August
2020
COMMUNITY CONNECTION
Peak Hurricane Season 
A Message from Richard Porth          
President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut  
Peak hurricane season in Connecticut began in mid-August and runs through mid-October.

Preparing for emergency weather can help keep you and your loved ones safe, organized and informed during a weather emergency. 
 
What simple steps can you take today?

What other steps can you take?
 
United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 is a gateway to services related to emergency/disaster response and recovery as well as a statewide resource for emergency-related information collection and dissemination. Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org  for access to services and to stay informed during any extreme weather episode.
 
2-1-1 also maintains several eLibrary papers that can help you get prepared and stay informed including: How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Hurricane/Tornado, and How to Prepare and Safely Weather a Flood.
Connecticut Children's Back to School Kit

The pediatric experts at Connecticut Children's put together a Back to School Kit designed to answer questions and ease concerns that many parents have about the start of the school year. 

The Back to School Kit addresses questions such as:

  • Is It Safe to Send Your Child Back to School During COVID-19?
  • A Checklist to Help Parents Decide: Send Kids Back to School or Keep Them Home During COVID-19?
  • Is It a Good Idea for My Child With Asthma to Go Back to School or Day Care During COVID-19?
  • Is It Safe to Send Your Child Back to Day Care During COVID-19?

The Kit also includes information on important topics such as:

  • 16 Activities to Practice Mask-Wearing
  • 8 Things to Practice With Your Kids Now for COVID-19 Classroom Safety
  • Creating Your Child’s Ideal “Home Office” for Distance Learning
  • 10 Items to Add to Your Child’s Back-to-School Supply List for COVID-19

Click HERE to access Connecticut Children's Back to School Kit.

Do You Need Help With Your Utility Bill?
Connecticut’s Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has extended its protection against utility shutoffs to September 9, 2020. Customers who need additional help beyond September 9th can request Hardship or Winter Protection.

The Center for Children's Advocacy outlined the following steps to help eligible households get the necessary assistance.

How to Get Hardship or Winter Protection Against Shutoffs?

  • Call your utility company
  • United Illuminating: 800-722-5584
  • Eversource: 800-286-2000
  • Connecticut Natural Gas: 860-727-3000
  • Southern Connecticut Gas: 800-659-8299

  • Ask to be coded “Hardship” or “Winter" protection"

  • Set up a payment plan. Companies must offer a payment plan you can afford such as:
  • Below Budget Worksheet (payment of $50 or $75 per month regardless of back bill)
  • New Start (affordable monthly payment/entire back balance forgiven if 12 months of consistent payments)
  • Matching Payment Programs (affordable monthly payment as low as $75 – balance reduction)
  • Energy Assistance (payment toward back heat bill – you can also call your local Community Action Agency)
  • Operation Fuel (financial assistance for unpaid back bills for qualified customers).


Complete the 2020 Census!
Your community's needs deserve to be heard. That starts with getting counted in the 2020 Census. The 2020 Census is a short, nine-question tool that is used to help determine how billions of dollars in federal funding flow into states and communities. It takes just 10 minutes to make a 10-year impact in your community. Census data informs federal funding for more than 100 programs, including school lunches, highway construction, and education.

The deadline to complete the 2020 Census is September 30, 2020!

Complete the 2020 Census today! Click HERE.
Click HERE to learn more about the importance of the Census Data.
The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.
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