Klarides-Ditria: 988 new suicide prevention lifeline starts July 16

An important priority for the legislature this past session was to address the mental and behavioral needs of our students and children.  One important measure the legislature passed included funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. More information about the line is provided by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, below. Beginning July 16, 988 will become the new three-digit number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline will provide compassionate, accessible care and support via phone, text, or online chat to anyone experiencing mental health-related distress.  You can use 988 if you have thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.  You can also dial 988 if you are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Additionally, many women feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious during their pregnancy and even after the baby is born.  For some women, these emotions may stay for months.  The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)’s new National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides real-time emotional support, encouragement, information, and referrals. Pregnant and postpartum women can call or text 1-833-9-HELP4MOMS (1-833-943-5746) to get the help and resources they need when they need it.

Sincerely,

Klarides-Ditria: Legislators work to strengthen human trafficking laws

View web version January 11 is International Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Human trafficking, sex trafficking and other forms of mental and physical abuse are disturbing issues the legislature continues to tackle. Working together, the legislature continues to modify and strengthen state law in an effort to put an end to these abuses and to hold the abusers accountable. Last year, I proudly supported, and the legislature passed House Bill 6657, that: Provides human trafficking victims the ability to have certain convictions vacated if the crime was committed as a result of being a victim of human trafficking; Broadens the crimes of “sex trafficking,” “patronizing a prostitute,” and “commercial sexual abuse of a minor” to include taking these actions in exchange for anything of value, instead of only for money; Mandates a study of how online traffickers use the internet to groom minors to be trafficked and exploited, making recommendations to the Judiciary Committee on how to combat online grooming; Extends the Department of Children and Families (DCF) training in human trafficking awareness requirement to EMS personnel HB 6657 passed the House unanimously and was signed into law by the governor as Public Act  21-103.  I want to thank everyone who helped make this legislation possible. Sincerely,

Legislature approves $34M COVID-19 assistance for essential workers

The legislature has approved the Connecticut Essential Worker COVID-19 Assistance Fund to provide $34 million in assistance to support the critical workers who helped keep the state open during the pandemic.

The program is being overseen by the State Comptroller with claim processing and payments handled by Public Consulting Group on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are exhausted.

In order to be eligible, specific criteria must be met, including but not limited to:

• I was a resident of Connecticut between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
• I was employed as an essential worker living in Connecticut between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
• I contracted COVID-19 between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.
• I had lost wages due to the inability to work after a COVID-19 diagnosis or related illness.
• I had out-of-pocket medical expenses due to a COVID-19 diagnosis or related illness.
• My relative/family member was an essential worker who died as a result of COVID-19, after being diagnosed with COVID-19 between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.

For more information and to check eligibility, please go to: https://www.ctessentialworkerrelief.org/

Sincerely,