Updates from State Rep. Tammy Exum

September 8, 2023
Dear Neighbor,

I am constantly working to update you with important news as it develops, in addition to local and state resources.

This week's updates include:

  • Getting Down to Business
  • Health Care Assistance for Paraeducators
  • Public Input Sought to Help Identify Unsafe Roadways
  • Remembering September 11, 2001
Getting Down to Business

The Transforming Children’s Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee, or "TCB" started taking care of some business on Wednesday with a fantastic working meeting, which included a presentation on Urgent Crisis Centers (UCCs) and a question-and-answer session.

Four UCCs, strategically located across the state including The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, were created by legislation that I co-authored in 2022 addressing the mental health needs of children and teens.

Licensed by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, UCCs function as walk-in clinics, providing youths and their families with immediate access to resources while they are experiencing a behavioral health crisis, such as thoughts of suicide or self-injury; feelings of depression, anxiety, or hopelessness; out-of-control behaviors; substance misuse; and other mental health concerns. They are aimed at diverting youths and their families from making visits to emergency rooms to address behavioral health crises.
We have so much work ahead of us, but it was wonderful to hear about the start of the UCCs. Now we have to tackle sustainability (i.e., funding) to ensure UCCs are perpetual resources for those who need them.

To watch the meeting in its entirety, go to bit.ly/TCBmeeting090623 or click on the video below.
 
Health Care Assistance for Paraeducators
Paraeducators provide critical and direct support to teachers and students, which makes them an integral part of the school ecosystem. That is why I am happy to share that the Paraeducator Healthcare Subsidy Program will provide $5 million in financial assistance and increase access to quality health care.

This program was created during the 2023 Legislative Session and signed into law as part of the bipartisan biennium budget. It will help paraeducators enrolled in high-deductible health plans with a health savings account and employed by a local or regional school district with a one-time stipend to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Payments are expected to go out in September to more than 4,000 paraeducators.
Legislative leadership made appropriating these funds a priority in budget negotiations to help bridge the painful gap between high-deductible health plans and low wages for paraeducators, who are critical to our classrooms. We must continue efforts that ensure that paraeducators receive proper compensation and benefits.
Public Input Sought to Help Identify Unsafe Roadways

The public is invited to participate in a five-minute survey and to leave comments on an interactive web map and attend a public meeting to help West Hartford’s Vision Zero’s Task Force identify roadways that have safety issues. The information collected from these public engagements will be key to developing the Vision Zero Action Plan that will serve as a guide for the next 10 years.

Vision Zero is premised on the fundamental principle that loss of life and serious injury from traffic crashes is unacceptable, yet acknowledges that while people make mistakes, the town’s roadway network should be designed to ensure that those inevitable mistakes do not result in severe injuries or deaths.

The survey is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Chinese (Traditional). In addition to the online survey, printed surveys may be obtained from the Town Hall lobby customer service desk or at any of the three public libraries. The survey and web map will be open until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, October 3.

The first of two public meetings on West Hartford’s Vision Zero Action Plan will be held on Tuesday, September 19 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. Learn about the Town of West Hartford’s efforts to make its streets safer with the goal of eliminating all roadway fatalities and serious injuries within the next ten years. The public meeting includes a presentation and an opportunity to take the survey and offer comments.

The survey, web map and meeting information can be found by visiting https://bit.ly/WHVisionZero
Remembering September 11, 2001

We forever honor the heroes and lives lost on September 11, 2001. Of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, 161 had ties to Connecticut. Their loved ones will be in our hearts on this difficult day. May their memories be a blessing. 

Of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks, 161 had ties to Connecticut. Their loved ones will be in our hearts on this difficult day. May their memories be a blessing. 

The Avon Volunteer Fire Department cordially invites people to attend its 9/11 Memorial Service at the Avon Town Green this Monday at 7:45 a.m. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department Headquarters.