Updates from State Rep. Tammy Exum

August 4, 2023
Dear Neighbor,

I am constantly working to provide you with critical updates and important news as it develops, by email and through social media.

This week's update includes:

  • New Children's Urgent Crisis Center Opens in Hartford 
  • Connecticut Leads on Paid Family and Medical Leave
  • Annual Community Back to School Book Bag Giveaway
  • Pooch Plunge in West Hartford
  • Back-to-School Extravaganza
  • Support for Community Events Grant Program in Avon
New Children's Urgent Crisis Center Opens in Hartford
I proudly joined state and local officials at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford on Wednesday to celebrate the grand opening of a new children’s urgent crisis center. It is one of four centers opening statewide 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, the centers 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.

Current capacity for the four centers is 72 daily slots. They are strategically located across Connecticut and are operated by:
 
For me, these children’s urgent crisis centers represent prevention and coupled with the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee beginning its work, I am excited to have expanded services and to start formalizing best practices for the children's behavioral health system in Connecticut.
Connecticut Leads on Paid Family and Medical Leave
Did you know residents in every city and town in the state have applied for CT Paid Leave? Approximately 66,000 workers in Connecticut have received over $375 million in benefits when they were unable to work due to a qualifying health or family reasons.

In 2019, the legislature passed, and the Governor signed PA 19-25 into law, creating CT Paid Leave. January 1, 2021, employee payroll contributions began. One year later, on January 1, 2022, benefit payments began for qualified applicants.

My colleagues and I worked hard to ensure its passage in 2019. Families in Connecticut shouldn't have to worry about whether they can balance taking care of family needs or paying the bills. With this program, both can happen, as it offers partial income replacement benefits.
What qualifies for eligible leave?
  • Parental bonding - the birth of an employee's child or placement of an adopted or foster child with the employee
  • Serious health conditions - for the employee or a family member of the employee
  • Donors - to serve as an organ or bone marrow donor
  • Armed Forces - for family members in the armed forces undergoing treatment for an injury or illness incurred in the line of duty or being deployed to a foreign country
  • Family violence - for family violence victims to seek medical care or counseling, obtain services from a victim services organization, relocate because of family violence, or participate in civil or criminal proceedings related to the family

Connecticut is one of 13 states in the nation to pass paid family and medical leave legislation, along with California, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, as well as Washington D.C. States including New Hampshire and Vermont have enacted voluntary programs for employers who want to opt in.

Connecticut should be proud of its paid leave program. It is held up as a national model for other states to emulate. 
Learn More About CT Paid Leave
Annual Community Back to School Book Bag Giveaway
Pooch Plunge in West Hartford

Dogs take their turn to plunge into the pool at Beachland Park on Monday, August 21 from 4-6:45 p.m. This end-of-summer special event is a fundraiser for a permanent dog park. Tennis balls will be provided. Please don’t bring dog toys.

There will be one session. Buy a ticket in advance for a donation of $15 for the first dog and $5 for additional dogs. Print out the confirmation email with waiver, sign it, and bring it to the pool with your currently licensed dog(s). Advance ticket sales will end the night before the event, but you can buy tickets at the gate.

Register HERE for the event.
Back-to-School Extravaganza
Support for Community Events Grant Program in Avon

The Town of Avon welcomes applications for its Support for Community Events Grant Program. Applications are currently being accepted from nonprofit entities for qualified events occurring from November 1 through February 29, 2024. The deadline for the submission of applications is 4 p.m. on Friday, September 1.

The Support for Community Events Grant Program aims to provide financial aid to local festivals, special events, or community programs designed to provide recreational and/or cultural opportunities for residents and generally promote the Town of Avon.

Further details can be found on the Department of Recreation & Parks webpage.  Please contact avonrec@avonct.gov or (860) 409-4332 with questions.