Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Future of Healthcare Awards Dinner, Registration Now Open for Connecticut’s New Paraeducator Preparation Academy, and more

July 24, 2026

Dear Neighbor,

This past week brought extreme weather events to our area, and I hope you, your family, and property were not harmed It was a busy week around the state, as I joined fellow legislators for a press conference concerning workplace safety at a health facility in Middletown, attending the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Future of Healthcare Awards Dinner, and participating in the Connecticut Nurses Association's Workplace Violence Town Hall. In this week's email, you can read more about some of these events, learn about the new free Paraeducator Preparation Academy, read a reminder from DESPP about flash flooding, and find other state and local resources.

Please reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or if my office can be of assistance to you. Call my office at any time at 860-240-8585 or email me at kaitlyn.shake@cga.ct.gov.

SEIU 1199 Press Conference at
Solnit Psychiatric Center in Middletown

This Tuesday, I attended a press conference at Solnit Psychiatric Center in Middletown with SEIU 119 alongside other legislators regarding the needs of workers and patients at Solnit.

Conditions at the Solnit South youth psychiatric facility have become a safety concern for patients and workers due to chronic understaffing and unsafe working conditions. Staffing shortages at the facility have pushed workers to their limits, leading to burnout and exhaustion that they say could affect care for children receiving treatment at the facility.

We came together to bring attention to the ongoing concerns and talk about the potential next steps to improve the conditions for patients and workers. This is an ongoing concern for us, and these workers and patients deserve to have a safe environment and care facility.

Click here to read CT Mirror: Workers at CT children psych facility raise concerns about safety, outcomes

Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Dinner

This Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Future of Healthcare Awards Dinner. This was a meaningful night to honor and recognize 10 healthcare providers and workers in our region. As the 2026 GBMA Legislator of the Year, I, along with several of my colleagues, presented each awardee with a state citation from the Connecticut General Assembly. I was happy to celebrate their recognition and was thrilled that 2 out of the 10 recipients were from Stratford!

Congratulations to Stratford resident Haydees Valencia, RDH, of Southwest Community Health Center, Inc., on being named a 2026 Greater Bridgeport Medical Association Future of Healthcare Award recipient!

Haydees is an exceptional Dental Hygienist whose dedication to patient care, oral health education, and community service has made a lasting impact throughout Greater Bridgeport. Whether helping patients overcome barriers to care, educating families about preventive oral health, or ensuring every patient is treated with dignity and compassion, she exemplifies the very best of healthcare.

Congratulations to Stratford resident Shannon Cardoza, APRN, DNP, FNP-BC of Hartford HealthCare St. Vincent's Medical Center, a recipient of the Greater Bridgeport Medical Association's 2026 Future of Healthcare Award!

Shannon is an outstanding Advanced Practice Registered Nurse whose compassion, leadership, and commitment to patient-centered care have made a lasting impact on countless patients and families. In addition to providing exceptional clinical care, she serves as a mentor to nurses, medical assistants, and other healthcare professionals, helping to foster the next generation of healthcare leaders. Her leadership of a survivorship program for patients who have completed cancer treatment has provided ongoing education, support, and resources that have improved the lives of countless survivors and their families.

It was incredible being in a room full of dedicated and hardworking healthcare providers and workers from the area and hearing about their experiences treating patients in our community. I was honored to attend and take part in this special night for our local healthcare workers.

2026 Legislative Session Voting Record

I am proud to have received a 100% Voting Record for the 2026 Legislative Session. From February to May, I voted on every resolution, appointment, and bill that came before us in the House of Representatives and in each of my committees.

Every vote I make is with the Stratford community in mind. It is a pleasure to serve my Stratford constituents, and I am thankful for your trust in me.

Registration is Now Open for Connecticut’s New Paraeducator Preparation Academy

This week, Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced a new six-week program to provide aspiring paraeducators with exam preparation, mentorship, and a pathway into Connecticut’s special education workforce.

Registration for the Connecticut State Department of Education’s newly launched Paraeducator Preparation Academy is now open.

This is a free, six-week program to prepare aspiring paraeducators for the ParaPathways assessment required for employment in Connecticut. Instruction will be provided by certified bilingual educators, covering the full cost of study materials and the exam, and offering Spanish-language support.

The inaugural pilot session will begin on August 17^th and will run through September 23^rd. The program will be held at the Leaders for Educational Advocacy and Diversity (LEAD) Center in East Hartford.

Registration is open now through the first day of class (August 17^th). Once the session reaches capacity, additional applicants will be placed on a wait list and notified of future academy offerings. Additional sessions across Connecticut are planned to begin this fall.

The academy will connect participants who successfully complete the program and pass the ParaPathways assessment with districts seeking to hire paraeducators. Once employed, participants are paired with experienced mentor paraeducators as they begin their careers.

Click here to visit the Paraeducator Preparation Academy webpage to learn more and register.

DESPP Flash Flooding Safety Tips:
Turn Around, Don't Drown

With the recent heavy rain and flash flooding in our area, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection is reminding residents of how to prepare and what to know during flash flooding.

Flooding can develop quickly, even in areas that don’t normally experience high water. Take a few minutes now to prepare yourself, your family, and your property.

Remember:

Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
Stay out of floodwaters. They may be deeper, faster, or more contaminated than they appear.
Keep informed by monitoring weather alerts and local emergency notifications.
If you lose power, use generators safely outdoors and never enter flooded basements where electrical hazards may exist.
Follow directions from local officials if evacuations or road closures are issued.
Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you off your feet, and 12 inches can carry away most vehicles.

Stay alert. Stay informed. Stay safe.

Red Cross Emergency Blood Shortage

The American Red Cross needs our help - the blood supply is critically low - and could cause hospitals to triage blood products, prioritizing the most critical cases, delaying non-emergency procedures, and causing risks for patients who require timely transfusions, including trauma patients, women giving birth, and patients with chronic blood disorders.

Blood donors, especially those with types O+ & B- blood (the biggest shortages right now), and platelet donors are urgently needed to help ensure lifesaving medical care isn't delayed for patients.

Basic eligibility for whole blood donation:

Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
You must be in good health and feeling well
You must be at least 16 years old in most states
You must weigh at least 110 lbs.

Basic eligibility for platelet donation:

Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up to 24 times/year
You must be in good health and feeling well
You must be at least 17 years old in most states
You must weigh at least 110 lbs.

There are also options to donate Power Red and plasma (eligibility can be found here - https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html

Find a blood drive near you: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive

The need for blood is constant. The supply isn't.

CT Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority Graduate Loan Program

The Connecticut Higher Education Supplemental Loan Authority (CHESLA) has officially launched the MyCHESLA Grad Loan program.

The MyCHESLA Grad Loan is a new state-based graduate loan program designed to preserve access to affordable, fixed-rate financing for Connecticut students pursuing advanced degrees following the elimination of the federal Grad PLUS loan program, effective July 1. CHESLA’s new graduate loan program supports students enrolled in both graduate and professional degree programs.

Borrowers can choose from repayment terms of 5, 10, or 15 years, along with flexible in-school repayment options, including interest-only payments, full deferment, or immediate principal-and-interest payments. Combined, these options provide borrowers with nine fixed-rate offerings tailored to meet a range of financial needs.

Importantly, all approved borrowers have equal access to the same nine fixed rates, ensuring a transparent, fair, and consistent pricing structure.

Fixed interest rates for the MyCHESLA Grad Loan range from 5.50% to 7.99%, depending on the selected repayment term and in-school repayment option. The program offers a cost-effective, borrower-focused alternative to higher-cost private student loans, with every available fixed rate remaining below the current federal Grad PLUS loan rate of 8.94%.

Click here to learn more about CHESLA’s loan programs, financial education resources, and application process.

CT DoAg and CT DPH Address Cyclosporiasis Concerns

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) are reminding residents to take precautions with the current Cyclosporiasis outbreak.

While cases of Cyclosporiasis have been reported in Connecticut, at this time, there is no indication that Connecticut farms are the source of this outbreak. With the increase in cyclosporiasis cases, many shoppers are wondering how to stay safe while enjoying fresh summer produce.

One of the best choices you can make is shopping local. CT farms and farmers’ markets offer fruits and vegetables grown and handled by farmers who take pride in feeding their families and their community.

DPH also encourages residents to follow simple steps at home to reduce potential risk:

Wash all fresh produce under clean running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.
Choose whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed bagged salad mixes. Remove and discard the outer two to three layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water.
Wash cilantro, basil, and green onions thoroughly under running water, separating leaves. These items are safest when cooked.
Cook produce when possible. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
Wash hands with soap and water before eating, and clean kitchen surfaces and cutting boards before and after preparing food.

For more information on Cyclospora, visit the FDA webpage.

Stratford/CTDOT Updates

Lake Success Open Detonation:

The open destruction of Munitions and Explosives of Concern found at Lake Success Business Park, the former Remington Park, in Bridgeport, is scheduled to begin July 6th and run through the end of the month. Residents in the area should be aware that there will be periods of loud noises.

Bridge Deck Replacement on Route 15:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) will complete bridge deck replacements for various bridges, including on Route 15 in Stratford, as a follow-up to pavement preservation, which excluded bridges. The project ensures bridges remain in good repair.

MERRIT PARKWAY LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures at the following locations:

Route 15 North Exit 33 to Exit 38 in Milford, Stratford, and Trumbull, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday
Route 15 South from Exit 33 to Exit 38 in Milford, Stratford, and Trumbull, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Friday

The project's estimated completion date is November 28th, 2026.

Noise Barrier Replacement on I-95:

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has started noise barrier replacement on I-95 between Exits 32-33 in Stratford. This project is expected to be completed next year, in April 2027.

The barrier has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. The barrier is being replaced to conform to current standards, which are in accordance with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) MASH standards. The existing timber noise barriers have wood rot, broken or missing panels in many areas, as well as vegetative overgrowth.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

Motorists can expect lane closures on I-95 northbound at Exits 32 and 33 in Stratford beginning Wednesday. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone. Lane closure operations will generally be limited to off-peak and nighttime hours. No lane closures will be permitted during weekday morning and afternoon peak travel periods (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.). During daytime hours, work will primarily consist of shoulder closures only. One lane closure may occur during late morning and evening hours. During the overnight hours, up to two lane closures are permitted, and rolling roadblocks.

The work schedule for this project is from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Stratford Community Updates

It is Paradise Green Farmer's Market Season! Every Monday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Paradise Green. This is a great chance to support our local CT farmers and businesses.