Month: May 2024

Senator Anwar Votes for Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe O’Leary | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov | 508-479-4969
May 7, 2024

Senator Anwar Votes for Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted Tuesday to pass a bill intended to increase access to home-based services for seniors by establishing better training for home care workers and creating a presumptive Medicaid eligibility program for services provided at home.

The proposal, House Bill 5001, passed the Senate on a unanimous 36-0 vote and will now head to the governor to be signed into law. The bill was a top priority of House Speaker Matt Ritter and originated in the legislature’s Aging Committee.

The legislation would make several changes to state law designed to make aging in place easier for senior citizens.

“Health care’s future is in the home, and supporting our countless residents receiving home care is a strong move to take today to prepare for that future,” said Sen. Anwar. “I’m very encouraged to see our state identifies this need and is making sure seniors will get the care they need.”

By presuming that home-based services will be covered by Medicaid, the bill is designed to spare seniors the choice between residing in a nursing home or forgoing care while awaiting a Medicaid approval process that can take up to 90 days.

The proposal creates a new database of home-based workers, allowing consumers to identify and match qualified home aides based on characteristics like language, certifications or special skills, as well as previous experience. This also helps the providers and their agencies by giving them access to recruitment, retention, and training programs.

The bill connects residents with a consumer dashboard, which uses a five-star rating system to compare nursing home facilities on metrics like their quality of care, their staff and health inspection results.

Other provisions of the legislation include new training requirements and photo ID badges for Personal Care Attendants and other home health care workers, and an expansion of fingerprinting locations for employment background checks.

The bill expands the duties of local senior center staff members to better assist elderly residents with accessing housing opportunities.

Costs related to the first year of the bill’s presumptive Medicaid eligibility program are estimated at around $500,000 and would be covered by remaining federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

However, the policy is not expected to result in additional costs to the state because nearly all of the impacted services are covered by Medicaid and will be reimbursed under the program. If the Department of Social Services concludes after two years the eligibility presumption has not been cost-effective, the bill includes a provision allowing the agency’s commissioner to discontinue the policy.
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Sen. Lesser, Newington Delegation Secure $445,000 for Town

Posted on by Devin James
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin | Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Lesser, Newington Delegation Secure $445,000 for Town

State Senator Matt Lesser, State Representatives Gary Turco and Kate Farrar and Mayor Jon Trister welcome $445,000 for Newington.

  • $300,000 for the Newington Children’s Theater Company for capital improvements
  • $100,000 for the Deming-Young Farm Foundation for barn rehabilitation
  • $45,000 for the Town of Newington for signage construction

The funding comes from $372.5 million in soon-to-expire American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, secured by Sen. Lesser and voted on by the state legislature at large. The legislation passed the house with a 103-48 vote, and the Senate by 26-10.

“Helping Newington Children’s Theater Company win major capital support and the Deming-Young Farm finish work on its historic barn were priorities for the Newington delegation this session,” said Senator Lesser. “Newington Children’s Theater Company has been an institution for decades, and provides an outstanding experience for area children. The Deming-Young Farm preserves a historic 1784 farm, an important part of Newington’s history and valuable open space that provides historical enrichment for schoolchildren across the region. I made returning this funding to Newington my priority in budget negotiations. I am thrilled we were able to win overwhelming support for these investments in Newington and am grateful to President Biden and our federal delegation for making the funding available through the American Rescue Plan Act and to legislative leaders and my colleagues for supporting our request.”

“These allocations are great investments in our community,” said Rep. Turco. “NCTC is a treasure for our youth and these capital improvements will allow them to educate and entertain for many years to come, while funding to preserve the historic 1700s Deming-Young Farm Barn ensures we are preserving our history for all to enjoy.”

“These state grants are a win for the residents of Newington and the 20th District,” Rep. Farrar said. “Residents of all ages in Newington and across the region will benefit from the Newington Children’s Theatre improvements, historic rehabilitation at the Deming-Young Farm, and town signage. I’m proud to work as a team with Senator Lesser and Representative Turco to deliver for our community.”

“We are so thankful to Senator Lesser and our entire legislative delegation for their hard work in securing this ARPA funding for these items in the budget stabilization bill,” said Newington Mayor Jon Trister. “This funding will go to programs and projects that will benefit all of Newington residents in multiple different ways!”

“I am thrilled to receive this grant through the efforts of Sen. Lesser. This grant will enable the Deming-Young Farm Foundation to continue and complete the repairs and the restoration of the 1784 Thomas Deming farmhouse in Newington,” said David Goodale, President of the Deming-Young Farm Foundation.

“We have shown tremendous growth since coming out of COVID, but the limitations of our physical space have been stifling,” says Claire Van Cott, NCTC’s Executive and Artistic director. “This support from the state will go such a long way toward getting us back to having a performance space of our own, one that accommodates how far we’ve come and how much further we’ll be able to go. Theater brings so much joy to children, while cleverly sneaking in important life lessons about responsibility, teamwork, discipline and building self-confidence.”

“As the state’s longest-running nonprofit children’s theatre, each year we serve hundreds of families from three dozen towns, with programming throughout the year for kids of all ages and experience levels,” says Chris DeFrancesco, NCTC’s Board President. “We are enormously grateful to Sen. Lesser, Rep. Farrar and Rep. Turco for their advocacy and recognition of NCTC’s value to the community as we carry out our mission of providing a safe, accessible, welcoming place for children to explore their creativity and grow, both as performers and as people.”
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Senator McCrory Secures $6.3 Million in Additional Funding for Local Projects and Nonprofits

Posted on by Devin James
Senator McCrory

Senator McCrory Secures $6.3 Million in Additional Funding for Local Projects and Nonprofits

The Senate voted Tuesday to approve more than $372 million in soon-to-expire American Rescue Plan Act funding including roughly $6.3 million in additional funding to support projects championed by Senator Doug McCrory, whose district includes Hartford, Bloomfield, and Windsor.

The funding, approved on a 26-10 vote Tuesday, includes $5 million for the Blue Hills Civic Association, a nonprofit working to empower the Hartford and Bloomfield communities through strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and culturally competent health care.

The allocation also includes another $1.3 million to support the Prosperity Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to improving lives in Connecticut’s Black communities through investments in health and education.

“Years of cultivating strong relationships at the state Capitol have helped me to win substantial funding for our communities,” Senator McCrory said. “This year is no different. Legislation passed this week includes crucial investments to foster thriving neighborhoods throughout Hartford, Bloomfield and Windsor.”

President Biden and Democrats in Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in March of 2021 as a means of boosting the American economy amid a downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Every single congressional Republican voted against this funding, which has since supported initiatives including workforce development, public health and safety, and local governments across the nation.
Contact: Hugh McQuaid | Hugh.McQuaid@cga.ct.gov | 860-634-4651
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

Senator Marx Votes for Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

Posted on by Devin James
May 7, 2024

Senator Marx Votes for Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) voted Tuesday to pass a bill intended to increase access to home-based services for seniors by establishing better training for home care workers and creating a presumptive Medicaid eligibility program for services provided at home.

The proposal, House Bill 5001, passed the Senate on a unanimous 36-0 vote and will now head to the governor to be signed into law. The bill was a top priority of House Speaker Matt Ritter and originated in the legislature’s Aging Committee.

The legislation would make several changes to state law designed to make aging in place easier for senior citizens.

“In caring for patients throughout my career, I’ve known that our state needs to prepare for patients aging in place,” said Sen. Marx. “In addition to advances in keeping workers safer through Senate Bill 1, this session will be defined by helping patients better receive the aid they need and streamlining the procedures needed for them to stay happier and healthier.”

By presuming that home-based services will be covered by Medicaid, the bill is designed to spare seniors the choice between residing in a nursing home or forgoing care while awaiting a Medicaid approval process that can take up to 90 days.

The proposal creates a new database of home-based workers, allowing consumers to identify and match qualified home aides based on characteristics like language, certifications or special skills, as well as previous experience. This also helps the providers and their agencies by giving them access to recruitment, retention, and training programs.

The bill connects residents with a consumer dashboard, which uses a five-star rating system to compare nursing home facilities on metrics like their quality of care, their staff and health inspection results.

Other provisions of the legislation include new training requirements and photo ID badges for Personal Care Attendants and other home health care workers, and an expansion of fingerprinting locations for employment background checks.

The bill expands the duties of local senior center staff members to better assist elderly residents with accessing housing opportunities.

Costs related to the first year of the bill’s presumptive Medicaid eligibility program are estimated at around $500,000 and would be covered by remaining federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

However, the policy is not expected to result in additional costs to the state because nearly all of the impacted services are covered by Medicaid and will be reimbursed under the program. If the Department of Social Services concludes after two years the eligibility presumption has not been cost-effective, the bill includes a provision allowing the agency’s commissioner to discontinue the policy.

Senator Maher Votes For Legislation Improving Senior Care

Posted on by Devin James
May 7, 2024

Senator Maher Votes For Legislation Improving Senior Care

State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) voted Tuesday to pass a bill intended to increase access to home-based services for seniors by establishing enhanced training for home care workers and creating a presumptive Medicaid eligibility program for services provided at home.

The proposal, House Bill 5001, passed the Senate on a unanimous 36-0 vote and will now head to the governor to be signed into law. The bill was a top priority of House Speaker Matt Ritter and originated in the legislature’s Aging Committee.

The legislation would make several changes to state law designed to make aging in place easier for senior citizens.

“As more and more people prefer aging in their home to receiving care elsewhere, I’m glad we are meeting their needs and preparing for the future,” said Sen. Maher. “This bill will help our state meet the demands of this shift in care provision.”

By presuming that home-based services will be covered by Medicaid, the bill is designed to spare seniors the difficult choice between residing in a nursing home or forgoing care while awaiting a Medicaid approval process that can take up to 90 days.

The proposal creates a new database of home-based workers, allowing consumers to identify and match qualified home aides based on characteristics like language, certifications or special skills, as well as previous experience. This also helps the providers and their agencies by giving them access to recruitment, retention, and training programs.

The bill connects residents with a consumer dashboard, which uses a five-star rating system to compare nursing home facilities on metrics such as quality of care, performance of staff and the results of health inspections.

Other provisions of the legislation include new training requirements and photo ID badges for Personal Care Attendants and other home health care workers, and an expansion of fingerprinting locations for employment background checks.

The bill expands the duties of local senior center staff members to better assist elderly residents with accessing housing opportunities.

Costs related to the first year of the bill’s presumptive Medicaid eligibility program are estimated at around $500,000 and would be covered by remaining federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

The policy, however, is not expected to result in additional costs to the state because nearly all of the impacted services are covered by Medicaid and will be reimbursed under the program. If the Department of Social Services concludes, after two years, the eligibility presumption has not been cost-effective, the bill includes a provision allowing the agency’s commissioner to discontinue the policy.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $126,507 IN LOCAL ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS

Posted on by Devin James

May 7, 2024

SENATOR MAHER WELCOMES $126,507 IN LOCAL ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS

Today, State Senator Ceci Maher (D-Wilton) welcomed $126,507 in local funding support through the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund grant program. The 23 grants across four towns represent support for local programs across the 26th Senate District and will support education and performances alike.

“Our community arts programs are a vital part of our towns and cities, providing opportunities for education leading to the development of careers and skills and for local entertainment which supports our local economies,” said Sen, Maher. “I’m so pleased that our communities will have this important funding.”

The 23 grants include:

  • ACT of Connecticut, Ridgefield, $20,879
  • Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, Ridgefield, $9,276
  • Fairfield County Chorale, Westport, $527
  • JIB Productions Inc (Play With Your Food), Westport, $500
  • Levitt Pavilliion, Friends of Westport, $18,237
  • MOCA Westport Westport, $5,265,
  • Music For Youth, Inc., Westport, $500
  • Music on the Hill, Wilton, $5,185
  • New Canaan Society for the Arts (Carriage Barn Arts Center), New Canaan, $657
  • New England Dance Theater Inc., New Canaan, $1,947
  • Ridgefield Chorale, Ridgefield, $572
  • Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield, $571
  • Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, Ridgefield, $35,377
  • Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Ridgefield, $1,691
  • Ridgefield Workshop For the Performing Arts (Ridgefield Theater Barn), Ridgefield, $947
  • Silvermine Guild of Artists (Silverine Arts Center), New Canaan, $2,204
  • Summer Theatre of New Canaan, New Canaan, $6,553
  • Suzuki Music School of Westport, Westport, $1,056
  • Thrown Stone Theatre Company, Ridgefield, $2,192
  • Town Players of New Canaan, Inc., New Canaan, $3,800
  • Weir Farm Arts Center, Wilton, $500
  • Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, Ridgefield, $852
  • Westport Country Playhouse, Westport, $7,219

Note: This release was corrected to fix minor identification errors.
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov

Sen. Cohen Secures $5M in Funding for Shore Line East

Posted on by Devin James
For Immediate Release
Contact: Garnet McLaughlin – Garnet.McLaughlin@cga.ct.gov – 860-304-2319

Sen. Cohen Secures $5M in Funding for Shore Line East
The Senate is expected to vote to allocate $360 million in soon-to-expire American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. Of that, State Senator Christine Cohen secured $5 million to increase Shore Line East service.

“As many of you know, I have been a vocal and persistent advocate for increasing Shore Line East funding for several years now,” said Sen. Cohen. “The limited ARPA dollars were largely allocated to higher education, nonprofit and social services, early childhood education, mental health – programming with tremendous need. I am pleased that I was able to negotiate $5 million for Shore Line East, and this small but significant win establishes a strong footing for me and my shoreline colleagues to come back next session and continue fighting for more dollars for this essential service. While I am disappointed that this won’t result in 100% restoration, I am committed to continuing to fight for the dollars necessary to bring fast, efficient connectivity to the region. I am pleased that we are able to accomplish these critical investments while abiding by our fiscal guardrails, remaining under the spending cap and maintaining our state’s financial stability.”

Fully funding Shore Line East is expected to carry a $35 million price tag. This $5 million secured by Sen. Cohen is intended to add back a peak service train both in the morning and the evening. Public comment will be sought to determine the best time for each train.

Additionally, in HB 5330, Sen. Cohen required that the Department of Transportation come back to the Transportation Committee with at least five alternatives for restoring service to the line and the cost of each possibility. This bill has passed the House, and now awaits a vote in the Senate.

Sen. Cohen also secured $150,000 for a vehicle purchase for the Regional Traffic Fatality Response. The vehicle will be used by the South Central Connecticut Traffic Unit which is comprised of six police departments including East Haven, North Haven, Branford, North Branford, Madison and Guilford. These towns provide mutual aid to the region in the event of a fatal or serious injury motor vehicle collision. The vehicle is a specialized unit designed to allow law enforcement to investigate these incidents that occur in one of the compact jurisdictions.

Other critical investments include:

  • $80 million for UConn and UConn Health
  • $80 million for Connecticut State Colleges & Universities
  • $30 million for early childhood support
    • $1.2 million for Smart Start
    • $18.8 for Care4Kids
    • $10 million for children’s behavioral health
  • $17.2 million to expand Mobile Crisis Intervention Services

###
Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES EXTRA FUNDING FOR NAUGATUCK, BEACON FALLS & HAMDEN

Posted on by Devin James

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 7, 2024

SEN. CABRERA WELCOMES EXTRA FUNDING FOR NAUGATUCK, BEACON FALLS & HAMDEN

State Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) announced today that the state will provide three Naugatuck groups with $500,000, a Beacon Falls group with $100,000, and a Hamden group with $75,000 after Democrats negotiated, wrote, and voted to use one-time, unexpended American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for Connecticut that President Biden and Congressional Democrats approved back in 2021.

House Bill 5523, “AN ACT CONCERNING ALLOCATIONS OF FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO GENERAL GOVERNMENT, HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION AND THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2025,” passed the House and Senate on mostly partisan lines and now heads to Governor Lamont for his signature into law.

“I’m pleased to be able to bring some mid-year funds to some very deserving local groups who do so much good for our community. This is a one-shot infusion of capital that I’m sure will be put to good use,” Sen. Cabrera said.

Under the terms of the bill approved by Democrats today:

· The Peter J. Foley Little League of Naugatuck, founded 75 years ago, will receive $200,000 in ARPA funds

· The Union City Little League of Naugatuck, which offers instructional leagues for girls and boys to learn softball and baseball beginning with T-Ball leagues and progressing through major divisions, will receive $200,000 in ARPA funds

· The United Way of Naugatuck will receive $100,000 in ARPA funds

· The United Way of Beacon Falls will receive $100,000 in ARPA funds

· Fixing Fathers One Day at a Time, the Hamden-based organization helping fathers strengthen their bond with their children and their families while educating fathers on the importance of their role as fathers, will receive $75,000 in ARPA funds.

###

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

Posted on by Devin James

Senator Hochadel Leads Passage of Legislation Enhancing Elder Care

Senator Jan Hochadel, D-Meriden, led passage Tuesday of a bill intended to increase access to home-based services for seniors by establishing better training for home care workers and creating a presumptive Medicaid eligibility program for services provided at home.

The proposal, House Bill 5001, passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and will now head to the governor for a signature. The bill was a top priority of House Speaker Matt Ritter and originated in the legislature’s Aging Committee.

Senator Hochadel, the committee’s Senate chair, said the legislation would make several changes to state law designed to make aging in place easier for senior citizens.

“As more and more of our seniors choose to age in their homes, we must adopt policies that preserve their safety and dignity,” said Senator Jan Hochadel. “This bill takes steps to ensure our elders can spend their later years at home, surrounded by their families and loved ones.”

By presuming that home-based services will be covered by Medicaid, the bill is designed to spare seniors the choice between residing in a nursing home or forgoing care while awaiting a Medicaid approval process that can take up to 90 days.

The proposal creates a new database of home-based workers, allowing consumers to identify and match qualified home aides based on characteristics like language, certifications or special skills, as well as previous experience. This also helps the providers and their agencies by giving them access to recruitment, retention, and training programs.

The bill connects residents with a consumer dashboard, which uses a five-star rating system to compare nursing home facilities on metrics like their quality of care, their staff and health inspection results.

Other provisions of the legislation include new training requirements and photo ID badges for Personal Care Attendants and other home health care workers, and an expansion of fingerprinting locations for employment background checks.

The bill expands the duties of local senior center staff members to better assist elderly residents with accessing housing opportunities.

Costs related to the first year of the bill’s presumptive Medicaid eligibility program are estimated at around $500,000 and would be covered by remaining federal funds under the American Rescue Plan Act.

However, the policy is not expected to result in additional costs to the state because nearly all of the impacted services are covered by Medicaid and will be reimbursed under the program. If the Department of Social Services concludes after two years the eligibility presumption has not been cost-effective, the bill includes a provision allowing the agency’s commissioner to discontinue the policy.

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $35,493 IN LOCAL ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS

Posted on by Devin James
May 7, 2024

SENATOR MARX WELCOMES $35,493 IN LOCAL ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND GRANTS

Today, State Senator Martha Marx (D-New London) welcomed $35,493 in local funding support through the Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund grant program. The 12 grants across five towns represent support for local programs across the 20th Senate District and will support education and performances alike.

“This grant funding will play a small yet vital role in supporting local arts education and performances,” said Sen. Marx. “It’s a proud moment for our region to provide this support to our community.”

The 12 grants include:

  • Connecticut Storytelling Center, New London, $885
  • Eastern Connecticut Ballet, East Lyme, $500
  • Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, New London, $2,482
  • Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, Waterford, $7,219
  • Flock Theatre, New London, $1,624
  • Foundation for Diversity in the Arts, Salem, $888
  • Garde Arts Center, New London, $3,831
  • Hygienic Art, New London, $553
  • Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, $2,692
  • Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, $2,519
  • Musical Masterworks, Inc., Old Lyme, $11,006
  • Writer’s Block Ink, New London, $1,294
Contact: Joe O’Leary | 508-479-4969 | Joe.OLeary@cga.ct.gov