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Dear Neighbor,

Don't forget I will be holding Office Hours today from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Faxon Branch Library!
This is a great opportunity to connect with me on the issues that matter most to you and learn more about the work I'm doing at our State Capitol in Hartford. Can't make it? I'll be holding Community Office Hours on the first Wednesday of each month.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov.

I hope to see you there!
COVID-19 UPDATE
Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 for children 5-11 years of age. The vaccine was found to be 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19 in children in this age group. There were no serious side effects detected in a study of 3,100 children 5-11 years old. The dose for children in this age range will be smaller than the dose for those 12 and older. 

To read the FDA's announcement, click here.
The West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District announced vaccination clinics planned throughout the month of November for adults as well as residents 5-11 years old. Residents will be able to receive initial COVID-19 shots, boosters, or a third dose, depending on their age and eligibility. 

Families can schedule an appointment for the UConn Clinic for children ages 5-11 by calling 860-679-5589 after November 4. 

Pre-registration for the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District sites is not required, although it is recommended. Residents can pre-register through their VAMS account. 

Additional COVID-19 vaccine clinic dates will be posted here
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
Last week there was some excellent fiscal news regarding Connecticut’s rainy-day fund. Our state currently has $3.1 billion saved in this fund, making Connecticut a national leader in budget reserves. The Pew Charitable Trusts found that, in 2020, Connecticut’s reserves grew the second-fastest nationally, even in the midst of a global pandemic.

Our rainy-day fund is a critical resource in times of budgetary uncertainty. The profound growth of the rainy-day fund, from only $138 million in 2017 to $3.1 billion in 2021, is the result of smart fiscal policies, such as the strong bipartisan budget and saving reforms passed in 2017.
 
Overall, our abundant rainy-day fund is great news for the future of Connecticut. As we pay down our debts and emerge from the pandemic, we must continue to focus on policies that address the economic suffering faced by many of our neighbors and community members. 
STATE & LOCAL RESOURCES
Good news! If you are looking for good, quality, healthcare the annual Access Health CT Open Enrollment Period began Monday, November 1 and runs through January 15, 2022. Residents can shop, compare, and enroll in health insurance coverage for the 2022 plan year.

To ensure your coverage starts on January 1, 2022, residents must enroll and complete their application by December 15, 2021. You can still enroll between December 16, 2021 and January 15, 2022 and apply for coverage that will start on February 1, 2022.  
 
Starting this year, Connecticut residents who meet specific eligibility requirements may be able to pay $0 for their health insurance coverage through Access Health CT. This is thanks to the state’s new Covered Connecticut Program. If you qualify, the state will pay your portion of your monthly premium directly to your insurance company and will also pay for certain cost-sharing amounts, such as deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and maximum out-of-pocket costs. To learn more about the Covered Connecticut Program, including eligibility requirements click here.
 
There are several ways Connecticut residents can get free help with enrollment, including:
  • In-person: There are in-person enrollment locations and events taking place across Connecticut. Find more information at accesshealthct.com/enrollment-events/.
  • Online: Visit accesshealthct.com. You can learn more about the different plans and find free help online using the "live chat" feature.
  • By phone: Call 1-855-805-4325. Help is available Monday - Friday, 8:00 am- 5:00 pm. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1- 855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
  • Work with a Broker: To find a Certified Broker or Enrollment Specialist, visit accesshealthct.com/get-help/
If you or your family need quality, affordable healthcare please don't miss this opportunity. Learn more at accesshealthct.com.
The West Harford Fire Department, Police Department, West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, Community Emergency Response Team and Office of Emergency Management will sponsor a Public Safety Fair Day on Saturday, November 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elmwood Community Center. The event will help residents learn more about emergency preparedness and the steps they can take to make their homes safer. During this event, you'll also be able to turn in your expired fire extinguisher, receive prescription drug disposal bags, and get a flu shot (make sure to bring your insurance card). 

For more information about this event, please click here.
Are you looking to upgrade your skill set to land an in-demand job in the state's digital economy? Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will be offering Google Career Certificates to the entire community college and state university system. Connecticut is the first state in the nation to offer these courses that equips individuals with skills for in-demand jobs within three to six months with no degree or experience.

This initiative is provided through a partnership between CSCU, the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, Google and Coursera and will help prepare residents for careers in data analytics, IT support, project management, and UX design fields - all of which are projected to grow over the next decade. Upon program completion, graduate can share their resumes with over  150 companies including Infosys, Verizon, Walmart, Wayfair, and Google. 

Through the College of Technology, Google Career Certificate courses will be offered for college credit at Connecticut community colleges starting in spring 2022. Non-credit courses will be offered regionally through community colleges' workforce development offices. 

To learn more about the certificates, visit Google's website here, or CSCU's website here.
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
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