2021 Policy Highlights - Acts Affecting First Responders

September 9, 2021


 
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Friends and Neighbors,

I hope this email finds you and yours well. I am humbled and honored to share with you that I have been selected by the CT State Firefighters Association for its 2021 legislative award. 

Firefighters answer the call no matter the hour, no matter the circumstances, and give so much of themselves to maintain the fire service and protect people in our communities. 

The CSFA chose me for the award for my work to create a new fund that will pay for Firefighter I training in economically distressed municipalities, like Ansonia and Derby, freeing up these cash-strapped departments' budgets to reassign Firefighter I funds for Firefighter II training and more specialized courses. The CSFA also recognized my outstanding advocacy in the long effort for the construction of the Valley Fire School, which remains a top priority for me and the CSFA. 

While I can't wield the jaws of life or physically carry a person to safety myself, I am proud to serve as a an advocate for our firefighters at the State Capitol, working closely with fire agencies like the CSFA and their members to ensure that firefighters have the support they need and the tools and resources to continue serving our state. 

This award is incredibly personal and touching to me. I grew up in a fire family and have seen first-hand the hours, time, and dedication that goes into leading and maintaining the fire service. I am keenly aware of the challenges firefighters face and am proud to be recognized by the CSFA as a strong and clear voice for firefighters.

 
2021 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS
Keeping open lines of communication is important to me as your feedback and insights enable me to better advocate on your behalf in Hartford. This session, there were numerous wins for working families, education, small businesses, healthcare, and more. Over the next several weeks, I'm going to be highlighting the bills that will impact your life the most and set Connecticut on a path to prosperity and equity. Below is a look at bills that work to support our first responders.
  • SB 660, An Act Expanding Workers’ Compensation Benefits for Certain Mental or Emotional Impairments Suffered by Health Care Providers in Connection with COVID-19, permanently expands Workers Compensation benefits for EMS workers, Corrections Officers, and 9-1-1 dispatchers and certain frontline health care workers to cover post-traumatic stress injuries. 
  • SB 837, An Act Concerning the Use of Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Class B Firefighting Foam, bans the harmful chemical PFAS from getting into our waterways and food packaging.
  • HB 6689, An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June Thirtieth, 2023, and Making Appropriations Therefor, and Making Deficiency and Additional Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending June Thirtieth, 2021, authorizes $5 million in new funds to the existing Fire School Construction Fund to ensure the fund total is enough to build the three remaining fire schools awaiting construction. 
  • SB 1202, An Act Concerning Provisions Related to Revenue and Other Items to Implement the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2023, I authored a provision in this bill to create a new fund to pay for Firefighter I training for volunteer firefighters in distressed municipalities, like in Ansonia and Derby. The law also exempts volunteer firefighters and ambulance providers from background check fees.
 
COVID-19 UPDATE
Are you hesitant or not planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine? If so, consider participating in a listening session to discuss your concerns about the vaccine with a health care professional. You can also receive a $40 gift card just by participating. These session are coordinated in partnership by the Yale School of Public Health, Griffin Hospital and the Prevention Research Centers. 

For more information or to sign up, call 203-732-1125.

 
With the Delta variant, it is more important than ever to roll up our sleeves for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Click the image above for an enlarged version of it. If you need assistance scheduling your COVID-19 vaccine appointment, don't hesitate to reach out to me. 

Additional vaccine sites can be found here. You can also call CT's Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.

Griffin Health Mobile is offering a free day pass to Quassy with a first COVID-19 vaccination dose! Additionally, individuals who get their second vaccine at the location at 4 Fourth St can receive a $25 gift card to an Ansonia restaurant. 

Click here to get a list of locations the mobile vaccine mobile will be visiting.

 
SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL EXCELLENCE
One of Ansonia's own, Matthew Torres, took home a bronze medal from the Paralympics in Tokyo! Torres won the bronze in the men's 400-meter S8 freestyle. His time was 28.47 seconds. He is currently a sophomore and swims for Fairfield University.

This is an incredible accomplishment and deserves a huge congratulations. You can read more about this on the New Haven Register website here.

 
OPERATION FUEL UTILITY ASSISTANCE
Electricity costs tend to be at their highest during the summer months - so families struggle to pay their utility bills during this time. But there’s good news! Operation Fuel has funds available to help struggling families – right now – with programs for year-round energy assistance, water assistance, and homeless intervention and prevention, too.
 
Households whose income does not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines may qualify for assistance.

To apply online, visit Operation Fuel's secure portal here.
 
You can also connect with a fuel bank in your area. To schedule an appointment, enter your town in Operation Fuel’s Fuel Bank Finder. If you have questions or need assistance, call 860-243-2345.

 
UNITE-CT PROGRAM
If you are a landlord with a tenant behind on rent or are a tenant struggling to catch up on rent payments, the UniteCT program can help. Launched in March using federal emergency COVID-19 funds, this program provides up to $10,000 directly to landlords on behalf of tenants who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are working to catch up on payments. Households making up to 80% of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development area median income are eligible for the funds. For a household of 4 in Ansonia and Derby, the AMI is $78,500. 

Landlords and tenants can initiate the online application process. Paper applications are not being accepted. Tenants and landlords can check their eligibility and start the online application by clicking the button below. 

Residents who need to access a computer can go to the Ansonia Public Library and Derby Public Library. 

Apply for UniteCT Here
 
ACCESS HEALTH CT SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD
If you are still in need of quality, affordable health care, or want to save on your plan, it is not too late to get a plan during the Access Health Connecticut (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period. If you haven’t looked recently, prices for healthcare have PLUMMETED on Access Health thanks to new state and federal laws. The Special Enrollment Period ends on October 31 and enables new and existing customers to take advantage of newly available financial relief through the American Rescue Plan. 

This financial help is offered only through Access Health CT and benefits many, including those with somewhat higher incomes who can face high premiums. If you need coverage please don't hesitate to reach out. For more information on the AHCT Special Enrollment Period, click here.

To complete an application, make sure you have the below information for yourself and anyone in your household applying for coverage:

  • Dates of birth
  • Social Security numbers
  • Visa, green card, immigration documents
  • Most recent W2 and/or Form 1040, Form 1099
  • Current insurance coverage
  • Paystubs, Profit & Loss statements, other employment information to confirm income for everyone in tax household

Access Health CT will continue to offer free help: 

  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: 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 the TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or contact us with a relay operator
    • Extended Call Center Hours for close of the Special Enrollment Period: Sat., August 14 and Sun., August 15 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community
  • In-personhelp at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations*: 

Learn more about Access Health CT here.

 
COMMUNITY EVENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative

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