The state's severe cold weather protocol went into effect for the first time this year on Thursday afternoon and will go through Tuesday at noon.
Low temperatures over the next few days will dip into the single digits, with wind chills close to zero at times. Anyone in need of shelter or a warming center is urged to visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary. Click HERE to learn more.
The end of the year is coming quickly, but there are still a couple of events on the calendar that I'd like to point out, including a public hearing next week about the future of early childhood education in Connecticut, as well as the 13th annual Kids Helping Kids Gift of Giving project that is happening now. Please scroll down further for more information on both.
You're going to learn some things about me you didn't know in this newsletter, but you'll have to watch the video below, in which I served as the keynote speaker during a fundraising gala at the community college I attended in Kansas before transferring to Western Connecticut State.
Lastly, I included several holiday-related events happening this weekend that may be of interest.
As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at Corey.Paris@cga.ct.gov or call 860-240-8585.
Here's a great opportunity to provide input regarding the future of early childhood education in the state and share your thoughts with the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board. You can make your voice heard either in public or via Zoom on Wednesday, December 10th. Please see the flyer below for more details.
The first meeting of the Department of Children and Families' Effectiveness in Child Protection Responsibilities Working Group is in the books and focused on reviewing available data and information regarding the Department of Children and Families’ effectiveness in carrying out its child protection responsibilities.
The discussion included remarks from the Children's Committee Chairs, followed by a detailed presentation from DCF on service availability, timeliness, and overall effectiveness, including access to behavioral health, developmental, and educational services, as well as capacity issues, waitlists, and the outcomes of services provided.
In the short clip below, one thing I touched on was the need to make more people aware of, as a resource, DCF's Supportive Housing for Families Program, which provides families served by DCF throughout the state with wrap-around services and access to safe, quality, affordable, and permanent housing.
The program is designed to help families become reunited with children who have been placed in foster care or prevent the placement of children in foster care by combining housing assistance with intensive strength-based case management.
Investing more money in this program to assist more families is something we need to address as well. Please click on the image.
The group also reviewed internal DCF findings, including recurring practice or system issues, accountability measures, recommended action steps, and how those steps are being tracked.
It was a substantive meeting focused on transparency, system performance, and identifying areas for improvement. Please click HERE to watch it in its entirety.
I was truly proud and humbled to be the keynote speaker at Johnson County Community College's 39th annual Some Enchanted Evening gala, the school's annual fundraising event for student scholarships.
I am even more proud that more $1 million was raised in scholarships.
My story began at JCCC.
I attended the school and served as Student Senate President for the 2010-2011 academic year before transferring to and graduating from Western Connecticut State. Please click on the image below to hear my speech.
Spoiler alert: I shared a personal story here about my upbringing that I have never shared publicly.
The Kids Helping Kids "Gift of Giving" project has been ongoing for more than 10 years, opening the door for over 400 underserved children in our community to shop for gifts they would like to give to others – free of charge.
Please see the flyer below for information on how you can help.
Last year, more than 300 children were served via the project, and over 1,200 gifts were placed in homes locally for the holidays.
Please take a look at the information below regarding electric portable space heater safety, and please be safe.
Please note the additional fire safety measures below, including:
Smoke Alarms: Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries at least once a year.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms: Required in homes with fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages. Install CO alarms outside sleeping areas and on every level.
Getting older does not automatically mean it is time to stop driving, but it does require regular evaluation of driving abilities.
During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 1–5, 2025, Connecticut is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to encourage families and caregivers to begin open, proactive conversations about safe driving as loved ones age.
Nationally, the population of residents 65 and older has risen significantly, and in 2023, drivers in this age group were involved in nearly one-fifth of all fatal crashes. In Connecticut, 51 older adults were involved in fatal crashes that same year, representing 17% of statewide roadway fatalities.
State law allows drivers 60 and older to take an approved crash-prevention course and receive an insurance discount, providing an important opportunity to refresh skills and stay safe on the road. For more information and a list of providers, please click HERE.
Families are encouraged to work with older adults to develop a transportation plan, which may include the following:
keeping up with vision and hearing checkups,
reviewing medications for side effects that may affect driving,
choosing daytime or less complex routes, considering adaptive vehicle equipment,
and identifying alternative transportation options if driving becomes difficult.
Free resources are available through NHTSA to help older adults stay safe and to assist families and caregivers in supporting safe mobility for everyone.
