Summer Food Assistance Available & First Mobile Opioid Treatment Program

June 24, 2026

Here are the sections in today's email:

  • Summer Food Assistance Available
  • Expanding Access to Life-Saving Care
  • Local Nursery Opens New Building
  • Learn About Thermal Energy
  • Around Willimantic
 

Summer Food Assistance Available

Families across Connecticut are receiving extra help putting food on the table this summer through the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, is providing a one-time $120 food benefit for each eligible child to help offset meal costs while school is out of session. More than 350,000 children are expected to get support from the program.

This investment helps families with children pay for food during the summer months while school is not in session. More than $42 million in S-EBT funding is expected to be provided to Connecticut families this summer.

Who is eligible?

Children may qualify if their family:

  • Participates in SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA), or Husky A with an income below 185% of the federal poverty level or
  • Was approved for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 school year.

Most eligible families automatically received their benefits electronically last weekend. They are being loaded onto existing SNAP or EBT cards, including previously issued Summer EBT cards. Families new to the program will receive an EBT card by mail.

Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply for Summer EBT through August 31, 2026.
Click here to learn more
 

Expanding Access to Life-Saving Care

It was a pleasure to join Community Health Resources (CHR) in celebrating the launch of Connecticut’s first comprehensive mobile opioid treatment program. The initiative will expand access to life-saving care for people across northeastern Connecticut who are struggling with opioid use disorders.

The Mobile Pathways Program will be staffed by a team of highly trained professionals and provide a full range of recovery services, including:

  • Medications for opioid use disorders such as methadone
  • Same-day admissions, physical exams
  • Recovery-focused counseling
  • Peer recovery support
  • Access to Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and other lifesaving resources
The final schedule is in the works and will include daily stops at CHR’s outpatient behavioral health clinic on 1310 Main Street in Willimantic. The program is scheduled to begin providing services this summer.

 

The mobile health initiative will help more individuals begin and sustain their recovery journey while strengthening public health throughout the region.
 

Local Nursery Opens New Building

It was an honor to celebrate the grand opening of the new and spacious building at Ladd’s Garden Center on Route 32 in South Windham! I presented a citation thanking this family-owned nursery for providing our community with a diverse array of plants and garden decor for nearly 50 years.

The new garden center strengthens the community, creates new opportunities, and reflects a lasting passion for serving customers with excellence. May this milestone serve as a testament to enduring success and continued positive impact for years to come.

Ladd’s is offering a summer sale through Monday as part of the celebration, including:

  • 20% all perennials and fruit trees
  • 15% off all blueberries and roses
  • $10 off Holden’s varieties Rhododendrons
 

Learn About Thermal Energy in Wastewater

You are invited to learn more about how all communities can be more sustainable by using thermal energy in wastewater to heat and cool buildings. Thermal Energy Networks for CT (TEN4CT) will host a webinar on Thursday, June 25 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The host will use real-world case studies and explain how his company harvests the thermal energy from waste streams to deliver combustion-free heating, cooling, and domestic hot water for buildings, campuses, and thermal energy networks.
Register Here
 

Around Willimantic

I was privileged to participate in the Windham Renaissance Program fundraiser supporting downtown Willimantic popular series of Third Thursday Street Festivals. These events bring residents, visitors, local businesses, artists, and community organizations together to celebrate our community.

Thank you to the Windham Renaissance Program and everyone who supports these events that showcase the best of our community and help keep downtown Willimantic a vibrant destination for all.
Rep. Johnson, Dr. David Foster, and former Windham Selectman Al Vertefeuille

The community displayed our patriotism on Flag Day at the Willimantic Elks Club. We honored the American flag as a symbol of our nation’s unity, history, and shared values. We also reflected on what the flag represents to each of us.