Eleni Kavros DeGraw

It was great to run into many of you this past week as I was around our district, visiting the Gallery on the Green, volunteering at the Canton Main Street Farmer's Market, and even grabbing an ice cream cone on National Ice Cream Day at J. Foster’s in Avon this past Sunday.

Below you'll find the link to yesterday's Community Safety Conversation with Avon's Police Administrator (Chief), Jim Rio, Canton's Police Chief, Chris Arciero, and Ken Barone, Researcher and Expert at the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy. I hope you'll take the time to watch as we spent time dispelling fiction from facts, providing great data points, and also discussing solutions.

You'll also see that Access Health Connecticut has an upcoming special enrollment period, the state (at the behest of some great work by Representative Christine Palm) has rolled out a new website for young professionals, and if you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, there's also an update on SNAP benefits.

I look forward to seeing more of you, I hope, this Friday at the Constituent Coffee with Representative Tammy Exum in Avon. Soon, I'll be announcing another coffee in Canton.

In this newsletter:

• Visit to the Gallery on the Green
• Conversation with Avon and Canton Police Chiefs - ongoing car theft discussions
• Access Health Connecticut Special Enrollment Period
• New Online Hub for Working Professionals
• Update on SNAP Benefits
• Legislative Coffee Update on Friday, July 23rd at 8AM

VISIT TO THE GALLERY ON THE GREEN

Maybe you’re like me and the last time you had a chance to be in our local art museum was before the pandemic. I would highly encourage you to visit the Gallery on the Green (the oldest running artists’ guild in Connecticut) for their 61st Anniversary Exhibition through August 7th (Friday through Sunday 1-5 p.m.) Additionally, and I have to say inspiringly, their Spotlight Gallery features artist Jill Pasanen and her “Let’s Dance! A Dancer’s Imaginings” solo show.

For more information, visit https://www.galleryonthegreen.org

CONVERSATION CONCERNING ONGOING CAR THEFTS

I know many of you have been concerned about the car thefts we've seen across the district and across Connecticut. As you know, from my previous communications, both in e-updates, news interviews, and emails and phone calls we've had, I share those concerns. This is why I thought it best to bring in the experts both on policing and on policy.

I hope you'll have a chance to watch this conversation that helps dispel myths (no, the juvenile justice laws do not correlate to a rise in juvenile car thefts) and share some of the solutions that are being discussed (moving the family survey up in the adjudication process; ankle monitors for offenders; giving judges and police better access to juvenile records, etc.)

I can almost guarantee you'll learn something new that takes this important topic past the sound bites you may hear on the news or on social media.

We want to work together to keep our communities safe and that is our top priority.

Click the image above to watch the discussion.

ACCESS HEALTH CONNECTICUT

If you are still in need of quality, affordable health care it is not too late to get a plan through Access Health Connecticut (AHCT), but time is running out. The American Rescue Plan Special Enrollment Period deadline ends August 15!

The American Rescue Plan has virtually eliminated, or vastly reduced monthly payments (premiums) for many people with low and moderate incomes and has saved Connecticut residents more than $4.5 million to date.

This financial help is offered only through Access Health CT and benefits many, including those with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums. If you need coverage please don't hesitate to reach out. For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period and the American Rescue Plan, visit AccessHealthCT.com.

Access Health CT will continue to offer free help:

• Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: click “Live Chat” icon)
  • Phone: 855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • If you are deaf or hearing impaired you may use the TTY at 855-789-2428 or contact us with a relay operator.
  • Extended Call Center Hours for close of the Special Enrollment Period: Sat., August 14 and Sun., August 15 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• With Enrollment Specialists in the community
• In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*:
  • Project Access New Haven located at 63 York Street in New Haven
  • Community Renewal Team located at 330 Market Street in Hartford

*Please note: These locations will welcome customers by appointment only with strict safety protocols including mask-wearing, hand sanitizing, temperature checks, social distancing, and standard health questionnaire.

ONLINE HUB FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS

Connecticut is an excellent place to live and start a career. In addition to the state’s high quality education and healthcare systems, Connecticut also offers several different types of living spaces – there are rural areas, urban centers, and everything in between.

CTForMe is a new online hub that will highlight all of the advantages of living in the Nutmeg state. The website and the Instagram page (@CTForMe) will feature first-person accounts of young professionals in Connecticut. The content will focus on issues that a young professional may consider when choosing a place to settle- such as employment opportunities, the arts and culture scene, as well as sustainability initiatives in the community.

CTForMe will be shared through universities, organizations, social media pages around Connecticut and surrounding states. It's designed to be a resource for young, talented professionals who are considering making their lives in Connecticut.

Connecticut is a great state to live, work and raise a family. It's time to spread the word!

Check out CTforMe to see all that Connecticut has to offer our young people.

SNAP BENEFITS UPDATE

Last Friday, over 57,800 students enrolled in the free or reduced-price meals program received the last round of the Pandemic EBT funding. This Friday, over 218,500 qualifying families will receive additional emergency food benefits through SNAP. Please find more information below on these latest rounds of food support and how to access assistance.

As of last Friday, July 16:

DSS mailed EBT cards to households of over 57,800 schoolchildren not currently enrolled in a number of assistance programs throughout the state, and who did not receive their benefits in April or May. DSS deposited P-EBT food benefits into their new accounts. The EBT cards will arrive with instructions on how to activate them and access the food benefits. Benefits may differ from student to student and depend on the learning model the child was in each month, with an average benefit amount estimated at $418 per child.

Where can I use EBT cards? Benefits can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards. This includes farmers’ markets and direct market farms. In fact, enrollees can double the value of P-EBT or other SNAP benefits at farmers’ markets participating in CT Fresh Match. P-EBT participants will also have online access to eligible food purchases through delivery or curbside pickup at participating retailers Amazon, Aldi & Price Chopper/Market 32 via Instacart, BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, ShopRite, and Walmart. Click here to learn more.

Do I need to apply? No. Families do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits, as DSS and the Department of Education use attendance information provided by schools to determine if children are eligible for P-EBT.
Coming this Friday, July 23:

Eligible Connecticut families will receive additional emergency food benefits. The Connecticut Department of Social Services will deliver $33.2 million in Emergency SNAP benefits to over 218,500 Connecticut households at the end of this week.

Who will receive additional funds? Monthly allocations of emergency SNAP benefits are going to all enrolled households, based on continuance of a declared public health emergency related to COVID-19 in Connecticut. Details can be found by clicking here.

This new distribution of additional emergency benefits is great news for qualifying families. If you or someone you know is not receiving food-related benefits as needed, please click here for FAQs and contact info regarding SNAP benefits.

LEGISLATIVE COFFEE UPDATE

Rep. Tammy Exum and I will host our first 2021 legislative session update together during a Coffee Hour at BeanZ & Co., 300 West Main Street in Avon on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 8 a.m. We will be available to answer any legislative questions you may have including recent topics in the news or to discuss issues that impact our everyday lives.