Kate Farrar

Indigenous Peoples' Day, which falls on Monday, October 10, offers an opportunity to rethink the way we understand and celebrate American History.

An estimated 6,000 to 7,000 Indigenous people subsisted in what is now Connecticut before the Europeans arrived. This state is home to five state-recognized tribes and six reservations. The Algonquian word "Connecticut" itself translates to "land on the long tidal river."
 
Despite war, enslavement, and prejudice, Indigenous people have remained active agents in their own and state history. Notable figures include Robin Cassacinamon, a 17th-century Pequot sachem and diplomat; and Mohegan medicine woman Gladys Tantaquidgeon, an educator, activist, and, in 1931, co-founder of the first Native American-owned Indian museum in the US. 
 
The state-recognized sovereign nations in Connecticut are the Eastern Pequot, Golden Hill Paugussett, and Schaghticoke tribes with the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan having federal recognition as well.
 
Learn more about Connecticut's Indigenous history here.

This is great news for Connecticut low-income and working families who rely on CT's Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help pay for home heating costs.

Today, more than ever, this program provides crucial support to vulnerable Connecticut homeowners and renters with the costs of heating their homes expected to rise more this winter.

Don't delay. The application period for the 2022-2023 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program is NOW open. I encourage you to apply today!

There are several ways to submit your application: 

• Online at ct.gov/heatinghelp/apply.
• Call the office of your local community action agency and request assistance applying, or schedule an in-person appointment  
• Download and complete the CEAP application, and mail the completed application with the required documents to your local community action agency. 

The contact information and addresses of Connecticut's community action agencies can be found here. 
 
Benefits are based on your household’s income and number of family members. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $76,400 for a family of four. 

Typically, benefits are paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for multiple free tank fills.

Applications for the 2022-2023 winter season must be received by May 31, 2023. 

If you’d like more information, click here or call 2-1-1.

Legislation can be a powerful tool in the fight against breast cancer, and all types of cancer.

Over the past few years, the Connecticut General Assembly has passed crucial laws to provide resources, close loopholes, and make early detection easier for Connecticut residents.

This year, I proudly supported legislation to require health insurance coverage for breast and ovarian cancer screenings including mammograms, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as certain procedures related to breast cancer treatment like breast biopsies, certain prophylactic mastectomies, and breast reconstruction surgery. The law also covers BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 genetic testing and prohibits most policies from imposing out-of-pocket costs.

It builds upon a 2019 law that made breast ultrasounds and mammograms available to certain patients at no cost.

Early detection saves lives, and these laws will safeguard access to screenings and diagnostics for patients.

You can learn more about the Connecticut Early Detection and Prevention Program here.

The fair will include employers from across Connecticut that will provide information about job opportunities, as well as other partners who will provide information on programs and services for individuals with disabilities. The Disability Employment Resource Fair coincides with Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. 

Jobseekers can also access helpful career resources and supports in-person and virtually through the following:

• The Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers. Appointments are recommended. More information is available here.
• The state’s CTHires portal, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. Learn more here. 
• Additional job fairs are scheduled frequently across Connecticut. For a full schedule, click here.

Other services that may be useful include:

• The Kennedy Center offers travel training to residents with disabilities and seniors who wish to become more independent. This program is free for all participants.
• The Connecticut Department of Transportation and the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services are piloting an initiative to improve independence and accessibility for public transit users who have low or no vision. The Aira app provides no-cost instant access to a live Aira agent who can assist transit users who are blind or have low vision with navigation, reading signs and menus, and managing other essential travel components. More information is available here.
• The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services provides assistance to help navigate federal benefits and paid employment. For more information, click here.
• The Recovery Friendly Workplace initiative – a collaborative program of several state agencies – provides assistance to help workplaces support employees. More information is available here.

Sincerely,

Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers