Dear Neighbor,
I want to share with you some updates and information I hope you find useful that is affecting our district and state. I hope you have a great rest of the week!
Families Can Apply For Child Tax Credit Starting June 1
The $250-per-child Connecticut Child Tax Credit, approved as part of the 2022-23 budget, will open applications for families beginning June 1. This tax credit, developed and approved in the budget developed by Senate Democrats, provides a $250 credit per child, with a maximum of three credits valued at $750 available for families with three or more children. Any Connecticut resident who claimed at least one dependent child under the age of 18 on their 2021 federal income tax may be eligible. To receive the maximum credit of $250 per child, a single parent or married parents filing separately must earn less than $100,000; a head of household must earn less than $169,000; and married parents filing jointly must make $200,000 or less. Those with higher income rates may be eligible for reduced credits. The application period will run from June 1 to July 31 with funds distributed to families beginning in late August. To apply, applicants should visit this link and click “2022 CT Child Tax Rebate.”
Baby Formula Shortage – Resources To Help
As many parents may already know, there is a shortage of baby formula in the United States right now, which is an alarming development given the importance of baby formula for child development. The shortage has risen in recent months as the result of a significant recall of formula sold by Abbott Nutrition after reports of bacterial infections tied to batches of formula. Three popular brands of formula, comprising a significant amount of formula produced in the United States, were recalled as the company has worked to ensure quality control in the affected production plants. While Abbott reports the plant could be up and running within two weeks, formula may not reach store shelves for another six to eight weeks – extremely troubling as some states are seeing increased shortages and limited supply of the product, with up to 40% of baby formula out of stock nationwide.
Parents in need are encouraged to reach out to their pediatricians, and doctors recommend against parents making their own formula due to risks of contamination and lack of key nutrients. There is a temporary formula substitution document prepared by WIC to aid parents in finding alternative formula solutions while the shortage is ongoing. WIC’s state agency can be contacted at 1-800-741-2142. Parents of young children looking to help each other have created Find My Formula CT, a Facebook group where parents can aid others in finding specific brands and types of formula on store shelves in different parts of the state. Shopping at smaller stores, as larger ones will see more frequent demand and shoppers, is recommended; families in need should also contact community pharmacies, local food banks or milk banks for more resources in aid. However, the most prominent advice is to not panic – despite the challenges of this moment for already-stressed new parents, there are resources available to help.
How To Get More Free COVID-19 Tests
Every household in the U.S. is now eligible to order a third set of free, at-home COVID-19 tests. People who sign up to receive more tests will get two packages of four rapid tests in the mail. The packages will ship for free and will come with tracking numbers. If you want to sign up to get more free tests, you can do so at covid.gov/tests. People can also order the tests over the phone by calling 1-800-232-0233.
National Gun Violence Awareness Day Is June 3
The first Friday in June is National Gun Violence Awareness Day, a day where the public is asked to wear orange in the name of ending gun violence. Orange is the color that Hadiya Pendleton’s friends wore in 2013 – a week after Pendleton performed at President Obama’s second inaugural parade in 2013, she was shot and killed in Chicago at the age of 15. Orange is the color hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others – a color that demands ceasefire and prevents violence.
On the weekend of June 3, there will be local Wear Orange events against gun violence across the country, with local events likely in your neighborhood. Additionally, Everytown is partnering with community organizations and Moms Demand Action groups to fund and provide support to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design projects, seeking to reduce violence in communities most impacted. This year, projects will aim to improve environments where gun violence takes place, focusing on the cleaning of parks and vacant lots, painting murals and planting trees, among many other approaches.
For more details, visit www.wearorange.org.
Local Food Banks Seeking Donations
Many food banks in the area are seeing high demand and as such are seeking donations from the public. Food banks will be seeking shelf-stable or nonperishable foods for donation, with optimal options including peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, pasta and rice. Items requiring refrigeration are usually not recommended; many food banks already work directly with farmers, retailers, restaurants and other companies to supply these options. Popular items to donate include tuna and salmon, applesauce, crackers, granola bars and powdered milk. Items like Pop-Tarts and easy breakfast options are especially popular with food banks as they give children in need filling and dense breakfasts to start their day. Additionally, donating to organizations like the Connecticut Food Bank will also be directly beneficial, as they work and partner directly with food banks and groups to ensure fresh produce and dairy can be made available to folks needing aid.
More Than 100 Full-Time, Dozens Of Seasonal Positions Open In State Government
Are you looking for a new career start, a new opportunity in your field or summertime/seasonal employment? If so, please review the more than 100 full-time jobs and dozens of seasonal/summer jobs available through the state’s online job portal. Simply by clicking here, you can review the numerous roles open for new applicants and begin the application process. Available positions range from administrative to educational, correctional and transportation roles. Seasonal and summer roles are largely available for positions at the state’s parks, beaches and outdoor recreation sites.
First Annual Trade/Construction Career Fair At Manchester High School
Anyone interested in joining the trades or learning more about the industry is invited to attend the first annual Trade/Construction Career Fair at Manchester High School on Tuesday, May 31 from 4 to 7 p.m. Industry experts will be on hand to discuss numerous employment and apprenticeship opportunities available as a result of a local school construction project. The event will feature trades including, but not limited to, boilermakers, carpenters, cement finishers, electricians, insulators, ironworkers, masons, painters, plumbers and sheet metal workers. Visitors are asked to come prepared with resumes. Face masks are optional. For more information, call 860-899-3448.
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East Hartford Main Street Closed For Structure Replacement
Beginning this week, East Hartford will begin a Main Street closure structure replacement project that will continue through August. Work will be done during daytime hours. During construction, traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction, with lanes shifting to one side, then the other as work advances. The project, which continues through August, will involve the replacement and improvement of the closure across Route 5, between the Dunkin’ Donuts and River Bend Funeral Home. The main intent of the work is to upgrade and maintain the integrity of local flood control systems; during high water events, that part of Main Street is regularly closed. The work will include a new concrete pad; during high water events, the Department of Public Works will access mounting points through hatches in that pad. Should a high water event occur, the structure can be closed once work completes.
East Hartford Memorial Day Events May 30
East Hartford will hold its Memorial Day events on May 30 at 10 a.m. The Memorial Day events will include a parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial and celebration of East Hartford. The parade will proceed from 9 Riverside Drive to the Fallen Star Memorial located at Goodwin University, concluding with a military aircraft flyover. After the parade, a program at the Fallen Star Memorial will feature Mayor Mike Walsh, Goodwin University President Mark Scheinberg, Congressman John Larson and Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, among others. Upon conclusion of the program, there will be a celebration of East Hartford beginning at 12:30 p.m., including food trucks, a traveling World War 2 museum, engine and artifact displays and more. Route 2 at Exit 5 on- and off-ramps will be blocked from 8 a.m. to noon.
South Windsor Seeking Items For Food Bank
The South Windsor Food Bank is in need of donations from the public, with key items to donate including snacks and juice for kids, cereals, oatmeals, rice, jars of spaghetti sauce, ramen noodles, canned fruit, canned protein like fish and chicken, jelly and canned pastas like ravioli and spaghettios. It is also seeking toilet paper and paper towels, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dish liquid and laundry detergent, as these non-food items are not covered by SNAP. Donated items can be brought to the South Windsor Community Center at 150 Nevers Road from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by emailing swseniors@southwindsor-ct.gov.
Public Works Week In South Windsor
This week is Public Works Week in South Windsor, recognizing, promoting and educating the public about public works’ vital role in society. South Windsor Public Works is collecting canned goods this week and hosting a fundraiser to aid the local food bank – for more information, click here.
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