Additional At-Home COVID Test-Kits for Schools

welander
January 13, 2022
As I shared last week, Governor Lamont recently distributed 670,000 COVID-19 Test-Kits for K-12 Schools and Early Childcare Providers. This allocation was only the first phase of distribution, and I am happy to share Phase 2 of COVID Self-Test kit distribution for K-12 Schools and Early Childcare Providers is TOMORROW, January 14. This will also include the distribution of N-95 masks.
 
Phase 2: COVID Test Distribution to Schools
The State Department of Education (SDE) told me the number of test kits and masks each school district in the state will receive has already been determined and correlates with student and staff populations.

Representatives from each school district have been given guidance on when/how to distribute Self-Test kits and masks to students and staff. This will directly correlate with exposure and symptoms. Please remember that if you are asymptomatic, or have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you will not be given priority for a test.

I want to extend a special thank you to all of the emergency volunteers who have helped with both phases of kit and mask distribution to schools across the state.
 
CT COVID-19 Updates
Connecticut is still experiencing a severe spike in COVID cases with both the daily positivity rate and number of residents hospitalized continuing to rise.

Please make sure you are taking any and all of the proper safety precautions you can to keep you and your loved ones safe. The COVID vaccine and booster remain our strongest defense against the virus, so if you haven't already, please schedule your vaccine appointment and/or booster by clicking the buttons below.

Remember* The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster for children ages 12 - 15. The agencies also authorized a third shot for children aged 5 - 11 years who are immunocompromised.

Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster for Kids
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Derby
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Orange
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Woodbridge
Thank you to all the partners making this happen, like Griffin Health.

I was able to get my older children their booster shot easily and efficiently this past week in North Haven due to their mobile units like this one.
 
CTPass Program
Governor Lamont announced the launch of the CTpass Program, which offers organizations group rates to access public transportation. Organizations that can participate in CTpass include but are not limited to:
  • Organizations that provide a training program listed on the Connecticut Department of Labor Department’s Eligible Training Provider List
  • Apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program sponsors
  • Providers of an alternate route to a certification program that the Connecticut State Board of Education has approved
  • Institutions of higher education
  • Private occupational schools
  • Private employers
  • State or municipal agencies
  • Public or nonprofit social service providers in Connecticut

For more information on CTpass or to download the initial application, click here. Questions or requests for additional information can be emailed here.
 
CareerConneCT
Last session my legislative colleagues and I worked collaboratively with the Governor to secure and allocate $70 Million in funding for Connecticut workers. With funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, we created CareerConneCT, a program designed to help those whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
I am excited to share – as of last week – the program has launched and is accepting applications from training providers.
For Training Providers

Under CareerConneCT training providers can:
  • Apply for Grants: Over the next four years providers can receive funding to design programs that offer industry-recognized credentials and job placement services with priority across several sectors:
    • Manufacturing
    • Information Technology
    • Healthcare
    • Infrastructure
    • Clean Energy
    • Other In-Demand Industries
The program is anticipated to support training for approximately 8,000 participants. Grants will be issued twice per year, every February and August.

The first application round is now open, and training providers can click the button below to login to their CT.Gov accounts and apply. The first

application deadline is February 20, 2022.
Application for Training Providers
For Workers

CareerConneCT is focused on:
  • Reskilling and Upskilling: Continuous learning and job training are essential.
  • Inclusiveness and Effectiveness: Help propel worker success while advancing social equity.
  • Mutual Success: Helps students, workers, and Connecticut thrive by uniting employers, workforce development boards, secondary- and post-secondary institutions, and community and economic organizations.
Workers will now have online access to short-term training programs, where they can earn an industry-recognized credential and enter employment in in-demand careers. Click the button below to visit the CareerConneCT portal and stay up to date on training opportunities.
CareerConnect Portal
 
Law Enforcement Appreciation
This past Sunday was National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I wanted to take a quick moment to thank the local Police Departments of Derby, Orange and Woodbridge, our State Troopers, and the Capitol Police Department for the work and the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe.