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| Dear Neighbor,
I've heard from many in our community about the priority of the mental health and well-being of our state's youth and families. While we saw a rise in depression, anxiety, self-harm, and other forms of distress in young people prior to the pandemic, the increased isolation and uncertainty that has come from the past two years has exacerbated this issue. My colleagues and I have worked collaboratively on a bipartisan bill to provide additional support, resources and structural change to the children's mental health system in Connecticut. |
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| HB 5001, An Act Concerning Children's Mental Health, is a comprehensive proposal encompassing schools, healthcare settings, insurance eligibility, screening tools, and more. A press conference was held on Friday, Feb. 18, to unveil the legislation and discuss the ways in which it will address the needs of Connecticut's mental and behavior health system for children. You can watch the on-demand recording here. |
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| The Public Health Committee and the Committee on Children will hold a joint public hearing via Zoom on Friday, February 25th at 9 a.m. on this piece of legislation and the SB 2, An Act Expanding Preschool and Mental and Behavioral Services for Children. You can watch live on YouTube or on CT-N. |
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If you are interested in providing testimony, you can find information on how to do so on the CGA Bulletin. Testimony is accepted:
- Via Zoom: Register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form
- Registration will close on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 3:00 P.M. Speaker order of approved registrants will be posted on the Public Health Committee website on Thursday, at 6pm under Public Hearing Testimony
- In Writing: Email in a Word or PDF format to PHtestimony@cga.ct.gov
- By Phone: Call the Phone Registrant Line at (860) 240-0441 to leave your contact information
A detailed guide to submitting testimony can be found here. |
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| I hope you will join in sharing your thoughts on this important piece of legislation and stay involved as this bill moves through the legislature and may undergo some changes. I will keep you updated throughout the process. |
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| The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters recently released its environmental scorecards for the 2021 legislative session and I am pleased to share that I received a perfect score for my voting record on bills concerning environmental issues. We are experiencing the effects of climate change and should be reminded to invest in green energy and technology, protect the natural resources so vital to a stable ecosystem, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. There were several environmental wins during the 2021 session, including passage of a substantial update to our state's "Bottle Bill." We also voted to restrict toxic PFAS from being used in consumer packaging and firefighting foam.
This session, I will continue to support proposals that work to uphold environmental justice and equity. You can read more about the scorecard here. |
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| Did you know that 1 in 4 menstruators simply can't afford menstrual products? No one should have to choose between food, housing, their education, and access to menstrual products, but every day in our state, menstruators are making that choice. Periods don't stop during pandemics and the barriers to menstrual products Connecticut continue to exist and have become even worse for some menstruating individuals.
To address period poverty in Connecticut, the legislature's Public Health Committee raised a bill concept I proposed to provide free disposable menstrual products in our public school restrooms, at our public universities, and in our shelters. I'm inspired by students here in West Hartford and across our state leading this change in their schools. You can learn more about the bill and period poverty in Connecticut from my op-ed here. |
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| A new, statewide initiative offered by the Office of Early Childhood will allow parents and caregivers to track their child's development from birth to age 5.
The Sparkler application can be accessed via the App Store for Apple smartphone users and Google Play for those using Android phones. Parents and caregivers can download the app and use code CT to register. Connecticut is the first state in the nation to offer families with children ages birth to five comprehensive mobile developmental screening, promotion, and linkage to support.
I think this is a wonderful way for parents to track their child's progress, whether they're hitting certain milestones at a certain age. Please click here to learn more about this helpful tool. |
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Next Monday, February 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., join some of our state's leading education experts for a virtual forum on equity and setting our youngest residents up for academic and personal success. The discussion with Black women educators is presented by the Governor's Council on Women and Girls. To register for this event, please click here.
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The West Hartford United Methodist Church will be holding a Stuff-A-Truck food drive to support the West Hartford Food Pantry on Sunday, February 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1358 New Britain Avenue in West Hartford. The Food Pantry is in need of the following non-perishable items:
- Pasta and Pasta Sauce
- Peanut Butter
- Canned Fruit
- Applesauce
- Rice
- Soups
- Cereals
- Canned Meat and Fish
Donated items should not be expired or opened. Attendees will also be able to meet Renee Dinino from the River 105.9 FM.
If you cannot attend but would like to support the Food Pantry, you can drop off a donation at the West Hartford Town Hall, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information about the Food Pantry, please click here. |
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| As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!
Sincerely,
Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers |
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