Conroy of Seymour appointed to Medicaid oversight council

HARTFORD - House Majority Leader Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, has appointed state Rep. Theresa Conroy, D-Seymour, to the state Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight as an advocate for persons with substance abuse disabilities.

“Theresa Conroy is a strong advocate for individuals and families that are struggling with the disease of addiction,” Aresimowicz said. 

“She is one of the first state policy-makers to face the state’s opioid epidemic head on and will be a great addition to the council.”

“I want to thank Majority Leader Aresimowicz for this new challenge,” Conroy said. “Making sure all Connecticut residents who are insured through Medicaid Managed Care have access to quality care is an important goal.”

The Council on Medical Assistance Program was established under Connecticut statute (CGS 17b-28) as a collaborative body consisting of legislators, Medicaid consumers, advocates, health care providers, insurers and state agencies to advise DSS on the development of Connecticut's Medicaid Managed Care program and for legislative and public input to monitor the implementation of the program.

Due to the large volume of work the Council addresses, committees have been established – Complex Care, Consumer Access, Quality Improvement, Women's Health, and Care Management. 

The full Council and each committee meet once a month. The Council holds public hearings, issues surveys and holds provider forums to assess the impact of Medicaid Managed Care.

The next meeting of the full Council on Medical Assistance Program is at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 18, in Room 1-E of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

This is a press release from Conroy's office. 

Griffin Hospital in Derby names new co-chairs for Valley Goes Pink

Jodi Dawley, left, and Sue Petrizzo, both of Shelton, will co-chair the 6th annual Valley Goes Pink campaign to benefit the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital in Derby./ Contributed photo
DERBY - Two women from Shelton will lead the Lower Naugatuck Valley’s signature breast cancer campaign this October.

Jodi Dawley, of Real Estate Two, and Sue Petrizzo, community advocate and former Executive of Mott’s North America, are the co-chairs for the Griffin Hospital’s 6th Annual Valley Goes Pink campaign.

The Valley Goes Pink is a grassroots, community-wide effort throughout the Lower Naugatuck Valley to create awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection, support the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, and showcase all partnering organizations.

Breast cancer detection is near and dear to Petrizzo and Dawley, a breast cancer survivor.

“Early detection is key,” Dawley said. “It saved my life and it can save your life too.”

“Breast cancer awareness is at the heart of The Valley Goes Pink,” Petrizzo said. “I get screened every year so that any incidence of breast cancer can be found and treated effectively. If it’s time for you to have regular mammograms, then schedule yours today!”

Dawley and Petrizzo replace former co-chairs, Susan Coyle, of Real Estate Two, and Patricia Tarasovic, of the Valley United Way, who remain active members of the Valley Goes Pink committee.

Coyle and Tarasovic began the Valley Goes Pink initiative six years ago while raising funds to build the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

The Valley Goes Pink has raised more than $260,000.

Throughout October, Valley residents, business and community groups are invited to join the campaign and “Go Pink” by hosting a variety of unique fundraising events and marketing programs. Local businesses can “Pinkify” their office with ribbons and lights, host dress down days, sell pink bracelets and other pink merchandise, host Pink Parties with friends, or organize a bake sale or auction.

For information on how you can “Go Pink,” including a calendar of events, visit griffinhealth.org/thevalleygoespink or contact Petrizzo, 203-400-1068 or petrizzopink@yahoo.com, or Dawley, 203-521-2233 or dawleypink@yahoo.com. You can also follow Valley Goes Pink events on Facebook at facebook.com/thevalleygoespink.


This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Shelton hosting drive-in movie tonight

SHELTON - A free movie, The Box Trolls, will be presented tonight at Veterans Memorial Park, 38 Canal St. East near the Riverwalk.

The event is sponsored by the Shelton Youth Service Bureau.
Movies start about 8:30 p.m.

Bring your own refreshments (no alcohol, please), seating, and bug spray.

All movies are rated PG.



This information is shared from an online community calendar sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the New Haven Independent.

TEAM in Derby seeks VITA volunteers for several sites

TEAM, Inc.,  is seeking volunteers to assist low-income families and individuals in filing their taxes and claiming refunds owed to them, such as federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) that can boost their yearly income by up to 35 percent.  
The VITA program is held at the VITA Clinic located at TEAM, Inc. 30, Elizabeth St., Derby, Derby Neck Library, Plumb Memorial Library, Shelton, and the Milford Senior Center and operates from January to April 15, 2016. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance offers free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to low-income individuals and families.  
No experience is necessary.  

All volunteers will receive training appropriate for their position. Volunteers receive the materials for self-study on basic income tax law for federal and state returns.  In addition, specific training sessions will take place in January 2016.  

To become a VITA volunteer or for more information about the program, call (203) 736-5420 ext. 234 or email dstroman@teaminc.org.

 TEAM Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to connect individuals and families with solutions that lead to well-being, self-sufficiency and full participation in the community.  

It aims to achieve its mission by conducting activities that address the needs of economically disadvantaged individuals and families including resource mobilization, education, advocacy and service delivery.  

TEAM programs serve the communities of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Milford, Orange, Oxford, Shelton, Seymour, and Woodbridge.            

Shelton school superintendent to chair Valley United Way campaign

Freeman Burr

Valley United Way announced today that Shelton Superintendent of Schools Freeman Burr will chair the 2015-2016 Community Campaign which kicks off officially on Sept. 16. 

In making the announcement, Valley United Way Board Chair Janice Sheehy said Burr has been a supporter and advocate for Valley United Way ever since he came to Shelton. 

"The campaign in the Shelton schools is one of the finest in the entire campaign, and we hope that it can serve as a model for others during the upcoming campaign," she said.

United Way President and C.O.O. Jack Walsh said that, "Freeman has been involved with United Way as a member of previous campaign cabinets, as a board member and even as a participant in the Leadership Greater Valley program which we do with the Valley Council and the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are extremely fortunate to have his leadership for this year's campaign."

Burr began his tenure in Shelton in August of 2009. Previously, Burr held a variety of administrative and executive leadership positions in the Hartford Public School System from 1995-2009 including House Principal, Principal, Supervisor of Elementary Principals, Director of Human Resources and Director of Secondary and Intervention Schools. 

A career educator, Freeman is known for his vast experience in urban education, working with diverse student populations and school and organizational reform.

Freeman began his professional career in Hartford teaching Grade 6 for 12 years. He served in his first administrative position with the Capitol Region Education Council, in 1988 working with “at-risk” youth and young adults in pursuit of High School Credit and/or General Equivalency Diplomas. 
While at CREC he was actively involved with the CT Business and Industry Association on Workforce Development working with a number of companies to develop job-related curricula in an effort to upgrade employee skills to meet the demands of the changing workforce in the early 1990s. 

Burr returned to Hartford as a middle school House Principal before becoming principal of the Noah Webster Magnet School from 1998 through 2005.

Currently, he resides in Bloomfield with his wife and has many family members and friends in both the greater Hartford and Bridgeport areas. He has been involved with United Way in a variety of capacities since 1975.

This is a press release from Valley United Way, the leading philanthropic resource for the Valley towns of Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton matching the needs of the community and the interests of donors to improve the quality of life in the community. United Way supports and creates initiatives addressing youth, families and people in crisis. Each year Valley United Way funds programs and organizations that make a measurable difference in the lives of people living and working in the Valley.

Ansonia's own Mark Lanzieri to perform at park

Lanzieri (photo from Facebook)

ANSONIA - Resident Mark Lanzieri will bring his vocal talents at 7 p.m. today to Veterans Memorial Park next to City Hall, 253 Main St.

His performance, which includes plenty of Sinatra hits, is part of the free summer concert series sponsored by the city's Cultural Commission.

Bring your dancing shoes and enjoy the evening! 

See you there!

Staples Foundation donates $3,500 to TEAM in Derby

Pictured from left, Diane Stroman, TEAM Executive Vice President, David Morgan, TEAM President/CEO, Robert Petrosini, Staples Account Manager, and Amy LaChioma, TEAM Family Support Coordinator. / Photo courtesy of Fred Ortoli Photography

DERBY - TEAM, Inc. has been awarded $3,500 by Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., under a program that lets Staples associates direct donations.

“TEAM is extremely grateful to the Staples Foundation for their support of TEAM’s Gaining Access to Independence Now Employment Program,” said David Morgan, TEAM President/CEO. 

“The grant will provide the resources required to offer employment services to low income families in the Lower Naugatuck Valley as they build pathways to success.”

This grant is part of a philanthropic initiative created by Staples Foundation which allows Staples associates around the world to direct funding to non-profit organizations that are focused on education or job skills. 

The program, called 2 Million and Change, encourages local community engagement by awarding larger grants to organizations where associates are highly engaged in volunteering or fundraising – up to $25,000 per organization.

In 2014, Staples awarded more than $2.4 million in grants to 1,056 local organizations in support of education and job skills programs, including tutoring for pediatric cancer patients, job skills development for individuals with disabilities, school supplies, mentoring and more.

“Staples Foundation is committed to encouraging associates around the globe to make a difference in their local communities and through 2 Million and Change we enable them to directly support the programs where they personally see the greatest need,” said Katy Dobbs, director of global community and giving for Staples, Inc.

About TEAM, Inc.

TEAM provides supportive services to over 5,000 low and moderate-income families in the lower Naugatuck Valley region and Milford. 

Located in Derby, TEAM programming assists socially and economically vulnerable families to meet their basic needs and become more self-sufficient. Services reach all sectors of the community (e.g. young parents, preschool children, seniors and the working poor) through affordable child development, elderly nutrition, asset development, housing crisis avoidance, energy assistance and senior supports. 

For more information on TEAM, visit www.teaminc.org.

About Staples Community and Giving 

Staples contributes to educational and job-related community efforts with a primary focus on disadvantaged youth, from literacy and mentoring to career skills development, through in-kind and monetary donations and grants from Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc. 

Through its community and giving efforts, Staples and Staples Foundation have helped more than 7,000 organizations in 26 countries. 

For more information, visit www.staples.com/community.

This is a press release from TEAM, Inc.