The Paid Leave Podcast

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The United Way Reports a Jump in Connecticut Residents Struggling to Make Ends Meet. Dec 23, 2024

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Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states, but nearly half a million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from. More than 84 thousand children live in poverty in Connecticut and 122 thousand in near poverty. About 35 percent of Connecticut households are burdened by housing costs, compared to about 32 percent nationally.
The United Way of Connecticut released its ALICE Report for 2024 in October, showing that 13% more state residents, or an additional 65,000 households, are struggling to make ends meet despite being employed and not earning enough to cover the basic cost of living. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and it’s a statewide problem.

Lisa Tepper Bates, President & CEO of the United Way of Connecticut, leads the organization’s staff of 360 as a nonprofit contractor to seven Connecticut state government agencies. She says more and more residents are living paycheck to paycheck without any emergency funds saved. Lisa said the most important thing we can do us support a fully refundable, permanent child tax credit for families with kids who have that additional set of costs for raising children. Lisa says the United Way of CT is so pleased that Connecticut Paid Leave is available, because it has been an incredible benefit to the ALICE households.
To get in touch with the United Way of CT Please go to CTunitedway.org.
For services or help dial 2-1-1.
For information or to apply for benefits go to ctpaidleave.org.

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Shopping for Your Healthcare Dec 09, 2024

Show notes

In this episode we take a look at shopping for your healthcare in Connecticut. This is the time of year that Connecticut residents are looking to enroll or change their health insurance and or dental insurance. Access Health CT enrollment fairs are currently going on across Connecticut through December and into January.

Access Health CT is the state’s official health insurance marketplace and Access Health CT has helped over 1 million individuals and small businesses get health insurance since it started in 2013.Their efforts have played a crucial role in reducing Connecticut’s uninsured rate dropping from 9.2% to 5.2%.
Caroline Ruwet, is the Director of Marketing at Access Health CT. We discussed their enrollment fairs that are going on across Connecticut and how they devised their marketing strategy to cover the entire state. We talked about healthcare disparity, and what they are trying to do to reduce healthcare bias. We talked about their small businesses and how they help them navigate healthcare.
For information about Access Health CT please go to: Accesshealthct.com
For information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org

A UConn Health Diabetes Specialist Discusses Controlling the Disease and Better Treatments.. Nov 25, 2024

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November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. As of this year about 38.4 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes these incudes type I and type 2. The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.
In this episode we talk to Dr Pooja Luthra, A UConn Health Endocrinologist, and Director of the Diabetes Education Program. We discuss the 3 types of diabetes, Type 1 and 2 and gestational diabetes, Dr. Luthra Talks about treatments and controlling diabetes with lifestyle changes. For example, eating healthy and including a workout regimen into your daily routine. Dr Luthra also sees the benefits her patience could experience with CT Paid Leave benefits.
To get in touch with the Diabetes Education program go to: Managing Diabetes for 2 - UConn Today
To get more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org

Hunger is a Growing Problem in Connecticut Nov 12, 2024

Show notes

Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states, but close to half a million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from, and 1 in 8 Connecticut residents experience food insecurity. That's where Foodshare comes in and bridges that gap, allowing a dignified way to put food on the table.

Jason Jakubowski is the President & CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, the official Feeding America food bank serving the entire state of Connecticut. He works alongside a team of 120 employees and 6000 volunteers. Jason says he loves his job and realizes that Foodshare helps the people of Connecticut when they need it most. During the Holidays and in the spirit of giving, Foodshare will feed close to 50,000 Thanksgiving meals to hungry Connecticut families.

Maria Paredes is a Resident Services Coordinator with Monterey Place in New Haven and they offer affordable housing. Maria is also on the board of CT Foodshare and has used the food pantries when she needed them as a single mother of 5. Maria also used CT Paid Leave recently when she had a car accident. She said the process was easy and it allowed her to hold onto the job she loves while taking 2 months off of work to recuperate.

Connecticut Paid Leave helps address food insecurity by providing financial support to workers who need to take time off for their own serious health condition or to care for a loved one with a serious health condition. That income replacement can keep food on the table and bills being paid.
For information about Foodshare please go their website at: Connecticut Foodshare (ctfoodshare.org)
For information about Monterey Place in New Haven please go to their website at: Affordable Apartments in New Haven, CT | Monterey Place (montereybc.com)
For information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave (ctpaidleave,org)

How to Keep Your Baby Safe When They Are Sleeping Oct 28, 2024

Show notes

October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month. According to the National Institute for Health (NIH) SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year. The vast majority of deaths take place before a baby reaches six months of age. Every year there are about 3,400 cases of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths know as SUID in the U.S.
Alison Jacobson is the CEO of First Candle, which is a national non-profit addressing Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. They do this through community partnerships, educating families on life-saving safe sleep practices, while also providing bereavement support services to families who have tragically experienced the death of their baby from SUID or Stillbirth. Alison is a loss mom herself, her son Connor died in 1997, and she is passionate about helping save babies lives while supporting grieving families.
In this episode, we talked about SIDS and SUID prevention and how to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby. We discussed the racial disparities that exist and how mortality rates increase for black and brown babies. We also discussed how CT Paid Leave can help with time away from work with income replacement for behavioral health and mental health appointments for parents who are dealing with the emotional trauma from the loss of their baby. Alison also stressed the importance of educating about safe sleep practices to anyone who deals with a sleeping baby like grandparents and other family members as well as babysitters.
For more information about First Candle please go to: First Candle: Committed to ending Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
For information or to apply for benefits please go to: https://www.ctpaidleave.org/

Celebrating Diversity During Hispanic Heritage Month Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. The reason it starts on September 15th is that it coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries. This month celebrates the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic people.
In this episode, we find out about the rich culture and history of the Hispanic Community in Connecticut. Co-chairs of the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee, Gladys Ramos and Olga Pena, emphasize their efforts to raise funds for scholarships and the importance of community events like the Latin Festival and Three Kings celebration. They also share their rich Hispanic traditions, and stress the importance of family, religion and partnerships in the community. Andrea Torres Fodor is the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport, and she talks about the beauty of her homeland of Ecuador and the importance of family and traditions. She discusses the growth of Hispanic businesses in Connecticut, and the importance of their contributions to the greater Bridgeport community. She talks about the Latino Business Expo, which is a great way to network with other businesses and to find out about the resources available in the state that are here to help the Hispanic businesses and community. She also highlights the significance of Connecticut Paid Leave, particularly the caregiver benefits, which align with the multi-generational households in the Hispanic community in Connecticut. She said it's important to make sure people in the Hispanic community know about state programs like CT Paid Leave that can help them when they need it most.
To get in touch with the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee please use this link: (20+) Hispanic Heritage | Facebook
To get in touch with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport please use this link: HCCGB | Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
To get information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave

One Mom's Crusade to Inspire Hope in Young Adults and Raise Awareness for Suicide Prevention Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide is a leading cause of death and affects people of all ages. 1.6 million people attempt suicide every year in the United States, and 3.6 million made a plan. Suicide is a serious health crisis.
When a person dies by suicide, the effects are felt by family, friends, and communities. Marisa Giarnella is the co-founder of the Jordan Porco Foundation, that was created in the memory of her son Jordan who took his life as a freshman in college. The foundations goals are to prevent suicide, promote mental health, and create a message of hope for young adults. Marisa says one suicide can affect over 130 people. We talked about Jordan, their flagship program known as Fresh Check Days a sort of mental health check-in at colleges across the country, and how to get through a suicide in the family. Marisa says that mental health needs to be talked about and destigmatized. She also says it's ok to ask for help.
To get in touch with the Jordan Porco Foundation go to: Jordan Porco Foundation Jordan Porco Foundation | Suicide Awareness and Prevention (rememberingjordan.org)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for Immediate Help call: 1.800.273.8255

Or Text HOME to 741741
Dial 988

OR DIAL 2-1-1 TO FIND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN YOUR AREA
OR DIAL 9-1-1 IN AN EMERGENCY

For more information or to apply for benefits go to ctpaidleave.org

How to Prevent Dangerous Falls as We Age Sep 10, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking about healthy aging and falls prevention. Falls are the leading cause of injury for those 65 and older adults. Over 14 million, or one in 4 older adults reports falling every year. The risks and potential consequences of falls increase with age and can lead to injury, loss of independence and are a leading cause of death in the U.S. among the 65 and older age group, according to fall statistics from the Centers for Disease and Prevention. Angela Vasquez is the Healthy Aging Program Coordinator for the Bureau of Aging in Connecticut. Angela has been working in the field of public health and community-based research for more than a decade. We discuss how to prevent falls, what to do to make a plan to stay in your home as you age, and how prevention can really help you age in a healthy way.
To get in touch with the Bureau of Aging please call: 1-800-994-9422
for information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave

Exploring Connecticut's Family-Friendly Policies with State Treasurer Erick Russell Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

In the United States, the month with the largest number of births is typically August, with July a close second. In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we talk to the State Treasurer Erick Russell about the Baby Bonds program. Treasurer Russell talks about the fact that Connecticut is the first state in the nation to have the Baby Bond program aimed at curbing racial and generational poverty. He talks about the program, and he highlights the potential to engage families and build long-term economic opportunities for their children. Treasurer Russell talks about his background and emphasizes the importance of teaching financial literacy to children in middle school, and the importance of teaching them about credit history and long-term investments, like a 401k retirement plan. He also touches on Connecticut's progress in stabilizing finances, and the importance of family-friendly policies in the state like the Baby Bonds program, CHET and CT Paid Leave. Treasurer Russell was sworn in as Connecticut’s 84th State Treasurer in January of 2023.
For more information about the Baby Bond program please go to: CT Baby Bonds
For more information about CT Paid Leave or to apply for benefits please go to:
CT Paid Leave

Why More Than 1 out of 8 Residents Use Community Health Centers for Care. Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

August 4 through august 10th is National Health Center week. Deb Polun serves as the Chief Strategy officer at the Community Health Center Association of Connecticut known as (CHC/-ACT). It is the statewide association that supports the work of Connecticut’s Community Health Centers, which provide primary medical, dental, and behavioral healthcare to 420,000 people across CT each year. In her role, Deb provides leadership on public policy and advocacy, helps build and strengthen community and corporate relationships, and helps plan for a sustainable community health center network. Deb says that Community Health Centers are beautiful buildings that offer quality health care whether you have insurance or not.
Deb also realizes that CT Paid Leave can benefit her employees and the people they serve t the Community Health Centers with income replacement during a serious health crisis. The program ensures they can take care of themselves without having to worry about paying bills.
To find a Community Health Center near you please go to: Community Health Center Association of Connecticut | CHC/ACT (chcact.org)
To apply for benefits or for more information please go to: CT Paid Leave

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