We're starting our October Breast Cancer Awareness month reporting with a skilled surgeon from Waterbury Heath System with nearly a quarter century of hands-on experience supporting breast cancer survivors - for an informed and heartening conversation focusing on some positive news regarding breast cancer research, awareness, and recovery.

Then we're returning to a subject we've been covering for several years, bringing you an important update highlighting Connecticut's Workforce Alliance 'Recovery Works' initiative and how it is poise to help employees and employers working through addiction recovery.

And we'll close circling back with the CT Coalition to End Homelessness to get the latest on how COVID-19 is impacting our state's most vulnerable homeless population as winter approaches, and checking in on activities at this week's CCEH Annual Conference.

We're opening today with the Yankee Institute, which just launched a new comprehensive database of every public labor contract in the state, and how it can help you and your elected leaders better understand how they impact our communities and economy.

Then we're going to have an energized conversation with the new CEO of one of the state's oldest human services agencies, the Children's Center of Hamden. We'll learn how this new, vibrant agency leader is thinking outside the box, while helping established staff, students, and clients stay safe while benefiting from all the Center's services.

And we'll close on another critical subject involving our kids and the state's workforce - as we welcome a representative from Connecticut's Office of Early Childhood, talking about a brand new partnership with the Women's Business Development Council - laser focusing on protecting, enhancing, and sustaining our fragile network of childcare centers.

Meet an environmental sanitarian from Meriden - who plays a role in the state's Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Program residents identifying and helping folks understand and eliminate dangers posed by lead - which is especially risky to children.

Then we'll hear another story of tragedy overcome by inspiration with the founder of A Promise to Jordan - a statewide nonprofit honoring a victim of the opioid epidemic aimed at eliminating the stigma of addiction, assisting people in accessing quality care, and giving hope that recovery is possible to those struggling with addiction.

Then we will circle back with Dr. Dana Wade and Monitor My Health - working to delay or prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and stroke with a CDC-recognized evidence-based lifestyle change program he is delivering to thousands in greater Bridgeport and beyond for low and often no cost.