Community Updates & Resources

welander
December 10, 2021
On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 service members and civilians and injuring 1,178 others. On Tuesday, WWII Veterans, friends and family joined together to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the attacks honoring their loved ones. 

You can watch the recorded memorial ceremony on Facebook by clicking here.
 
Enhanced Mental Health Services
A new state program was launched Wednesday that will provide $2.7 million to colleges and universities in Connecticut as they respond to the ongoing student mental health challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. This effort is being fully funded with federal dollars dedicated to the state.

The Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program will provide grants to eligible higher education institutions to:

  • Drive innovative and evidence-based strategies that enhance student access to care.
  • Boost education and awareness of mental health services and programs available to students, either on or off campus.
  • Equip staff and students with knowledge for supporting students with mental illnesses, particularly those from minority or traditionally underserved backgrounds.
The program is projected to benefit more than 130,000 undergraduate students across 28 colleges and universities in Connecticut. It comes on the heels of legislation signed into law earlier this year that charges institutions of higher education with assessing and, where necessary, enhancing mental health services for students on campus.

The launch of the program comes at a vital period in Connecticut’s pandemic recovery efforts. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, its economic impacts, and the mounting awareness of systemic racism and inequality, the presence of mental health issues for students is at an all-time high. In fall 2020,

39% and 34% of college students reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Furthermore, 83% of students said that their mental health had negatively impacted their academic performance. Higher education administrators have noted similar trends – in fact, 72% of college and university presidents identified student mental health as a pressing issue for this school year. Many institutions of higher education in Connecticut report that counseling centers have seen a significant increase in student demand.

Institutions receiving grant funding will be required to describe specific uses for the funds, including how grants can be equitably distributed to benefit minority, underrepresented, and/or disadvantaged student populations. For more information on the Connecticut Campus Mental Health Program and the link to the grant application, click here

.
 
CT's COVID Positivity Rate
On Tuesday, Connecticut's COVID-19 positivity rate spiked to 8.3% - the highest rate in 11 months. If you have been monitoring our state's response efforts, you've probably seen the positivity rate consistently increasing over the past two weeks. The reality is, we have not survived a pandemic. We are surviving in a pandemic.
I was able to get my booster shot a few weeks ago. I hope that if you haven't received yours yet, you will schedule an appointment or walk in to one of the many locations near us that are offering them. Use the buttons below to find the most convenient location for you.

Boosters offer you more protection and there's no time like the present to protect you and your family.

You may have also noticed an increase of cases in our schools. All children over the age of 5 are eligible to get the COVID vaccine; please talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions or concerns. You can find information on scheduling a pediatric vaccine clinic by clicking the button below.
COVID Vaccines for Kids
Find a COVID Booster: Derby
Find a COVID Booster: Orange
Find a COVID Booster: Woodbridge
 
CT Paid Family and Medical Leave
I am pleased to announce that Connecticut's landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Program applications are now being accepted for residents who want to participate in the state’s program. Claims are being considered for qualifying events occurring on or after January 1, 2022.

Under the program - which the legislature passed in 2019 - eligible workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of time off work for certain qualifying events without losing income.

Connecticut is only the eighth state in the nation to enact a paid family and medical leave program. Currently, only 13% of private-sector workers in the United States have access to paid family and medical leave.

The program is administered by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.

You can apply now by clicking here, sending an email, sending a fax to (888) 485-0973, calling a Customer Care Advocate at (877) 499-8606 , or mailing your claim to Administrative Office, PO Box 84077, Columbus, GA 31908-4077.
Qualifying reasons to submit a claim include:
  • Medical leave for a serious health condition including pregnancy, or serving as a bone marrow or organ donor.
  • Caregiver leave to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition.
  • Bonding leave for a newborn child through birth, adoption, or foster care.
  • Family violence leave to get medical or psychological care.
  • Workers caring for injured military family members or a spouse’s military deployment.

The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings, and is capped at 60 times the state minimum wage up to $780 per week. The combination of employer-provided benefits and benefits received under the paid leave program cannot exceed 100% of a worker’s normal weekly earnings.

For more information about the program, please click here.
 
Utility Bill Assistance
Increasing fuel prices will present additional challenges for families on a budget trying to keep warm this winter season. For those of you who need assistance, I want to share some resources available to you.
Energy assistance programs available in Connecticut include:
  • Connecticut Energy Assistance Program: Administered by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), provides winter heating cost assistance to more than 75,000 income-eligible households every year, regardless of their heat source. You can apply online, or by calling 2-1-1.
  • Nonprofit heating assistance services: Operation Fuel and other nonprofits provide year-round emergency energy assistance to low-to-moderate-income households that don’t qualify for CEAP or who run out of CEAP benefits. Click here for more information and to apply.
  • COVID-19 Payment Plans for Utility-Heated Customers: The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) has directed all regulated electric, gas, and water utilities in the state to offer COVID-19 payment plans, which both residential and non-residential customers are eligible to enroll in through the end of the public health emergency declaration. COVID-19 payment plans are available to any customer requesting financial assistance to facilitate the repayment of past due balances in addition to the customer’s current monthly bill. These plans require no initial or down payment or demonstration of financial need; can be up to 24 months in length; and waive any fees or interest in the calculation of the monthly payment amount. Customers can receive information on these payment plans by contacting their utility companies.
  • Electric Utility Bill Assistance from UniteCT: UniteCT provides rental and utility assistance funding for those financially impacted by COVID-19. UniteCT has become a model for other states by successfully delivering more than $18 million to electric customers to date to help pay down their arrearages (back bills). Connecticut residents who rent their homes can apply through their electric utility company or municipal electric company. For more information, click here.
  • Winter Protection Program – Moratorium on Heating Source Shut-Offs: From November 1 through May 1, there is a moratorium in Connecticut on heating source shut-offs for eligible households. Customers should contact their utility and inquire about the Winter Protection Program, as well as other programs for which they may be eligible. For more information, click here or call 2-1-1.
  • Energy-Saving Solutions – Energize CT: Energize CT can help customers save money on energy bills by providing advice, information, and financial incentives to make homes more energy efficient. For more information, click here.
  • Consumer Protections Regarding Third-Party Electricity Suppliers: Over the past decade, Connecticut has enacted a series of consumer protections for customers of electric suppliers, including prohibiting variable rates and giving PURA the discretion to prevent customers who were designated as “utility hardship” from being switched to electric suppliers. Just this year, Governor Lamont signed Public Act 21-117, which prohibits cancellation fees for residential customers who are under contract with an electric supplier and strengthens PURA’s oversight over electric suppliers.

For further guidance on energy assistance programs available in Connecticut, please call 2-1-1. Please share this information with anyone that might need some help.
 
Upcoming Events
Here are a few upcoming events happening in our community this week. If you can, gather friends and family, bundle up and head out to any of these gatherings. As always, please practice all the necessary COVID-19 safety measures.

Derby
  • Holiday Tribute to the Suffragists - Osborne Homestead Museum
    • Friday, December 10, 2021 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    • Saturday, December 11, 2021 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    • Sunday, December 12, 2021 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
    • Thursday, December 16, 2021 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Orange

Woodbridge
 
In the Community
I am incredibly proud to share that back in November, a $12.6 Million federal RAISE grant I had worked on extensively with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) was awarded in Derby.
 
This funding will transform the Derby/Shelton Train Station with upgrades that will improve the lives of residents throughout the region, and will provide an economic boost to the region.

A special thank you to Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Governor Ned Lamont for your commitment to this project and for seeing the same potential I see in my community. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the entire CTDOT team and all of the local advocates and agencies for their time and effort on this.

Read more about the specifications of this grant by clicking here.
 
Last week I was humbled to stand with Governor Ned Lamont, State Senator Jorge Cabrera, State Senator James Maroney, ADL Connecticut, Jewish Federation Association of Connecticut-JFACT, NAACP CT, Urban League of Greater Hartford, CCIU - CT Council for Interreligous Understanding, and the Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford and other leaders from across the state at the JCC of Greater New Haven in support of Shine A Light CT.
 
This initiative aims to bring awareness to the growing instances of antisemitic hate crimes across the country. As painful as it is to admit it, we must acknowledge that these acts are happening in our own communities, but we can all fight back by standing up and speaking out if we hear or see hateful acts.
"We are stronger when we work together."

After the event, I went home and lit a candle to symbolize shining a light of hope and solidarity during this time of joy and celebration. I encourage you to shine your own light, and utilize all the resources and information available to you here.
 
Last week I also ventured up to the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford for a discussion on the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Caucus' upcoming initiatives to bring more visitors to our lovely state. As a member of the caucus it was important for me to hear directly from the people who are keeping our theaters, restaurants, and museums open, safe, and ready for visitors. This is a vital part of our economy and I look forward to more people recognizing how many great things Connecticut has to offer.

A bonus of the event was the ability to tour the Science Center. I had the chance to take a peek into the new exhibit "Mummies of the World" which was very cool (and just a little bit creepy)! I highly recommend a visit to the center for that and all the exhibits!