inputs from state agency leadership, legislators, and other stakeholders, to inform his decisions on the reopening of the state.

With the release of the governor’s report, the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group has adjourned its activities and will no longer meet, however the governor said he will remain in contact with its members over the coming months as the situation continues to develop.

**Download: Reopen Connecticut Report

Operation Hope Food Pantry Open

Over the past weeks, I have shared information about the food drives being held weekly by local volunteers. I am so grateful for their efforts. Today I’d like to remind you that the Operation Hope Food Pantry, located at 148 Beach Road, is open for families who need to stock up. There are so many people who are waiting for their unemployment benefits to kick in. Please let your friends an neighbors know that this local resource is available.

Mental Health Awareness Month – Parenting & Self Care Workshop

Join Fairfield CARES Community Coalition tonight at 7:00 for a Parenting and Self-Care Webinar for Parents and Caregivers with Katy Rosenfeld, LMFT and Halley Ceglia Terrell, LCSW. Information on how to join can be found here. Please continue to access the many resources available via Fairfield CARES, The Hub CT, NAMI CT and many of the other local and statewide organizations ready to help.

Previous COVID-19 Updates:

May 26
May 21
May 20
May 19
May 18
May 15
May 14
May 11
May 7
May 5
May 4
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