Fundraiser in Milford Saturday to benefit Center for Disability Rights

My husband Ralph and I are longtime members of the Center for Disability Rights and he is past president of the Board of Directors of the organization. 
This fundraiser will be held at Adams Hometown Market, 1391 New Haven Ave., Milford.

Ways shared to promote mental health wellness, fight stigma

Get Prepared: May is Mental Health Awareness Month and every year the goal is to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. This year’s campaign, #4Mind4Body, is encouraging individuals around the country to focus on the healthy aspects of their daily lives in order to promote mental wellness. For the month of May, Mental Health America and NAMI are challenging you to make small positive changes in your life that can benefit your mind and your body. >> For more information Mental health is much more than a diagnosis. While taking care of your mental health can mean seeking professional support and treatment, it also means taking steps to improve your emotional health on your own. 9 Ways You Can Improve Your Mental Health Today** Tell yourself something positive. Write down something you are grateful for. Focus on one thing (in the moment). Exercise. Eat a good meal. *Find a list of 20 Powerful Mood-Boosting Foods! Open up to someone. Do something for someone else. Take a break. Go to bed on time. *Sleep Hygiene is important! You have the power to take positive steps right now to improve your resilience and emotional health. Don’t wait until you're in a crisis to make your mental health a priority. **Full article by Patricia Harteneck, Ph.D., MBA on PsychologyToday.com

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk for caregivers of special needs students

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk to help caregivers of students with special needs advocate for their loved ones' education at 6:30 p.m. May 9.

Kevin Daly, Health Care Information Specialist with PATH Parent to Parent/Family Voices of Connecticut, will lead “The ‘Soft Skills’ of Special Education Advocacy,” a presentation for parents of students with disabilities who want to sharpen their advocacy skills. 

Topics include: best practices for school-home communications; how to get involved in the decision making process; how to prepare for school meetings (including PPT and 504); obtaining a free copy of your child’s school records; where to find help when you need it.

Daly has worked as a special education advocate with hundreds of Connecticut families for more than 20 years.

PATH/FVCT is a statewide grassroots parent organization that has been around for over 30 years. 

PATH/FVCT is dedicated to offering excellence in emotional and informational support to families, promote partnerships with families of diverse backgrounds and collaborate with healthcare providers and community organizations to improve services and policies that serve our children. 

PATH/FVCT has the support of two of the largest networks of families of children with unique abilities and special health care needs.

Free educational forums

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah at 203-732-7399. The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle related materials. 

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness, and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

BHcare's The Umbrella receives $4K from Archbishop's Annual Appeal

EAST HAVEN - BHcare’s The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services has received a check in the amount of $4,085 from the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal through its Vicariate Outreach Program.

The funding will help UCDVS provide free, confidential services to more than 6,000 victims of domestic violence and their children each year. 

Services such as emergency shelter, 24-hour crisis hotlines, walk-in crisis centers, counseling, advocacy and other supports are provided to those fleeing from domestic abuse. 

“The Umbrella Center for Domestic Violence Services is extremely grateful for the gift and enthusiastically received the check on behalf of the nearly 6,200 victims we served last year,” said Esperina Stubblefield, UCDVS Director. “The money will help bridge funding gaps for much needed services and assistance to victims that are not funded by the state or local grants”.

UCDVS is a program of BHcare that provides services for victims and children of domestic violence free of charge. 

Each year, more than 6,000 abused women and their children walk through the door of UCDVS looking for shelter, help, and hope. 

Learn more at bhcare.org.

About the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal

Since 1981, the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal has been able to assist tens of thousands of people – regardless of race, religion, or color – across the Archdiocese of Hartford, with health care, education, housing, emergency expenses, and in numerous other areas. 

It is through the Archbishop’s Annual Appeal Vicariate Outreach Program and the generosity of its donors the appeal is able to assist a wide array of community-based charities throughout Hartford, New Haven, and Litchfield counties. 

This is a press release from BHcare.

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host talk for caregivers of special needs students

DERBY - The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital will host a free talk Dec. 6 to help caregivers of students with special needs advocate for their loved ones' education.

Kevin Daly, Health Care Information Specialist with PATH Parent to Parent/Family Voices of Connecticut, will lead “The ‘Soft Skills’ of Special Education Advocacy,” a presentation for parents of students with disabilities who want to sharpen their advocacy skills. 

Topics include: best practices for school-home communications; how to get involved in the decision making process; how to prepare for school meetings (including PPT and 504); obtaining a free copy of your child’s school records; where to find help when you need it.

Daly has worked as a special education advocate with hundreds of Connecticut families for more than 20 years.

PATH/FVCT is a statewide grassroots parent organization that has been around for over 30 years. PATH/FVCT is dedicated to offering excellence in emotional and informational support to families, promote partnerships with families of diverse backgrounds, and collaborate with health care providers and community organizations to improve services and policies that serve our children. 

PATH/FVCT has the support of two of the largest networks of families of children with unique abilities and special health care needs.

This program is part of a series of free, educational forums hosted by the Community Health Resource Center in an effort to help improve the health of the community. 

To register or for more information, call Kerry or Deborah, 203-732-7399.

The hospital is at 130 Division St.

The Community Health Resource Center at Griffin Hospital is a traditional library that provides an array of medical and health information, including a large collection of easy to read health and lifestyle-related materials.

The Center is open to the public to educate themselves on ways to enhance their well-being, prevent illness, and play an active role in decisions about their health.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Logan receives award for advocacy of breast cancer patients

State Sen. George S. Logan

NEW HAVEN -The Radiological Society of Connecticut (www.ctrad.org) has honored state Sen. George S. Logan, R-Ansonia, for his advocacy of patients and legislation that will encourage women to have life-saving breast cancer screenings. 

The group gave Logan their “Patient Hero” award at its semi-annual meeting in New Haven last month.
Logan, who serves as Vice-Chair of the state legislature’s Public Health Committee, was a strong supporter of House Bill 5208 this past session. Titled An Act Concerning Mammograms, Breast Ultrasounds and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Breasts, the legislation will enable women to have their annual breast exam using the latest technology without having to pay a deductible or copay.

The technology is called Breast Tomosynthesis, a three dimensional mammogram, which enables the radiologist to better determine if small cancers are present in the breast. The test has been shown to reduce by 40 percent patient callbacks for an additional test due to the uncertainty of images. 

“This legislation is critical for our ability to make sure that patients continue to have access to these needed mammography tests,” Alan Kaye, MD, president of the RSC, said.

House Bill 5208 resolves a “glitch” in the current law. Because Breast Tomosynthesis has a separate code than mammography, it has been deemed to not be a mammogram for insurance reimbursement purposes. 

This has meant a woman is charged a deductible or co-pay for the test, even though it is preventive in nature and should come at no cost to the patient in her annual screening.

The RSC thanked Logan for showing a “significant knowledge” of health care policy and for using that knowledge to benefit patients.

The legislation passed both the House and Senate this year and was signed into law by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy as Public Act 18-159. It is effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Logan represents Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethany, Derby, Hamden, Naugatuck, and Woodbridge.

He can be reached at George.Logan@cga.ct.gov and at 800-842-1421.
On the web: www.SenatorGeorgeLogan.com.

This is a press release from Logan's office.

Newsletter features disability advocates seeking restoration of state funds

Dear readers,

Today's Valley Voice newsletter features Ralph's story about disability advocates who attended a hearing Wednesday at the Legislative Office Building, and more.

Thanks for reading,

Patti

Center for Disability Rights in West Haven to host meeting about transit services

My husband, Ralph, and I are longtime members of the Center for Disability Rights in West Haven. Its service area includes the Lower Naugatuck Valley. 

Sharing from its website: "The Center for Disability Rights advocates for people with disabilities and their issues on a local, state-wide, and national level. 
"We also provide services to individuals and their families, as well as technical assistance and community education to businesses, government, and members of the community."

Re-posting: Griffin Hospital in Derby to host 'Are You Dense?' seminar

Crisco's advocacy for people living with MS recognized at Hartford ceremony

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, was recognized Tuesday by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society for his advocacy in the state legislature for people living with MS. / Submitted photo

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. was recognized Tuesday as a "2015 Connecticut Legislative Champion" during a ceremony in the State Capitol.

“Your outstanding commitment to advocacy that provides access to medications and health care for individuals living with multiple sclerosis and other chronic illnesses is helping make a difference in the lives of many,” National Multiple Sclerosis Society Connecticut Chapter President Lisa Gerrol said. 

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to express our gratitude and recognize your outstanding advocacy and service.”

Crisco said, “I try to use my positions on the insurance and public health committees to advocate for and serve the needs of all Connecticut residents, including those with MS, who have some very specific needs and goals to maintain and improve their quality of life. 

“I have a wonderful partner in the MS Society of Connecticut, which has the policy and research expertise that helps me make good public policy decisions," he said. "I am thankful for this recognition today and look forward to working with the MS Society and other advocates for many years to come.”

The MS Society has generally advocated for funding for respite care programs, Medicaid expansion, transparency in healthcare costs, an adequate network of medical doctors, and home modification tax credits. 

This year, the MS Society is also advocating for “aging in place” programs which can assist people with MS and others in obtaining support to increase accessibility to their homes. 

This is a press release from Crisco's office.