Maryam Khan

A reminder to please join me and Representative Moira Rader for a virtual discussion on special education in Connecticut. The virtual meeting is on Wednesday, October 15, from 7-8pm.

We will be discussing Public Act 25-67 and the expansive legislation we passed this year to support students, educators, and families.

You can RSVP for the event here. I hope to see you there!

This year marks the 80th anniversary of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Governor Ned Lamont has officially proclaimed October 2025 as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Connecticut, recognizing the contributions and achievements of residents with disabilities in the workplace.

Connecticut is a state that values inclusion and remains committed to fostering a workforce where individuals of all abilities are welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. Inclusive employment benefits both employers and employees which in turn enriches the workplace and strengthens the community.

The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services plays a crucial role in helping individuals with disabilities find, maintain, and advance in meaningful employment. The department helps ensure everyone has the opportunity to thrive in the workplace. Assistance for jobseekers with disabilities is available virtually and in-person, below are links to services:

• Department of Aging and Disability Services: information on employment and other services available to people with disabilities
• Department of Developmental Services: resources and job information for individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Visit one of the Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended)
• CTHires: serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training
• Attend one of several job fairs that are scheduled across the state

As we celebrate this month, let’s continue working together to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority made an exciting announcement regarding the Hartford Promise Scholars program. CHEFA - a quasi-public agency that provides access to tax-exempt financing and philanthropic support - has made a $475,000 investment to expand a new Hartford Promise initiative, which commits to building stronger pathways for Hartford students from classroom to career. 

With this three-year Enterprise Capital grant from CHEFA, the funding will fuel expansion of career and civic engagement programming through the new Reaching Beyond initiative, empowering Hartford Promise Scholars to gain the skills, experiences, and connections they need to launch into successful careers and leadership roles.

Hartford Promise was founded to address the low percentage of public high school students in Hartford going to and graduating from college (23% in 2015). A lack of higher education success contributes to poverty, poor health, and family instability.

The Hartford public high schools that are eligible: 

• Achievement First Hartford High School
• ​Bulkeley High School
• Capital Preparatory Magnet
• Classical Magnet
• Great Path Academy
• Hartford Public High School
• Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy
• Kinsella Magnet School of Performing Arts
• Pathways Academy of Technology & Design
• Sport & Medical Sciences Academy
• University HS of Science & Engineering
• Weaver High School

When Hartford Promise started a decade ago, students qualified for $20,000. Now, with generous support from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, CHEFA, UConn, and others, every new Hartford Promise Scholar, starting with the high school Class of 2025, is eligible for up to $100,000 over four years toward any accredited four-year college.

Over the past 10 years, 1,300 students have qualified as Hartford Promise Scholars, and 500 of these scholars attended over 80 colleges across the country. Hartford Promise has been a vital lifeline for students and families in the city. 

For more information on Hartford Promise Scholars, visit www.hartfordpromise.org/

Connecticut has been staking its claim as the Pizza Capital of the United States for years, and now with the launch of the Connecticut Pizza Trail, pizza lovers finally have a curated way to explore the state’s legendary slices.

The trail features the Top 100 pizzerias across the state, chosen by public vote, and mapped out to help guide your journey. From the coal-fired classics of New Haven to hidden gems in smaller towns, the trail celebrates the diversity and quality of Connecticut’s pizza scene.

The Pizza Trail offers a one-of-a-kind way to taste your way across a state that’s serious about its pizza.

Click here for a full guide to the trail and to download the map.