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| Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The 2022 legislative session is right around the corner, and while the Connecticut General Assembly will not gavel in until February 9, the legislative process starts now. I will be holding a legislative coffee hour on January 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom to listen to your thoughts and concerns on state issues as well as your ideas for potential legislation. |
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| Please click here to register.
If you cannot participate in the Zoom but want to set up a time to speak with me, please reach out to me at Michelle.Cook@cga.ct.gov or call my office at 860-240-8585.
I look forward to hearing from you! |
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| The U.S. government recently launched a website for Americans to request free at-home COVID-19 testing kits. You can request your free COVID-19 testing kits at COVIDTests.gov.
Up to four at-home tests per residential address may be requested. Tests are expected to ship within 7- 12 days of ordering through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
If you or someone you know needs a COVID-19 test now, please visit Connecticut's coronavirus website here and enter your zip code in the box that says, "Find a COVID TESTING site." For a list of cost-free state-supported COVID-19 testing sites, please click here. |
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| CT SEVERE COLD WEATHER PROTOCOL IN EFFECT THROUGH FEB. 2 |
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| Colder than average temperatures are moving into our state, prompting Governor Lamont to extend the state's severe weather protocol until February 2. Frigid temperatures can bring black ice to commutes, frozen pipes, cold weather injuries like frostbite and hypothermia, and more.
Warming centers and shelters will be open across our state. If you or someone you know needs shelter, please call 2-1-1 to be directed to a nearby location and transportation if necessary. |
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Useful Resources:
Damage from frozen pipes or ice dams may be covered by your homeowner's insurance policy. Contact your insurance company or the Connecticut Insurance Department for information on your specific policies |
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Our state recently announced the launch of the CTpass Program which offers organizations group rates to access public transportation. Organizations that can participate in CTpass include but are not limited to:
- Organizations that provide a training program listed on the Connecticut Department of Labor Department’s Eligible Training Provider List
- Apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program sponsors
- Providers of an alternate route to a certification program that the Connecticut State Board of Education has approved
- Institutions of higher education
- Private occupational schools
- Private employers
- State or municipal agencies
- Public or nonprofit social service providers in Connecticut
For more information on CTpass or to download the initial application, visit ct.gov/dot/CTpass. Questions or requests for additional information can be emailed to DOT.CTpass@ct.gov. |
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| WBDC OFFERING GRANTS TO BUSINESSES |
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| The Connecticut Women's Business Development Council is accepting applications for its Equity Match Grant program through February 13, 2022. This program helps Connecticut women-owned businesses grow. Awards offered range from $2,500 to $10,000. Project proposals should have measurable impact on the business, its growth and profitability. Grants cannot be used towards operating expenses, payroll, or real estate improvements. Applicants must provide a minimum 25% match. For more information, eligibility guidelines, and to start the application, please click here. |
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| RELIEF FOR CT'S ESSENTIAL WORKERS |
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The Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund is now up and running. It was authorized by the legislature in June for the purpose of easing the financial burden on essential workers who became ill and were unable to work, or died, between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
The program assists with:
- Lost Wages – Unpaid leave and lost wages if an employee was unable to work after contracting COVID-19, or due to symptoms later diagnosed as COVID-19.
- Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses – For medical services related to contracting COVID-19 that were not covered by insurance.
- Burial Expenses – Burial/funeral expenses of $3,000 for an eligible essential worker who died from COVID-19.
Families can also apply for any combination of the three benefits on behalf of a qualified essential worker who died after contracting COVID-19. The program can distribute up to $34 million on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2024, or until the fund is depleted. The application portal is now open.
The program stands to help thousands of first responders, hospital workers and many more who put their lives on the line to help Connecticut stay safe.
If you or someone you know is eligible and in need of assistance, please apply and share the information about the Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund with them so they can apply, too. |
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| JOB TRAINING AVAILABLE THROUGH CAREER CONNECT |
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Last session my legislative colleagues and I worked collaboratively with the Governor to secure and allocate $70 Million in funding for Connecticut workers. With funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, we created CareerConneCT, a program designed to help those whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am excited to share – as of last week – the program has launched and is accepting applications from training providers.
For Training Providers
Under CareerConneCT training providers can:
- Apply for Grants: Over the next four years providers can receive funding to design programs that offer industry-recognized credentials and job placement services with priority across several sectors:
- Manufacturing
- Information Technology
- Healthcare
- Infrastructure
- Clean Energy
- Other In-Demand Industries
The program is anticipated to support training for approximately 8,000 participants. Grants will be issued twice per year, every February and August.
The first application round is now open, and training providers can click the button below to login to their CT.Gov accounts and apply. The first application deadline is February 20, 2022. |
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For Workers
CareerConneCT is focused on:
- Reskilling and Upskilling: Continuous learning and job training are essential.
- Inclusiveness and Effectiveness: Help propel worker success while advancing social equity.
- Mutual Success: Helps students, workers, and Connecticut thrive by uniting employers, workforce development boards, secondary- and post-secondary institutions, and community and economic organizations.
Workers will now have online access to short-term training programs, where they can earn an industry-recognized credential and enter employment in in-demand careers. Click the button below to visit the CareerConneCT portal and stay up to date on training opportunities. |
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| FRIENDLY HANDS FOOD DRIVE |
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| Friendly Hands Food Bank in Torrington is looking for sponsors for its next Homeless Care Connection event on Monday, February 14 at the ELKS Lodge in Torrington. Sponsors can drop off donations of new socks, shoes, coat, hand warmers, and gift cards at Friendly Hands Food Bank, 50 King Street, Torrington. Sponsors also have the option to make a monetary donation through the Friendly Hands Food Bank website, here. |
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Sincerely,
Michelle Cook |
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