Eleni Kavros DeGraw

I hope after yesterday's bitter cold snap you are staying warm and if you need to access our town warming centers, you were able to do so. I know it's unusual to get an update two days in a row, but I didn't want to miss the chance to ensure you had access to what could be emergency information.

Today's update is packed with events with local youth, workforce development strategy information, and a PURA update. There's also a COVID-19 decision tree for schools from the Farmington Valley Health District in case you missed it and information on how you can find out if you have unclaimed property in CT.

Avon will be distributing more self-test kits this weekend and there is information on that below. Please remember that people are doing the best they can to get these tests distributed and while there was a learning curve, our volunteers helping get these tests out need your support and kindness, too.

Test Kit Distribution in Avon Saturday

The Town has received a second limited supply of in-home COVID-19 test kits from the State of Connecticut as part of a state-wide distribution initiative.

The Town will host a drive-thru style distribution event for Avon residents on Saturday, January 15th beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Thompson Brook and Pine Grove Schools, weather permitting.  The event will run while supplies last, or until 1:00 p.m., whichever occurs first.

(patch.com)

Here’s what you need to know:

• Both test kits and N95 masks will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis while supplies last. Proof of Avon residency is required (e.g. official identification or a piece of mail).
• Test kits will be limited to one per vehicle. Each kit contains two tests. Please refrain from carpooling to the event if possible as it slows down the line considerably.
• N95 Masks will be limited to five (5) per household.
• Attendees must enter the event through the Thompson Brook School driveway (150 Thompson Road) via West Avon Road. You will not be permitted to access the event via Old Farms Road. Attendees will then proceed through the TBS parking lot to Pine Grove School where they will receive their tests and masks and exit onto Scoville Road. A map showing the access route is available HERE. Avon Police and AVFD will be on site to direct traffic.
• Due to the extremely cold temperatures forecasted for Saturday, please refrain from lining up for the event until 9:30 a.m.
• Should inclement winter weather require this event to be rescheduled, details will be posted on the Town’s website by Friday, January 14th at 2:00 p.m.
• The State of Connecticut Department of Public Health has provided guidance for the public on the use of the self-test kits. This information is available for download HERE.
• Masks are also currently available for resident pick up at the Circulation Desk of the Avon Free Public Library (281 Country Club Road) and the Fire Marshal’s Office/Building Department of the Avon Town Offices (60 West Main Street) during normal business hours while supplies last.

Please contact the Emergency Management Director at (860) 409-4319 with questions. Please do not contact Pine Grove School or Thompson Brook School regarding this event.

Congratulations Boy Scout Troop 274

Congratulations to Boy Scout Troop 274 - Avon, CT’s latest Eagle Scouts, Brian Matthew Cunningham, Rodrigo Monteiro Portal, and Falcon Skylar Yule.

Their Court of Honor convened yesterday and I was able to present them with a citation on behalf of the state of Connecticut.

I’m always impressed with the dedication these young men show over the course of years to achieve this rank, especially when you consider how busy their later years are preparing to leave high school.

I look forward to reading their names into the official record when we return to session next month. Congratulations, again, to these Eagle Scouts and their families.

Youth Cabinet Update

My youth cabinet has consistently met each month since we started in September. Our cabinet members decided the two issues they most wanted to work on were mental health and the environment.

Most recently, Rep. Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford/Avon/Farmington) was a guest speaker during our cabinet meeting to discuss the children's mental health bill she is working on and to solicit feedback from our cabinet members on what they see as gaps in schools and beyond for mental health.

Next up will be a visit from the Environment Committee's Vice Chair Christine Palm who will share some of the committee's priorities for this short session and to discuss the ideas the cabinet members have for legislation.

(September photo)

I am truly grateful for this inspiring and committed group of young people who consistently bring new ideas and information to each session. I look forward to sharing more on our work in future communications.

Farmington Valley Health District COVID-19 Decision Tree for PreK-12

Please see the COVID-19 Decision Tree chart for PreK-12 students from the Farmington Valley Health district below. The chart contains information and details on what to do if you have had a known exposure to someone with COVID-19 as well as if you develop one or more symptoms regardless of your vaccination status.

Career ConneCT: $70 Million Dedicated to CT Workforce

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.

Application for Training Providers

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.

CareerConneCT

PURA Residential Renewable Energy Solutions Program

In 2021, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) established a successor residential renewable energy program that will change how solar owners are compensated for the power their systems produce and provide to the local electric grid according to a press release from Governor Lamont's office.

The new program replaced current net metering, as well as the residential solar incentive program (RSIP), on January 1, 2022.

For a list of frequently asked questions please click here. For an overview of the program please watch the video below.

Unclaimed Money Available at CTBigList.Com; CT's Earned Income Tax Credit for 2020 To Be Retroactively Enhanced