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| Friends and Neighbors,
A nor'easter is headed to Connecticut this weekend, bringing over 12 inches of snow starting Friday evening into Saturday. Connecticut's severe weather protocol is in effect until February 2. A winter storm could last several hours, cause power outages, and put older adults, children, and sick individuals at higher risk.
As we weather the storm, make sure to check in on your neighbors and stay safe and warm.
Warming centers and shelters will be open across our state. If you or someone you know needs shelter, please call 2-1-1 to be directed to a nearby location and transportation if necessary.
For emergency management news and resources, visit the state’s CTPrepares website at ct.gov/ctprepares or download the app to mobile devices at the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Below are some additional resources: |
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| $1.8 MILION FOR EV SCHOOL BUS FLEET IN ANSONIA |
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| Today, I was happy to join U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Environmental Protection Agency Director of Air and Radiation Lynne Hamjian, state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, Senator Jorge Cabrera, Ansonia Public Schools Superintendent Joe DiBacco, and city officials to highlight a $1.8 million funding award for Ansonia Public Schools from the EPA Clean School Bus Program. The program makes federal funding available from 2022 to 2026 for the transition to low- or zero-emission school buses. Ansonia Public Schools is 1 of 5 Connecticut communities to receive an award. The grant will help our city purchase 6 electric school buses. The funding comes from our state's settlement with Volkswagen.
This initiative will help cut local emissions and keep our air cleaner and safer for children and families. Ansonia is noted for its disproportionately high asthma rates, and these funds will help improve health outcomes. |
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| WHAT HAS YOUR STATE REP BEEN UP TO? |
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| This morning, I was happy to meet with the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education and my legislative colleagues to discuss our common priorities for the 2022 legislative session and how we can work collaboratively serve students. I was pleased to see Ansonia Superintendent Dr. DeBacco, Assistant Superintendent Bergin, Derby Superintendent Dr. Conway, and more during the meeting. We make a strong team working for our students and community. |
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Connecticut workers have begun receiving their W-2s and other tax documents, signaling the start of the tax filing season. Residents and businesses have until April 18, 2022 to file their taxes. Below are some helpful resources to get you through this tax season:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Program offers free tax preparation to eligible households
- Eligibility requirements:
- Household income less than $58,000
- If self-employed taxpayers, business expenses must be less than $25,000
- No income from a rental property
- Individuals with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers can access tax prep assistance through VITA.
- Click here to see what you should bring to your appointment.
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AARP Tax-Aide Program
- Program offers free tax help for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older
- Virtual and in-person assistance are available
- Learn more here
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CT Department of Revenue Services
- DRS representatives can answer questions taxpayers may have. Reach out via phone or email
- Phone: 860-297-5962 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 860-297-4911 (Hearing Impaired, IDD/TT users only)
- Email: DRS@po.state.ct.us
- 2022 Connecticut Income Tax Filing Season FAQs - you can find answers to common questions such as requesting a filing extension, revising returns after filing, and more. Click here to access the FAQ page.
- DRS Taxpayer Service Center (TSC) Online - find information about filing individual and business tax through this platform. Business, individual, and bulk filers can file, pay, and manage their taxes, and find helpful information like tutorials, a troubleshooting guide, and more.
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Additional Tax Assistance
UConn Law School Tax Clinic - 65 Elizabeth St, Hartford, CT
- Tax Clinic is a free and independent clinic offering legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax issues concerning the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or CT DRS
- All phone and in-person meetings are confidential
- The clinic can only assist individuals taxpayers with CT income tax problems. It is unable to assist with other Connecticut business or individual tax
- Contact the clinic at 860-570-5165 or visit the website here.
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| Last week, the state Department of Labor began sending out 1099G tax forms to residents who received unemployment compensation in 2021. Did you receive a 1099G but did not file for unemployment benefits? This could be identity theft.
You can report your concerns through the CTDOL's fraud prevention page. You'll also find helpful information to protect your personal data. Since March 13, 2020, CTDOL has identified over 100,000 fraudulent unemployment claims due to identity theft. CTDOL's Integrity Unit will review the information and will respond as quickly as possible. For more information and resources, click the button below. |
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| If you or someone you know needs a COVID-19 test, please visit Connecticut's coronavirus website here and enter your zip code in the box that says, "Find a COVID TESTING site." For a list of cost-free state-supported COVID-19 testing sites, please click here.
Griffin Hospital has increased staffing to meet the increased demand for PCR testing. Testing is available for individuals 4+ at 130 Division St in Derby. Testing hours are Sunday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment, please call 203-437-6815.
Below are some more COVID-19 testing locations in our community. You can call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 website here to find additional test sites. |
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| Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against a severe case of COVID-19 and any of the variants. If you were vaccinated over 6 months ago, public health and medical experts recommend getting boosted. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 boosters for individuals 12 to 15 years. You can learn more about this here.
If you're looking to get your first COVID-19 shot or a booster, the state Department of Public Health Mobile Vaccination Team will host vaccination clinics in our community. You can find a full list of mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics here.
Children ages 5 to 11 are eligible for the pediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccination location in your area, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 vaccine locator, here.
You can also text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish to instantly receive details about clinics in your area and assistance with transportation, childcare, and more.
If you would like assistance over the phone, dial 2-1-1 to get connected with a specialist. |
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| Additional information about getting vaccinated, including how to make an appointment and a list of clinics, is available on Connecticut's Vaccine Portal, here.
If you need assistance finding transportation to and from a vaccine appointment, you can find transportation resources here.
If you're a homebound resident, you can receive your COVID-19 shot at home. Complete the state Department of Public Health's Homebound Intake Form to get the appointment process started. |
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| As National Blood Donor Month comes to a close, the Red Cross faces the worst blood shortage in a decade. Now, more than ever, your help is needed. You can make an appointment today to donate blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). |
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| Do you want to get involved with your community and help it progress? Consider volunteering in local government. The City of Derby is looking for volunteers to serve on a variety of boards and commissions. Public service is incredibly rewarding and is a great opportunity to directly help your neighbors and and shape our community. If you're interested in volunteering, please click here. |
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| NOW HIRING & JOB TRAINING |
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| Did you hear the Ansonia Police Department is hiring officers? The department will be taking certified and uncertified candidates. Applications will be accepted through March 31, 2022. The salary range for entry level police officers is $70,616 to $79,435. If you're interested in serving your community, click the button below to learn more and apply. |
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| Are you a compassionate individual who wants to help others? Griffin Hospital has several openings for clinical and nonclinical professionals. Positions include registered nurses, call center assistant, COVID-19 testing support, scheduling assistants, medical assistants, and more. To learn about career opportunities at Griffin Hospital and apply, click the button below. |
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| Griffin Hospital's School of Allied Health Careers is offering fall semester classes for its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Certified Clinical Medical Assistant programs. The CNA program plans to start an evening class Feb. 28. The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant is accepting applicants for an upcoming class. Learn the essential skills and knowledge necessary to be a Nursing or Medical Assistant. Over the course of the program, students will develop into multi-skilled healthcare professionals who are qualified and prepared to take their certification exams.
Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED may apply for admission. We recommend to apply early, as space in these courses is limited. For more information about the school’s winter programs, or to set up an entrance interview, please call 203-732-1276 or click here. |
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| AARP Connecticut has funding for scholarships for students age 50+ who want to pursue careers in manufacturing at one of Connecticut's community colleges, including Naugatuck Valley Community College. Through a partnership with the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame and the College of Technology, AARP-CT is offering this opportunity for scholarships in the amount of $1,250 per student, while funds last.
Students must be age 50+ and enrolled/enrolling in any Connecticut Community College system manufacturing program. Students must also be willing to share their story and demographic information with AARP, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame, and the College of Technology for potential publication across AARP communication channels and be willing to sign related releases.
To apply for this opportunity at NVCC, interested students should contact Angela Chapman at AChapman@nvcc.commnet.edu.
Individuals interested in learning more about NVCC's Manufacturing program can contact Deirdre D'Amore directly at ddamore@nv.edu. The popular program is currently enrolling for their certificate program which prepares individuals to enter this in-demand and good-paying field! |
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| On Tuesday, February 1 at 8 p.m. via Zoom, TEAM, Inc will hold a Community Meeting to explore how Ansonia and Derby residents can get a Community Center started! This is an issue that's dear to my heart. Our children and teens should be able to have a safe place they can learn and grow. Currently, our community does not have a center for people to meet and connect. If you live in Ansonia and Derby and have wanted to see a community center in our area as long as I have, I hope you'll attend. Click the button below to attend the meeting. |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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