Have you heard that The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP) will make health insurance coverage more affordable for many CT residents? If you're ready to take advantage of these savings, Access Health CT has opened a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) running through August 15, and we'll introduce you the the CEO of Connecticut's exchange to tell you all about it.

 

Then we'll hear from the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) - supporting individuals on their journey to safety by providing support for individuals who are experiencing abuse in personal relationships with free victim services. And we'll invite you to support the cause at DVCC's upcoming 'Voices of Courage' Spring Luncheon.

 

And we'll close celebrating Connecticut educators as we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week with an ambassador from TEACH Connecticut, who will explain how this program is bringing folks from the workforce to our classrooms, and helping former educators jump back into their calling.

This Labor Day weekend, as folks whose jobs were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic take on the extra burden of finding new work, we'll open replaying a June segment with a representative from the Workforce Alliance of South Central CT to review new and enhanced online training and resources.

Then we'll learn how the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a toll on folks trying to work through recovery - or who continue to experience mental health challenges. September is National Recovery Month, and there's nobody better to discuss the current state of recovery practices than with the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and principle at Aware Recovery Care.

September is also Preparedness Month, and with our local communities already experiencing tropical storms, tornadoes, extended power outages, and even some flooding, we're going to close chatting with the Ready campaign director at FEMA - the Federal Emergency Preparedness Agency.

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.