September 13th Newsletter

September 13, 2023
Dear Friends,

School is back in session, and September is off to a busy start, so please read below for updates on all the happenings inside and outside of the 13th District.

Thanks for taking the time!
 
Health Care Assistance for Paraeducators

Paraeducators provide critical and direct support to teachers and students, which makes them an integral part of the school ecosystem. That is why I am happy to share that the Paraeducator Healthcare Subsidy Program will provide $5 million in financial assistance and increase access to quality health care.

This program was created during the 2023 Legislative Session and signed into law as part of the bipartisan biennium budget. It will help paraeducators enrolled in high-deductible health plans with a health savings account and employed by a local or regional school district with a one-time stipend to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Payments are expected to go out in September to more than 4,000 paraeducators. 
Legislative leadership made appropriating these funds a priority in budget negotiations to help bridge the painful gap between high-deductible health plans and low wages for paraeducators, who are critical to our classrooms. We must continue efforts that ensure that paraeducators receive proper compensation and benefits.
 
Application Period Open for CEAP
The application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is open. CEAP provides vulnerable state homeowners and renters with crucial support for the associated costs with heating their homes.

Applications for the 2023-2024 winter season must be received by May 31, 2024. If you are interested, there are several ways to apply:

Additional information on the application process can be obtained by visiting ct.gov/heatinghelp or calling 2-1-1.
Basic benefits toward heating bills range from $180 to $530 depending on income, size of household, and need. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which equates to roughly $79,910 for a family of four. These benefits are usually paid directly to the utility company or fuel supplier. Households that heat with deliverable fuels like oil or propane may be eligible for multiple free tank refills.

I want to spread the word that this resource is available to our most vulnerable community members.
 
Building Our Skilled Workforce

During the 2023 Legislative Session, we successfully passed a number of measures, which will enhance and support our skilled workforce and make our state more attractive for companies and new businesses.
 
These new initiatives in diverse fields including education, aviation, health care, and first responders seek to attract the best talent from within and beyond to create a top-notch workforce.

Below are some highlights of the work we accomplished this past session:

Public Act 23-97 is a multifaceted step forward for those in the medical fields.

Additional measures include:
 
Public Act 23-167:

  • Expands school-based apprenticeship opportunities in aviation and aerospace
  • Builds on training for future paraeducators
  • Offers dual credit/enrollment opportunities

Public Act 23-55:

  • Creates prosecutor apprenticeships for law school students

Public Act 23-207:

  • Creates tax credits and incentives for towns and businesses that build and/or develop housing set aside for specific workforces including teachers, police officers, and firefighters

A skilled workforce is one of the foundations of a robust economy. My colleagues and I are committed to strengthening our current and future workers by providing the necessary tools to help them thrive and succeed.
 
New Law Supporting Our Firefighters 

A new state law making it easier for firefighters in Connecticut, who develop cancer, to receive workers’ compensation benefits goes into effect on October 1. Approved as part of the recently enacted state budget, this law creates a presumption that a firefighter’s cancer diagnosis comes from hazardous conditions on the job. This move will make it easier for their claims to be approved.

It applies to any uniformed member of a paid municipal, state, or volunteer fire department, as well as local fire marshals, deputy fire marshals, fire investigators, fire inspectors, and other classes of inspectors and investigators.

All our firefighters have been putting their lives on the line for our communities. I am always happy to step up and protect our firefighters and their families so they can have a future.
Click Here to Learn More
 
Connecticut Receives Federal Agriculture Disaster Declaration
Connecticut has received notification from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the request has been approved for the state to receive a federal agriculture disaster declaration due to the heavy rainfall that occurred in early July and caused significant flood damage to farms and crops statewide, including Glastonbury.

This declaration means that farmers in all eight of Connecticut’s counties can apply for federal disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency, such as emergency loans, to cover production losses they experienced as a result of the severe weather event, provided that certain eligibility requirements are met.

Farmers who have experienced losses may be eligible for additional USDA programs, with increased flexibilities, to help offset the losses. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture also offers any farmers the opportunity for one-on-one consultative services to help them find the right program for their farm. Interested farmers should contact the Connecticut Department of Agriculture at (860)713-2500 or email agr.disaster@ct.gov. Additional resources are available online at portal.ct.gov/disaster to assist producers as they navigate the recovery process.

Farmers will have eight months from the date of this disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. The Farm Service Agency considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. Farmers interested in applying for assistance must contact their local Farm Service Agency office.
 
Grant Program Open
The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has created Greater Together Community Funds in each of the 29 towns it serves. Manchester's Greater Together Community Fund Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that the 2023-2024 grant cycle is now open for applications for projects and programs serving the town.
 
Any registered 501(c)(3) organization serving residents of Manchester is eligible to apply. Additionally, groups of town residents can also submit an application as long as they secure a fiscal sponsor (non-profit or municipality). Grant requests can range from $250 to $5,000 per application, and each submitting organization/group can submit one application. The full RFP and application materials are available at hfpg.org/manchestercf along with a list of 2022-2023 grantees. Applications will be accepted until October 15 with grant awards announced in December. A final report will be required of all grantees.
 
Additional SNAP Benefits Distributed to CT Schoolchildren

The Connecticut Department of Social Services, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education, recently distributed an additional $25.1 million in special food assistance benefits to the families of 209,820 children.

Families of children who are enrolled in the free or reduced-price meals program at their schools and who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Family Assistance (TFA), or Medicaid (HUSKY A) assistance received the additional benefits. These one-time supplemental benefits are in the amount of $120 per child.

Additionally, a third round of special food assistance benefits will be distributed later in September to schoolchildren in eligible households who are not enrolled in DSS programs. These federally funded benefits will collectively support nearly 307,000 schoolchildren through the federal Summer Pandemic EBT: Children in School program, in addition to the over 57,300 children who received the first distribution in mid-August.

Specific information about the upcoming distributions:

  • On Monday, DSS issued $25.1 million in benefits to the households of 209,820 children currently enrolled in SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY A, who were also receiving free and reduced-priced school meals as of June 2023.
  • On September 17, DSS will issue $11.6 million in benefits to the households of 97,033 children who are enrolled in the free or reduced-price meals program, but do not receive SNAP, TFA, or HUSKY A assistance from DSS.
  • These one-time additional benefits are in the amount of $120 per child enrolled in the free and reduced-price meals program.
  • Benefits will be automatically distributed via electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards.

Additional information is available here.
Nonprofit Grant Program from OPM
The Office of Policy and Management (OPM) is currently accepting applications for the Nonprofit Grant Program (NGP). This program aims to provide financial support to private nonprofit health and human service organizations. Please see below for OPM's Request for Applications (RFA) timeline: 
The subject RFA and any related documents can be found on the CTSource Bid Board. Additionally you can click this link to be brought directly to the subject RFA, or click this link to go directly to the CTSource Bid Board where you can search all solicitations.

If you need assistance in searching for RFAs or any other solicitations, please review the CTSource Bid Board Users Guide.

All questions regarding the RFA should be directed to Judi Jordan via email or phone at (860) 418-6237. 
 
CTDOL Warning About Phishing Attempt

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) was made aware of a new and unique phishing scheme, criminals posing as CTDOL staff to obtain detailed information from employers who participate in the state's Registered Apprenticeship Programs. 

Please see the graphic below for some useful information on how to deal with this brazen scam.
 
IOAD Vigil
It was an honor to once again serve as the legislative co-host for the annual International Overdose Awareness Day IOAD Vigil at the State Capitol and fly the purple flag over the Capitol. It was a moving night as always. Far too many people lost to overdose deaths each year, and the list of names unfortunately continues to grow. We must continue to fight back and support those among us who battle addiction.