OEC Launches CTCARES for Family Child Care Initiative

May 13, 2020

During these difficult times, I want you and your family to know that my office and I are here for you. I hope you'll continue to reach out to me at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov if you or someone you know is having trouble accessing food and other basic necessities, filing a claim for unemployment benefits, or finding available relief options if you cannot pay your mortgage/rent, student loans, utilities, and more. We will work to get you answers and connect you with someone who can directly assist you.

These times are difficult for everyone, and there are resources out there. Please send me an email and my office and I can work with you.

This email contains information on the following topics:

  • COVID-19 Update
  • CT Safe Connect
  • AARP Tele-Town Hall for Veterans, Military Families

COVID-19 Update

As of Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., a total of 34,855 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents. Day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week. All data in this report are preliminary; data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. For a county-by-county breakdown of cases or to view additional data, please click the image above.

Governor Signs 41st Executive Order

Today the Governor signed Executive Order No. 7NN to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, which enact the following provisions:

  • Waiver of statutory vote on supplemental federal block grant
  • Remote participation in member meetings
  • Waiver of certain regulatory limitations on the amount of support that can be provided to caregiver relatives
  • Technical modification of grace period for April and May rent
  • Authorization for OPM to direct DSS to provide Coronavirus Relief Fund distributions to nursing home facilities
  • Authorization for OPM to direct DSS to provide Coronavirus Relief Fund distributions to COVID recovery facilities and alternate COVID recovery facilities
  • Authorization for additional COVID-19 related hardship relief funding under the Coronavirus Relief Fund to nursing home facilities
  • Coronavirus Relief Fund distribution determinations not subject to rehearing or appeal
  • Extension and sunset of suspension of tax on single-use plastic checkout bags

Read Executive Order No. 7NN here.

Flyover Salute to CT's Health Care Workers Thursday, May 14

To salute Connecticut's health care workers for their service during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Air National Guard will conduct Operation American Resolve Thursday, May 14. This includes the flyover of the Guard's C-130 aircraft over hospitals and other health care facilities throughout the state.

Connecticut residents are recommended to observe the flyover from the safety of their home, maintain social distancing, and avoid large gatherings in accordance with local health officials.

The C-130H aircraft is expected to fly over Derby within plus or five minutes of 11:50 a.m.

Click here for the full list of estimated times for towns and cities across CT.

Office of Early Childhood Launches CTCARES for Family Child Care

Today the Office of Early Childhood announced it launched CTCARES for Family Child Care to help licensed family child care providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

This program connects licensed family child care providers with a Family Child Care Network to provide grant funding and other supports to help small, home-based providers keep their business running during this challenging time.

The initiative offers the following services:

  • Connecting to a Family Child Care Network
  • Phone consultations with behavioral health experts
  • Access to health consultation
  • Access to the Connecticut “Talk It Out Help” Line
  • Grants to support operational expenses

Information on CTCARES for Family Child Care is available here.

OEC has a resources page to help families access services and information concerning child care, distance learning, and more.

Click here to read the full news briefing.

For all of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and state agencies, click here. You can watch the Governor's news conferences here, and read the releases here.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

CT Safe Connect

The COVID-19/coronavirus public health emergency has created safety implications for residents across the state. With the implementation of social distancing and shelter-in-place orders, there is an increased risk of domestic violence as vulnerable residents become further isolated and additional pressures develop that may exacerbate an already abusive relationship.

To connect those who may be experiencing domestic violence with services, resources, and assistance the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV) created CT Safe Connect.

Safe Connect is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a week via:

This network has helped callers with concerns relating to accessing basic needs, rent/mortgage payments, food insecurity, and emotional/mental well-being. CCADV and its members have also assisted victim-survivors in filing temporary restraining orders through the Connecticut Judicial Branch's online system. Safe Connect and CCADV's partners helped filed 46 percent of all TRO applications filed statewide in April.

Additional information on how CCADV and its members are helping victim-survivors of domestic violence throughout the pandemic can be found here.

AARP Tele-Town Hall for Veterans, Military Families

Thursday, May 14 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., AARP will hold a nationwide tele-town hall focused on veterans, military families and COVID-19.

To listen, please call 855-274-9507 on Thursday.

Some of the topics that will be discussed include:

  • Accessing benefits and health services through the VA or other health care providers
  • Caring for loved ones including coordinating supports, backup care and staying connected to those in long-term care systems
  • Understanding and managing income and finances in the midst of the pandemic
  • Providing resources to help cope, including tips on managing well-being, managing stress and anxiety, and other adverse effects of physical distancing