Order Your Free At-Home COVID Test

welander
January 21, 2022
Over the last two weeks, towns and cities throughout our state have handed out free At-Home COVID-19 test kits, and now I am happy to share that every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests completely FREE.

To order, you can click the button or image below, enter your mailing information on the USPS webpage, and then will receive an emailed confirmation code. It's that easy!

The USPS says orders will usually ship within 7-12 days.
Order FREE At-Home COVID Test
As a part of this effort by the Federal Government to stop and slow the spread of COVID-19, next week you will have access to FREE N-95 masks at pharmacies and community health centers.

Here is all you need to know about collecting your free masks next week:
  • Where can I get FREE N-95 masks?
  • When can I get FREE N-95 masks?
    • According to the White House, shipping began this week and you will be able to pick them up at participating locations next week.
  • How many FREE N-95 masks can I get?
    • To ensure broad access for all Americans, there will be a limit of three masks per person.
 
Mental Health Services in Schools
Last week, we faced devastating news that a 13-year-old Hartford student died after being exposed to Fentanyl while at school. On Tuesday, I stood in solidarity with Governor Lamont, Mayor Bronin and my fellow legislative colleagues as we pledged to take action this session to combat the concerning rise in overdoses.

As Vice-Chair of the Committee on Children, I can say with full confidence that I will continue to work with my Chairs and Ranking Members to propose legislation to protect our kids from this growing problem. The House Chair of the Committee, Representative Liz Linehan ensured the public that bills will likely be proposed in the upcoming 2022 legislative session that would require naloxone(Narcan), an overdose reversal drug, in schools and expand training for educators on what to do if they believe a child is using opioids.

I also made a few comments during the press conference on Tuesday, which you can watch below. If you would like to watch the full press conference, you can access it here via CT-N.
 
 
CT COVID-19 Updates

Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 remains our greatest effort to fight the virus, and finding a vaccine has become easier than ever with a multitude of options available to you.

Anyone age 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated, boosters from all vaccines are available to anyone 16 and older, and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster is available to children ages 12 - 15 along with children aged 5 - 11 years who are immunocompromised.

You can find vaccine and vaccine booster appointments for yourself and your kids by clicking the links above, or accessing the buttons below: 
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster for Kids
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Derby
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Orange
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Woodbridge
 
CT Paid Leave Program
I am pleased to announce that Connecticut's landmark Paid Family and Medical Leave Program benefits for qualifying circumstances became available on January 1st.

Under the program - which the legislature passed in 2019 - eligible workers will be able to take up to 12 weeks of time off work for certain qualifying events without losing income.

The program is administered by the Connecticut Paid Leave Authority.

You can apply now by clicking here, sending an email, sending a fax to (888) 485-0973, calling a Customer Care Advocate at (877) 499-8606 , or mailing your claim to Administrative Office, PO Box 84077, Columbus, GA 31908-4077.
Qualifying reasons to submit a claim include:
  • Medical leave for a serious health condition including pregnancy, or serving as a bone marrow or organ donor.
  • Caregiver leave to care for a family member experiencing a serious health condition.
  • Bonding leave for a newborn child through birth, adoption, or foster care.
  • Family violence leave to get medical or psychological care.
  • Workers caring for injured military family members or a spouse’s military deployment.
The amount of income replacement varies based on a worker’s earnings, and is capped at 60 times the state minimum wage up to $780 per week. The combination of employer-provided benefits and benefits received under the paid leave program cannot exceed 100% of a worker’s normal weekly earnings.

For more information about the program, please click here.
 
WBDC Equity Match Grant
The Women’s Business Development Council is offering grants between $2,500 and $10,000 to qualified women-owned small businesses in Connecticut with clearly defined projects that will have a measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability.

I would like to give a special shout-out to Knowledge Designs To Change LLC in Orange for being a recipient of the Equity Match Grant. Congrats!

To learn more about the grant and how to apply, click the info-graphic below.
 
Roe V. Wade
Today I stood beside many colleagues to mark the 49th Anniversary of the landmark decision of Roe v. Wade. The decision of whether or not to seek an abortion is a deeply personal one. For those who do make that decision, they should be able to have access to safe and supported healthcare. I am proud that Connecticut continues to recognize the fundamental right of a woman's right to choose her own reproductive pathway.
Watch the Full Press Conference
 
Legislative Roundtable
The Arts Council in Partnership with the New Haven Pride Center will host a Legislative Roundtable on Tuesday, January 25 from 10AM - 11AM.



During the roundtable, you can meet with elected officials, artists, and cultural leaders from throughout the region to discuss the creative community before the start of the next legislative session. This conversation will focus on cultural equity and creative youth development, but there will also be time to ask your own questions.

Click the button below to RSVP:
RSVP for Roundtable Event
 
MLK Jr. Day
On Monday, we honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In times of darkness we may start to lose hope, or lose faith in ourselves, our community, or even our country. In those moments it is so important to remember the light that is created when we do good work, when we help others, when we are upstanders not bystanders.

Those sparks of light may seem small but together we can light up even the darkest spaces.