Hubert Delany

I had a great time seeing my colleagues and celebrating Peruvian Independence Day during the annual flag raising event at the state capitol. 

I want to thank the to the Consulate General of Peru in Hartford, Milagros Acosta , and all of my colleagues for your fellowship, participation, and leadership. 

All children deserve to start the school year well supplied and confident! 

And last week, I joined Back to School Shop’s annual volunteer event!

Parents and activists from across Stamford worked together to provide free books, backpacks, clothes, and shoes for over 400 children. 

I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Jane Levene, Charlesanna Ecker, and a back to school shop for organizing such a special and generous event. And I would also like to also thank Secretary of The State Stephanie Thomas, Senator Miller, and all of the legislative colleagues who joined me in volunteering. 

On June 25, 2019, Governor Lamont signed P.A. 19-25 into law, creating CT Paid Leave, and employee payroll contributions began in 2021. One year later, on January 1, 2022, benefit payments began for qualified applicants.

Families in Connecticut shouldn't have to worry about whether they can balance taking care of family needs or paying the bills. With this program, both can happen, as it offers partial income replacement benefits.

What qualifies for eligible leave?

• Parental bonding - the birth of an employee's child or placement of an adopted or foster child with the employee
• Serious health conditions - for the employee or a family member of the employee
• Donors - to serve as an organ or bone marrow donor
• Armed Forces - for family members in the armed forces undergoing treatment for an injury or illness incurred in the line of duty or being deployed to a foreign country
• Family violence - for family violence victims to seek medical care or counseling, obtain services from a victim services organization, relocate because of family violence, or participate in civil or criminal proceedings related to the family

Connecticut is one of 13 states in the nation to pass paid family and medical leave legislation, along with California, Colorado, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington, as well as Washington D.C. States including New Hampshire and Vermont have enacted voluntary programs for employers who want to opt in.

Connecticut should be proud of its paid leave program. It is held up as a national model for other states to emulate. 

• Employer Guide to Hiring Veterans: http://ctdol.state.ct.us/.../Employer-Guide-to-Hiring...
• For Veterans Seeking Employment Or Training: http://ctdol.state.ct.us/.../Employer-Guide-to-Hiring...
• Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs: portal.ct.gov/dva
• Contact A Local Veterans Employment Representative: ctdol.state.ct.us/veterans/LVERs.pdf

SPECIAL EXHIBIT: Who Can Vote? A brief history of voting rights in the United States

This exhibit examines voting rights with an emphasis on the role of the U.S. Constitution and the interplay between the states and federal government in determining who has been allowed to vote through history. This display, which continues through August 21, is part of the library's commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. You can find the exhibit on the first flood of the Main Library (DiMattia Building).

Canasta Club:

• Wednesday, August 2
• 11:00 A.M - 1:00 P.M.
• Harry Bennett Branch

Come out and play canasta at the library. Canasta is popular due to its use of wild cards, which makes it high scoring and unpredictable. Canasta is also one of the few partnership games where players can work in unison. All levels are welcome.

Bomba Music & Dance Workshop:

• Saturday, August 5
• 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.
• Harry Bennett Branch

Celebrate the end of our kids' summer learning club with face painting, lawn games, refreshments and a workshop about Puerto Rican bomba music. You'll learn about its unique rhythms, instruments, costumes, storytelling traditions and basic dance steps.

Simply bring your EBT card to the table with the sign that says "SNAP/EBT accepted here" at participating Farmers' Markets and Farm Stands. The Market Master will swipe your card for the amount that you want and give you Market Tokens that can be used at all the stands at that market.

Local Probate Court have annually awarded $2 million in grants from the state Kinship Fund and Respite Fund to guardians of low-income children. The Kinship Fund awards grants up to $550 per child or $2,200 a family per year. The Respite Fund is also capped $2,200 per year.

Guardians can apply for both funds, though a separate application for each is required.

Residents can find grant applications online or by contacting their local Probate Court.