Kara Rochelle

In this email I have taken care to include some information I hope will help you during this difficult time:

• Executive Order Summaries from the Office of Legislative Research
• Transportation Update
• Food Resources
• Birth to 3 Accepting Referrals
• Spotlighting Local Excellence

OLR Executive Order Summaries

The non-partisan Office of Legislative Research has summaries of the Governor's Executive Orders. These summaries are filled with helpful information in an easy-to-digest format. 

Click the below links to access them:

• COVID-19 Executive Orders Affecting Business, Labor, and Housing
• COVID-19 Executive Orders Affecting Health and Human Services
• COVID-19 Executive Orders Affecting Education and Child Care
• COVID-19 Executive Orders Affecting State and Local Government Operations and Elections
• Proposed Bills Requiring Business Interruption Insurance Coverage for COVID-19 Losses

Transportation Update

The state Department of Transportation is continuing to invest in transportation infrastructure and road and bride construction projects are moving along as planned. Due to reduced traffic volumes across the state, road and bridge construction operations are permitted to modify their activities to include longer duration and weekday lane closures to allow completion of more work without impacting traffic flow. 

Rail Update

Connecticut's rail line system is operating on a reduced schedule due to declines in ridership. Trains are being cleaned more frequently to protect the health and safety of frontline workers, and train crews have been provided face masks. 

• New Haven Line: operating on an hourly schedule with extra trains during peak weekday times. Metro-North started a reduced hourly schedule. 
• New Canaan and Danbury Lines: operating on a reduced hourly schedule
• Waterbury Rail Line: transitioned to bus service to allow social distancing and to allow rail line infrastructure improvements to progress quickly
• Hartford Line (CTrail Hartford Line & Amtrak Hartford Line): operating on a new special weekday schedule, which is posted on the web site and Hartford Line stations 
• Shore Line East: operating on a weekend schedule 7 days a week

Visit the following website for updated train schedules and specific updates:

• New Haven Line: www.mta.info/mnr 
• Shore Line East: www.shorelineeast.com
• Hartford Line: www.hartfordline.com

Click here for MTA daily coronavirus updates.

CTtransit Bus Service

CTtransit bus service and transit district services continue to operate on a weekday schedule with some modifications. CTtransit express buses to Hartford are operating on a reduced schedule.

The CTDOT urges residents to reserve bus and public transportation for essential travel only, and riders should practice social distancing while waiting at bus stops and while riding the bus. Anyone who feels sick should not use public transportation. Face masks have been distributed to bus drivers and frontline personnel, and buses are cleaned more frequently.

Updated bus schedules are available at www.cttransit.com.

Service Plazas and Rest Areas

Service plazas on I-95, I-395, and most on the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways remain open. Only take-out food is being served and all seating areas are closed. On April 10 the Governor announced food trucks would be temporarily permitted at CTDOT highway rest areas. Click here to read more. 

Four service plazas on the Merritt Parkway in New Canaan and Orange have been closed. 

Food Resources

If you have been struggling to provide food for your family, the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood wants you to know you're not alone. There are options for you to ensure your children are well-fed during this difficult time. 

To locate sites in your town serving breakfast and lunch to kids 18 years of age and younger, click here.

211/Connecticut United Way can also connect you to food panties in your area. Click here to find one near you.

Birth to 3

2-1-1 announced recently that the Birth to 3 System is accepting referrals during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. If you have concerns about your child's development, you can call 1-800-505-7000 for a remote Early Intervention Evaluation.

Click here for more information.

It is important to note that the Governor signed Executive Order No. 7O, which waives family cost participation fees. Although Birth to 3 programs collect information about family cost participation fees, families will not be billed or responsible for March fees.

Spotlighting Local Excellence

Thank you Jay Carlucci of The Dew Drop Inn for donating to families in need! If you didn't know, Jay received the 2019 Gold Seal Award from the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce for his exceptional civic engagement and positive impact on the Valley.