Aimee Berger-Girvalo

I have a lot of information to share with you this week! A recent report came out regarding disconnected and at-risk youth. Take a look at what the legislature has been doing to support these kids.
 
And just a few other highlights:

• National Mammography Day - have you scheduled your mammogram? Early detection saves lives. 
• October is National Principals Month and we're honoring the hard work of the principals here in Ridgefield.
• Ridgefield Police will be a drop-off point for the DEA's National Drug Take Back Day on October 28.
• Our local Meals on Wheels program is looking for volunteers.

As always, if you have any questions about anything in this newsletter, or need help from my office, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Aimee

Connecticut-based Dalio Education recently released a report it commissioned that focused on "disconnected and at-risk youth" and found more than 63,000 young adults were disconnected, and 56,000 students were at risk between 2021 and 2022, according to the compiled data.

These are young people who have either dropped out of school or are in danger of dropping out of school, and who are, for those aged 18 to 26, unemployed and in many cases unemployable. 

2022 Legislation - School-Based Health Centers (HB 5001, SB 1, HB 5506)

• Provided grants to local schools to hire more support staff, including in the areas of mental health like social workers, psychologists, and counselors
• Funded the expansions of school-based health centers and the services they provide
• Created new walk-ins for mental health emergencies
• Initiated a new position at the Office of the Healthcare Advocate to help families navigate care for children and adolescents
• Expanded 24/7 emergency mental health response
• Established state oversight and coordination of state response to kids' mental health needs
• Expanded mentorship opportunities
• Helped school-based health centers develop new mental health programming
• Assisted local schools in expanding mental health staff and access to care
• Provided mental health training to parents, students, and pediatricians
• Established the Transforming Children's Behavioral Health Policy and Planning Committee (legislation passed in 2022; updated in 2023 with PA 23-90)

2023 Legislation - State Budget (HB 6941)

• Prevented any town from receiving a funding cut to their local schools
• Ensured more districts will meet eligibility requirements for the federal School Breakfast Program 
• Maintained funding to support our bilingual students 

This report shines a light on critically important data that shows elected officials, state agencies, and branches of government must collectively work better together to bring more stakeholders into this conversation, so that "at-risk and "disconnected" youth do not become "lost" adults.

Governor Ned Lamont unveiled new branding and announced the launch of a new marketing campaign for the State of Connecticut, including a new logo and website with the theme, “Make It Here.” The campaign’s objective is to foster continued economic growth and instill greater pride in state residents.
  
The new brand replaces the “Still Revolutionary” branding and tagline, which the state largely retired from use in 2019. The “Make It Here” themed marketing campaign showcases the wide variety of things made in Connecticut – from submarines and scientific breakthroughs to homes and families.
 
The campaign was, in part, spurred by recent research that found only 50% of residents are proud of the state and only 21% would recommend the state to others despite high marks as a place to live (73%), work (59%), and play (78%).  

• More than $840 million in permanent tax cuts since 2019;
• Business assistance programs including fixed, low-interest loans and guidance to small businesses through the Connecticut Small Business Boost Fund;
• Investments in workforce development programs of more than $100 million to reskill current workers and train a new generation of workforce talent in industries like IT, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing;
• More than $1 billion in capital investments to improve community vibrancy through multiple coordinated programs that would attract businesses, cultural attractions, and residents;
• Annual minimum wage increases tied to federal economic indicators;
• Statewide prescription drug discount program to help make healthcare more affordable for all residents;
• Expanded laws to protect women’s reproductive rights;
• Expanded laws to strengthen gun violence prevention; and, most recently,
• The creation of the Connecticut Wind Collaborative to accelerate the state’s offshore wind industry.

Mammograms save lives! One of them may be yours. Have you talked to your doctor about your risk of breast cancer? Today's the perfect day to start the conversation.

Find a screening center here: shorturl.at/nBGJ7

By age 25: Talk to your doctor about your breast cancer risk
By age 40: Get your first mammogram

In honor of Retirement Security Week:

• This session, we extended state income tax exemptions to taxpayers making up to $100,000 and $150,000 for joint filers.
• Current law exempts 100% of pension and annuity income from the state's income tax, and we are halfway to phasing out 100% of IRA income for those making $75,000 or less annually ($100,000 for joint filers). 
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October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month! It’s a month to raise awareness and celebrate the many abilities of our loved ones with Down Syndrome. DSAM seeks to break down barriers and focus on promoting advocacy for people with Down Syndrome.

Some facts about Down Syndrome:

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately one in every 772 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome, making Down Syndrome the most common chromosomal condition. About 5,100 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States each year.
• There are different types of Down Syndrome - Trisomy 21, Mosaicism, and Translocation. Trisomy 21 is the most common, which accounts for 95% of cases.
• Regardless of the type of Down Syndrome a person may have, all people with Down Syndrome have an extra, critical portion of chromosome 21, present in all or some of their cells.
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Last week, Governor Lamont proclaimed October as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut, in recognition of all Connecticut residents with disabilities in the workplace and in honor of their many accomplishments.

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with Ryan Wenke, Director of Operations and Technology, and Juliana Fodera, Grants Manager, at the Prospector Theater in Ridgefield. We discussed measures we should be taking as a state to ensure opportunities for meaningful employment for the entire disabled population. Having worked this past session to find solutions for the lack of transportation that blocks our friends and neighbors with disabilities from getting to work, this is an issue that is among my priorities.   

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a major milestone in advancing access and equity for individuals with disabilities which laid the foundation for the more comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination in any program or activity operated by recipients of federal funds, which includes state vocational rehabilitation funding. The Americans with Disabilities Act expanded to include transportation, public accommodations, communications, and access to state and local government.

Assistance for jobseekers with disabilities is available virtually and in-person. For more information:

• Visit the Department of Aging and Disability Services website for more information on employment and other services available to people with disabilities at portal.ct.gov/ads.
• Visit one of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended). More information is available at portal.ct.gov/ajc.
• Explore CTHires, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. More information is available at portal.ct.gov/cthires.
• Attend one of several job fairs that are scheduled frequently across the state. For a full schedule, visit portal.ct.gov/AJC/recruitmentevents.
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October is National Principals Month. Thank you to the hard-working, caring, and wonderful RPS Principals for all they do for Ridgefield students!

October 28 is the DEA's second prescription take-back day of 2023. Please check your home for unneeded or unwanted prescription drugs. 

Locally, the Ridgefield Police Department is a drop-off location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on October 28. For more information, click HERE. 

Hey Ridgefield! I'm excited to share with you an incredible opportunity for young individuals interested in politics and public service. The Connecticut General Assembly is currently accepting applications for the Legislative Internship Program. This internship provides invaluable, behind-the-scenes insight into the legislator's roles, state politics, and the policy-making process. Legislative interns are assigned to individual legislators, where duties include bill tracking, drafting research reports, writing testimony, social media posts and speeches, and providing information to district constituents. In addition, interns engage in career development projects and field trips. 

Click HERE to learn more. Deadline is November 1!

The HRRA Billboard Contest is happening now! This year's theme is "Keep It Loose: Don't Bag or Bundle Your Recycling!"

Enter by November 15 to win one of the FOUR prizes.

For entry information visit https://hrra.org/annual-billboard-contest/

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has announced this year’s “Snowplow Naming Contest.”

Schools across Connecticut will be able to submit their best and most creative names for four snowplows, which represent the four CTDOT maintenance districts in Connecticut. Winning schools will have their snowplow names featured on the side of a CTDOT tandem axle Tow Plow that operates on our state roads clearing the ice and snow during inclement weather.

Connecticut K-12 schools will have until December 15 to submit their most creative snowplow name. In January, CTDOT will reveal the winning names.

Schools can submit an original and creative snowplow name at https://bit.ly/CTSNOWPLOW2023.

Would you like to meet clients? Meals on Wheels of Ridgefield delivers to each client’s door, provides a friendly hello, and a needed check-in. MOW is seeking delivery volunteers who can commit to delivering at least two days per month on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Interested? Click HERE. 

The Ridgefield Police Department is aware of current global events and there have been no credible threats to Ridgefield or its neighboring communities. RPD is closely monitoring open lines of communication with partners in Federal Law Enforcement and National Security, to ensure that there is no specific and credible intelligence that would indicate a threat to the community, stemming from the situation in the Middle East.

Out of an abundance of caution, there will be an increased police presence in the community. RPD asks everyone to report any suspicious activity to the routine line 203-438-6531 or dial 911 if necessary. If you see something, say something.

Tied to "If you see something, say something," Ridgefield Police Department also offers this Public Service Announcement: 

This is another reminder from the RPD that theft of items and theft of motor vehicles is still occurring on a daily basis. Here are some simple steps you can take to help prevent the larceny of items from a motor vehicle and stolen motor vehicles (see below).