$11 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Connecticut has been allocated an additional $11 million from the U.S. Department of the Treasury to support UniteCT, the state’s premier program providing rent and utility assistance for households financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds supplement more than $400 million previously allocated for the program, primarily from the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and American Rescue Plan Act. “Thanks to UniteCT and the emergency funding we received from the federal government, thousands of renters financially impacted by the pandemic have been able to remain in their homes and landlords have continued receiving payments on their behalf,” Governor Lamont said. “I applaud Connecticut’s Congressional delegation and the Biden-Harris administration for their ongoing commitment to provide the resources required to keep…
$70 MILLION IN APPRECIATION BONUS PAYMENTS FOR CONNECTICUT CHILD CARE WORKERS
Full-Time Workers Will Receive $1,000 and Part-Time Workers Will Receive $400 in One-Time Payments (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is releasing $70 million in state funding that will be used to provide bonus payments to the staff of child care providers in Connecticut who provide safe and nurturing care to the state’s youngest infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Individual bonuses will amount to $1,000 for full-time workers and $400 for part-time workers. The governor explained that this initiative, known as Wage Supports for Early Childhood Educators, was created to show gratitude for the service of child care workers, particularly during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was included as part of the state budget…
GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT ENROLLMENT IN NEWLY LAUNCHED CAREERCONNECT JOB TRAINING INITIATIVE More Than 1,108 Connecticut Residents Have Signed Up So Far (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that more than 1,108 Connecticut residents have enrolled in CareerConneCT since the state’s newest and largest job training initiative, which is administered by the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy, began accepting applications in August. “We are building CareerConneCT to become one of the largest workforce development initiatives ever executed in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ve already received significant commitments from employers that are looking to hire thousands of workers across a broad spectrum of high-quality, good-paying fields. This is an opportunity for those who are unemployed or underemployed to receive no-cost training in…
More Working Families, Single and Older Adults Will Become Eligible for SNAP; Monthly Benefits Will Rise More Than 12% For All Current Enrollees
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont to announced that the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) will implement new eligibility benefit levels in the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beginning October 1, 2022, that will result in an estimated 44,000 additional Connecticut residents in 17,600 households becoming eligible for the food assistance program. Additionally, current enrollees will receive more than a 12% increase in their monthly benefits from the program’s annual cost-of-living adjustment.Connecticut’s SNAP program serves more than 222,600 households, including 138,800 children. Formerly known as food stamps, the federally-funded service combats food insecurity for eligible working families, other qualified adults, older adults, and persons with disabilities.“Expanding the eligibility levels will enable a greater number of individuals and families…
Insurance Department: Students and Young Professionals Invited to Learn About Opportunities in the Insurance Industry
Commissioner Andrew N. Mais announced the Connecticut Insurance Department will host the second annual NextGen Career Academy to showcase the numerous and exciting careers available in the insurance industry. The free, virtual conference on October 17th will provide students with an insightful glimpse into the world of insurance through four informational sessions. Attendees will gain valuable insights and learn firsthand from young professionals and industry leaders on why insurance brings many career opportunities, how to navigate educational paths, where to find some of the most rewarding jobs, and what is on the horizon for the industry. . “Great paying jobs are here in Connecticut. You can do well while you’re doing good,” said Commissioner Andrew N. Mais. “Why not kick-start your professional journey by…
FLAGS TO HALF-STAFF SUNDAY FOR NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL SERVICE
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 9, 2022, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an observance honoring the sacrifices of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The nationwide recognition occurs annually during Fire Prevention Week. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time. Governor Lamont said, “Firefighters are heroes, who dedicate their careers to the protection of our communities and the safety of those who live in them.…
Federal Grant Will Enable the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory to Develop the Connecticut Crime Gun Intelligence Center
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Forensic Science Laboratory, a division within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, has been awarded a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to aid in the development of the Connecticut Crime Gun Intelligence Center. Connecticut is the first state in the nation to receive a federal grant for this purpose. The center will be a unified, statewide, interagency collaboration focused on the immediate collection, management, and analysis of crime gun evidence, such as shell casings, in real time, in an effort to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity, and to prevent future violence. Its primary function will involve the creation of an interface between the…
Center for Digital Government Gives Connecticut an Overall Grade of A- and Third Place Citing Leadership and Collaboration
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Center for Digital Government has given Connecticut national recognition for its ongoing digital government efforts, awarding the state with a grade of A- and ranking it third in the nation for information technology leadership. The recognition was included as part of the organization’s 2022 Digital States Survey. Governor Lamont has made it a priority during his administration to build an all-digital state government that provides Connecticut’s residents and businesses with the tools necessary to digitally connect with services administered by the state. “I am proud of the work by our state employees and agencies as they modernize services for residents,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut is once again being nationally recognized for cross-agency collaborations…
Home Heating Assitance Urged
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont and the governors of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont today sent the following letter to Congressional leaders thanking them for their longstanding support of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and expressing their support for President Joe Biden’s request for an emergency supplemental aid package that will provide additional federal funding for home heating assistance this winter: September 26, 2022 Dear Chairwoman DeLauro, Ranking Member Granger, Chairman Leahy, and Vice Chairman Shelby: As Congress prepares a continuing resolution (CR) for the start of the 2023 fiscal year, we write to thank you for Congress’s commitment to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and to urge you to include emergency supplemental funding of the…