We're kicking off 2021 with State Comptroller Kevin Lembo talking about a new “Network of Distinction” program designed to achieve the dual goals of lowering overall health costs and achieving better outcomes. Are you one of the roughly quarter million state residents benefiting - stay tuned and find out.

Then we'll circle back to chat with the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness (CCEH) to find out how the agency did with its annual Be Homeful for the Holidays activities, what a difference it will make countering the state's homeless stats, and we'll hear about the agency's most recent collaborations with the CT Council of Municipalities and Sustainable CT. 

We're celebrating Autism Awareness Month with the director of clinical services at Autism Speaks discussing the role of early screening, recognizing the signs of autism, the disproportionate impact it's having among minority populations, and breaking down stigmas around this prevalent condition.

Then we're connecting with Connecticut's DEEP Commissioner to chat up the state's 20By20 initiative, which was launched to improve the transparency, predictability and efficiency of our regulatory processes across 20 targeted areas by the end of 2020.  

And we'll check in with our buddies from BACA - Bikers Against Child Abuse to find out how much heart so many of these rough looking bikers have — and how so many are willing to step up with a proven, safe, and effective intervention and support system that's making such a positive difference for victims of child abuse.

Our focus on the issue of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing homes and care facilities across Connecticut starts with a national expert from AARP talking about how that organization is pursuing legislation to better support and protect residents of those facilities.

Then we'll take a very personal look at a tragic COVID-19 nursing home experience that affected State Rep Michelle Cook of Torrington, and how her experience helped initiate a sweeping investigation into why so many seniors were being infected by and dying from it.

We'll follow touching base with Junior Achievement of Greater Fairfield County to learn how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the outlook of area high school seniors and their future educational or career plans.

Finally, we'll remind you about an important event coming up at the Burroughs Community Center July 9 - and how a regional nonprofit called Save a Suit is aiming to help veterans who may be more food insecure because of the virus health emergency.