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Dear Neighbor,
Temperatures this week are expected to climb into the 90s this week. For immediate relief from the heat, dial 2-1-1 or click here to find a cooling center near you.
While extreme heat can put us all at risk for certain illnesses, especially heat exhaustion and heat stroke, some vulnerable populations are at greater risk than others:
- Infants and young children are sensitive to the effects of high temperatures and rely on others to regulate their environments and provide adequate liquids.
- People 65 years of age or older may not compensate for heat stress efficiently and are less likely to sense and respond to change in temperature.
- People who are overweight may be prone to heat sickness because of their tendency to retain more body heat.
- People who overexert during work or exercise may become dehydrated and susceptible to heat sickness.
- People with pre-existing medical conditions, especially those with heart disease or high blood pressure, or who take certain medications, including medications for depression, insomnia, or poor circulation, may be affected by extreme heat.
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In these extreme temperatures, it’s important to stay cool and stay safe. Here are some tips to help manage the extreme heat.
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings as much as possible. If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to the morning and evening. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body has a chance to cool off. (Call 2-1-1 for a list of cooling centers).
- Avoid direct sunlight.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Take cool showers or baths.
- Check on those most at-risk several times a day.
- Pets that cannot be brought indoors should be provided ready access to water and shade to keep them cool.
- Drink at least two to four cups of water every hour while working or exercising outside.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing high amounts of sugar.
- Remind others to drink enough water.
Please make sure you are staying cool, hydrated and safe during these extra hot summer days. Check in on loved-ones and neighbors who you think may need a little extra help. And as always, if you or someone you know needs any extra assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
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In case you missed it, West Hartford Public Schools are requiring masks for the 2021-22 academic year. Masks will be worn in classrooms and on buses. Read the West Hartford's Fall 2021 Reopening plan here. Additionally, last week West Hartford municipal leaders are asking individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when they are indoors with people outside of their household. This request is not a mandate.
The request took effect a day ahead of when Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 13A last week. The Order gives municipal leaders the option to require masks in indoor public places within their municipality for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, moving beyond the statewide masking policy. The current statewide policy is as follows:
- Unvaccinated people must wear masks while in indoor public places
- Everyone must wear masks regardless of vaccination status while inside certain settings, such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare
- Masks are not required outdoors
- Individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, must wear masks indoors if required in the commissioner's order for special settings or by a municipality
- Businesses, private property owners, and state and local government offices may require masks to be worn by everyone inside of their own facilities
The Executive Order also requires unvaccinated nursing home staff to receive weekly COVID-19 testing. The Order changes the effective date of legislation the General Assembly adopted this summer, making it take effect immediately to enable the state Department of Public Health to require testing of nursing home staff and residents for an infectious disease during an outbreak at a frequency the department determines.
Read the announcement here.
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Earlier this summer, the Governor signed legislation to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use and establish the state’s commercial cannabis industry. That bill also creates a Social Equity Council, which will help develop the state’s commercial industry to ensure it is equitable and works to heal the communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the failed war on drugs.
The Council had its first meeting last week. Its first order of business included certifying communities it considered disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. The Council designated a part of the 20th District as a disproportionately affected area. Under the bill, applicants from these communities will receive half of the available cannabis business licenses. It will also begin working to develop a system to distribute financial assistance and offer training programs for business license applicants to access start-up capital and establish their business.
Read more here.
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This week, more than $16 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) funds was made available to 170 school districts across Connecticut. This relief money will allow schools throughout our state to provide special education services to more than 80,000 students during the upcoming school year.
The ESSER II funding is critical to supporting equitable learning opportunities for students with varying educational needs. The more than $16 million in funds was set aside by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to supplement local special education COVID-19 recovery efforts through several initiatives piloted last school year by some of the recipient districts.
Where the money will go:
Addressing Delayed, Interrupted, Suspended or Inaccessible Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Supports and Services: Up to $13 million in funds will assist districts with addressing delayed, interrupted, suspended, or inaccessible IEP supports and services for students with IEPs in each school district.
Special Education Evaluations: Up to $1 million in funds will increase the capacity of state’s six Regional Educational Service Centers (RESC) to assist school districts in conducting special education evaluations, which will benefit approximately 240 students, as well as planning and placement teams.
Supplementary Tutoring and Reading Instruction: Up to $2 million in funds will assist 170 districts with supporting supplementary tutoring and reading instruction to address the needs of 3,092 students with an IEP and a primary disability category of SLD/dyslexia in alignment with the reading goals in the student’s current IEP.
Individualized In-Home Support for High Needs Students: Up to $272,000 in funds will provide for 8,000 hours of individualized in-home support through partnership with the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services to provide 1:1 in-home assistance and support for up to 200 students.
More than 50,000 students in Connecticut have already been impacted by these grants, with an emphasis and commitment on children and communities most impacted by the pandemic. I will remain committed to fighting for accessible enrichment programs and funding for all students throughout our state.
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On Friday, the Biden Administration extended the student loan payment pause through January 31, 2022. This will be the final extension. The move will allow borrowers to plan for when payments resume definitively and reduce risk of delinquency and defaults after the resumption. Read the U.S. Department of Education's announcement here.
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There's still funding available for eligible Connecticut residents to receive a free community college education! The July 15 deadline for Pledge to Advance CT (PACT) funding has been extended. Students can apply today for priority consideration for PACT funding which covers the gap between federal and state grants they receive, community college tuition and mandatory fees. Program entry is determined on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for more information including how to start the application and eligibility requirements.
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The Connecticut General Assembly Legislative Internship program will open its application on September 1, 2021! This is a great opportunity for college students to immerse themselves in public service and learn the ins and outs of the legislative process. There are two internships available - legislative and marketing & communications.
Legislative interns will learn essential skills like bill tracking and analysis, constituent casework, drafting news releases, speeches, and testimony, policy research and so much more.
Marketing and communications interns will support the CGA Legislative Internship Program in promoting its visibility and building an alumni network. Interns will help maintain the program's online presence including web site and social media, develop print and online communications vehicles and more.
For more information about this great opportunity and to learn more about the eligibility and application requirements, please click the button below.
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As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!
Sincerely,
Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers
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