Senator Lesser To Host Facebook Live Conversation With Rocky Hill Officer Monday to Recognize Compassionate Approach to Assisting Local Autistic Woman

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Lesser To Host Facebook Live Conversation With Rocky Hill Officer Monday to Recognize Compassionate Approach to Assisting Local Autistic Woman

State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) will host a Facebook Live on Monday, May 11 at 11 a.m. with Rocky Hill Police Department Officer Jessica Ostroski and the Benjamin family to recognize Officer Ostroski’s compassionate and understanding approach to assisting the Benjamins. Zoe Benjamin, 23, has a severe form of autism and can react negatively when certain aspects of her environment change; during one of those reactions recently, Officer Ostroski played a direct role in helping Zoe’s mother soothe her. The conversation will be streamed on Sen. Lesser’s Facebook page.

“Officer Ostroski’s selfless and compassionate actions should be the gold standard in how law enforcement, and all of us, assist and help everyone in our community, especially individuals like Zoe on the autism spectrum disorder,” said Sen. Lesser. “When I read Adrienne Benjamin’s piece in the Hartford Courant about Officer Ostroski, I was emotionally touched; she worked to make sure Adrienne had the help she needed while approaching Zoe with the appropriate level of respect. By holding this conversation, I want to provide her with recognition she deserves, while also educating the public about the special challenges severe autism care requires.”

“I was at the right place at the right time and was given the opportunity to do the right thing and help out,” said Officer Ostroski. “With the training I’ve received in my line of work, it made it that much easier to know how to help and be there in the best I’ve been trained to. I’m looking forward to participating on this panel on Monday and reconnecting with Adrienne to share this experience with others and bring awareness to this important topic.”

On May 1, Adrienne Benjamin, Zoe’s mother, wrote an editorial that appeared in the Hartford Courant discussing how she takes care of her daughter, and the challenges that arise when she reacts negatively to changes in her environment. Recently, Zoe had a severe reaction when Officer Ostroski, who was in the area, joined Adrienne, avoiding physical contact while assisting her in calming Zoe down.

“The severe autism life is precarious; it feels we are always just one minute, one tantrum, one impulsive flight away from horrific disaster, a terrible reality that has intensified during the stress of the pandemic,” Adrienne Benjamin wrote in that editorial. “[Officer Ostroski] brought a glimmer of hope that training, caring and a steady calmness can help us out of our harrowing situations. I hope all first responders, from police officers to EMTs, and indeed the whole of society, learn about severe autism, not just TV-version autism. Only with knowledge of reality can the world come to our aid when we need it most.”

It’s hoped by highlighting Officer Ostroski’s work and the challenges that arise in the process of treating and working with individuals on the autism spectrum, first responders and members of the public can learn more about the condition and how to best respond and assist individuals needing help.

Senator Kushner Visits With Nursing Home Employees As Engraved Products Donates 6,000 Masks For Workers

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Kushner Visits With Nursing Home Employees As Engraved Products Donates 6,000 Masks For Workers

DANBURY – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today joined Engraved Products Managing Director Graves Kiely on a visit to three local nursing homes to show workers their appreciation for their hard work during the COVID-19 crisis, and for Engraved Products to distribute a total of 6,000 free face masks to health care workers.

The visit was part of a morning-long tour by Sen. Kushner of nursing homes– including the St. John Paul II Center and the Western Rehabilitation Care Center in Danbury, and Ability Beyond in Bethel – that culminated with a final stop at Kimberly Hall North in Windsor.

More than three dozen Democratic lawmakers – including state Reps. Ken Gucker and Raghib Allie-Brennan – visited a total of 15 nursing homes throughout Connecticut today.

The visits come the day after the state Department of Public Health released figures showing that 58% of all COVID-19-related deaths in Connecticut have occurred in nursing home patients; Kimberly Hall North in Windsor has the second-highest number of nursing homes deaths in the state, with 40 as of May 7.

At each location, Democratic state senators spoke with nursing home employees to express their appreciation for their work, but also to highlight the fact nursing home employees – many of whom are people of color and women – are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 because they are exposed to the virus but are not always provided with the necessary personal protective equipment.

“During this pandemic we have focused on strategies for limiting the spread of COVID-19 and on ensuring that our hospitals have enough equipment and beds to treat the sick. But now we’ve entered a new phase of the battle: protecting the other, often-unseen line of defense in our fight against the coronavirus, which is nursing home employees,” Sen. Kushner said. “In Connecticut and across the country, nursing homes and prisons are incubators for COVID-19. Yet the people working in these facilities, and the people living in these facilities, they feel invisible, like they don’t count. We need to shield these workers so they don’t become ill and pass this virus on to their families. We need to raise the profile of the work they are doing, the sacrifices they are making, and demand safer working conditions for them.”

“Today was our way of highlighting the problem. Now we have to go about finding a way to fix it,” Sen. Kushner said.

Engraved Products owners Graves and Helena Kiely have now donated over 10,000 masks to front line workers fighting the COVID-19 epidemic, including donations to Catholic Charities and Regional Hospice, Home Care of Western Connecticut, and the three nursing homes today.

Kiely said he was grateful to be invited to today’s event, which he called “eye-opening.”

“This epidemic is a wake-up call” Kiely said. “Our health care workers need support, encouragement and protection. It’s not enough to call them heroes – they are overwhelmed and need real assistance. I’m glad to have been able to make a small contribution, but it’s a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed. Everyone needs to find a way to pitch in.”

Engraved Products was founded 50 years ago in 1970 and has done engraving for Duracell, GE, Ethan Allen, and for scholastics, sports, and special events. Their showroom on Christopher Columbus Avenue in Danbury features three showrooms and all of its engraving facilities, including the inventory room, assembly room, laser engraver, sand blaster, plaque cutter, photo studio, and paint booth for hand-painted/air-brushed products.

State Senator Julie Kushner, center, stands with Engraved Products Managing Director Graves Kiely, left (in blue hat), and health care workers outside the St. John Paul II Center in Danbury on Friday morning.

Democratic Legislators to Support Health Care Workers in Nursing Homes & Highlight Inequities

Posted on May 8, 2020 by Webmaster

Democratic Legislators to Support Health Care Workers in Nursing Homes & Highlight Inequities

Led by Senator Marilyn Moore, Legislators to Highlight Disparities at Connecticut Nursing Homes

CONNECTICUT – On Friday May 8, starting at 8 A.M. Democratic State Senators and State Representatives will visit 15 nursing homes across the state of Connecticut. The elected officials will be traveling three different routes over the course of the morning and early afternoon and concluding at Kimberly Hall North in Windsor at approximately 12:30 P.M.

At each location legislators will be speaking with a few workers from the nursing home to express their appreciation for their work. Legislators will be highlighting the fact that black and brown people are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 as workers exposed to the virus and in some instances are not provided with the necessary personal protective equipment. Despite low wages, a lack of safe recovery accommodations, and a lack of paid time off, these workers continue to work on the front lines of this pandemic supporting all of our families.

STAMFORD to NEW HAVEN Route

9:00 a.m. Stamford
St. Camillus Center, 494 Elm Street
9:30 a.m. Norwalk
Cassena Care, 23 Prospect Street
10:00 a.m. Bridgeport
Jewish Senior Services, 4200 Park Ave
10:30 a.m. Trumbull
St. Joseph’s Center, 6448 Main Street
11:00 a.m. Milford
Golden Hill Rehab Pavilion, 2028 Bridgeport Avenue
11:30 a.m. Milford
West River Healthcare Center, 245 Orange Avenue
11:30 a.m. New Haven
Regal Care, 181 Clifton Street
12:30 p.m. Windsor
Kimberly Hall North, 1 Emerson Drive

DANBURY to ROCKY HILL Route

8:00 a.m. Danbury
John Paul II Center, 33 Lincoln Avenue
8:30 a.m. Danbury
Western Rehabilitation Care Center, 107 Osborne Street
9:00 a.m. Bethel
Ability Beyond, 4 Berkshire Boulevard
10:00 a.m. Waterbury
Abbott Terrace, 44 Abbott Terrace
10:45 a.m. Middletown
Middlesex Health Care Center, 100 Randolph Road
11:30 a.m. Rocky Hill
Apple Rehab, 45 Elm Street
12:30 p.m. Windsor
Kimberly Hall North, 1 Emerson Drive

WILLIMANTIC to WINDSOR Route

11:00 a.m. Willimantic
St. Joseph’s, 14 Club Road
12:30 p.m. Windsor
Kimberly Hall North, 1 Emerson Drive

2020 Session Is Over, But West Hartford Delegation Not Giving Up Its Push For Priorities

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Webmaster

2020 Session Is Over, But West Hartford Delegation Not Giving Up Its Push For Priorities

WEST HARTFORD – Although the 2020 state legislative session officially ended Wednesday at midnight, members of West Hartford’s legislative delegation say there is still plenty of necessary public policy to consider in any special session to be held this summer.

“There is necessary work that remains to be done, and we need to plan for that. Despite the pandemic – and, in fact, because of it – help cannot wait for voters, for nursing home residents and their families, for people with IDD and their families, and for embattled arts organizations,” said state Senator Derek Slap (D-West Hartford). “The pandemic has made some existing legislative proposals even more important and has created the need for new initiatives. Many of these ideas come from our constituents, and it’s our job to listen, to reach consensus with our colleagues, and to ultimately take action.”

“As lawmakers, our work must be responsive to the needs of our constituents, not the confines of the legislative session,” said state Representative Jillian Gilchrest (D-West Hartford). “I am committed to joining my colleagues in a special session to pass meaningful legislation to support the people of Connecticut who have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.”

“Although Wednesday marked the end of the regular session, we have much work left to do on behalf of our constituents. As soon as it is safe to convene, we must come together to find common-sense solutions,” said state Representative Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford). “We need to balance the needs of our community in terms of adequate support for small businesses, schools, and vulnerable populations while keeping health and welfare needs paramount.”

“Our delegation is continuing to work hard to meet the needs of our neighbors and friends,” said state Representative Joe Verrengia (D-West Hartford). “I am committed to pursuing these very important issues when the General Assembly reconvenes.”

The public policies that the West Hartford legislative delegation are pushing for include:

Expand the allowable uses of absentee ballots so constituents can vote without fear of endangering their health.
Encourage public participation in the 2020 Census to guarantee adequate federal allocations for infrastructure, student loans, special education grants, and more.
Allow individuals with intellectual disabilities who are hospitalized to have a loved one or guardian join them in the hospital to ensure that they can understand and communicate with their medical provider.
Require nursing homes and long-term care facilities to enable ‘virtual visits’ for residents and their families.
Prevent age discrimination in the hiring process by prohibiting employers from asking the age, date of birth, or graduation dates of job applicants.
Cap exorbitant insulin costs and provide patients with accessibility to emergency insulin supplies.
Create an arts stabilization fund for local nonprofits that may be able to re-open this summer or fall, but will not be able to operate in a financially sustainable way.
Provide additional financial relief to renters, small businesses, and restaurants.

Senator Haskell Encourages Self-Employed Individuals Out of Work to Complete Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Applications

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Haskell Encourages Self-Employed Individuals Out of Work to Complete Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Applications

As of today, the Department of Labor website is officially accepting Pandemic Unemployment Compensation applications. State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) encourages self-employed people, independent contractors and gig workers to file for unemployment benefits by visiting FileCTUI.com.

“My constituents have waited for weeks to apply for unemployment benefits, I want to get the word out that the brand new application portal is now active on the Department of Labor’s website,” said Sen. Haskell. “Every day, my team fields calls from constituents who are struggling to afford basic supplies due to a sudden loss in income. These families need help, and I hope they’ll apply right away. If constituents run into any issues, please don’t hesitate to call my office at 860-240-0068.”

Department of Labor staff say applicants can receive payments in about a week if their applications are approved. The link to Pandemic Unemployment Compensation went live Thursday, May 7. Applicants must first file a claim for unemployment. Once they receive a UC-58 form in response to that claim, they can then click the red button on the website and file for the PUA program.

Department of Labor staff said claimants should be careful when submitting information; applications for state benefits and PUA must match. The DOL said more than 38,000 people have already completed the first step of the application process. Staff advises choosing a direct deposit option to receive funds in an accelerated manner. The benefit range is from $198 to $649 based on earnings, and will include, at least, the weekly minimum rate, $15 per dependency up to five, and $600 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation payments, possibly backdated as far as April 4. If self-reported wages can be validated by the DOL, claims will be redetermined at higher rates. A bug in the system caused a delay from the original expected date of April 30.

Senator Lesser Supports New Hartford Healthcare Drive-Up Testing Site in Newington

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Lesser Supports New Hartford Healthcare Drive-Up Testing Site in Newington

State Senator Matt Lesser (D-Middletown) today gave his support to a new Hartford HealthCare drive-up COVID-19 testing site at its Newington campus. This new testing site further expands testing availability in Connecticut, helping provide the public with more direct information and resources in the battle against the virus.

“Access to testing for people suffering symptoms or who believe they’ve been exposed to COVID-19 is vital, which is why I’m happy Hartford HealthCare is expanding texting access in Newington,” said Sen. Lesser. “The more people we can test, the better we can identify COVID, and the better we can identify COVID, the better we can limit and control its spread.”

The Newington site is located at the Hartford HealthCare System Support Office at 181 Patricia M. Genova Drive in Newington, next to the Curtis Building. It is available daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Referrals are required. Patients may contact their own healthcare providers or the Hartford HealthCare clinical command center at 833-621-0600 to be screened for a referral.

For more information on Hartford HealthCare testing, please visit https://hartfordhealthcare.org/health-wellness/coronavirus/testing.

As Rentschler Field Foodshare Distribution Extended Through End of May, Senator Anwar Thanks Antonacci Family for $125,000 Donation

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Webmaster

As Rentschler Field Foodshare Distribution Extended Through End of May, Senator Anwar Thanks Antonacci Family for $125,000 Donation

On the same day that Foodshare announced its food distribution at Rentschler Field will continue to May 29, extending its schedule by three weeks, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) joined the Antonacci Family Foundation and lauded its generous $125,000 donation to the nonprofit fighting food insecurity. As COVID-19 has harmed Connecticut’s public health and economy, these steps will help make sure members of the public who have lost work or suffered financial setbacks are able to receive food.

“The Antonacci Family’s incredibly generous donation will provide Foodshare with significant resources to help feed Connecticut’s hungry families,” said Sen. Anwar. “As many as one in four of the state’s working population is currently experiencing loss of income, which is a major statewide problem. The Antonacci Family Foundation’s generosity is only one part of the equation, though. Their donation to Foodshare will help the nonprofit continue to provide the important support it has lent the public since this crisis began until our lives can begin to return to normal. I would also like to thank Foodshare CEO Jason Jakubowski and his organization for their hard work and WFSB for their support.”

The Antonacci Family Foundation’s $125,000 donation is the latest of a series of significant donations made by the group, including one made on Tuesday to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The Antonacci Family owns and operates several companies in Western Massachusetts and Connecticut. A $125,000 donation can provide 500,000 meals to food insecure individuals.

Sen. Anwar joined members of the Antonacci family Wednesday as they made the donation, also assisting with food donation distributions at Foodshare.

Additionally, Foodshare is extending its food distribution taking place on weekdays at Rentschler Field in East Hartford by another three weeks. From Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Foodshare volunteers are providing food to as many as 1,200 households per day, as many as 70 percent of clients believed to be new to food insecurity. Those needing to access food distribution should go to 615 Silver Lane in East Hartford between 8:30 a.m. and noon on weekdays; distribution will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.

Community members unable to reach East Hartford are asked to text FOODSHARE to 85511, visit foodshare.org/mobile, call 211 or go to www.211ct.org for information on options including food delivery, local food pantries and other assistance.

Those interested in volunteering or donating to Foodshare should visit www.foodshare.org.

Senator Anwar joins others to celebrate the Antonacci Family Foundation’s donation Wednesday.

Senator Anwar Shares Food Insecurity Resources, Discussion With Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz, Commisioners of Agriculture and Social Services

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Anwar Shares Food Insecurity Resources, Discussion With Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz, Commisioners of Agriculture and Social Services

With nearly one quarter of Connecticut’s workforce out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many individuals are stressed and unsure of how to respond. After joining Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Social Services Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford and Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt, among many other representatives assisting the public on Tuesday for a digital roundtable discussion, Sen. Anwar is sharing details and information about food insecurity.

Even before the crisis, one in nine Connecticut families and one in seven children experienced regular food insecurity, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz said, which makes this focus on food insecurity even more important. Many Connecticut residents are responding to the challenge, however, and the efforts are visible on weekday mornings at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, where thousands of people have received food donations from Foodshare. That is just one example of the larger responses occurring in response to COVID.

The full discussion is available on YouTube.

Resources for food insecure individuals include:

SNAP benefits have been expanded state-wide, with the Department of Social Services having already released $32.7 million in emergency benefits disbursed in April and similar amounts expected in future months. Any household not currently receiving maximum benefits for their household size will receive additional funds. Another $72.3 million in new SNAP food benefits for children in free and reduced-price school lunch programs have been approved by the federal government.
Foodshare is expected to continue holding food deliveries at Rentschler Field from 8:30 a.m. to noon on weekdays; while originally scheduled to run through May 8, the program is likely to be extended.

The following list of food distribution sites is also available for residents of the 3rd Senate District.

East Hartford

The following organizations provide food distribution. A schedule of food availability through mid-April is available online. Each organization has separate requirements and times for those seeking food; please call before visiting a location.

Food Distribution

St. Rose Church Food Pantry, 33 Church St., 860-289-7916
St. Isaac Ghanian Food Bank, 1 Community St., 860-290-1880
St. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 30 Maplewood Ave., 860-289-7916
First Congregational Church of East Hartford Food Pantry, 837 Main St., 860-528-3133
South Congregational St. Edmunds Church Food Pantry, 1301 Forbes St., 860-568-5150
Charity SDA Church Food Pantry, 1535 Forbes St., 860-568-5866
Free Bread from Agape Fellowship, 464 Tolland Street, bread and baked goods
The Bridge, 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J, 860-372-4141 – by appointment only

Community Meals – Takeout Only

Friendship Center, 12 Rector Street, 860-528-5605
New Covenant United Church Methodist Church, 16 Church St., 860-528-2228

Commodity Supplemental Food Program

Monthly food boxes for low-income seniors by appointment, 860-528-2228

Mobile Foodshare

Please visit www.foodshare.org/mobile for a full schedule and up-to-date information amid possible changes due to COVID-19

Ellington

The town has a non-perishable food bank located in the Human Services Department at 31 Arbor Way. Residents in need can receive monthly distributions and are asked to provide proof of residency, income and assets. The food bank is open by appointment only and operates during town business hours. Please call 860-870-3128.

Food Distribution

Crystal Lake Food Pantry is run out of the United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake community room providing food to families in Ellington, Stafford and the surrounding region. It is located at 278 Sandy Beach Road; please email clfpellington@gmail.com for more information.
Grandma’s Free Pantry is a “take what you need, leave what you can” food pantry open to the public in front of Ellington Human Services at 21 Arbor Way.

East Windsor

Please call 860-758-7763 for guidance on how to receive food assistance.

Food Distribution

The Five Corner Cupboard Food Pantry at 140 Phelps Road is still operating amid the COVID-19 outbreak, though it plans to evaluate that week to week. It accepts donations Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with several dropboxes for non-perishables available around town. Please call 860-758-7763 for guidance on how to receive food assistance.

South Windsor

The town operates a food pantry through its Human Services Department at 150 Nevers Road for details. Please call 860-648-6361 for more information.

Food Distribution

The Bridge Pantry at 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J offers food distribution in the community. Please call 860-372-4141 for more details.

Senator Haskell Urges Constituents to Utilize Free Student Loan Assistance For Borrowers Impacted By COVID

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Haskell Urges Constituents to Utilize Free Student Loan Assistance For Borrowers Impacted By COVID

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) cheered the announcement by Governor Ned Lamont that student loan borrowers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis have can access free financial advice and assistance. The State has partnered with Summer, a social enterprise that offers to help borrowers compare and enroll in dozens of loan assistance and forgiveness programs.

“We are experiencing a public health crisis and an economic crisis. My constituents who are out of work are having trouble keeping food on the table, let alone paying back their student loan bills,” said Sen. Haskell. “While the state has already taken steps including halting late fees and offering a pause on payments, this is a forward-thinking plan that expands on those strategies and gives student loan borrowers additional assistance during a challenging time.”

As Senate Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, Sen. Haskell is remaining focused on the challenges faced by students during, and after, their college experiences. As the cost of earning a degree has increased, Haskell has advocated for policies that make Connecticut more affordable for the next generation of workers.

The federal government has paused payments on all Federal Direct loans, though private and commercially-held loans were excluded from the CARES Act. The state of Connecticut in April halted late fees on student loan payments and offered three-month opt-in pauses on payments, an approach supplemented by the partnership with Summer.

Summer’s specific benefits in the partnership are in helping unemployed borrowers or ones facing significant salary reductions to determine eligibility for zero-cost or low monthly payments in an Income-Driven Repayment plan, which could value up to $300 per month or $3,600 per year. Summer will help state residents check eligibility across IDR plans and automatically complete applications if they quality.

Senator Kushner’s Statement On ‘Operation Milk Delivery’ To Donate Half-Gallons Of Milk To Local Families

Posted on May 4, 2020 by Webmaster

Senator Kushner’s Statement On ‘Operation Milk Delivery’ To Donate Half-Gallons Of Milk To Local Families

BETHEL – State Senator Julie Kushner (D-Danbury) today applauded the work of Guida’s Dairy of New Britain, the UConn Extension of Fairfield County and its 4-H members, and the Danbury Food Collaborative to distribute 1,950 half-gallons of milk to families in need.

The milk was donated by Guida’s, refrigerated in a truck donated by Chad and Camille Simoneau of Gulf Shrimp in Plantsville, stored at The Stony Hill Preserve in Bethel, and distributed to local food pantries by UConn Fairfield County 4-H volunteers.

“We have seen many great community efforts to help families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and it really reflects the best of who we are as a nation,” Sen. Kushner said. “The pictures of cars lined up to lend a helping hand is awe-inspiring.”

Today’s milk delivery was a joint effort between the community and UConn Extension Fairfield Country; Fairfield County 4-H is the youth development component of UConn Extension. 4-H is a community effort across America in which youth work with trained volunteers to make a difference in their communities by learning and practicing personal development, leadership and citizenship. Operation Milk Delivery enabled 4-H members to experience firsthand the importance of serving their community.

“This is a win-win situation,” said UConn Extension 4-H Educator Ede Valiquette. “Due to the pandemic, schools and restaurants are closed. There is a milk surplus, and some farms have to dump their milk. Meanwhile, food pantries are in desperate need of more food to help provide nourishment for the increasing number of food insecure people, and pantries cannot afford to buy milk. UConn Fairfield Extension, with its local contacts and linkages and its youth volunteers, is ideally positioned to connect the surplus milk and desperate families in need of food.”

For more information about today’s event, please contact Ede Valiquette at edith.valiquettte@uconn.edu or 203-733-1387.