Newsletter
March 31, 2021In this newsletter we will touch on the following topics:
- Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Community Granted Accelerated Access to Vaccine
- GDP Growth Looking Good in Connecticut
- Respect for Our Vietnam Veterans
- Canton, Avon Senior Center News
- Connecticut First Responder 9/11 Deadline Webinar
- Child Tax Credit Discussion Reminder
| I/DD COMMUNITY GRANTED ACCELERATED ACCESS TO VACCINE |
I'm grateful to see that, finally, the I/DD community has been added to the accelerated access group and can begin getting vaccinated on Thursday April 1. I advocated for this as part of my service as a member of the I/DD caucus.
I do wish that both Type I and Type II diabetes were included in this group. I also wish organ donors would have been included along with organ recipients. Still, we remain among the top five states in terms of getting people the COVID-19 vaccine. Please note: everyone age 16 and up is eligible to begin scheduling Thursday April 1, with or without the accelerated access.
For nearest locations and appointment scheduling information please click here or call: 877-918-2224.
Also, remember:
- Mask up (Nose AND Mouth)
- Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds
- Stay socially distanced
| GDP GROWTH LOOKING GOOD IN CT |
More good news...
"For all of 2020, Connecticut’s GDP, or the value of all goods and services produced in the state, shrank by 4.1%, placing it in the middle of the pack when compared to other Northeast states such as New York (-5.9%), Massachusetts (-3.8%), and Rhode Island (-4.5%), according to data released this morning by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Connecticut’s fourth quarter GDP increase far exceeded the national average of 4.3% growth, putting the state in the company of South Dakota (up 9.9%), Texas (up 7.5%), Utah (up 7.1%), and Tennessee (up 6.7%) as the top gainers."
- Hartford Business Journal , March 26, 2021.
You can read the article in its entirety by clicking on the image below:
| RESPECT FOR OUR VETERANS |
The Vietnam War has always been a close piece of history to me. Maybe it was growing up outside of DC, with frequent visits to The Wall. Or maybe it was the many times my mom took me to visit her friend’s grave, at Arlington National Cemetery (his name was Kermit Holland). But those men and women always seemed so real and not so far away like service members of other wars did.
National Vietnam Veterans’ Day was Monday. I took a moment to give them their due especially knowing it wasn’t easy for many of them when they returned home - and that we could have and should have done better.
For a real glimpse into what it must have been like for those brave men and women, watch the clip below. I look forward to learning more at the online exhibit.
| CANTON, AVON SENIOR CENTER NEWS |
Canton Senior Center / Canton Café Customers:
Canton Town Offices and the Senior Center will be closed on Friday, April 2, 2021, in observance of Good Friday.
There will be NO Canton Café Lunch on Friday, April 2, 2021.
Please note: If you are receiving a Canton Café Meal on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, please arrive at 12:30 p.m. instead the regular 12:00 lunch time.
A Grab and Go Breakfast is being offered at the Avon Senior Center on Saturday April 10, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Avon Lion's Club and Senior Center are co-sponsoring the event which is free.
The Avon Senior Center is asking that you call 860-675-4355 to sign up. Please see more important information about the Grab & Go Breakfast below:
- Safety and social distancing will be in order.
- Wear a mask and stay in your vehicle but also:
- Drive into the second entrance of the circle, have your back, passenger door unlocked & any donations put in an envelope on the seat.
- Avon Lion’s Club is accepting cash donations or check donations made out to AHSPTO, memo line put Project Graduation, gathering for Avon High School Graduates, to help them celebrate their year.
- Breakfast will be handed while driving through the circle.
| CONNECTICUT FIRST RESPONDER 9/11 DEADLINE WEBINAR |
If you were at Ground Zero on or after 9/11 you may qualify for free healthcare and compensation.
You will certainly have an opportunity learn more through the Connecticut First Responder 9/11 Deadline Webinar set for Wednesday April 7, 2021 at 5 p.m. via Zoom.
Please click on the flyer to RSVP.
| CHILD TAX CREDIT DISCUSSION REMINDER |
Please join me on Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. for a conversation via Zoom regarding the child tax credit along with Rep. Sean Scanlon, House Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee; Merrill Gay, Executive Director of the CT Early Childhood Alliance; and Liz Fraser, Policy Director for the CT Association for Human Services.
Working families and single parents in Connecticut have been hit pretty hard by the pandemic. It is more important now than ever that we support these families.
Please click the button below to register and join us.