Capitol Update: October 28, 2020 From Rep. Rosa Rebimbas

Farmers to Families, Halloween Health Guidance, Mental Health Resources for Kids, Assistance for Small Businesses and Workers, Travel Update, and Election Info

I would like to wish our police, firefighters, EMS professionals, and many others a happy National First Responders Day!

Your role in our community has taken on new meaning this year as we continue to combat COVID-19. We owe a debt of gratitude to each and every one of you, and we want you to know that your tireless work and personal sacrifice never goes unnoticed.

You are the real heroes and you have given us all hope during these uncertain times.

Farmers to Families Food Box Program - FRIDAY

This Friday, October 30, I will be joining area legislators for a Farmers to Family Food Box distribution event to benefit those in need in the greater Naugatuck Valley. The event will take place at Nolan Field, 461 Wakelee Avenue, Ansonia, between 12:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., or until supplies run out.

At least 1,500 food boxes will be distributed containing 12 pounds of produce, five pounds of meat, and five pounds of dairy, plus a gallon of milk.

We will continue to hold these events as long as there is a demand from area residents. Sadly, the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to keep many out of work and has put a tremendous strain on family finances, but this is the time to come together to help our neighbors, and I am beyond grateful to our volunteers who have helped make these events possible.

Special thanks to House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, State Representative Nicole Klarides-Ditria, State Senator George Logan, Ansonia Mayor Dave Cassetti, and Seymour First Selectwoman Annmarie Drugonis as well as TEAM Inc. of Derby (a local non-profit run by CEO/President David Morgan), the Friendly Hands Food Bank of Torrington Director Karen Thomas, and Ralph DelBuono of Roma’s Restaurant in Oakville.

Please share this information with anyone who may be in need.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I would like to remind everyone that we are still observing Breast Cancer Awareness Month.. Sadly, most, if not all of us, have been affected by this terrible disease in one way or another. In honor of the survivors, those currently battling breast cancer, and those who have lost their fight, please take some time to educate yourself about this disease and how you can help defeat it.

Updated Guidelines for Halloween

Halloween is this Saturday and it is always a fun celebration for our youngest residents and their parents. Unfortunately, the ongoing public health threat has required us to reassess our traditional fall activities. As such, trick-or-treating has been deemed a high-risk activity by public health officials, but they have provided recommendations for safer, alternative ideas to celebrate this holiday.

House Republicans have created a useful Halloween resource page where you can find guidance from the state Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some of the highlights are:

From the CDC:

Do not use a costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.
Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask as it makes it harder to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

The CDC also recommends participating in lower risk activities. Click here for a list of low, moderate, and high risk Halloween activities.
From the DPH:

The DPH has also provided ideas for alternative activities. If you plan to participate in trick-or-treating, guidance includes:

One-way trick-or-treating where goodie bags or a large bowl of candy are placed outside of your home for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance.
If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.
For people who choose to hand out candy: Before you answer the door, make sure your face covering is in place over your nose and mouth, and wash or sanitize your hands before answering the door.
Remain six feet from the Trick-or-Treater.
Place the candy inside the child’s bag for them instead of having them take it from the bowl themselves.
Homes providing candy may set up hand sanitizer stations outside or parents/guardians can pack a travel bottle of their own.
Parents/guardians should limit the number of homes their children visit.
It is not recommended to trick-or-treat with people outside of your household.
Remain six feet away from people outside your household at all times.
All trick-or-treating participants should wear a mask or face covering while outside at all times.
Read more from DPH: Click Here

Updated Travel Advisory

As of October 27, 2020, California, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania have been added to the tri-state travel advisory created by Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. While Rhode Island and New Jersey meet metrics to be included on the list, they are now exempt from the list following the governor's latest executive order (EO No. 9I), which makes an exception for the neighboring states of New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

Here are the states that are NOT on the list:

Connecticut
Hawaii
Maine
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
U.S. Virgin Islands
Vermont
Washington, D.C.
Washington
For more information about the tri-state advisory, including a full list of states on the list, please click here. The map below also displays the states that are on the list (in red), as well as those that are not (in green).

Mental Health Resources for Children

To help children cope with the mental and emotional challenges they may be facing during these uncertain times, Connecticut Children's Hospital has created a Behavioral Health Kit, which includes the following resources:

Discussing youth suicide
What your child needs to get through tough times
Signs of depression/anxiety, and what to do
Strategies to help children manage stress
Calming exercises for kids
Anger, sorrow, stress, and grief in teens
Free, confidential support for families experiencing domestic violence
Managing family stress during COVID-19
How to support children on the autism spectrum
How to address children struggling with germaphobia during the pandemic
How to assemble coping toolboxes for children dealing with anxiety
Pediatric behavioral health contact information

Small Business Assistance

Governor Lamont and the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) have announced a new program, CT CARES, which is available to small businesses and nonprofits affected by COVID-19. Organizations with fewer than twenty employees or those with a 2019 payroll less than $1.5 million will be eligible to receive a one-time $5,000 grant.

$50 million from the state's Coronavirus Relief Fund will be used for the program, which will be administered by DECD. The grant may be used for payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, purchase of machinery or equipment, or costs associated with compliance of the state's reopen Connecticut plan.

Applications will be accepted beginning in November and funds are expected to be distributed by the end of December.

For more information, read the governor's press release or visit DECD's web portal.

Assistance for Workers

Governor Lamont is allocating $15 million from the state's Coronavirus Relief Fund to help displaced workers gain access to job training programs within in-demand fields. These fields include healthcare, IT, manufacturing, transportation and logistics, financial services, construction, and more. Below are the recipient organizations of these funds:

Workforce Alliance
Capital Workforce Partners
The Eastern Workforce Investment Board
The Workplace
The Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board
The Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT)
Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Click here to read more.

Voting Information
As we approach Election Day, November 3, here is some information that will help you prepare to vote, including deadlines, registration, ballots, and polling center locations.

• If you are not registered to vote, you may do so on Election Day. This cannot be done at a polling place, but rather at a separate location (one per town) beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 3. A list of registration locations may be found here.
• Sample ballots for each town, including Naugatuck, may be found here. This will help you familiarize yourself with the ballot format prior to voting.
• Once you are registered, and if you plan to vote in person, click here to find your polling center location. Polling centers are open between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
• Those voting by absentee ballot may click here to check on the status of your ballot.

When in public, please remember to wear your mask to the polls and to social distance.

Email: Rosa.Rebimbas@housegop.ct.gov
Warm regards,
Rosa