October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Too

October 4, 2024

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you're all doing well. October is a month in which we raise awareness on several important topics including breast cancer, domestic violence, and disability employment. I have included a little bit on each below. I am also including some important updates for motorists in the area via the Department of Transportation. News, updates, and surveys abound in this week's newsletter. Enjoy! Topics include:

Out N' About in the 41st District
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
It's Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Too
And Disability Employment Awareness Month in CT
Changes to Early Child Care, Education Programs
CT Transportation News
It's On - CHET Dream Big! Competition
Youth Mental Health Campaign In Stonington
Groton City Youth Advisory Committee Survey
Groton Public Safety Survey
Reminder: Thrive 55+ Drop-in Programs and More
Community Events and Notices

Have a great weekend,
Aundré

OUT N' ABOUT IN THE 41ST DISTRICT

This week, l used Southeast Area Transit District’s HOP Bus micro-transit service, available in areas of Groton and Stonington without fixed bus routes, such as Mystic, Noank, and Stonington Borough. The app for scheduling a ride was very user-friendly, the drivers were professional, and I arrived at my destination quickly.

The only downside is that the bus cannot cross borders, so you’ll need to transfer to a different bus by walking across the bascule bridge. Overall, this state-funded pilot program has been a great addition to our community, especially for seniors, persons with disabilities, and tourists looking to avoid parking downtown!

OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Honoring the strength of survivors, supporting those currently fighting, and remembering those we’ve lost. As your representative, I’m committed to advocating for access to early detection, treatment, research funding, and community support for those fighting breast cancer.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month begins, I’m thinking of all the families in our community who have been affected by this disease.

IT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, TOO

Everyone deserves to feel safe.

In Connecticut, we’ve made strides to protect survivors of domestic violence by passing critical legislation that strengthens protections and expands resources. From enhanced restraining orders to our state’s Red Flag Law, we’re ensuring that every survivor has the help they need to stay safe.

I will always stand with domestic violence survivors and work to build a future free from abuse. You are not alone.

Need to connect to an advocate?
Call, Text, Chat. Email. 24/7
CTSafeConnect.org | (888) 774-2900

AND DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH IN CT

October is now Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut after Governor Lamont signed a proclamation recognizing all Connecticut residents with disabilities in the workplace and, in honor of their many accomplishments.

The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services has been a wonderful resource in assisting individuals with disabilities, too, from preparing for, maintaining, and advancing in employment. Services include vocational counseling, job search assistance, on-the-job training, and more!

In CT, assistance for job seekers with disabilities is available virtually and in person through a variety of resources, including:

·The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services website for more information on employment and other services available to people with disabilities can be accessed

HERE.

·Connect with the Connecticut Department of Disability Services to get resources and job information for individuals with intellectual disabilities

HERE.

·Visit one of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended). More information is available

HERE.

·Explore CTHires, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. More information is available

HERE.

·Attend one of several job fairs that are scheduled across the state. For a full schedule, please visit

HERE.

CHANGES TO EARLY CHILD CARE, EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Great news for families across Connecticut!

Gov. Ned Lamont recently announced several changes to our early child care and education programs that will expand the number of children able to access these programs while also lowering the costs for parents.

Effective Jan. 1, 2025, family fees for Care 4 Kids - the state program supporting low to moderate-income families with the costs of child care - will be capped at 7% of household income, down from the current rate of 10%. This change is estimated to save parents an average of $200 per month!

Effective Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, families participating in Care 4 Kids can remain enrolled until their household income reaches 85% of the state median income, an increase from the current limit of 65%. This means parents are less likely to worry about whether accepting a raise at work means they cannot receive childcare assistance anymore.

I'm also happy to see the capacity of these programs expanded:

An additional 1,500 children will be enrolled in Care 4 Kids using existing state and federal funding
An additional 900 children will be added to the School Readiness and Child Day Care program by maximizing existing state funds

Here in Connecticut, we are easing the burden of paying for child care while expanding who can receive assistance. These changes are a win for parents, children, and our state.

CT TRANSPORTATION NEWS

Shore Line East Rail Line Service Changes Effective October 7, 2024

Two additional round trip trains, plus restoration of rail service between Stamford and New London begin Monday, October 7, 2024

Two additional round-trip trains and the resumption of direct service between Stamford and New London on Shore Line East will begin on Monday, October 7, 2024.

The additional services include:

Weekday Westbound Service

New CTrail 1633 departing New London Station at 5:46 a.m. and arriving at Stamford Station at 7:53 a.m.
New CTrail 1695 departing New London Station at 9:05 p.m. and arriving at New Haven Union Station at 10:11 p.m.

Weekday Eastbound Service

New CTrail 1600 departing New Haven Union Station at 4:25 a.m. and arriving at New London Station at 5:29 a.m.
Existing CTrail 1638 will depart Stamford Station at 4:13 p.m. and arrive at New London Station at 6:25 p.m.
New CTrail 1640 departing New Haven Union Station at 7:45 p.m. and arriving at New London Station at 8:50 p.m.

The scheduled connection times with Metro-North and Amtrak trains may have changed. Passengers are encouraged to click HERE for the latest service information. Riders can sign up for alerts sent directly to their phone or email at shorelineeast.com/service-alerts. SLE passengers are encouraged to pre-purchase their rail tickets before boarding. CTrail passengers may purchase their rail tickets using the CTrail eTix mobile ticketing app, at CTrail ticket vending machines in New Haven, or Amtrak ticket windows in New Haven, Old Saybrook, and New London (credit and debit cards only).

The replacement of roadway illumination systems in eastern Connecticut will begin on October 7, 2024.

The purpose of this project is to improve the operation and reduce the maintenance requirements of several roadway lighting systems located in eastern Connecticut that have reached the end of their life cycles.

This project consists of the replacement of existing roadway lighting systems on Route 1, Route 2, Route 6, Route 12, Route 78,1-95, and Route 154, which involves the replacement of the existing light standards, light standard foundations, light fixtures, concrete handholes, underground circuitry/conduits, and lighting control cabinets with new light standards, light standard foundations, light emitting diode (LED) type light fixtures, concrete handholes, underground circuitry/conduits, and lighting control cabinets, and the replacement of existing decorative post top light fixtures and lighting control cabinet with new LED type decorative post top fixtures and lighting control cabinet on the pedestrian walkway along 1-95 southbound at the south end of the Baldwin Bridge.

This project is located in eastern Connecticut at the following locations:

I-95 from Vauxhall Street Extension through Interchange 83 to the Goldstar Bridge in New London
Route 2 and Route 78 interchange in Stonington
Route 1 and Route 154 overlap in Old Saybrook
Route 1 from the end of the Route 154 overlap to Mill Rock Road East #1 in Old Saybrook
Route 154 from the end of the Route 1 overlap to the I-95 ramp in Old Saybrook
Route 2 at Interchange 13 in Marlborough
Route 6 from Willimantic Road to Boston Post Road in Columbia, Coventry, Mansfield and Windham
Route 12 and Route 2 overlap from Laurel Hill Avenue to the end of the overlap in Norwich
Route 2 from the end of the Route 12 overlap to Taiman Street in Norwich
Pedestrian walkway along I-95 southbound at the south end of the Baldwin Bridge in Old Saybrook.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be a separate notice issued before work on the specific Routes listed below:

Route 1
Route 2
Route 6
Route 12
Route 78
Route 154
I-95

The CTDOT is developing a Resilience Improvement Plan (RIP) to help identify climate-related vulnerabilities and prioritize solutions across the agency’s multi-modal transportation network.

The RIP uses federal formula funds allocated for resilience-related planning activities under the

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) program created under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA).

By developing the RIP and incorporating it into the state’s Long-Range Transportation Plan, Connecticut will be eligible to reduce its federal/state cost share on transportation projects. The process also prepares the state for the continued operation and rapid recovery of surface transportation systems affected by major weather events, including natural disasters and changing climate conditions.

The plan will be conducted in two phases. Phase one will conduct a risk-based vulnerability assessment that draws on existing and future climate data to rank the vulnerability of state-owned assets. In the second phase, CTDOT will develop an implementation plan identifying potential projects, timelines, and cost estimates.

A survey is open to the public to provide feedback on what types of projects CTDOT should consider to improve resiliency across the state. To complete the survey, please click

HERE.

For additional information, including a video overview of Connecticut’s statewide Resilience Improvement Plan, please click

HERE.

IT'S ON - CHET DREAM BIG! COMPETITION

I’m pleased to support Treasurer Erick Russell’s office and their great annual initiative, the CHET Dream Big! Competition. This is an amazing opportunity for students in grades K-12 to enter to win up to $20,000 toward their future education.

To enter, students answer a question in the form of artwork, an essay, or a video. Younger students focus on what they want to do when they grow up, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned or a person who has impacted their lives.

The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate. Please take a moment to visit the website to learn more, and then encourage your child to take part. More than 250 students will receive monetary prizes to be deposited into a CHET account. Please click the image below to learn more and enter!