Maria Horn

Dear Neighbor,

This is an unusual holiday season, to say the least, filled with a mix of highs and lows.  There is light at the end of the tunnel with news of vaccine approvals and their impending delivery to healthcare workers and nursing home residents as early as this month, but the pandemic is still very much with us as hospitals and health care workers are feeling the strain of the wave we are currently experiencing.  The current wave is coming from other rural areas in the state, and is currently expected to peak here in mid to late December. I’ve spoken with both of the hospitals in the district, Sharon Hospital and Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, about the strains they are feeling, but also about the fact that both are thinking well ahead, having now been through this before. 
 
Both hospitals are part of health systems that support them and provide resources, and both systems are seeing fewer patients who have needed ICU-level care, but “the virus is a humbling one and things change all the time,” to quote Brian Mattiello, the Regional Vice President for Strategy and Community Development at Charlotte Hungerford. Both hospitals have changed their visitor policies in order to better protect all patients and staff, and both are making preparations to receive a vaccine supply as early as December 15. 
  
My own reaction to these conversations with our healthcare leaders was to change all in person meetings to virtual meetings where possible.  As I gear up for my new position as Co-Chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, I was really hoping to be able to meet personally with many of those who work in this field, but that will have to wait.  In order to protect these critical resources, and our businesses and our economy, please continue to remain socially distant, wear a mask, wash your hands, generally stay home as much as possible, and reach out virtually to friends and family who may be isolated or need some extra help this season.  We will get through this together. 
 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Governor Lamont signs Executive Orders. Click here. 
• Lamont administration releases framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Connecticut. Click here.
• Regional School District No. 6 looking for STEM activity providers. Click here.
• Resources for Mental Health and Family Services during COVID-19. Click here. 
• McCall Center for Behavior Health offers a SMART Recovery Group for Friends and Families. Click here.
• YMCA Freezin' for a Reason even to fight homelessness. Click here.
• CT's Office of the Arts capacity building workshops. Click here. 
• Insurance Commissioner Update re COVID vaccine. Click here. 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus, and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 9Q enacting the following provisions:

• Administration of COVID-19 vaccine by licensed pharmacists: Authorizes licensed pharmacists to administer any coronavirus vaccine that has been authorized by the Food and Drug Administration under certain conditions, as well as administer influenza vaccines to children aged 10-17.
• Reporting of influenza vaccine administration to patients younger than 18: Requires any pharmacist who administers an influenza vaccine to any patient under the age of 18 and obtains the vaccine through the Connecticut Vaccine Program to electronically report the information about the administration of the vaccine to the Department of Public Health’s immunization registry.
• Out-of-network COVID-19 immunization: Caps the amount that providers may charge to administer COVID-19 vaccines, to ensure that no one is required to pay out-of-pocket costs for the vaccine.

Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 9P enacting the following provisions:

• Increase in weekly benefit amount and qualification for Lost Wages Assistance: Expands eligibility for Connecticut residents in the federal Lost Wages Assistance program, enabling those who previously did not meet the eligibility requirements to receive $100 in weekly unemployment benefits that would make them eligible.
• Remote licensing examination for subsurface sewage disposal system cleaner and installer: Modifies certain state statutes to permit the Department of Public Health to hold only two of the four required licensing examinations for subsurface sewage disposal system cleaner and installers, and to conduct examinations remotely.

Lamont administration releases framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Connecticut
 
The Lamont administration released a framework of its plans for the distribution of an anticipated COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. New information about the vaccine continues to develop each day and plans for its distribution are expected to continue evolving as the situation develops. Information on the state’s distribution plans is being published online at ct.gov/covidvaccine.
 
 
Regional School District No. 6 looking for STEM activity providers
 
Regional School District No. 6 (including Goshen, Warren, and Morris) is looking for program providers of STEM related activity for the Winter 2021 After School Enrichment Program.  If you are interested, please complete the Application for STEM Proposal-After School Enrichment and submit it to Chris Escobar at cescobar@rsd6.org  by Monday, December 14, 2020.
The district will review all proposals by Friday, December 18 and let providers know the status of their request shortly thereafter.
The winter program will begin the week of February 1 and end the week of March 1, 2021. There will be no make-up sessions.
 
Resources for Mental Health and Family Services during COVID-19
 
Children and adults have experienced a heightened need for mental health and addiction services and resources as people have felt more isolated due to the pandemic and are grappling with pandemic fatigue, the approaching holidays, economic uncertainty, and more. Connecticut has a comprehensive network of care available to residents 24/7. The following resources are available in Connecticut:

COVID-19 Assistance for Community Health (COACH) – Through grant funding from FEMA, Connecticut's COACH program provides free support and outreach services to residents who need to speak with someone about how the pandemic is affecting them. It also outlines community resources for older adults, families, individuals experiencing homelessness, and more. Visit https://ctstronger.org/coach/ for additional information.

DMHAS Access Line and Transportation – Residents can call the 24/7 Access Line at 1-800-563-4086 for transportation to a residential detox program. The line can also coordinate transportation to DMHAS addiction residential treatment.

211/CT United Way – Residents can visit www.211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to access mental health/addiction resources and services in their region.

Turning Point CT – This is a warmline run by young people for young people in Connecticut and can connect those struggling with self-harm, substance abuse, depression, and more with local supports. The warmline can be accessed by calling 1-800-273-8255 or texting "CTL" to 741741. More information is available athttps://turningpointct.org/. 
1 Word, 1 Voice, 1 Life – The Connecticut Suicide Advisory Board was established to address suicide across the lifespan and focuses on prevention, intervention, and health promotion. Further information is available at www.preventsuicidect.org. 

DMHAS Bed Availability – DMHAS works collaboratively with mental health, addiction, recovery providers and sober homes to track real-time availability of in-patient beds throughout Connecticut. Additional information can be found at https://portal.ct.gov/DMHAS/Programs-and-Services/Finding-Services/DMHAS-Bed-Availability. 
 
McCall Center for Behavioral Health offers a SMART Recovery Group for Friends and Families
McCall will be offering a SMART Recovery group (which stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training) for friends and families of those suffering from addiction. The SMART approach is secular and science-based, using cognitive behavioral therapy and non-confrontational motivational methods.

 

YMCA Freezin’ for a Reason event to fight homelessness
 
Due to public health restrictions, the YMCA will not be gathering people together for the Freezin’ for a Reason Sleep Out this year, but they’ve improvised another way to draw attention to the problem of homelessness and to raise money to help combat it.
 
Instead of the usual event, this year they are asking all participants to do the following: 

• Sleep out!! Take to your own back yards (or front!) to set up camp and spend the night in the cold. This act of solidarity still sends a powerful message and raises awareness for the cause. 
• Take Pictures!! Lots of them. And send them to Willem Donahue, Housing Director of the Northwest CT YMCA, at wdonahue@nwcty.org
• Share on social media! Show your friends and followers that you are participating in this important event. Tag the Northwest YMCA on Facebook and Twitter #Freezin 
• Collect donations and sponsorships Donations can be made by credit card at this LINK or by check using the attached pledge form! Our goal is still to raise $15,000 for the Winsted Y Homeless Shelter.

 Connecticut Office of the Arts capacity building workshops
 
The Connecticut Office of the Arts is conducting capacity building workshops, presented in cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), for arts and cultural institutions, municipalities, and artists.  The third workshop will take place on Thursday, December 10 from 9 - 11 AM. There is no cost to participate
 

Arts & Culture Capacity Building Module 3 Thursday, December 10, 2020 9 - 11 AM

 

The Role of Art and Artists in Building Business and Communities This module will focus on place-keeping and will feature case studies and actionable recommendations for cross-sector collaboration between municipalities, arts organizations and artists to build communities, spur the creative economy and to leverage arts and culture as a driver of activities in our cities.   Experts: Bridget Anderson, Indiana Director, Patronicity Beth Flowers, Executive Director, The AIR Institute Lynne McCormack, National Director of Place-making, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Click here to learn more.
 
Insurance commissioner reminds that all insureds are eligible for no-cost COVID-19 vaccines
 
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Andrew N. Mais is reminding insureds that there should be no out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 vaccines for all Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant fully-insured plans and all self-funded plans.
 
 
The Connecticut Insurance Department today issued a notice to all health carries regarding the guidelines.
 
For more information, read the press release issued today by the Connecticut Insurance Department.

 

Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.