|
|
|
|
|
Dear Neighbor,
As we enter the new year, it's been a busy and exciting start with almost daily pre-Legislative Session briefings, coffees, breakfasts, roundtables, and forums on a broad range of topics from non-profit leaders and consortia that work on the challenging issues of homelessness, hunger, access and affordability solutions for early childhood education, climate change, and housing. I've had the pleasure of meeting with UCONN and Stamford Health leadership and have upcoming meetings scheduled with business leaders from Stamford-based corporations like Indeed, Synchronicity, and the WWE, all in preparation for the "Short Session" that begins next month, on February 4th.
During this time, I am continuing to build a partnership with community leaders who advocate for the needs of Downtown, South End, and Shippan, as we work together to prioritize the needs of our Stamford residents and community. I look forward to hearing from you as we develop our legislative priorities in the General Assembly for our great state and city. Please be in touch now if you have specific priorities to share with me to best represent our great district, along with our Stamford delegation, at the state house in this year's Legislative Session.
Click on the links below to go to each section, and as always, if I can be of service to you, please be in touch!
|
|
| Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. |
|
|
|
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary legacy of a leader whose vision of justice, equality, and nonviolent resistance transformed our nation and inspired the world. Dr. King's unwavering commitment to civil rights reminds us of the power of courage, compassion, and collective action to create meaningful change. Let us honor his memory by recommitting ourselves to the pursuit of equity, inclusion, and unity in our communities.
Stamford residents have a few opportunities to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this weekend.
|
|
| Join community members at the MLK Day of Service on Saturday, January 17th, from 10 am to 2 pm at UCONN Stamford. Activities will include writing letters to U.S. troops, creating Valentine’s Day cards for senior citizens, a children’s book drive, and more. |
|
|
The Ferguson Library will host a screening of "King in the Wilderness" on Saturday, January 17th, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the Main Library. The film follows Martin Luther King Jr. during the last years of his life, as told through personal stories of the people who were around him.
Click here to register. |
|
|
| The Annual MLK Day Celebration will take place on Monday, January 19th starting at Bethel AME Church. The rally will kick off at 10 a.m. and will be followed by the MLK March at 11 a.m., ending at Stamford Boys and Girls Club. |
|
|
| Access Health CT Open Enrollment Extended |
|
|
|
Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, announced the final deadline to enroll in a health or dental plan for coverage beginning on February 1st, 2026, has been extended to Saturday, January 31.
Access Health CT is working with state officials on a plan to implement the new state subsidy program that will lower costs for eligible Connecticut residents who purchase their health insurance through the exchange.
Some customers might qualify for new state subsidies or other low- or no-cost coverage options, including the Covered CT Program or HUSKY Health, Connecticut’s Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
To learn more about the enrollment process and to find the plan that is right for you, visit Access Health CT's website.
|
|
| Department of Social Services SNAP Benefits Update |
|
|
| Connecticut passed new legislation requiring the Department of Social Services to spread out SNAP benefit issuance dates throughout the month rather than concentrating them in the first few days. This change will help reduce congestion at retailers and improve the overall client experience. SNAP users can expect this change to begin on March 1st, 2026. |
|
| Yellow Envelope Program Official Launch |
|
|
This Wednesday, was the official rollout of the Yellow Envelope Program.
This important initiative is designed to enhance safety and ensure respectful, effective support for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities during interactions with first responders.
The Yellow Envelope can be used to store important documents or materials that support communication and/or accommodation needs, allowing police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel to quickly identify when someone may be living with a disability during a traffic stop or emergency situations.
This program helps bridge gaps in high-stress moments, when some individuals may need additional tools for disabilities that are not immediately visible. In doing so, the program promotes understanding, patience, and safer outcomes for everyone involved.
The Yellow Envelope was modeled after the already-established blue envelope initiative, which started in 2020 and was aimed exclusively to support people with autism. Connecticut also has a green envelopes program, started in 2005, for to drivers who are deaf or hard of hearing. |
|
| Connecticut's C4 Platform |
|
|
This week, Governor Lamont announced the launch of the Connecticut Content Creator Collaborative, or C4. This is a new digital platform designed to connect businesses, organizations, and agencies with content creators and influencers who authentically represent Connecticut.
C4 serves as a centralized, searchable database where content creators can list their profiles at no cost, and where businesses can easily discover, filter, and connect with creators based on industry focus, geography, audience demographics, and content specialty, from lifestyle and culinary to travel, culture, family, and entrepreneurship.
Users can explore creators by:
- Content category (culinary, lifestyle, travel, family, culture, business)
- Geographic focus
- Audience demographics
- Platform reach and specialties
C4 is free for creators to join, boosting visibility, credibility, and access to new opportunities while giving businesses a trusted, efficient way to find partners who bring stories to life.
Click here to explore what C4 has to offer.
|
|
As always, whenever anything is top of mind for you and I can be of service to you, please contact me at (860) 240-8585 or on my cell phone at 203-249-1831 or email me directly at eilish.collinsmain@cga.ct.gov.
Warm Regards,
Eilish Collins Main
State Representative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
