Thursday, March 26, 2020

Health District reports COVID-19 death of elderly Shelton man


BHcare offers update on COVID-19 policy changes

An Update from us on COVID-19
To our committed supporters and community:

I want to sincerely thank you for your continued support, and give you a quick update about how we're continuing in our mission during this uncertain time.

As a healthcare organization, we are deemed essential and we’re working hard to continue providing quality care for our clients and a safe work environment for our staff.

Our residential programs and UCDVS shelters remain fully operational, however we have implemented changes to ensure the safety of residents and staff. 
For the rest of the organization, we transitioned to telehealth-only appointments on Monday, March 23. Our staff worked around the clock to transform our face-to-face organization into a virtual safety net for all of our clients at BHcare, PCRC and The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services. 
I honestly have never been more proud.

Thanks to their dedication, and with your support, we will remain a constant for our clients in an environment that's constantly changing.

We will continue to update you as we work through this challenging time together.

On behalf of the entire BHcare family, please accept our heartfelt wishes for your health and safety.

With gratitude,

Roberta J. Cook
President/CEO

Sharing Ansonia Public Schools' post on food assistance information

Emergency food assistance information 
Meals and Food Pantries:


Abundant Life Church: Prepared take-out dinners
Wednesdays and Fridays
4:30-6:00 pm 195 North Main St., Ansonia


Salvation Army Greater Valley Call for details 203-736-0707 x103 or 104 26 Lester St., Ansonia


Christ Episcopal Church Call for details 203-734-2715 56 S. Cliff St., Ansonia


Masters Table Call for details 203-732-7792


Ansonia Public Schools Breakfast & Lunches delivered by bus: Check ansonia.org for route
stops—Monday-Friday
Meals are for children 18 and under


Klarides-Ditria: Virtual town hall for small businesses slated at 5 p.m. today

Dear Neighbors,

As our nation, state, and local communities continue to cope with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, my fellow House Republicans and I are doing our best to get you timely and accurate information in a time of information overload and rumors making their way around social media. I have included several informational links below for your convenience.


Virtual Town Hall Meeting For Small Businesses Impacted by the Coronavirus

Later today, Thursday March 26, 2020, Governor Ned Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro will lead a virtual town hall meeting on federal and state efforts to assist employers and employees impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic at 5:00 PM.

They will be joined by Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby and Department of Economic and Community Development Deputy Commissioner Glendowlyn Thames. The discussion will be moderated by Founder and CEO of the Women's Business Development Council Fran Pastore.

Participants Can Join the Zoom Video Town Hall Meeting at:


Or by Telephone at:
(646) 558-8656

Webinar ID: 364 340 964


Daily update from the governor's office

Each afternoon, Governor Lamont and his staff update the public on the ongoing crisis and actions the state is taking at a press conference. These updates are posted on the state's Coronavirus web page which you can view here. There is also a useful Frequently Asked Questions document that you can view here.


Information for business owners and workers

Governor's Guidance on "Non Essential" Businesses

In case you missed it, last week the governor issued an executive order closing all "non-essential" businesses. Click here to read guidance on the governor's order. If you'd like to request an exemption for your business, click here.

Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program

To provide emergency cash flow relief to small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by the coronavirus, Connecticut is now offering qualifying organizations with 100 or fewer employees access to no-interest loans. Under the Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan program, a qualifying business or nonprofit organization can apply for a loan of up to $75,000 or three months of operating expenses (whichever is lesser). This $25 million short-term emergency loan program will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) and expedited with the administrative and underwriting support of Connecticut Innovations. To read more about the program you can click here. To apply for a business bridge loan, click here.

DECD's Business Emergency Response Unit

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development has created a COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit dedicated to assisting businesses navigate resources and develop new resources. A dedicated phone line is available at 860-500-2333 to provide assistance to Connecticut's small businesses for this purpose.

Unemployment assistance

Workers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work to qualify for unemployment assistance. And employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. Click here for information.

Paid leave, federal action in this crisis

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act was quickly moved through Congress and signed into law. The Act takes effect April 2nd. You can read the full bill here, and a summary here. Check out the links below for information about benefits and what's required of workers and employees.






Public Schools and Public University Update

School closure order extended by the governor

Governor Lamont on Monday said he would order Connecticut public schools to remain closed until April 20th rather than his original March 31st target.

Room and board refunds at Connecticut State Colleges and Universities

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system made a few announcements Wednesday, including news that the universities will credit student accounts for unused room and board by next week. Thereafter, any credit balance will be refunded to students. CSCU stated that its institutions will not refund tuition and fees because they are converting to an online instruction model for the remainder of the term in order to complete the coursework students have begun this semester. You can read the CSCU press release here.


Red Cross Announces a Severe Blood Shortage

One of the most important things you can do to ensure that we do not have another healthcare crisis on top of COVID-19 is to give blood. There is currently a severe blood shortage. This blood shortage could impact patients who depend on lifesaving blood to survive.

In partnership with the American Red Cross the Connecticut State Police is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Connecticut Policy Academy. You must make an appointment to donate blood at this drive.

Added precautions have been implemented to ensure that blood drives and donation centers are safe for donors and their staff.

To find a blood drive in your area and make an appointment to donate, please go to this link and put in your zip code.


Access CT Health Special Enrollment Ends Thursday, April 2, 2020.

Uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT during the NEW Special Enrollment Period from Thursday, March 19 – Thursday, April 2, 2020.

The effective date of coverage for all enrollments during the NEW Special Enrollment Period will be April 1, 2020.

The only way to sign up for this NEW Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428.

Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of coverage due to job change or unemployment) or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can ALWAYS enroll online, in-person or over the phone and all help is free. To learn more, click here.

If you have any questions or concerns on this or any other issue, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700.  I will be providing more frequent updates on my Facebook page, which you can find by clicking here.


Sincerely,

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Naugatuck Valley Health District shares COVID-19 case summary


*Note: This data is as of 3 p.m. Wednesday.


Seymour residents asked to ring a bell, bang a drum, blow car horn


Ansonia residents take part in community bell ring at 8 p.m. daily


Valley United Way postpones Annual Meeting

"To do our part in keeping our community healthy, the Board of Directors and our Interim President/COO, have decided to postpone our April 30th Annual Meeting and close our office due to the COVID19 virus. We will announce a new date for the meeting once it has been determined.
"We will continue to share what is happening at the Valley United Way through social media and e-news. We welcome your subscription to any of these channels to receive ongoing information regarding our Strategic Planning Process. As in all things, we will work as a community to Live United and know that our community will emerge stronger from this challenge that we face together!"



Shared from the Valley United Way Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' (on Thursday) features original Derby Bank


Turnback Tuesday remembers the original Derby Bank. 
The first Derby Bank came into existence in 1809 and was located in a red brick building at 31 Bank St., Derby. The bank was successful until the War of 1812 which brought disaster to the enterprise. 
The bank finally collapsed in 1825. The building still stands today.


Thanks go to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history each week!

State troopers to host blood drive April 1 at CT Police Academy in Meriden


There is a severe blood shortage happening.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure that we do not have another health care crisis on top of COVID-19 is to give blood. 
There is currently a severe blood shortage. This blood shortage could impact patients who depend on lifesaving blood to survive.
In partnership with the American Red Cross the Connecticut State Police is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, April 1, 2020 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Connecticut Police Academy, 285 Preston Ave., Meriden.
Added precautions have been implemented to ensure that blood drives and donation centers are safe for donors and their staff.
You must make an appointment to donate blood at this drive.
Visit www.redcrossblood.org/give to make your appointment.
Info from the Connecticut United Way.

*Post shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel. Stay safe everyone!