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| Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 Event March 9 |
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| In recognition of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima during WW2, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 399 located at 465 Riverside Ave in Westport is proud to announce the hosting of a special presentation by the Iwo Jima Association of America, LTCOL Art Sifuentes, USMC (Retired) on Saturday, March 9th, at 1:00 PM.
This special occasion offers an opportunity for the community to come together and honor the brave veterans who fought in one of the most pivotal battles of the Pacific War. The Battle of Iwo Jima holds a significant place in history and it is important to highlight the courage and sacrifice of those who served. |
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| Access Health CT to Hold Enrollment Fair for HUSKY Health Enrollees |
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Access Health CT (AHCT) today announced it will host a free, in-person enrollment fair in March to help HUSKY Health enrollees who have been affected by the Medicaid Unwinding process. The event will take place in Stamford.
Medicaid Unwinding is the process of resuming the review of households for Medicaid eligibility after a three-year break during the Public Health Emergency. The eligibility redetermination process resumed April 1, 2023 and HUSKY Health clients will be notified when it is their turn to enroll. The process will end March 31.
Connecticut residents no longer eligible for HUSKY Health may become eligible for other no- or low-cost health coverage available through AHCT. Other options include the Covered Connecticut Program, which provides no-cost coverage for eligible residents, or a Qualified Health Plan (QHP), often available at a lower cost to residents if they qualify for subsidies.
HUSKY Health clients who need assistance with the process or have questions can get help from an enrollment specialist at the upcoming enrollment fair:
- Stamford: Saturday, March 14 at Stamford Government Center, located at 888 Washington Boulevard, Fourth Floor, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Register here.
Walk-ins are welcome.
For free help online, residents may visit AccessHealthCT.com. Live chat is available by clicking the “Live Chat” icon to connect with a customer service representative in real time. Live chat is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Residents may also contact the call center at 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator. |
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| The Parent Cabinet is Now Accepting Applications |
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The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood is now accepting applications for a new cohort of members to serve on its Parent Cabinet.
Established in 2022, the Parent Cabinet is a diverse, parent-led advisory group of 15 members that works directly with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood and gives parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 5 a greater voice and ability in shaping laws and policies that impact young children and families. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood is the state agency that oversees child care programs and early childhood services like Birth to Three, Home Visiting, and others.
The Parent Cabinet is open to all who care and raise children in a parenting role, including grandparents, foster parents, and other types of guardians. Members serve 2.5-year terms. The terms of the current members expire either in June 2024 or December 2024, making the membership terms staggered.
Members are compensated for their services, must live in Connecticut, and cannot be employed by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood or otherwise receive funding from the agency. As part of their responsibilities, they spend at least 56 to 68 hours per year on their work. This includes about four to six hours each month:
- Attending or hosting regional community group meetings or events;
- Participating in mostly virtual monthly Parent Cabinet meetings and subcommittee meetings; and
- Meeting quarterly with parent ambassadors from local early childhood collaboratives and the Children’s Collective.
Additionally, members spend about 12 hours each year on:
- Additional community outreach events;
- Meeting with local parent ambassadors;
- Attending additional subcommittee meetings;
- Attending advisory committee meetings; and
- Participating in check-ins with staff from the Office of Early Childhood.
Members are asked to:
- Listen to the needs of families from all backgrounds;
- Help increase awareness around Office of Early Childhood services and supports, such as Birth to Three, Home Visiting, and Care 4 Kids;
- Make the voices of families heard on important issues, like improving laws and policies related to the needs of young children and their families; and
- Partner with local partners and communities.
Members are chosen by a selection committee consisting of an Office of Early Childhood staff member, Parent Cabinet member, and community leader. Applications are evaluated on parent leadership, lived experience, community work, and more. Members are also selected to ensure the panel is geographically balanced across the state and come from diverse backgrounds.
For more information on the Parent Cabinet and its mission, visit ctoec.org/parent-cabinet.
To apply to become a member, visit ctoec.org/parent-cabinet/apply.
The Office of Early Childhood will host a virtual information session for prospective members on Friday, February 23, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 pm. To participate in that session, click here. Another session will be held on March 6, 2024, in the evening. |
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| It is impossible to do my job as your state legislator without your input. That is why I am encouraging you to fill out my legislative survey. It is a quick and easy way to share your beliefs and priorities on bills and other policy initiatives.
Click here to take this year's survey. |
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| Upcoming Celebrations at Norwalk Public Library |
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| I wanted to share a couple of upcoming programs that Norwalk Public Library will hold:
ICYMI - Black History Month Celebration at South Norwalk Library
Reminder - the South Norwalk Library will host a Black History Month celebration on February 24. The event will include performances from the the Bible Church of Norwalk's praise group, a presentation on Haitian art, a conversation on the historical contributions of Haiti to Black history in America, and more. Lunch will be provided. Click here or the image below to register. |
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| The Norwalk Public Library will hold a Chinese New Year celebration next Sunday, March 3. The celebration will feature dance performances by Li Garden Dance Company and the Chinese Education Association (CCEA) Dance Group, as well as stations with Chinese calligraphy, ancient toys and traditional costumes. Lunch will be provided. Click here or the image below to register. |
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| Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Dominique Johnson
State Representative |
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