Newsletter
November 4, 2021I hope that all of your ghouls and goblins enjoyed Halloween on Sunday night—so great that the weather cooperated.
Today, our Hindu friends are celebrating Diwali and I wish them a happy and prosperous celebration. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. More information about the holiday can be found in the Diwali section below.
Congratulations to all of the candidates who won their elections this past Tuesday in Canton and Avon. I also want to thank each and every candidate who put their name on the ballot—it's a challenging climate to run and when someone agrees to run to serve their town, we should all be grateful they want to make their community a better place.
A reminder to everyone that I am here to help with guiding you to services, intervening with state agencies, and connecting you to people and resources you may need to access. Please don't hesitate to reach out.
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention OKs COVID-19 Vaccine for 5 to 11 Year Olds |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorized the use of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 Tuesday night meaning it is available today. The shots will be available to some 28 million kids across the United States. The shots have proven to be safe and effective in protecting children from COVID-19.
(Photo credit Getty Images)
The shots are free and will be administered through pharmacies, qualified health centers, pediatricians offices, vaccine clinics at schools, at some point and more. To schedule an appointment for you child now please click on the image below to access the state's Vaccine Portal.
Of note: The Farmington Valley Health District (FVHD) is hosting COVID-19 vaccination clinics for students that reside or attend school in FVHD beginning November 12. Please see the attached communications with details.
FVHD Vaccination of Students 5 Years of Age or Older Information
Vaccine Concerns for Parents
Pfizer 5 through 11 Fact Sheet for Recipients
Consent Form - Age 5-11
Pfizer 12 and up Fact Sheet for Recipients
Consent Form - Age 12+
| Courant: Gov. Ned Lamont eases COVID-19 quarantine restriction for students. Masks are still required. |
On the heels of the CDCs authorization of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for kids aged 5 to 11, Gov. Lamont adjusts quarantine restrictions for students but keeps masks mandate in place for now.
Children wearing masks at school. Photo: Vasyl/Adobe Stock (law.com)
From the article: “We will make a decision in December-January” about masks in schools, Lamont said. He said the state is looking closely at how many younger students get vaccinated and what happens during the upcoming holidays. “If we still maintain our low community spread, I think we will be able to announce some changes” - Governor Ned Lamont on mask mandate for students, Hartford Courant, 11/4/2021
To read the article in full please click here.
| A Reminder: Access Health Open Enrollment Period Runs Through January 15, 2022 |
If you are looking for good, quality, healthcare the annual Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period began Monday and runs through January 15, 2022. Residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage for the 2022 plan year.
To ensure your coverage starts on January 1, 2022, residents must enroll and complete their application by December 15, 2021. You can still enroll between December 16, 2021 and January 15, 2022 and apply for coverage that will start on February 1, 2022.
Starting this year, Connecticut residents who meet specific eligibility requirements may be able to pay $0 for their health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. This is thanks to the state’s new Covered Connecticut Program. If you qualify, the state will pay your portion of your monthly premium directly to your insurance company and will also pay for certain cost-sharing amounts, such as deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs. To learn more about the Covered Connecticut Program, including eligibility requirements click here.
There are several ways Connecticut residents can get free help with enrollment, including:
- In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
- Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
- By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
- Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/
If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Learn more at accesshealthct.com.
| Global Demand, Pandemic and More Causing Spike in Gas Prices - A Closer Look |
Eversource is alerting customers now that due to a number of events, including global demand, the pandemic and slow supply recovery, customers are going to see higher gas prices this heating season. For more information, from how you can reduce energy costs to customers who qualify for special heating assistance, please click on the image below.
Operation Fuel is a great resource if you are struggling to pay electric, water, or other utilities. You can apply for help through Operation Fuel or contact utility agencies about payment plans, get coded for Hardship or Winter Protection to protect against winter shutoffs as well as other resources that may be of assistance. Please click the image below for more specific details.
| Governor Lamont, CT State Colleges and Universities, and Google Announce Google Career Certificates Now Available Across Entire CSCU System |
Connecticut will be the first state in the nation to offer the full suite of Google Career Certificates across its state colleges and universities system. The program is now available to all community colleges and career and technical education (CTE) high schools across the nation to onboard! Please click on the image below for more details.
| Grants Available for Connecticut's Cultural Sector |
CT Humanities, with funding from the CT State Department of Economic and Community Development/CT Office of the Arts from the Connecticut State Legislature, is offering two important non-competitive grants for arts and humanities nonprofits. CT Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants in which CTH is granting $16 million in general operating support. Minimum award is $5,000. For more information, including eligibility and how to apply, please click on the image below.
CTH Sharp Capacity Grants are competitive project grants that will provide a total of $640,000 to help humanities organizations and other cultural institutions in Connecticut. For more details, including eligibility and how to apply, please lick on the image below.
| A Special Thanks to MamaBear Organics |
Thank you to MamaBear Organics for inviting me to be their Mystery Reader today. The adorable children and I enjoyed both “The Night Before Election Day” by Natasha Wing and “If I Had Your Vote” by the Cat in the Hat.
The Collinsville Streetscape Project is almost finished and it looks beautiful! Please remember that all of the buildings and businesses are still open. And it’s going to be fantastic when it’s finished!
| Happy Diwali! |
Happy Diwali to many of our friends!
India's biggest and most important holiday of the year is five days long and begins on Thursday, Nov. 4. Not familiar with Diwali? Click on the image to learn more.
