Update: April 27 9:00 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus
Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Lamont this evening announced the Office of Early Childhood launched a program to assist certain workers struggling with day care costs during the pandemic. He also announced updated virus totals for the state, noting that hospitalizations continue to decline.
To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:
More information and the governor’s full press release can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/04-2020/Governor-Lamont-Coronavirus-Update-April-27
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood launches child care program for frontline workers
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood has launched the CTCARES for Frontline Workers Program, which was created to help frontline workers struggling with the costs of child care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program provides subsidies directly to child care providers so that children can get the care they need while their parents or guardians are able to get to work.
Under the program, frontline workers include anyone who must work outside of their own home for at least 8 hours a week caring for people or providing in-person direct services and essential goods. Some examples of frontline workers may include:
- Health care workers
- First responders
- Child care workers
- Grocery workers
- Workers at state facilities
- Home/group home care workers (for seniors, youth, mental health, or people with disabilities)
- People who provide in-person services to any of the above
The subsidy depends on the number of children in the household who need care and the number of hours the frontline worker needs to work.
If a frontline employee works 21 or more hours each week:
- For one child, $200 each week for up to 6 weeks
- For 2 or more children, up to a maximum of $500 per family each week for up to 6 weeks
If a frontline employee works 8 to 20 hours each week:
- For one child, $100 each week for up to 6 weeks
- For 2 or more children, up to a maximum of $250 per family each week for up to 6 weeks
This program is ineligible to anyone already participating in the Care 4 Kids program, and there is a family income limit of up to 85 percent of the state median income to qualify. Applications are being accepted from Monday, April 27 through Friday, May 22, 2020. To apply, call 1-800-505-1000.
For more information, including details on who qualifies, read about the program on the Office of Early Childcare’s website.
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Important Update from the Department of Labor
Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby announced that the CT Department of Labor has successfully programmed the system and began paying the $600/week Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) this past weekend.
He also announced that a number of unemployment insurance claims that were placed into temporary shutdown status in order to speed up application processing are now beginning to be switched to regular standard claims.
Beginning today, DOL will be sending emails to claimants who had claims initially placed in the temporary shutdown system. The email will instruct them on how to begin filing a weekly claim. The email explains why the claim is being switched from a Temporary Shutdown (which pays weekly claims automatically) to a Standard Claim (which requires a person to file their own future weekly claims).
The subject of the email they receive will look like this:
SUBJECT: Critical Information from Department of Labor – PLEASE READ!
More information and FAQ’s can be found here: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF
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State Providing Masks for Certain Small Businesses
Governor Lamont recently announced that the state will provide masks to certain small businesses in Connecticut. Essential small businesses can go to the following link to register to receive masks for their employees: https://www.ctcovidresponse.org/request-masks-for-ct-small-business
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List of open CT Farmers Markets
If you’re looking for fresh vegetables please consider supporting our local farmers. The Department of Agriculture publishes information with a list of farms, farmers’ markets, and farm stands here: https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Commissioner/Commissioner/Farmers-Markets-Farm-Stores-and-CSAs-during-COVID-19
And there’s an interactive map here: https://guide.ctnofa.org/
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As of 8:00 p.m. tonight – Monday, April 27th – the state has diagnosed a total of 25997 cases of Coronavirus. Updated virus totals and Town-by-Town statistics can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus
The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is 2012.
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2020
Total patients who tested positive: 25997
Fairfield County: 10763
Hartford County: 5157
Litchfield County: 892
Middlesex County: 609
New Haven County: 6993
New London County: 516
Tolland County: 419
Windham County: 164
Pending address validation: 484