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| In this email you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.
A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer or scroll through this email to the relevant section.
The topics covered are as follows:
On Legislative Business
On Community Resources
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| CoveredCT – Now Available to Adults Without Children & Now Provides Dental Coverage |
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The CoveredCT health program provides healthcare to eligible Connecticut residents whose yearly income fall within a certain range of the federal poverty level. We expanded the program so CoveredCT will now be available to adults without children and will provide dental coverage and non-emergency medical transportation.
For eligible Connecticut residents enrolled in the Covered Connecticut Program, the state pays the customer’s portion of the monthly payment (premium) directly to their insurance company (Anthem, ConnectiCare Benefits, Inc. and ConnectiCare Insurance Company, Inc.) and pays for the cost-sharing amounts (deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, and maximum out-of-pocket costs) that customers would typically have to pay with a health insurance plan. Residents must meet the following requirements to participate:
- Have a household income up to and including 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and don’t qualify for Medicaid because of income
- Be eligible for financial help, including Advanced Premium Tax Credit (APTC) and Cost-Sharing Reductions (CSRs), and use 100% of the financial help available to you
- Be enrolled in a Silver Level Plan
Income guidelines for 2022 coverage can be found here. To enroll, complete the application found here – you will be notified by Access Health CT if you qualify. Or contact the call center for free enrollment and eligibility help at +1 (855) 805-4325. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, use the TTY at +1 (855) 789-2428 or contact Access Health CT with a relay operator.
More information can be found here.
I would like to know, what do you think of these issues? |
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| HHS Secretary Visits CT to Discuss Abortion Access |
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On Tuesday, the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra visited Connecticut to tour the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Waterbury with state and local legislators. Secretary Becerra's visit followed the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and highlight recent changes that protected abortion access.
During the visit, Secretary Becerra stated that the Biden administration has begun talks with health insurance providers to remind them that federal law includes contraceptive coverage requirements and to remind states accepting Medicaid funding that the federal dollars required them to cover emergency care services, which in some cases includes abortion services.
Secretary Becerra also stated that he is exploring the possibility of declaring a public health crisis so federal dollars could be used to help women seeking abortion services in states that have outlawed them.
I would like to know, what do you think of these issues? |
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| Today in CT History: The Burning and Looting of Fairfield |
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Throughout the Revolutionary War, Connecticut citizens lived in fear of devastating British raids on shoreline communities. From the British perspective, Connecticut was a nest of rebel activity, both overt and covert. Not only was it home to a government that had early and ardently supported the Patriot cause, its shoreline towns openly gave shelter to legions of trader-traitors who smuggled, spied, and fought against the King’s troops. No town was worse in this regard than the Patriot stronghold of Fairfield.
On July 7, 1779, that town’s residents’ worst fears about possible British retaliation for their resistance were realized. Militia stationed at a fort near Black Rock spotted a large approaching flotilla of British war ships. Within hours, a force of 2,000 British and Hessian troops landed on the beach and began marching directly toward the town green. Vastly outnumbered local militia, hastily gathered to offer resistance, harassed the line of Redcoats the entire way. They tore up bridges and shot at the British column from behind walls, trees, and roadside buildings. While they didn’t succeed in repelling the invasion, their harassment of the British troops bought enough time to enable a number of Fairfield residents to hastily gather essentials and flee before the invading troops arrived. |
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As they neared the center of town, the British soldiers, under the command of General William Tryon, intentionally began looting and burning homes, barns, workshops and stores. The raid lasted throughout the night, with local accounts describing terrifying scenes of drunken soldiers terrorizing local residents and gleefully destroying whatever property they could lay their hands on.
The British forces retreated early the following morning amid rumors that a large number of American forces were mobilizing for a counter-attack nearby. Although their occupation of Fairfield lasted less than a day, the damage the British soldiers wrought during that time marked this particular raid as one of the worst experienced by Connecticans throughout the entire Revolutionary War.
It took decades for Fairfield to recover from the devastation. Ten years later, when then-President George Washington stopped at a local Fairfield tavern while passing through Connecticut, he noted that “the destructive evidences of British cruelty are [still] visible both in Norwalk and Fairfield.” Once the commercial center of southwestern Connecticut, Fairfield never regained the prominence it had before the British raid. Bridgeport, with its larger, deep-water harbor, soon became the hub of maritime activity in Fairfield County, and remains so to this day.
If you'd like to learn more about the burning of Fairfield and other interesting CT historical facts, click here. |
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| MARC Summer Concert Series is Back 12! |
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The MARC Summer Concert Series is back for summer 2022 at the MARC Green (between 151 and 161 Sheldon Road in Manchester)! This year, MARC, with the support of Pratt & Whitney and other great community sponsors, have put together a great lineup of FREE concerts:
Tuesday, July 12, 6:30PM-8:30PM: Janie's Dance Party – Mass-Conn-Fusion (Motown, R&B, Funk)
Made possible by Lynn Damon & The Alemany Family
Food by: Pastrami on Wry
Rain Date: Wednesday, July 13
Tuesday, July 19, 6:30PM-8:30PM: Nightshift (A 5-piece 60's, 70's, & 80's cover band)
Food by: Relish This
Rain Date: Wednesday, July 20
Tuesday, July 26, 6:30PM-8:30PM: Salute to Veterans Nights – King Kountry (Country, Rock)
Food by: The Hollow
Rain Date: Wednesday, July 27
More information on the summer concert series can be found here or contact MARC by phone at (860) 646-5718 or by email at info@marcct.org. Please note that all concerts are weather permitting – check for weather delays by calling MARC's event hotline after 3PM the day of the show at (860) 474-2700. |
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| CHR Offering Weekly Group Session to Promote Mental Health & Social Skills in Teens |
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Throughout the summer, CHR will offer weekly, in-person groups for teens to explore areas of mental health and social skills. Topics include increasing positive communication and coping skills, self-esteem, and mindfulness. In-Person sessions available at the 444 Center Street location include:
Self-Esteem & Identity, Tuesdays at 6PM
Best suited for girls, ages 12-17
For more information or to RSVP, contact Jessica Grzywinski, LMFT at (860) 730-8875
What Can Help? Coping Skills for All, Wednesdays at 4:15PM
Best suited for ages 8-12
For more information or to RSVP, contact Jessica Grzywinski, LMFT at (860) 730-8875
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Wise Minds, Tuesdays at 5PM
Best suited for ages 14-17
For more information or to RSVP, contact Dejah Ford, LMSW at (860) 730-8625
For more information on the above programs or CHR's work, click here. |
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| PACT Free Community College Program Priority Deadline Approaching |
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| Included in this year's budget was funding to extend the eligibility for the PACT free community college program to part-time students. PACT funding covers the gap between federal and state grants you receive, and community college tuition and mandatory fees – and the priority consideration deadline is right around the corner. Applications submitted by July 15 will be given priority as PACT funds are given on a first come, first served basis. After that date, applications will be accepted only if funds remain available. |
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To qualify, students must:
- Be a CT high school graduate (GED & home-schooled students qualify)
- Be a first-time college student
- Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Attend community college part- or full-time (6+ credits/semester)
- Participate in a degree or credit-bearing certificate program
- Once enrolled, remain in good academic standing
For more information on the PACT free community college program or to start the application process, click here. |
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| 2022 Back-to-School Shoes & Coats for Kids |
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The Town of East Hartford has announced that the application period for the Back-to-School Shoes and Coats for Kids programs are now open! Through the Back-to-School program, qualifying East Hartford parents are provided assistance to purchase:
- One new pair of shoes for their children entering grades K-12
- One coat from the Burlington Coat Factory for kids age 1-16
The application from the Health and Social Services department can be found here. East Hartford residents must download the application, sign, and return to the East Hartford Social Services with all necessary paperwork by August 9. If you need help, contact Social Services at (860) 291-7248. |
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| Operation Fuel Assistance Applications to Open July 11 |
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Applications are opening soon for Operation Fuel, an assistance program that provides emergency energy and water utility assistance to lower and moderate-income working families, elderly residents, and individuals with disabilities who may be struggling to pay their bills.
Applications open July 11. Qualified residents must have: a household income within 75 percent of the State of Connecticut’s median income and who meet other eligibility requirements. Qualifying households could receive assistance up to $500.
For additional information or to receive help, call (860) 243-2345 or email info@operationfuel.org, or click here. |
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| COVID-19 Updates & Upcoming Vaccine Clinics |
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| The best defense against COVID-19 continues to be a good offense. It's so important that we continue the precautions that have worked: observe social distancing, wear a face mask when social distancing is not possible or indoors, wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, get tested if you were in contact with anyone who's tested positive, etc. But, most importantly – please consider getting vaccinated if you haven't already or getting a booster if it's been six months since you're last COVID vaccine. |
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The Town of East Hartford, with Griffin Hospital, will host free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics at Stone Academy (745 Burnside Avenue), Raymond Library (840 Main Street), and the East Hartford Farmers' Market (840 Main Street) on the following dates:
- Friday, July 8, 9AM-1PM – East Hartford Farmers' Market
- Tuesday, July 12, 3PM-7PM – Stone Academy
- Saturday, July 16, 10:30AM-2PM – Raymond Library
- Friday, July 22, 9AM-1PM – East Hartford Farmers' Market
- Tuesday, July 26, 3PM-7PM – Stone Academy
- Saturday, July 30, 10:30M-2PM – Raymond Library
All three brands of the vaccine will be available to all eligible CT residents ages 6 months and up. No insurance, ID, or appointment required. For questions regarding pediatric COVID-19 vaccines, booster dose eligibility, or to schedule an appointment at an upcoming clinic, contact the East Hartford Health Department at (860) 291-7324. If transportation assistance is needed to get to/from the clinic site, please contact the Health Department for a bus pass. |
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| The Manchester Health Department, with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, will host free COVID-19 vaccine clinics for eligible residents, including children 6 months through 5 years of age, at Whiton Library on Thursday, July 28, 2PM-5PM. No appointment or insurance required. First, second, and booster shots will be available. For question, please call the Manchester Health Department (860) 647-3173. |
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| A reminder for those that don't want to carry around their paper CDC cards or who lost them, CT residents can now utilize "SMART Health Cards" to securely show proof of being vaccinated. The digital card can be obtained via a QR code that you can find here. To get more info on SMART Health Cards, or how to access them and download to your smartphone device, click here. |
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For more information on receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or to locate an appointment near you, click here or locate a DPH Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic by clicking here. Those without access to the internet can call the Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line, available seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM, at (877) 918-2224.
For East Hartford-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. And, for Manchester-based COVID-19 updates and resources, click here. |
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| Stop by the Woodbridge Barn and Farmstead (495 East Middle Turnpike) on Sunday, July 10 for an open house from 12PM-2PM, and a program of music and history at 12:30PM. During the program, the Town Historian and Town Troubadour will present Manchester Green history and vintage music. This is a free program, learn more by clicking here. |
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The Town of Manchester's Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation is back for another exciting summer of "Rec on the Run," a mobile pop-up creative arts, sports, and games vehicle offering programs and activities to Manchester residents in neighborhoods and parks around our community.
For the week of July 11, the theme is " Nature's Journal Week." For this week, start a journal the next time you take a walk, you may discover something new or have a great idea. You'll put together a journal to take notes, draw, write a poem and remember the day. Activity boxes can be picked up on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations and times:
- Northwest Park (448 Tolland Turnpike) – Mondays, 5PM-7PM
- Westside Oval (110 Cedar Street) – Tuesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Market Field (163 Spruce Street) – Wednesdays, 5PM-7PM
- Center Memorial Park (41 Center Street) – Thursdays, 5PM-7PM
For more information, click here. |
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| Join Manchester Public Library to make an adorable beach-themed tree out of wine corks and other supplies on Thursday, July 14 at 2PM. This free adult activity is limited to 20 people, so please register by calling the reference room at (860) 645-0821. Supplies will be provided but, please bring your own glue gun if you have one. |
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| Did you know that Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park includes two of the most active volcanoes in the world? Come learn a little about what makes them erupt then make a mini volcano with East Hartford Public Library on Wednesday, July 13 at 6PM on the patio. This activity is best suited for ages 6+, and registration is required. Reserve your spot by clicking here. |
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Spectators and car enthusiasts are invited to the Cruisin' East Hartford Car Show on Saturday, July 16, 1PM-4PM at Sunset Ridge Middle School. The show car entrance fee is $10 and there is no cut off year – Classics (both domestic and foreign), Street Rods, Customs, Antiques, Old and New Muscle are all welcome. Dash plaques will be given to the first 100 show cars, and trophies will be awarded for a variety of categories – plus great raffles and music!
Pre-registration is not required; show cars will register on site on the day of the event. There is no fee for spectators. In the event of inclement weather, the event will move to Sunday, June 17. |
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Are you interested in math, medicine, technology, engineering, climate science, or other scientific or technical fields? Join East Hartford Public Library for four afternoons of STEM camp in August, free of charge! Camp will be held Monday-Thursday, August 8-12 from 1PM- 4PM. Sign up for as many or all four days, and hear from a diverse group of STEM professionals, including representatives from the medical, engineering, and scientific fields. Learn about careers, conduct hands-on activities, and get excited about a future in STEM!
Diversity in STEM camp is presented in partnership with the Ga-Adangbe Association of Connecticut and is best suited for entering 7-12th graders. Registration is required – click here to sign up. |
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| My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.
Sincerely,
Jason Rojas |
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