Cold Weather Protocol is Now Activated

December 5, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are having a great week. Please read below for updates in our community!

A blast of arctic air expected to blanket Connecticut over the next several days. As a result, the state's severe cold weather protocol will be in effect through Tuesday, December 9.

Low temperatures over the next few days will dip into the single digits, with wind chills close to zero at times.

Below is a list of the warming centers in Hamden:

If you need any more assistance, please visit 211ct.org or call 2-1-1 to find available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.

Click HERE to learn more.

Access Health CT (AHCT) will hold an enrollment fair in Hamden. Experts will be available to answer any questions you may have with the enrollment process. The event will be held on Sunday, December 14 at Mount Zion Church, located at 335 Putnam Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

As a reminder, open enrollment will end on January 15, 2026.

Early childhood education was one of House Democrats’ priority bills during the 2025 legislative session. The newly formed Early Childhood Education Endowment is already making a difference for families and educators in Connecticut. Beginning in January 2026, the state will add spaces for up to 1000 new children in the Early Start CT program, expanding access to affordable early learning opportunities for more families. In addition, we are increasing funding for operational costs and improved staff compensation.

You’re invited to join the conversation and help shape the future of early childhood education in Connecticut by offering your feedback. Attend the ECE Endowment Board’s Annual Public Hearing on Wednesday, December 10, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building.

The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) is now accepting applications for students entering grade 9 and 10 in the 2026-2027 school year.

CTECS is a statewide system of 17 diploma-granting, NEASC-accredited technical high schools serving approximately 11,500 high school students, including many from your communities. Students in grades 9-12 attend a full-day program that combines academics with an advanced Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum.

Students can choose from 31 programs of study in areas such as Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources; Architecture and Construction; Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communication; Health Science; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security; Manufacturing; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM); and Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.

A hallmark of the technical high school experience is the hands-on career development and production work students complete through partnerships with local companies via the Work-Based Learning program.

Graduates of CTECS are well-prepared for immediate employment, apprenticeships, or further education at two- or four-year colleges. Students also have opportunities to earn college credit while in high school through College Career Pathways (CCP) partnerships with community colleges and Dual Enrollment Programs with universities. In addition to academics and technical training, schools offer athletics and a variety of extracurricular activities.

The CTECS application closes on January 25, 2026. Applications submitted by this deadline will be included in the lottery for on-time placements. Applications submitted after January 25 will be added to the waitlist in the order determined by the lottery. No new applications for incoming grade 9 students will be accepted after March 1, 2026. For more information or to apply online, visit the CTECS admissions webpage.

Getting older does not automatically mean it is time to stop driving, but it does require regular evaluation of driving abilities.

During Older Driver Safety Awareness Week, Dec. 1–5, 2025, Connecticut is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to encourage families and caregivers to begin open, proactive conversations about safe driving as loved ones age.

Nationally, the population of residents 65 and older has risen significantly, and in 2023 drivers in this age group were involved in nearly one-fifth of all fatal crashes. In Connecticut, 51 older adults were involved in fatal crashes that same year, representing 17% of statewide roadway fatalities.

State law allows drivers 60 and older to take an approved crash-prevention course and receive an insurance discount, providing an important opportunity to refresh skills and stay safe on the road. For more information and a list of providers, visit portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/insurance-discounts.

Families are encouraged to work with older adults to develop a transportation plan, which may include the following:

Keeping up with vision and hearing checkups
Reviewing medications for side effects that may affect driving
Choosing daytime or less complex routes, considering adaptive vehicle equipment
Identifying alternative transportation options if driving becomes difficult.

Free resources are available through NHTSA to help older adults stay safe and to assist families and caregivers in supporting safe mobility for everyone.

ICYMI - Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Sustainable CT Fellowship Program.

The Sustainable CT Fellowship Program is a paid, full-time summer position for students who are currently enrolled in a post-secondary degree program or who will graduate during the 2025–2026 academic year. Fellows gain hands-on experience supporting municipalities in implementing Sustainable CT actions, tracking progress toward certification, and fostering community engagement in sustainability initiatives.

All applications must be submitted by Monday, February 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST. Click here to learn more.

December 10 is National Human Rights Day. This day commemorates the United Nations' adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. It is a day to celebrate human rights and reflect on the progress made, while also highlighting ongoing challenges. The UDHR is a foundational document that states all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Here in Connecticut, despite challenges from the current Trump administration, we will continue to ensure the liberty and security of our residents.

Save the Sound, Inc. has launched a letter writing campaign to push the Olin Corporation into cleaning up the contamination they caused at Six Lakes. If you are interested in submitting a letter, click here for more details.

ICYMI - the Jamaican American Connection, a New Haven County based nonprofit, is holding a food and resource drive for victims of Hurricane Melissa.

They are looking for the following: