I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news.
Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns and be sure to follow my social media accounts for updates on a variety of topics including resources, events, housing updates, and more.
Connecticut has seen a rise in EBT card PIN theft and benefit fraud. We encourage all EBT cardholders to take precautions to protect their accounts and benefits when using their cards.
The Department of Social Services offers several tools and resources to help recipients safeguard their benefits from fraudulent transactions. Follow the link below to learn more about available security features and steps you can take to protect your account.
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.
DPH Urges Providers to Advise Families to Safely Store Diphenhydramine Products
Three Connecticut children died in the last two months after apparent overdoses on an active ingredient in Benadryl.
The deaths come as a “Benadryl Challenge,” which first surfaced in 2020, has re-emerged on social media. The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) did not confirm if the three child deaths were related to the challenge.
In an advisory sent to pediatricians statewide on June 3, the Department of Public Health urged providers to advise families to identify and safely store products containing diphenhydramine.
The Governor's Hate Crimes Advisory Council announced the launch of a new statewide public awareness campaign: Hate Is More Than a Word... It May Be a Crime, along with expanded online resources to help residents recognize and report hate crimes and bias incidents.
The campaign's release coincides with the governor's signing ofPublic Act 26-77, passed by the CGA this last session, which was recommended by the Hate Crimes Advisory Council to strengthen and modernize Connecticut's hate crimes statutes.
The awareness campaign highlights the impact of hate crimes and bias incidents on individuals and communities while encouraging residents to learn about available reporting resources. The campaign directs viewers to Connecticut'shate crimes information and reporting portal, where residents can access educational materials and submit private and confidential reports of hate crimes and bias incidents.
The PSA emphasizes a central message: hate is not simply offensive speech or harmful behavior. In some cases, it may constitute criminal conduct with serious consequences for victims, families, and communities.
The online reporting tool allows the Council to collect and analyze data over time, providing valuable insights that will be shared with state and local officials. This information will help identify trends and areas of concern, support targeted education and community engagement efforts, and promote proactive strategies to address bias and discrimination before they escalate into criminal acts.
Residents can learn more about hate crimes, access reporting resources, and submit reports through Connecticut's online hate crimes portal:portal.ct.gov/hatecrimes.
For incidents that pose an immediate threat to safety or require emergency assistance, individuals should call 911.
Come join me for a tour of Hartford's history.
Reimagine and Revitalize Community Reinvestment Program The Social Equity Council’s Reimagine and Revitalize (R2) Community Reinvestment Program is a three-year, statewide investment strategy designed to ensure that communities disproportionately harmed by cannabis criminalization see real, measurable, and lasting opportunity. Through approximately $12 million annually, the R2 Program will support community-driven initiatives rooted in: Economic Development (including infrastructure and workforce pathways) Youth Initiatives Re-Entry Initiatives All funding is directed to organizations serving or located within Connecticut’s Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs). This model reflects the Council’s commitment to reinvestment that is structured, accountable, and aligned with long-term community transformation. United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut has been selected as the Grant Manager for the Hartford/East Hartford region. Each Grant Manager will administer funding within its designated region and work in close collaboration with the Council to ensure consistency, transparency, and strong compliance controls. Who Should Apply? United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut is accepting applications from organizations that are actively delivering programs within Hartford and/or East Hartford. Organizations should have a clear track record of serving their community and the capacity to implement the proposed work. To be eligible, applicants must:
Be a nonprofit organization registered to conduct business in the state of Connecticut
Have at least three (3) years of experience providing relevant programs or services in the R2 region
Be located in and actively serving Hartford and/or East Hartford
Review the NOFO for full eligibility requirements.
Timeline
Deadline: July 15, 2026, at 5:00 PM Contact For questions, please contact United Way staff at SEC-Grants@unitedwayinc.org
Steps to Apply:
Confirm eligibility based on program requirements
Identify the program priority that best aligns with the proposed work
Create a profile on United Way’s e-CImpact grant platform
Prepare all required application materials and supporting documentation
Complete all required forms and upload all required documents on e-CImpact.
Submit the completed application by July 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
Applicants are encouraged to review all requirements carefully and attend an information session, if available, prior to submission. Agencies that do not serve Hartford and/or East Hartford should visit the Social Equity Council R2 websiteto find the Grant Manager for their region. For more information,click here Apply Here
STATE UPDATE
Several new laws that we passed during the 2026 legislative session will become effective July 1, bringing important changes for Connecticut residents. Among them isPublic Act 26-42, which expands access to voting by allowing any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason. The law removes outdated restrictions that previously limited absentee voting to a narrow set of circumstances. Another new law,Public Act 26-12, strengthens recruitment and retention efforts for Connecticut's first responders. The legislation expands benefits such as tuition waivers and mortgage assistance for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, EMS personnel, and National Guard members, while also providing support for the families of certain public safety personnel who die in the line of duty. Public Act 26-1provides stronger workplace protections for employees at warehouses and fulfillment centers. The law ensures that productivity quotas do not interfere with legally required meal and bathroom breaks and requires employers to clearly communicate any quotas workers are expected to meet. These measures reflect our ongoing efforts to make voting more accessible, support those who serve our communities, and strengthen protections for Connecticut workers.
Today in 1767, education pioneer Sarah Pierce was born in Litchfield. Her father died when Sarah was a teenager, and as a result, the family was financially pressed. In response, Sarah’s brother sent her to New York to learn to be a teacher. Having acquired that ability, he thought, she would be able to financially support both herself and her siblings.
When Sarah returned to Litchfield in 1792, she opened one of the first female academies in the United States.
Sarah Pierce, circa 1825.
Pierce was passionate about nurturing girls’ moral, emotional, and intellectual development to its fullest capacity, so she created a curriculum that was much more rigorous than other female academies of the period. Pierce’s school combined the study of natural science, geography, and history — subjects which were typically taught to young boys exclusively — with aspects of traditional upper-class female education like music, dancing, painting, and embroidery. (Some of the finest surviving examples of early 19th century embroidery were produced by students attending the Litchfield Academy.)
An emphasis on proper morals and manners was also woven into the curriculum; students were expected to be clean, prompt, presentable, and polite at all times.
Over two generations, the Litchfield Female Academy educated over 3,000 young women, as well as a significant number of young men, making it one of the largest and most successful academies in the young United States. Among Pierce’s most famous alumnae were Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, and her sister Catherine, who would go on to found her own prominent female seminary in Hartford and lead a mid-19th-century effort to provide female teachers for the new settlements on the country’s western frontier.
In combination with the nearby Litchfield Law School founded by Tapping Reeve (the first law school in the United States), Sarah Pierce’s Female Academy firmly established Litchfield as a prominent center of education in the new nation, and set high educational standards for female academies throughout the early American republic.
James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration 2026
The Town of Manchester is proud to announce the return of the annual James “Dutch” Fogarty Memorial Fireworks Event on July 11, 2026, starting at 4:00 PM (rain date July 12th).
Manchester's James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration, one of the most anticipated and attended East of the River events, is now less than three months away. Miss this happening and you'll regret it for a long time! For starters the very young and energetic band, FEEDBACK, winner of the Battle of the Bands at Toads Place in 2025, kicks off the celebration playing 4:30pm - 6:30pm. NIGHTSHIFT, one of Connecticut's favorite 60's, 70's, 80's cover bands takes the stage at 7:00pm - 9:15pm.
Fourteen (14) food trucks will be available offering a vast variety of tasty food options for your dining satisfaction. The Kid's Zone activities area has been dramatically enhanced to include free facepainting for children and youth, roaming magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and stilt walkers. Our fireworks shooter has designed a breathtaking aerial program that will rattle your world (and teeth) giving you a serious case of happy goosebumps to go home with. Join family, friends and fellow townies for a fantastic afternoon and night of foot-stomping music, deliciously prepared food options and fantastically spectacular fireworks display lighting up Manchester's night-time sky.
For the 41st time this event will be held at CT State Community College - Manchester at 60 Bidwell Street. Everything officially begins at 4:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. More information on this event will come your way over the next several weeks.
Event Details Artisan Market 4pm-8pm Kids Zone 4pm-8pm Food Trucks 5pm-9pm Fireworks Display at Dusk
Rain Date July 12th
25th Cruisin' on Main Street 2026
CRUISIN' ON MAIN STREET IS BACK FOR ITS 25TH YEAR!
The Manchester Cruisin’ Committee, in partnership with the Town of Manchester, is excited to announce that this year's annual Cruisin' on Main Car Show will be held on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (rain dates: August 9th & August 16th - depending on weather).
Larry Ash, who leads the Cruisin' Committee, along with the dedicated committee members and Calvin Harris, Senior Recreation Supervisor, have been organizing and finalizing plans for another successful event.
The success of the show is always due in part by its sponsors and their charitable donations. Mark your calendar for August 2nd and attend one of the largest one-day car shows in all of New England. Whether you are showing a car or just attending to check out the cars, listen to great music, and/or enjoying a meal downtown, you can’t miss this great annual event.
Cost for the event is free to spectators and a $10 car show registration fee for those wishing to showcase their car. Sponsor’s Choice Trophies will be awarded, and dash plaques will be given to the first 700 cars.
Town of East Hartford Offices Closed on Friday, July 3 in Observance of Independence Day NO delay in trash / recycling pickup
All Town offices, including the East Hartford Transfer Station will be closed on Friday, July 3 in Observance of Independence Day.
All Town offices will reopen on Monday, July 6 for regularly scheduled hours of operation.
Trash and recycling pickup will not be delayed, contrary to previously posted information. The East Hartford Transfer Station WILL be closed on Saturday, July 4th.
To contact the East Hartford Public Works, please call (860) 291-7374.
Each spring and fall, the MDC conducts a regional household hazardous waste collection program at a series of local sites in member and non-member towns. The program offers a number of benefits to residents and municipalities:
Residents have the opportunity to participate in a collection day in their respective towns as well as in other collections throughout the year.
Participating municipalities enjoy financial savings from the effect of pooling under a single contract the services of a licensed hazardous waste management firm.
The contractor assumes full responsibility for the collection, transportation and proper disposal of hazardous waste items.
Hazardous waste cannot be simply thrown out with the trash, flushed, or poured down the drain because it passes the problem along to the environment, polluting the air and the water. So the MDC sponsors a HazWaste Program to collect the waste and dispose of it through safe, environmentally responsible practices.
The MDC urges you to participate in a Household Hazardous Waste Collection in your town. Protect the health of your kids, your spouse, your pets, and the environment. You may participate in MDC’s household hazardous waste collection program if you are a member of any participating town; and you may participate on any MDC sponsored collection day.
Residents of any of the following participating towns can participate in ANY MDC sponsored collection day: Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Windsor and Windsor Locks.
HOUSEHOLD HAZWASTE INFORMATION PACKET
The Household HazWaste Info Packet contains the complete schedule of MDC sponsored HHW collections for the current calendar year. The Info Packet also summarizes items accepted by the program and items the MDC cannot accept. If an item cannot be accepted at an MDC sponsored collection potential alternative disposal locations are listed. The Info Packet also provides some general information on how to reduce the amount of household hazardous waste you generate.
All collections are held on Saturdays from 8AM to 1PM unless noted.
Date Town Location
June 27 Wethersfield Webb Elementary School, 51 Willow Street September 12 Bloomfield Public Works Building, 21 Southwood Drive September 19 Rocky Hill Elm Ridge Park, 376 Elm Street September 26 West Hartford Public Works Garage, 17 Brixton Street October 17 Windsor Locks/East Granby Public Works Garage, 6 Stanton Road, Windsor Locks October 24 Hartford MDC Operations Facility, 125 Maxim Road
(WPCF = Water Pollution Control Facility) * One collection date is held on a Sunday
East Hartford Summer Camp Registration is Now Open!
Summer is fast approaching and East Hartford Parks and Recreation will be offering summer camp programs for the 2026 summer season.
East Hartford Parks and Recreation Summer Camps will open on Monday, June 22nd, 2026 and will run for 7 consecutive weeks, ending on Friday, August 7th. Camps are open to East Hartford residents only and serve children and teens entering grades 1 – 9 and participants with special needs ages 6 -21. Enrichment programming continues to be a stimulating part of the programming thanks to our collaboration with East Hartford Public Library and East Hartford Social Services.
▶ Little Rec’ers Camp for children entering grades 1- 2 will be located at Goodwin Park/ Goldstar Pool*Goodwin School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Fun Days Camp for children entering grades 3 – 4 will be located at Gorman Park / Lord Pool, *O’Connell School Gymnasium during inclement weather days.
▶ Explorers Camp for children entering grades 5 – 6 will be located at McAuliffe Park / Drennan Pool, * Norris School Gym during inclement weather days.
▶Teen Camp for teens entering grades 7 – 9 will be located at Hockanum Park/ Terry Pool, * ECLC Gym during inclement weather days.
▶ Camp Sunburst for participants with special needs ages 6 - 21 will be located at McAuliffe Park, Drennan Pool, * Norris School during inclement weather days.
Campers will participate in a variety of activities, arts & crafts, sports, special events and more. Campers will also visit the pools, where they will have free swim and receive swim instruction from our American Red Cross Certified Lifeguards.
All campers will be registered for the East Hartford Public Library summer reading program through Readsquared and will receive prizes at camp to recognize and celebrate the time they spend reading! Campers will also participate in weekly enrichment activities sponsored by the Library, including STEM, Makerspace, puppetry, performing arts, drumming and more. For some enrichment activities campers will be bused to the Library.
Breakfast and lunch are provided for all campers through the Summer Meals Program!
In partnership with Social Services camp will be supported by Social Workers.
Registration for camps is now open.Register online at www.ehparks.org or at the parks and recreation office at the East Hartford Community Center, located at 50 Chapman Place.
Community Grants Available from the East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts
Bring your artistic vision to life in East Hartford!
The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts (CCFA) seeks applicants for their community grants program, newly expanded with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
All interested applicants should start by filling out a basic online application; eligible entities will next be invited to fill out a second-round application specific to ARPA funding.
Grant applications will be considered on a rolling basis through August 31, 2026, after which the CCFA will revert to their typical quarterly review cycle.
Successful proposals will have a strong East Hartford connection and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Programs or projects may include concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, or public art.
For complete eligibility requirements and to access the application, visit the CCFA web page.
Administrative support for the CCFA community grants is provided by the East Hartford Public Library. Funding decisions will be made by the CCFA at their regularly scheduled public meetings, typically held the second Thursday of the month in Meeting Room 1 on the lower level of the Raymond Library.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
