Head Start on Housing Program Expands, Holiday Magical Illusions Show, and More

December 20, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,
 
Happy Friday!

Please see below for more information on the Head Start on Housing Program, a holiday magic show in Norwalk, and more!
"Moving Beyond Implications” Conference
Earlier this month, I cohosted the  "Moving Beyond Implications: Research into Policy" conference at the State Capitol. It was a joy to witness the fruitful discussion between academics and legislators on a variety of subjects, including the benefits of Farm to School Programs for young children, geography of poverty and medical debt in Connecticut, and universal school meals. 

Click here to watch the conference. 
Bond Money for Norwalk 
Great news! Norwalk will receive $600,000 from the State Bond Commission to improve the sidewalks on Chestnut Hill near Route 53. These upgrades will make it safer for school aged children to walk to school. Thank you to the bond commission for the funding!
Head Start on Housing Program Expands
Governor Lamont’s administration is continuing a groundbreaking initiative to connect young children experiencing homelessness with permanent housing. This initiative works collaboratively with the recently launched Head Start on Housing pilot program.
 
Since its launch, the program has housed 144 families consisting of 317 children. Specifically, 85 school-aged children and 232 Head Start/Early Head Start aged children have been housed. Connecticut has even engaged housing and Head Start providers in several other states who have requested assistance in modeling the program.
 
Moving forward, the Connecticut Department of Housing will allocate 50 vouchers annually for Head Start and Early Head Start families.
 
Click here to learn more. 
Holiday Magical Illusions Show

The City of Norwalk’s Recreation and Parks Department is holding a Holiday Magical Illusions show with Mago Santini on Thursday, December 26th from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Norwalk City Hall Concert Hall.

This holiday family show will include a magical performance with amazing up-close illusions.

Please use your Active Net account to register for this event.  If you don’t have an account, you can open one by visiting http://scb.ai/Nvtpyt.
Thousands of CT Residents Set for Medical Debt Relief
More than 22,000 residents of Connecticut can expect some or all their medical debt to be eliminated, thanks to a major state initiative in partnership with the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt.
 
Undue Medical Debt collaborates with state and local governments to leverage public investments, negotiating with hospitals and other providers to eliminate large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt. This initiative specifically targets patients whose income is at or below four times (400%) the federal poverty level, or who have medical debt that constitutes 5% or more of their income. Because these medical debts are acquired in bulk and pertain to individuals who are least able to pay, they can be purchased at a fraction of their face value.
 
In this initial round, the state allocated approximately $100,000 from its share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. With this investment, Undue Medical Debt successfully negotiated with a secondary market partner (such as a collections agency) and a national provider to acquire approximately $30 million in qualifying medical debt for Connecticut residents.
 
Residents do not need to apply for this medical debt relief, nor can they request it. Those whose debts have been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt detailing which debts have been eliminated. These letters will be sent out through the U.S. mail, starting December 23, 2024.
 
To view a sample of the letter recipients will soon receive in the mail, please click HERE.
ICYMI
Lego Donation Drive

Sustainable Westport is holding a Lego Donation Drive through Sunday. The organization is accepting all types of Lego pieces -  full or partial sets as well as random pieces will all be accepted.

If you own any unused Lego pieces or sets, please consider donating - your contribution  will be packaged and sent to LEGO Replay to be distributed to kids who need them most.

For more information about how to prepare your donation as well as participating drop-off locations and dates, click here.
 
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative
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