Session Recap & Community Updates

mccv
May 7, 2021
I wanted to take a moment to update you on some of the bills passed this week, provide some information and resources in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, thank our teachers, and invite elementary school students and their parents to join us for a wonderful online opportunity.
 
Next Monday, May 10th at 4:30 (before dinner and not too late that it is bedtime), elementary students and their parents are invited to join Rep. Leeper, Michelle Peters, CT Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Dana Bossio, Teacher Leader for School Psychology and Social Work for the Fairfield Public Schools, and me for a read-aloud of Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health.
 
The story invites elementary school children and adults to help children identify a trusted adult in their lives, someone they can speak with in a time of either crisis, grief, or even joy. Following the read-aloud Michelle and Dana will lead a conversation with parents on how to find mental health resources for children and adolescents. This event will be held via zoom and will be available only to those who have registered. You can register for the event below. If you aren’t able to make it, there will be a state-wide read aloud on May 13 at 7PM where Gizmo himself will make a special guest appearance.
Register Here
Mental Health Tools

This year Mental Health America has expanded their resources called "Tools 2 Thrive", to provide practical resources that everyone can use to improve their mental health and increase their resiliency regardless of their personal situation.

Their toolkit - which you can access by clicking here, or the image above - includes sample materials for communications and social media as well as printable handouts on the following topics:

  • Adapting after trauma and stress
  • Dealing with anger and frustration
  • Getting out of thinking traps
  • Processing big changes
  • Taking time for yourself
  • Radical acceptance

This Week is Children's Mental Health Awareness Week:

  • 1 in 6 U.S. youth (ages 6 - 17) experience a mental health condition each year.
  • 1 in 6 U.S. children aged 2–8 years (17.4%) had a diagnosed mental, behavioral, or developmental disorder.
  • 50% of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14.
  • Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in youth ages 10 - 24.

A study recently released found almost 50% of parents surveyed said the pandemic has caused mental health problems for one or more of their children, with 19% reporting major problems.
The Child Mind Institute gives the following guidelines:
  1. Identify specific behaviors that are concerning. 
  2. Keep track of how often the behavior occur and how long they last.
  3. Try to identify if the behavior is typical for the child’s age by talking to their teachers, school counselors and the pediatrician. Here is a guide to developmental milestones up to age five.
  4. How long has the behavior been occurring? Is it in response to a stressful event or did it seem to just appear?

How much is it interfering with daily life? This is probably one of the most important questions to ask yourself. If it is causing problems at school, home, interfering with relationships or preventing your child from participating in their normal activities, it’s time to consult a mental health professional.
 
Session Day Recap

Tuesday and Thursday, the convened at the State Capitol to vote on a number of bills that make important changes in our communities. As Chair of the Planning and Development Committee, I was honored and moved to introduce HB 6105, known as the Birth Certificate Bill.
 
This bill gives all adult adoptees access to their original birth certificates. In this short, two clip, video above, I explain why HB 6105 has garnered bipartisan support, but also why a proposed amendment could have altered the bills ultimate outcome.

My involvement with this issue and the many people whose lives it impacts has been extremely moving over the past three years our committee has taken up this bill. I have been consistently inspired by all of who chose to share their life journey with us: birth mothers, adult adoptees, adoptive parents, advocates, and family members. The conversations have included grief, joy, shame, anticipation, relief and so much more. I respect and honor all of the stories, no matter the perspective. I am proud of the bill we passed Tuesday and am moved to know this will equalize access, allowing all adult adoptees to receive their original birth certificate and help so many adoptees answer life-long questions they've had.
I also want to take a moment to address a monumental vote we made during yesterday's session on early voting. The House voted and passed  HJ 59, a Resolution to permit early voting in elections, with a bipartisan majority. This overdue piece of legislation addresses voter equity and accessibility by allowing a longer time-frame for individuals to vote. House and Senate passage of these resolutions will mean that the voters of Connecticut will have a chance to decide for themselves if our state should adopt early voting. Upon passage in the Senate, early voting will be placed on the ballot in November of 2022.
 
I believe HJ 59 and HJ 58, the Resolution that addresses "No-Excuse" Absentee voting - which we plan to take up on Tuesday - are the most important and foundational actions we will take this session. HJ58 would need a 75% majority in order to make it onto the November 2022 ballot. I thank Secretary of the State Denise Merrill for her tireless advocacy and leadership along with my fellow GAE Committee members.
 
Some of the Bills we Passed in the House this Week:
  • HB 5895 AN ACT ESTABLISHING A TASK FORCE ON THE REDUCTION OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT
  • HB 5596 AN ACT CONCERNING TELEHEALTH
  • HB 5592 AN ACT REDEFINING "VETERAN" AND ESTABLISHING A QUALIFIED CONDITION REVIEW BOARD
  • HB 5158 AN ACT CONCERNING BREASTFEEDING IN THE WORKPLACE
  • HB 6229 AN ACT ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF FOOD-INSECURE STUDENTS AT PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Teacher Appreciation Week
 
Last week I had the privilege of joining the entire Fairfield delegation at Dwight Elementary School to acknowledge the wonderful work of Mrs. Robb and her amazing 3R students ahead of Teacher Appreciation Week.

I also wanted to take this time to honor Mr. Cavanna for winning the 2021 Outstanding High School Principal award from the Connecticut PTA and Ms. Raccioppo for winning the 2021 Outstanding High School Teacher award. When I think about the hundreds of students these educators have impacted over the years, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you, Mrs. Robb, Mr. Cavanna, Ms. Raccioppo, and ALL teachers for your continued dedication to your amazing students.