Millions for Special Education, Mask Updates and Special Enrollment

August 5, 2021
This week, more than $16 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) funds was made available to 170 school districts across Connecticut. This relief money will allow schools throughout our state to provide special education services to more than 80,000 students during the upcoming school year.
 
The ESSER II funding is critical to supporting equitable learning opportunities for students with varying educational needs. The more than $16 million in funds was set aside by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to supplement local special education COVID-19 recovery efforts through several initiatives piloted last school year by some of the recipient districts.
Where the money will go:
 
Addressing Delayed, Interrupted, Suspended or Inaccessible Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Supports and Services: Up to $13 million in funds will assist districts with addressing delayed, interrupted, suspended, or inaccessible IEP supports and services for students with IEPs in each school district.
 
Special Education Evaluations: Up to $1 million in funds will increase the capacity of state’s six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC) to assist school districts in conducting special education evaluations, which will benefit approximately 240 students, as well as planning and placement teams.
 
Supplementary Tutoring and Reading Instruction: Up to $2 million in funds will assist 170 districts with supporting supplementary tutoring and reading instruction to address the needs of 3,092 students with an IEP and a primary disability category of SLD/dyslexia in alignment with the reading goals in the student’s current IEP.
 
Individualized In-Home Support for High Needs Students: Up to $272,000 in funds will provide for 8,000 hours of individualized in-home support through partnership with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services to provide 1:1 in-home assistance and support for up to 200 students.
 
More than 50,000 students in Connecticut have already been impacted by these grants, with an emphasis and commitment on children and communities most impacted by the pandemic. I will remain committed to fighting for accessible enrichment programs and funding for all students throughout our state.
 

As you have probably read in the news, the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a health alert in response to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) moving all eight Connecticut counties into the “substantial transmission” category per the CDC classification system.

“Per guidance this week from the CDC, anyone over age two who lives, works or travels throughout the state should wear a mask when in public indoor spaces,” said Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, senior advisor to the Governor for Health and Human Services, and acting commissioner of DPH. “This alert applies to all residents in these areas whether they are vaccinated or not.”

Those with underlying medical conditions who are at high risk for complications of COVID, or residents who live with high risk or unvaccinated individuals are also strongly encouraged to wear masks in indoor public spaces. This includes vaccinated family members who live with young children who are not yet eligible for vaccination.

Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Order 12A remains in effect which requires all individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when indoors and unable to maintain adequate distance from others.

As we continue to navigate the pandemic, we know one thing for certain, that the vaccine will help us to definitively move past COVID and these types of impacts on our day-to-day lives. COVID vaccines are readily available at hundreds of locations across Connecticut and I encourage everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine.

 

Access Health CT's, Special Enrollment Period has been extended more than two extra months - through October 31 - due to the high volume of Connecticut residents enrolling since the open of the Special Enrollment Period.

Additionally, thanks to the new Covered Connecticut Program, some of you may qualify for FREE health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. The only way to enroll in Covered Connecticut is by calling the Access Health CT Call Center, so please read the information below:

New Assistance

To be eligible for the Covered Connecticut Program, Connecticut residents must:

  • Have a household annual income that is greater than 160%, and up to and including 175% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) – see chart below.
  • Have at least one dependent child in the household under age 19; Children age 18 must be a full-time student in secondary school.
  • Be eligible for Advance Premium Tax Credits (APTCs) and Cost Sharing Reductions (CSRs).
  • Use 100% of APTCs and CSRs available to them, along with the expanded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) financial assistance.
  • Be enrolled in an eligible Silver Level Plan.

If you qualify for the program can continue to enroll after the Special Enrollment Period ends.

Continued Assistance

Enroll during the Special Enrollment Period

  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon).
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri., 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • In-person help at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*: