Kara Rochelle

I hope this message finds you and yours well.

Today, I was pleased to join U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and my state and local colleagues to highlight $5 million in additional federal funding for the Route 34 widening project! This project is part of a larger revitalization initiative that will transform downtown Derby. A huge thank you goes to Senator Blumenthal and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for securing this additional funding.

Over $50 million in state and federal funds have been invested in Derby's downtown revitalization, including:

• $6 million in state funds to renovate the Derby-Shelton bridge
• $18 million in state funds for the Route 34 widening project
• $12 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) grant for the Derby-Shelton Train Station Multimodal Transportation Center Project
• $12 million state match to the federal RAISE grant which will connect the Derby-Shelton Station to the Route 34 widening project and downtown Derby, fully renovate the station, install electric vehicle charging stations, and more

These projects will connect the Derby-Shelton Station to the new face of downtown Derby, creating a more walkable, bikeable, and connected area. After many years of waiting, I am so proud to be part of this effort to reinvent downtown Derby. 

You can read more about the project on the Channel 8 website here.

I'm proud to have authored the language contained in this bill, which also provides the strongest coverage in the country for the early detection of breast cancer. This law will save lives. You can learn more about the symptoms of ovarian cancer and more here.

Please visit covid.gov/tests to order free tests. Each household can order up to 16 rapid antigen tests. 

Every home in the U.S. can request 3 orders of free at-home tests (16 tests total) per residential address. Residents who would like to request free COVID-19 tests must place an order by Friday, September 2.

WBDC awarded this grant to Kiddie Care using funds from the Office of Early Childhood authorized by the state legislature. I was happy to advocate in support of this critical award that will help make child care more accessible for families in the Lower Valley. There is a significant lack of child care options and organized activities for kids in our area, locking parents, primarily mothers, out of the workforce. 

This is a woman-owned business that chose to open in Ansonia because they understand how critically-needed these services are. I'm pleased to see this business is thriving and is helping our local economy recover for the pandemic.

Thank you, Officer Barry, for going the extra mile to ensure our teens grow up to be healthy and happy young adults with bright futures! You can read WFSB's full story here.

Now you can watch one of the recordings on-demand, so you can learn more about this low-interest loan program and whether your small business should apply.

Access the recording by signing-up here, and reach out to my office at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov if you need support for your business! We can direct you to a variety of resources.

I want to alert you about a recent communication from the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) on a series of text scams that include links to fake webpages resembling CTDOL unemployment pages, including the unemployment benefits login page.

The texts appear to come from the agency and may read: ‘Connecticut’s Department of Labor warn Your account is abnormal’ or ‘Your unemployment is updated and logged in to view’.

It is strongly advised to ignore and delete these texts as the CTDOL does not process claims or verify identity and account information through text or social media.

The only place to get information about your unemployment account is at www.ReEmployCT.com or call the Consumer Contact Center at www.FileCTUI.com.

If you think your personal information has been compromised, please notify your local law enforcement. In the case where you believe an unemployment claim has been filed using your identity, report that to the Department of Labor as well. The agency has information, reporting tools, and resources available on its fraud page.

Cyber security experts recommend regular account maintenance to maintain the integrity and security of your personal information. Best practices include:

• Use different passwords for your social media, banking, email, and other accounts. 
• Change your passwords regularly.
• Use strong passwords—upper and lowercase letters, symbols, possibly a short phrase in lieu of a single word, and stay away from dictionary words. 
• Monitor your accounts—if you had an email breach, other accounts may also be compromised.
• If you receive a message via text or email and it seems suspicious, do not reply to the message, instead, independently search out the contact information for the organization so you can confirm the communication.

I'm proud to support this initiative, which was included in this year's budget bill to provide taxpayers with $250 per child for a maximum of three children. Connecticut families that claimed at least on dependent child 18 years or younger on their 2021 federal income tax return were eligible to apply if they met income guidelines. So far, rebates have been approved for 189,374 families on behalf of 317,044 children. You can read more about this here. 

If you are interested, there are several ways to submit your application: 

• Online at ct.gov/heatinghelp/apply.
• Call the office of your local community action agency and request assistance applying, or schedule an in-person appointment  
• Download and complete the CEAP application, and mail the completed application with the required documents to Team, Inc. 

Benefits are based on your household’s income and number of family members. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $76,400 for a family of four. 

Typically, benefits are paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for multiple free tank fills.

Applications for the 2022-2023 winter season must be received by May 31, 2023. 

If you’d like more information, click here, call 2-1-1.

• Manufacturing
• Healthcare
• IT
• CDL Licensing
• Green Jobs
• Infrastructure/Construction
• Life sciences
• Business Services

Each program will include supportive services for qualified individuals to successfully complete the training and connect to employment including childcare, transportation, career advising, and other forms of case management. Training and supportive services will be available at no cost to eligible participants.

Learn more about this great program here.

Remember, only you can prevent forest fires (or brush fires). 

Eligible students can even attend these colleges for free thanks to the Pledge to Advance CT (PACT) program. The deadline for students to apply for PACT funding has been extended. Any student who meets the program's qualifications and registers for classes this semester will receive PACT funding. Learn more about this announcement here.

Derby Public Schools held its convocation to welcome back current and new staff and express our gratitude and well wishes for a successful and joyful year. Thank you to the teachers and staff that run our schools and support our kids' futures!

The first day of school for Ansonia Public Schools students was last Thursday, August 25. Derby Public School students had their first day today.

To help keep students healthy this school year, the State Department of Education and Connecticut Department of Public Health have collaborated on the release of new guidance, "Launching into Healthy Learning," for the upcoming school year. "Launching into Healthy Learning" aims to ensure school districts have the necessary tools to minimize impacts from respiratory disease outbreaks and maximize in-person learning and child care. You can learn more about the strategy here. 

• Kill the insect
• Do not attempt to move any wood or other potentially infested material from the site
• Follow the CT Agricultural Experiment Station's instructions on sending a dead specimen sample; or
• Take photos and carefully note the location to report your finding to the CT Agricultural Experiment Station at ReportSLF@ct.gov.

Click here to learn more about the SLF.

The clinic will help parents, caregivers, and children learn the importance of car seats, how to install them and position a child in the seats. To make an appointment for the clinic or to learn more, please contact Cathi Kellett at ckellett@griffinhealth.org. 

Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.

All my Best,

Kara Rochelle
State Representative