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| Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of March 1.
If you prefer to watch rather than read, click on the image below to hear about the issues contained in this newsletter. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Childhood Nutrition Programs - A Legislative Priority. Click here.
- Manufactured Housing Grant Application. Click here.
- Grant Opportunity for Transportation Services. Click here.
- Early Voting Information. Click here.
- Public Hearing Schedule. Click here.
- Upcoming Events. Click here.
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I am thrilled to share exciting news about my commitment to promoting the health and well-being of our community’s families and children. In response to the vital need for improved childhood nutrition, we are working on crafting comprehensive legislation that ensures mothers and children who are eligible for federal benefits are enrolled in these programs with ease and confidence.
WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, Children) enrollment in Connecticut is among the lowest in the country at 46%. Not maximizing participation in this program is resulting in worse outcomes for the health and nutrition of young children.
Child nutrition is important for many reasons including:
- Strengthening the child's immune system
- Providing essential vitamins and minerals
- Enhancing brain development
- Encouraging physical growth
- Setting the stage for healthy eating habits for a lifetime
Healthy nutrition is also tied to preventing chronic disease, improving mental health, and helping build strong bones and teeth.
As this priority bill moves through the legislative process, I urge you to show your support as we move forward. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of our youngest community members. |
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently announced they've opened the application period for Manufactured Housing Grants. Eligible Applicants include:
- State Governments
- Local Governments
- Multijurisdictional Entities
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations
- Resident-controlled MHCs
- Cooperatives
- Non-profit entities (including consortia of non-profit entities)
- CDFIs
- Indian Tribes or their Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHEs), Tribal non-profits, and Native CDFIs
- Entities that partner with one or several residents of eligible MHCs or that propose to implement a grant program that would assist residents of eligible MHCs
For more information you can check out their FAQs or register for an informational webinar. |
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The Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) is currently accepting applications for ARPA funds designated towards transportation services. There is a total of $320,000 in available funds. The transportation provider applying for these funds must target rural towns within WCAAA’s region. Transportation services provided must be for adults aged 60 and older at the time of receiving services, and consideration will be given to providers who can target the most at-risk population, specifically those facing social isolation.
If your organization is interested in submitting a proposal, please click on the link below to download the application materials. Additionally, please take note of the important dates provided below:
Grants & Contracts | Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging (wcaaa.org)
ARP-Transportation Dates
Application Deadline: April 8, 2024
Grant Year: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025
Grant Awards Announcements: by August 31, 2024 |
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Early voting starts this month with the Presidential Preference Primary! I’ve been speaking regularly with town clerks and registrars in the Northwest Corner about the many challenges with this change. It’s an impressive group, committed to making this process work, and I will continue to advocate that our towns get the resources they need. Learn more about early voting at myvote.ct.gov.
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📅 A look at the schedule of public hearings. Please remember that you only need to register if you wish to provide testimony. If you want to observe the hearings, you can tune in to watch the proceedings live on the committee’s YouTube channel.
🌐 You can register to testify and find more detail on this week’s public hearings, including the bills that will be heard, in this week’s CGA Bulletin. Access the Bulletin here: cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABulletin/Bulletin.asp |
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At long last, the Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP) has launched the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program. ConneCTed Communities is a $40.8 million competitive grant program that will fund the construction and deployment of broadband infrastructure designed to support the goal of universal access to affordable, resilient, and reliable broadband.
DEEP is seeking applications for grant funding to facilitate low-income and multi-family curb-to-home and business broadband infrastructure buildout in underserved areas that will result in service at speeds of at least 100 Mbps/100 Mbps.
Eligible Applicants: Governmental entities, private for-profit entities, non-profit entities, and certain other organizations and partnerships.
Application Deadline: April 30, 2024 Applicant Webinar: March 20, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. EST. Click here to register for the webinar. To learn more about the ConneCTed Communities Grant Program, visit DEEP's website.
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| Madness @the Park at the Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens on April 6
Mark your calendars! As the NCAA Basketball Tournament, better known as “March Madness”, whittles from a field of 64 hopefuls to The Final Four teams, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens invites the community to join the fun and festivities at a free, family-friendly watch party on Saturday, April 6. Back by popular demand after their recent appearance at the Football Watch Party is the Meraki Food Truck, which will be on site to satisfy game day cravings with a special menu available for purchase. Join your family, friends and neighbors for an afternoon of fun as you cheer on your favorite team to victory! Stay tuned for more details to come soon... |
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| In March and April, the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village (CT) will host an exhibition of local vintage photography from the early twentieth century, “From the Great Falls to the Hilltops.” A joint project of the library and the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society, the show focuses on portraits, including many in recognizable places, most spectacularly at the Great Falls.
An opening reception will take place on Saturday, March 16th, 4-6PM. The exhibition is accompanied by two talks:
On Saturday March 16, at 3PM before the reception, Daniel Karp from Simon's Rock will talk about the progress of photographic technology.
On Saturday, March 23, 3:30PM, Michel Majer from Cora Ginsburg LLC will give a presentation on early twentieth century fashion with examples from the Falls Village-Canaan Historical Society.
All events are free and open to the public. |
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The Kent Singers will present The Peace of Wild Things on Sunday, March 10 at 3:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Church in Kent, CT.
The concert features Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb, Randall Thompson’s Frostiana, and two pieces by the young American composer, Jake Runestad: The Hope of Loving and The Peace of Wild Things. The concert will be conducted by music director James Knox Sutterfield.
Tickets are $20 in advance online at https://kentsingers.com/category/tickets/ and at the door, ; tickets and further information are available at 860-619-8110 or at https://kentsingers.com/. |
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| It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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| Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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