I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns.
The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:
Today In Connecticut History
State Update
Manchester Community Events and Information
East Hartford Community Events and Information
Today In Connecticut History
Today in 1955, hundreds of schoolchildren in the town of Stafford Springs lined up to be vaccinated against polio, as part of a massive statewide effort to protect young Connecticans from the deadly childhood disease.
Polio was the most feared childhood illness of the 20th century. An untreatable virus which spread quickly and rarely exhibited any preliminary symptoms, polio could result in partial or total paralysis or even death, and not just to children. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt used a wheelchair for most of his adult life due to polio he was afflicted with at age 39. Other partially paralyzed victims lost the ability to breathe on their own, and were forced to spend their lives in massive artificial respirators known as “iron lungs.”
After decades of failed attempts to find either a cure for, or a vaccine protective against, the polio virus, one American researcher finally achieved a breakthrough. In 1952, Jonas Salk, a virologist at the University of Pittsburgh, created the first stable and effective polio vaccine. Following a lengthy series of trials, the vaccine was declared both safe and effective in 1955. The federal government, together with the March of Dimes, immediately launched a fully funded national vaccination campaign.
A CDC-sponsored poster advocating vaccination against polio using the Sabin oral vaccine, circa 1963.
Salk’s new vaccine, combined with this rigorous nationwide public health campaign and the subsequently developed Sabin oral vaccine – which enabled vaccination without painful injections — caused polio cases to plummet from 58,000 in 1952 to fewer than 200 nine years later. In 1979, the crippling childhood disease was officially declared eliminated in the United States. One of the 20th century’s great medical and scientific accomplishments began for the children of Stafford Springs, today in Connecticut history.
📢 Medical debt relief is coming to more than 100,000 Connecticut residents! I’m proud to share that the second round of medical debt relief is on the way — funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and made possible through our partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. 📬 What to expect: Keep an eye out for an official letter from Undue Medical Debt. THIS IS NOT JUNK MAIL! There is no application process, no catch, just relief. 📝 Who qualifies? ✅ Individuals earning up to 400% of the federal poverty level ✅ Those whose medical debt equals 5% or more of annual income This initiative reflects our ongoing commitment to health equity, financial relief, and a more compassionate healthcare system for all Connecticut residents. You can view a sample of what this letter looks like at https://shorturl.at/6XUQs.
Autism and IDD Support
ICYMI - We passed legislation that will foster a more inclusive and responsive system that better meets the needs of individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. ✅ Tracks delays & gaps in critical services ✅ Requires public reporting on abuse & neglect cases ✅ Reviews DDS investigation policies every 5 years ✅ Launches statewide autism needs assessment ✅ Studies future of Southbury Training School ✅ Proposes urgent help for complex autism cases
Workers’ Compensation
House Democrats passed legislation on Monday that saves money for EVERY EMPLOYER in the state since all of them faced skyrocketing workers’ compensation claims costs after a CT Supreme Court ruling.
This legislation was a top priority of businesses and municipalities and saves them millions of dollars. Business advocates estimate workers’ compensation costs would have increased 265% absent any action.
Decriminalization of Psilocybin
Connecticut is joining states like Oregon and Colorado and taking a step toward harm reduction. The House just passed a bill to decriminalize psilocybin in small amounts.
Trust Act
Amid unprecedented federal immigration crackdowns - even targeting properly documented immigrants - and the denial of due process and Habeus Corpus, we are standing by our Connecticut values, and protecting our friends and neighbors.
Connecticut has one of the strongest TRUST Act’s in the country - it was approved unanimously in 2013 - and we added to it on Wednesday:
➡️ Make sure that officials like juvenile probation officers, and employees of the Division of Criminal Justice and the Board of Pardons and Paroles are included in existing TRUST Act protections. ➡️ The TRUST Act allows cooperation with federal immigration authorities when someone has been convicted of serious crimes. ➡️ Added a slew of Class C and Class D felonies including those related to domestic violence, sexual assault and possession of child sexual abuse material to the list of post-conviction offenses where law enforcement can cooperate with federal immigration authorities.
Attention Gardeners! Did you know that Manchester Residents can get free leaf compost at the Transfer Station? Bring your own shovel and containers and come help yourself! A Recycling Permit is required. Get your free permit here: https://ow.ly/cCRK50VIR7V
The Manchester Town Clerk's Office is excited to host a Spring Gift Basket Giveaway for local dog owners. All entries must be submitted by May 30th. All entries will be displayed in the Town Clerk's Office, where visitors can vote for their favorite furry friend.
The dog with the most votes will be crowned Manchester's Top Dog, and the winner will receive a special Spring Gift Basket. The winner will be announced and contacted at the end of June. Don't miss out and show off your furry friend, and join the fun.
Visit our website for more information on how to submit and more!
The Town of Manchester is excited to officially unveil Manchester Now, the new program guide publication for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester Public Library, the Manchester Senior Center & Manchester Public Schools.
The annual Manchester Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 26, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. The parade route will begin at the Army and Navy Club, 1090 Main St., turns east on East Center St., and then turns west at Agostenelli Memorial Park, and will conclude at the Center Memorial Park for a Memorial Day Program to honor our fallen Veterans.
If the parade is canceled due to inclement weather, the Center Memorial Park Program will be held indoors at The Salvation Army, 661 Main St., Manchester, CT 06040, at 11AM. All are invited.
Manchester's Memorial Day Observance will begin with a Church Service and Massing of the Colors at: Saint Bartholomew Church 45 Ludlow Rd. Manchester, CT 06040 Sunday May 25, 2025, 9:30am-10:30am Mass Father Marcin, Senior Pastor will be officiating the service. The public is invited to attend.
East Hartford, CT— The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with the East Hartford Veterans Commission are excited to announce that the third annual East Hartford’s Memorial Day parade and series of events will take place Monday, May 26, 2025 at 10 AM.
The event will consist of three parts, including a parade, program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford. The parade will begin promptly at 10 AM, proceeding from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University. The parade will be followed by a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and a family-friendly celebration of East Hartford with food trucks, music and activities.
East Hartford Health Department
Rabies vaccination clinic. Dog & cats. $20.00 cash only Out-of-town residents welcome Licensing is available for EH residents
East Hartford Spring Senior Yard Cleanup Support
The Town of East Hartford Commission on Aging and Department of Health & Human Services are inviting East Hartford senior residents who qualify, to participate in the Spring Senior Yard Support Program. The purpose of this program is to assist East Hartford seniors, who are experiencing financial and / or physical barriers with front and/or back yard clean-up.
Volunteers will do general yard clean-up, such as raking, weeding, and clearing debris from the yard. The targeted population for this program are East Hartford senior residents who may be physically unable to perform Spring yard clean-up activities, may not have the financial means to hire yard service companies, and do not have family in the area that are able to assist with yard clean-up. Volunteer teams will be comprised of at least one adult who will oversee the safety and clean-up assignment of assigned youth. Senior residents who are selected for the program will complete a waiver that permits volunteers on the property. All volunteers will be required to complete an East Hartford volunteer form and liability waiver.
Eligible residents can sign-up for this program by completing the PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION LINK. Residents can also contact Senior Services at (860) 291-7460 or Youth & Social Services at (860) 291-7248 for assistance with completing the registration form. Residents who are interested in participating as volunteers for yard clean-up can register by completing the VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION LINK. A Town of East Hartford will contact you regarding upcoming volunteer dates and locations.
Eligibility criteria:
Persons 55+ years of age and older;
Currently resides in East Hartford and owns the property where a front and / or back yard is in need of clean-up; and
Experience barriers that limit the ability to receive assistance for yard clean-up and maintenance, including:
Underlying health conditions or disability that limits mobility and ability to perform yard clean-up activities;
Social isolation (lives alone, no family in the area that can assist with yard clean-up);
Low-income, financial limitations, and barriers to hiring yard clean-up services (Limited financial supports, such as food assistance, social security, or disability benefits)
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
