Guidance for In-Person Graduation Ceremonies

June 3, 2020

I hope this email finds you and your family well. As we continue to move forward in these difficult times, please know my office and I are here for you. If you are experiencing issues receiving unemployment benefits, don't know where to get food, or need help with housing, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. My office and I will work to get you the help and answers you need. We have been keeping busy making sure those who need assistance get it, so if you don't get a response, please reach out again. We want to help everyone we can. 

In the below email, I have included information on the following topics:

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Suitable Work Requirements
  • Online Grocery Shopping Available for SNAP Participants
  • Rules for Operating Summer School
  • Spotlighting Local Excellence

COVID-19 Update

 

As of Wednesday at 4 p.m., a total of 43,091 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents. This includes 41,051 laboratory-confirmed cases and 2,040 probable cases. To view a county-by-county breakdown of cases or additional data, please click the image above.

School Districts May Hold In-Person Graduation Ceremonies Starting July 6

School districts will be able to hold in-person graduation ceremonies starting July 6, 2020 as long as they follow strict guidelines, including requirements that the graduations are held outdoors, they are limited to a maximum of 150 people in attendance (including graduates), and follow social distancing protocols. These requirements include compliance with all public health related rules, orders, the instructions in standing Connecticut State Department of Education and Department of Public Health guidance, and that where:

  • Cars parked immediately next to each other, all car windows must stay closed
  • Care parked at least 6-feet from each other, car windows may be open. All individuals in the car must wear masks.

An executive order codifying these guidelines is expected to be signed in the coming days. School districts are asked to contemplate a local approach that best suits their communities and coordinate all activities with local leaders. 

CT Receives $224 Million in Federal COVID-19 Funding for Rail and Bus Operations

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has been awarded $224.3 million in federal COVID-19 funding from the Federal Transit Administration to help cover expenses for rail and bus operations in the state that occurred on or after January 20. This funding will be used for the following:

  • $150 million will be earmarked for New Haven Line, New Canaan Line, Danbury Line, Waterbury Line
  • $6 million for Shore Line East
  • $50 million for CTtransit, CTtransit Express, and CTfastrak services statewide
  • $10.1 million for rural transit services within the state
  • $8.2 million for bus transit districts statewide

Additionally, there is $19.2 million in pending awards for the transit districts. 

AAA Reopens Licensing Services at 8 Retail Stores in CT

AAA has opened 8 of its retail stores in Connecticut and are providing DMV licensing services. Customers are REQUIRED to make appointments in advance in order to provide for social distancing. 

DMV officials stress deadlines for all licenses that expire between March 10, 2020 and June 30, 2020 have automatically been extended by 180 days, so it is not necessary to renew these credentials until that extension has expired. However, anyone who would like to renew their license may do so at the AAA retail stores.

Read more about this here. Make an appointment with AAA here.

Click here to read the full news update.

For all of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and state agencies, click here. Watch the daily news updates here, and read the press releases here.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Suitable Work Requirements

Earlier this week an executive order was signed to allow the Connecticut Department of Labor to consider worker claims where heading back to their workplaces would create an "unreasonable risk" to the health of either the work or a member of their household. 

While this could be a factor in considering unemployment benefits, it does not assure the continued state support.

Online Grocery Shopping Available for SNAP Participants

Families and individuals participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) with transportation challenges have struggled with their food shopping needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In order to address this concern, recipients in Connecticut are now allowed to use food stamps to order groceries online at locations including ShopRite, Amazon and Walmart. EBT cards may be used to buy food for delivery or curbside pickup.

More information about the SNAP change, participating locations and household size and benefit guidelines can be found HERE.

In addition, the Department of Social Services will be providing $16.3 million in emergency SNAP benefits to nearly half of Connecticut’s participants on Friday, June 12, 2020 – adding to the $50.2 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April and May.

Stay safe and please share this information with anyone that may benefit.

Rules for Operating Summer School

Summer schools are preparing to open on July 6, 2020. A reopening plan has been developed outlining safety measures, daily operating practices, and restrictions to ensure that our students and teachers are better protected.
 
Read the summary of the report here.

Spotlighting Local Excellence

I am so proud of this group of young people who took peaceful and meaningful action to protest police brutality. You are seen, heard, and appreciated. Thank you to Ansonia Police Department as well for walking with our residents to ensure their voices were heard. Thank you to the Valley Independent Sentinel for highlighting this.