Infrastructure news, accessing affordable child care, and more

November 18, 2021


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Thanksgiving for many of us is a time to pause and show gratitude. Due to the economic fallout of COVID-19 and rise in food prices driven by inflation and supply chain issues, over 51,000 Connecticut residents simply will not be able to afford food this holiday season. To ensure families experiencing food insecurity can have a holiday meal, Connecticut Foodshare has pledged to collect over 51,000 turkeys for its Turkey and Thirty campaign. 
On Sunday, November 21 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., you can help CT Foodshare reach its goal by bringing a turkey or monetary donation to the St. Thomas the Apostle Church Turkey Drive at 872 Farmington Ave. in West Hartford. I'll be there with members of the West Hartford legislative delegation to help collect donations! Other Thanksgiving food items will be welcomed. If you can't make it, you can donate online to the St. Thomas and St. Timothy Parish here.

For more information about Connecticut Foodshare Turkey and 30 drives, please click here.
 
COVID-19 UPDATE
The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District is hosting a COVID-19 Booster Shot Clinic on Friday, November 19 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Conard High School, 110 Beechwood Rd. The clinic is open to adults 18 and up and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be administered. Walk-in appointments will be accepted. Please bring a valid ID/drivers license, your health insurance card, and COVID-19 vaccination card. If you lost your vaccination card, a new one will be provided to you at the clinic. 

For more information, please call 860-561-7900 or visit the Health District web page, here.
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
The infrastructure bill that was recently signed by President Biden is an historic investment for our state and our country. It is a deal that will create good paying union jobs while modernizing our infrastructure and puts us on a path to address the climate crisis. 

Our state will receive $5.38 billion in federal funds over the next five years. This funding will be used to upgrade Connecticut's rail infrastructure, replace and repair bridges and highways, and buildout our electric vehicle charging network. Funds will also expand access to broadband internet and improve water infrastructure to ensure every resident has safe, clean drinking water. 

The bill also includes provisions to create an online hub that promotes transparency and ensures federal agencies prioritize purchasing American-made goods.

To learn more about the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, please click here
 
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Preschool gives every child the foundational skills they need to succeed and thrive, however not all children have access to this resource due to its high cost. The West Hartford School Readiness Grant is helping to break cost barriers to help West Hartford families send their young learners to preschool. The grant provides access to affordable preschool for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. To learn more and apply, please email joyce_cowles@whps.org. 
 
Every person in our state should have access to affordable housing, but Connecticut does not have enough affordable housing to meet the demand. Sustainable CT with support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving will host three online conversations to hear from you about your experience finding and keeping safe, affordable housing. Registration is closed, but Sustainable CT invites you to share your experiences about where you live. Click here to complete the form. 
 
Our state continues to welcome refugees in our communities. The Playhouse on Park Theatre is collecting toiletries and cleaning supplies to help Afghani refugees transition to life in Connecticut. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can bring donations of toiletries and cleaning supplies to the theatre at 244 Park Road. Playhouse on Park will be accepting items until November 24. 
 
As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!

Sincerely,

Kate Farrar
State Representative
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