ACTION ALERT: Contact Your Legislators and Governor Lamont TODAY !

Over the next couple of weeks, the Governor and state legislators will be making critical funding decisions. You are doing the work to solve homelessness, and you know what is at stake. Legislators need to hear directly from you right now! If you need to review our ask, check out our updated funding and policy requests.

We are requesting a total of $28.3 million:

• $10 million for flexible funding through a Housing Crisis Response Fund
• $12.3 million annually for extreme weather capacity
• $6.0 million for new staffing

Outreach priorities:

• Reach out to your own legislators where you live and work FIRST - find your legislator here
• Then, reach out to House and Senate leadership IF you live or work in their district
• Reach out to the Governor's office via phone and email

Thank you for using your voice in this critical final stretch!

Mark Your Calendars!

CT CAN End Homelessness Week of Action

WHEN: Monday, April 20th - Thursday, April 23rd

WHERE: CT State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford

Join your Coordinated Access Network and CT CAN End Homelessness for a Week of Action at the Capitol! Each CAN will attend one day of in-person legislative advocacy in Hartford throughout the week. Coordinated Access Network (CAN) members will get scheduled, dedicated time with lawmakers and support our bills with a visible and continuous presence at the Capitol!

TOMORROW: Zoom Prep Call for Advocates - click here to register!

Schedule for Week of Action*

• Monday, April 20th: Greater Hartford CAN
• Tuesday, April 21st: Greater New Haven, Fairfield, AND Northwest, Waterbury & Litchfield CANs
• Wednesday, April 22nd: Central AND Eastern CANs
• Thursday, April 23rd: Meriden, Middlesex & Wallingford CAN

*Coordinated Access Networks will be managing all RSVPs - please get in touch with your CAN leadership to participate

CT Nonprofit Alliance Day at the Capitol

WHEN: Tuesday, April 21st | 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

WHERE: CT State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford

This annual event provides the opportunity for Alliance member organizations to educate policymakers and the public about the diversity and impact of work that community nonprofits provide to enhance the quality of life for all residents of our state.

Rally for Nonprofit Funding & Advocacy Day!

WHEN: Wednesday, April 29th | 10:00 AM

WHERE: CT State Capitol, 210 Capitol Avenue, Hartford

Join The Alliance, your colleagues, staff, board members, advocates, volunteers, funders - ALL supporters of community nonprofits on the South Lawn of the State Capitol. Legislators and the Governor need to see and hear you before final state budget agreements are negotiated and your voice is more important than ever! Read the Alliance's Rally guide here.

Unhoused Student Protections

Pass in the House!

Last week, thanks to YOUR advocacy, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed H.B. 5259, An Act Concerning the Education of Homeless Children and Youth! The bill passed with strong support (136 in favor) and now moves to the Senate chamber for a vote.

Why It's Important: More than 5,000 Connecticut students are experiencing homelessness, and the federal protections that keep them enrolled, transported, and supported are increasingly uncertain. H.B. 5259 safeguards educational stability by codifying McKinney-Vento rights in state law so students can stay connected to school no matter what happens federally.

Have questions or need help? Email kwhitney@cceh.org