Chris Poulos

The legislative action is recommended by the State Advisory Board Task Force on Needs Assessment of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Persons. Prior to its closing in 2016, services for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community were coordinated by the Commission for the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing. Since the commission's dissolution, services have been decentralized.

As an advocate of improving and streamlining access to resources and services for the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing community, I support the establishment of this bureau, and thank Speaker Ritter and State Advisory Board Task Force for bringing this proposal forward to create a centralized hub.

Click on the video below to hear my remarks during the press conference.

There was extensive media coverage as well, so please click on the some of the links below:

CT Dems back plan to restore centralized agency for Deaf community
Dems seek to re-create agency dedicated to Deaf community
Ritter Proposes Restoring Previously Cut Services For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Community
State hub for deaf is being restored
Connecticut officials to restore services for deaf community
CT seeks to re-establish dissolved service bureau for deaf community

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

I enjoyed checking in with my Southington AARP friends – Laura Schiavone, Janet Ferracci and Lottie Prushinski  –  this week. Over coffee at Perkatory Coffee Roasters, they shared their updated legislative priorities and feedback on my support for seniors during my first term. I look forward to ongoing collaboration with them during the upcoming legislative session.

Connecticut has launched its new jobs portal, jobs.ct.gov, which is aimed at assisting state residents — and those seeking to move here — in the process of finding a job.

Jobs.ct.gov joins health.ct.gov and business.ct.gov as the next service category in Connecticut's ongoing journey toward an all-digital state government that streamlines and improves access to services and resources. Some of the resources available through jobs.ct.gov include:

• Powerful job search tools
• Job search tips and personal help
• Free and low-cost training, certificate, and classroom programs
• Resources to help employers hire, train, and retain employees

All of the resources are Connecticut-specific and focus on connecting jobseekers with the variety of employment and workforce development opportunities.

The strong and steady statewide economy continues to add jobs, but employers in some industries still face workforce shortages, and jobs.ct.gov will be a valuable resource to them. This portal also importantly provides employers with information to reach greater numbers of skilled jobseekers from diverse backgrounds, which is critical to a more equitable Connecticut economy.

Please join me on Saturday, February 3 from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. as the Southington Public Library hosts its annual Take Your Child to the Library Day event. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will be in attendance on a day, which is a great opportunity to teach kids about all of the learning resources our amazing library provides to the community.