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Dear Neighbor,
The heatwave is upon us and we have a brutal rest of the week ahead. Be sure to see the information below if you need someplace to cool off. Please remember to hydrate, keep an eye on our four-legged friends, and check on your older neighbors. The heatwaves and fires across Europe have killed over 1,000 people so we must take it seriously, especially when it comes to fire, as we remain in a drought and conditions like these can spark fires easily.
I had the pleasure of attending the "Emerging Leaders" conference last week at the Darden School at the University of Virginia put on by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation. I was nominated by the Speaker of the House to attend and was grateful to be accepted as they received hundreds of applicants and only take 50 State Representatives or State Senators. More details below about this amazing bipartisan experience.
You may have seen that we now have a national suicide crisis and prevention line—988. Similar to 911, trained professionals are available to take calls and assist people with finding help while they are in crisis. In fact, the Hartford Courant reported today that because of the new number, calls were up 50% this weekend to the state's crisis contact team.
We also have some juvenile justice news, a primary election soon (don’t forget to get an absentee ballot if you'll be away), and a school supplies drive.
Wishing you a great week,
Eleni |
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| Extreme Heat Advisory in Effect |
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| The summer's first heat wave is here. The next several days are set to see temperatures in Connecticut reach more than 90 degrees with a heat index of triple digits at times, which has prompted activation of the state’s extreme hot weather protocol which will be in effect through 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 24.
The purpose of the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location to get some relief from the hot conditions.
Below are cooling centers in our area.
Avon
- Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Rd, Tuesday - Thursday, 10 AM to 8:30 PM; Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM; Saturday, 10 AM to 1 PM
- Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Rd, Tuesday - Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM
Canton
- Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave,10 AM to 3:30 PM
- Library area, 10 AM to 5 PM
- Water will be available via the fountains
Anyone in need of a cooling center can call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to find the nearest location.
Heat-related illness can affect anyone, though some people are at greater risk than others, including infants and young children, people 65 years of age or older, those who are overweight and anyone who overexerts during work or exercise or is physically ill with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, such as for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation.
Below are some additional tips to stay safe in extreme heat. |
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| Additional safety tips and extreme heat-related information can be found on 211ct.org's Extreme Hot Weather Page or in 2-1-1 Extreme Heat Precautions and Safety Tips. |
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| 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Offers 24/7 Support |
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| I was nominated and then accepted to attend the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF) ”Emerging Leaders” program at The Darden School at the University of Virginia.
During this program, I spent three days with other state legislators of both major parties thinking about and talking about big ideas. We talked about identity and social capital; about anger vs. contempt; and we talked about the one I struggle with the most, how do we find more ways to work together when we all agree we are here to serve the people even if we disagree sometimes on how to do that.
We learned and laughed and made a lot of friends from across America . . . On both sides of the aisle. |
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| 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Offers 24/7 Support |
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| Those who are experiencing a mental health crisis no longer need to remember 1-800-273-8255 or wait hours for help. They can now call or text the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, to connect with mental health professionals who are trained to respond to these emergencies.
The three-digit number replaces the 10-digit 800 number to the Lifeline. Individuals can call, chat, or text 988 to reach free and confidential emotional support around the clock, seven days a week.
The Lifeline consists of a national network of more than 200 local crisis centers to get people the help they need, when they need it. Last year, one in five calls to a suicide crisis hotline resulted in a dropped call while others waited hours for assistance.
The three-digit Lifeline is a step forward in transforming America's mental health response and suicide prevention. You can learn more about the Lifeline here.
For further crisis intervention resources available here in Connecticut, click here. |
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| Juvenile Justice Bill Signed into Law |
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| As you know, over the past two years, Connecticut, like many states across our country, experienced an uptick in motor vehicle thefts. I spoke with many of you by email and phone, and often connected with our chiefs of police, and through many bipartisan discussions, we passed smart juvenile justice reforms. I'm pleased to share that bipartisan legislation addressing the pandemic-driven uptick in juvenile crime has been signed into law.
The new law updates Connecticut's criminal justice statutes so that our courts and law enforcement can effectively respond to juveniles with repeated motor vehicle theft and other crimes. This law:
- Makes juvenile arrest and delinquency proceedings more effective
- Requires youth who are arrested but not detained to be brought before the court within five business days.
- Increases from six to eight hours the amount of time a youth can be held if police are awaiting a judicial ruling on a detention order or are trying to locate a parent or guardian.
- Provides police officers with access to electronic records containing statewide pending charges and 90 days of prior arrest records.
- Allows courts to formally order that a youth be assessed for services.
- Provides more intensive responses to juveniles with serious, repeated charges
- Expands the special juvenile probation docket to include homicide and firearm crimes.
- Allows courts to order GPS monitoring for a youth charged with a second or subsequent motor vehicle offense.
- Focuses motor vehicle theft penalties on people with prior offenses
- Establishes a new structure for motor vehicle thefts with penalties that become more serious for subsequent offenses rather than basing penalties on the value of the vehicle.
This law, coupled with increased investment in diversion programs and services, will help stem juvenile crime over the long-term. Connecticut remains one of the safest places to live because of smart-on-crime policy and I will continue to support forward-thinking initiatives. |
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| Primary Elections Are Approaching |
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| Primary elections are coming up! If you're planning to vote by absentee ballot, applications can be submitted by mail to your town clerk or dropped in the Election Drop Boxes in front of town hall. |
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Avon Town Clerk
60 West Main St
Avon, CT 06001
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Canton Town Clerk
4 Market St
PO Box 168
Collinsville, CT 06022 |
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| Voters are eligible for an absentee ballot if they cannot appear at their assigned polling place on election day because of their military service, absence from town, illness, religious tenets forbid secular activity on the day of the election, duties as an election official at a polling place other than their own during all hours of voting, or physical disability.
Absentee ballots are available as of July 19, 2022. To download an absentee ballot application and to learn more, please click here. |
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| Canton Back to School Supplies Drive |
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| Canton Senior & Social Services is collecting school supplies through August 17 to ensure Canton students are ready for when school's back in session. Those who can donate may drop off school supplies Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 12 PM at Senior & Social Services, 40 Dyer Ave. To learn more, call 860-693-5811. |
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| CT's Birth to Three Program |
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| Children have a lot to learn in their first three years. Did you know that Connecticut's Birth to Three program supports families that have concerns about their child's development? Birth to Three evaluations are free to families. To schedule an evaluation or to learn more about Birth to Three, call 1-800-505-7000 or visit www.birth23.org. |
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Sincerely,
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative |
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