Mary Welander

The General Assembly has continued to support our children's wellbeing – just passed through the House, SB 2 addresses the pandemic impact on childhood depression, anxiety, and developmental delays by making necessary investments in comprehensive support services.

https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=2

Our children have faced increased stress and anxiety as we worked to combat the pandemic and attending school can serve as a refuge to many students. SB 1 establishes several initiatives to better address student's mental and physical health including supporting and expanding school-based health centers, assisting efforts to hire additional social workers, equipping schools with Narcan, supporting minority teacher recruitment, and building out mental health plans for student athletes.

https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=1

Early detection of breast cancer is necessary to early diagnosis and the probability of receiving life-saving treatment – however, out-of-pocket costs of some screening procedures and tests have served as a deterrent. SB 358 will help patients take control of their health and expand access to preventative services by covering up-to-date diagnostic and treatment services.

https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=358

Based on the recommendations of the Police Accountability Task Force, HB 5372, among some other updates to state statutes, will support the deployment of social workers to assist in responses to police calls involving mental health, substance abuse, or other social service needs.

https://cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2022&bill_num=5372