|
|
|
|
| Dear Neighbor,
We're into October, a month in which heightened awareness of several important issues is required from all of us, from breast cancer to domestic violence and disability employment. Governor Lamont signed a proclamation in recognition of the latter earlier this week. I touch on each of them in this week's newsletter as well as other topics, including welcomed cost changes for parents to our early child care and education programs.
Drivers will have to slow down on I-95 while important work is being done on both sides of the highway in Norwalk and Stamford. There's an update on it below. I also attended a press conference at the Norwalk Library this morning to recognize October as ADHD Month in Norwalk. More details below. Enjoy this week's newsletter.
Have a great weekend,
Travis
|
|
I honor 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. |
|
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 |
|
| 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. |
|
| At a press conference this morning, I was proud to stand with local, state, and Norwalk library officials to recognize October as ADHD Awareness Month. The event is set up at the library with materials related to the topic to help educate people about the disorder. |
|
| Drivers will need to slow down at night and early morning as crews are replacing lights on both sides of I-95 in Norwalk and Stamford. The work began on Monday, September 30, and will continue through Halloween from 7 P.M. to 5 A.M. There will be signs helping drivers through the work zone. Please click on the image below for more details. |
|
| Here's some 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. |
|
| I was happy to stand with fellow lawmakers, Mayor Rilling, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, CT Library Association President & Fairfield Public Library Librarian, Scott Jarzombek, Chief of Community Services for Norwalk, Lamond Daniels, Norwalk Library Director, Sherelle Harris, and Norwalk Librarians to raise awareness and support Banned Books Week, which went from Sept. 22-28.
Books are being banned at an alarming rate because of their themes or depictions of issues. This is censorship. Is that right?
Let's stand up for intellectual freedom and the importance of diverse voices in literature and, again, together, we can ensure that every story is heard and every reader has the right to explore new ideas. |
|
| 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 and win up to $20,000 toward their future education.
To enter, students answer a question through 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! |
|
| Hispanic Heritage Month runs through October 15th!
You can participate in this month's celebration by encouraging your child to participate in the 17th annual Hispanic Heritage Student Essay Contest for a chance to win a $3,000 scholarship or an iPad.
Middle and high school students in Norwalk are asked to write how they connect with Hispanic culture in 500 words or less. |
|
| Participants can select a person, cultural experience, celebration, or tradition that has touched them in a meaningful way and explain why that connection is important. Optimum and Univision Foundation are sponsoring the competition and will accept essays through October 31. There will be a celebratory event for the winners in December. The official contest rules can be found HERE. |
|
| We have important local and national elections coming up on November 5th! The early voting period in Connecticut begins October 21-31, and Nov 1-3 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29th and 31st. Please see the flyers below for more details. |
|
| The Community Room at City Hall, 125 East Avenue, is the early voting location in Norwalk. |
|
| As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.
Sincerely,
Travis Simms
State Representative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
