Children's Mental Health Resources & Updates

November 5, 2021
I hope you are enjoying your weekend and have the opportunity for some respite, and perhaps even some time in the great outdoors. Don’t forget Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday and we will “fall back.” What will you do with that “extra” hour?
What to Do and Where to Go Forum

Last month the American Academy of Pediatrics and others declared a national emergency in children’s mental health. Here at home and around the state and nation we know that children, their parents and all adults are facing mental health issues at increasing rates.
 
Next Wednesday, Representatives Leeper, Devlin and I will be joined by experts from Yale Child Study Clinic, Fairfield Public Schools, Positive Directions, Fairfield Human Services, and Fairfield CARES to talk about how to know when your child needs help and then how to find it. We’re fortunate to have such a knowledgeable panel available to answer your questions. I hope you will join us and spread the word to others who might be looking for information or support.

Please click here, or the image above to register in advance.

 
Children's Mental Health Resources

Our zoom / online conversation this Wednesday follows a number of helpful and informative presentations that have occurred over the past couple of weeks.

The Committee on Children hosted a very practical informational forum to provide advice for parents of children who are depressed, anxious, suicidal, or engaging in self-harm. It was an excellent discussion, highlighting how to locate counselors for your child, develop family plans, and use school resources. It also covered alternatives to the Emergency Room and specific LGBTQ+ outreach for kids.

The full 3-hour forum is available on the Committee's YouTube page linked above

. Three hours is more than most people can watch, so I also wanted to share the agenda with you here to see what topics were discussed and when. That way you can scroll through to the parts of the meeting that provide the information you need.

Earlier this week, Rep. Leeper and I, representatives from Fairfield CARES and residents attended a forum hosted by Senator Hwang on children’s mental health. Panelists from The Hub CT, the Department of Children and Families, Child Guidance, Sacred Heart counseling, and Child Health and Development Institute of CT, discussed the issues we are facing and what we can do to provide additional supports for families. If you weren't able to watch the discussion either in-person or virtually, Please click here, to watch the recorded version of the event.
 
Yesterday, former MLB player John Trautwein of the Will to Live Foundation spoke with Fairfield high school students during the school day and later a group of over 100 parents at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church. John, who lost his son, Will to suicide in 2010, was joined by Fairfield dad Jim Kuczo, who lost his son, Kevin to suicide in 2021. Both bravely shared insights and inspiration as well as guidance for parents. To watch John’s remarks, click here.

Please join us on Monday morning to share your ideas, thoughts, concerns. I hope to see some of you who I have not been able to connect with in the past months.
COVID Vaccines for Kids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 Tuesday night. This marks a major step forward as the COVID-19 vaccine remains our greatest weapon against this deadly virus, and with an authorized vaccine for nearly all school-aged children, we will help keep schools open and safe.

Now that the vaccine is approved, where can my child get vaccinated?

Children and families have many options for where to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, including:

  • Pediatricians: Hundreds of pediatricians are administering COVID-19 vaccines across the State of Connecticut. However, not all pediatricians will have the COVID-19 vaccine, so if your child’s provider doesn’t offer the COVID-19 vaccine, please refer to one of the other options provided.  
  • Pharmacies: Hundreds of pharmacy locations are offering the COVID-19 vaccine to children, including many CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, and other pharmacy chains across the state as well as independent pharmacies. Pharmacies provide a safe, convenient, and easy location to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Pharmacies have rolled out specialized trainings for their pharmacist staff to provide vaccines for younger children.
  • Other locations: In addition to the above, several health systems and local health departments will be offering COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5–11. 
Please utilize the button below to learn more about the COVID vaccine for children and to schedule an appointment.
COVID Vaccine Portal
Field of Valor

The Kiwanis Club of Fairfield will host its 5th annual Field of Valor THIS SUNDAY.

To honor our Military Veterans and those men and women actively serving our country, the Kiwanis Club of Fairfield will once again create a Field of Valor by displaying U.S. Flags. The Field of Valor will include more than 250 American flags and will be on display to commemorate Veterans Day on November 11th. This display will be created in Jennings Park (adjacent to Hansen’s Florist and across from Bob’s Shopping Center) from November 7th through the 21st, with a dedication ceremony on the opening day, Sunday, November 7, at 2PM.

All are invited to come out and honor any friends or family.

Pollinator Pathway

Thank you, Amanda Ingrassia, and all of the Fairfield Forestry, Sustainable Fairfield Task Force and Aspetuck Land Trust members who are promoting this program. My husband and I were proud to take the pledge this week to officially make our yard part of the Pollinator Pathway!

The Pollinator Pathway project is a volunteer organized project led by town conservation organizations working together to establish pollinator-friendly habitat and food sources for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and wildlife along a series of continuous corridors. Amanda is one of our dedicated volunteer leaders.

This project began in 2017 in Wilton, CT. Since then, pathways have been established in over 200 towns in CT, NY, MA, NJ, PA and the list keeps growing. If you are interested in joining the Fairfield Pollinator Pathway, please fill out the pledge by clicking the image above. This is another opportunity for your individual actions to make a collective impact.

Please also click here to learn more about recent updates on the Pollinator Pathway project on the Town's website.

Access Health CT is holding an in-person enrollment fair this Saturday, November 6, in Fairfield. The fair is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fairfield University, Faber Hall, 42 Bellarmine Road.
 
During the 2022 AHCT Open Enrollment period – which runs through January 15, 2022 – Connecticut residents can enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance coverage.

Customers should schedule an appointment for the Fairfield enrollment fair, but a limited number of walk-ins will be accommodated. Click HERE to schedule your appointment.
 
New subsidies may qualify middle-class families, the self-employed, and small business owners for a lower cost Silver plan on Access Health CT. Low-income residents may qualify for NO COST health insurance.
 
Access Health CT is the only place to qualify for financial help to lower your premium costs – and some Connecticut residents may be eligible for FREE or low-cost coverage through HUSKY Health and the new Covered Connecticut program.

  • For coverage beginning January 1, 2022, customers should enroll by December 15, 2021
  • For enrollment after December 15, coverage will begin February 1, 2022

If you need health insurance or would like to change your plan – this is your opportunity to find quality insurance at affordable prices.