State of Connecticut
Recovery Plan
State and Local Fiscal Recovery
Funds
2021 Report
August 31, 2021
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 1
Connecticut
2021 Recovery Plan
Table of Contents
General Overview ...................................................................................................................... 2
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 2
Uses of Funds ......................................................................................................................... 4
Promoting Equitable Outcomes ............................................................................................... 7
Community Engagement ......................................................................................................... 8
Use of Evidence ...................................................................................................................... 9
Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category ......................................................................... 11
Project Inventory ..................................................................................................................... 12
Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision ............................................................................ 46
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 2
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Executive Summary
Connecticut has made tremendous public health and financial strides and we stand to emerge
from the pandemic among the best-positioned states in the nation. Connecticut has not needed
to cut services or raise taxes in order to manage the state budget and the state is projected to
close the two pandemic-affected fiscal years (FYs 2020 and 2021) with a solid Budget Reserve
Fund to ensure supplementary funds are available to ensure long term sustainability and the fiscal
health of the state. The state has used previously authorized federal and state resources to mount
one of the most comprehensive and effective pandemic responses in the country, including rapidly
standing up nationally recognized testing, contact tracing, vulnerable resident support, and
vaccination programs. Connecticut established the model for safely re-opening schools and
closing the digital divide by providing access to devices for every student in the state. Connecticut
has been nationally recognized for its robust testing program and leading vaccination rate for
eligible populations. These efforts, along with others, have made parts of the state some of the
hottest real estate in the country.
Notwithstanding some of these successes, it is not all good news for our state. More than 116,000
of the residents who lost their job during the pandemic have yet to find new employment
opportunities. Some of those have left their jobs because there were not adequate or affordable
childcare options available. Others need a ladder to education opportunities to upskill and greatly
increase their marketability for the jobs of the 21
st
century. There are families struggling with
putting food on the table. Individuals are struggling with the high prices of their insurance premia
and co-payments, risking their coverage or delaying care to avoid costs. There are children who
have fallen behind during the move to remote learning. Those small businesses that fuel the
economy are barely able to keep their doors open and maintain payroll.
In addition, COVID-19 exposed long-standing health disparities among racial and ethnic
minorities who suffered disproportionately with higher infection and mortality rates.
Consequently, the ARPA funds awarded to Connecticut represent an incredible opportunity for
this state to make transformative investments in equity, and to emerge healthier and stronger
from pre-natal care to end of life, and to assist those in most need in this state. Investing in children
and families early in life leads to better outcomes later in life, making our society even more
prepared for the next pandemic or other crisis, and better positioning residents of all socio-
economic status to access economic opportunity.
As a result, Governor Lamont developed five key areas for these investments with a focus on
equity:
1. The first of which is to defeat COVID-19 by maintaining strong testing and vaccination
programs, supporting a continued supply of PPE, maintaining our nationally leading
support programs for our most vulnerable residents living in long-term care facilities, and
supporting public health, because defeating this virus is the only way to ensure the other
investments will pay dividends.
2. The second is investing in the future with 21
st
century upgrades and investments in our
cities/towns, expanding access to high-speed internet, supporting families from the start
with early interventions and services, supporting the recovery of non-profits through the
pandemic, and addressing the criminal justice impacts of the pandemic.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 3
3. The third key area is creating a more affordable Connecticut through providing enhanced
childcare opportunities for residents, assisting institutions of higher education, providing
students at our colleges and universities with additional financial aid and scholarship
opportunities, providing resources to better support those struggling with mental health
issues, and targeting affordable internet and broadband access, as well as home
remediation, energy efficiency and clean energy retrofits that will improve respiratory
health and reduce burdensome energy costs for low-income residents.
4. The fourth area of investment is to make the state’s economic growth work for everyone
by restoring jobs, rebuilding our economy, returning to growth by focusing on workforce
development, small business supports, investing in innovation, communities, and
sustainable products.
5. The fifth key investment area is the state itself. These resources will enable Connecticut
to continue state operations and provide resources necessary for state agencies to lead,
to provide services to consumers and clients and to mitigate and recover from the
pandemic. These resources will also allow Connecticut to modernize and ease the delivery
of services, particularly in health and human services, while improving the speed and
quality with which we can monitor and analyze public health risks. Additionally, these
federal dollars will allow the state to balance our budget for the upcoming biennium without
raising taxes or cutting other essential services.
Pursuant to Special Act No. 21-1 passed by the Connecticut General Assembly and signed by
the Governor on March 31, 2021, the Governor submitted a proposed plan for recommended
allocations of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Relief Fund (SLFRF) and worked
collaboratively with the General Assembly to develop a plan to make transformative investments
in equity and build Connecticut back better. Passed July 2, 2021, Public Act 21-2 of the June
Special Session (An Act Concerning Provisions Related to Revenue and Other Items to
Implement the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2023) details a list of 109 projects
representing $2.5 billion of Connecticut’s $2.8 billion award from the Coronavirus SLFRF. It also
represents the product of a lot of hard work between the legislature and executive to ensure these
funds boost Connecticut’s economy and its residents. Many of these projects are in their initial
phase with Office of Policy and Management, State agencies, the General Assembly, and
grantees working in coordination to scope and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 4
Uses of Funds
By defeating COVID, investing in our future, creating a more affordable Connecticut, prioritizing
economic growth that works for all, and modernizing state government, we are addressing the
pandemic and its negative economic consequences head on. Equity is at the core of our
approach, factoring into each initiative designed to address the public health and negative
economic impacts of the pandemic, serve disproportionately impacted communities, determine
premium pay for essential workers, and supplement our state operations through revenue
replacement.
Public Health (EC 1)
A primary focus of SLFRF in the state has been addressing the substantial public health impact
that COVID-19 has had on communities and families’ health. Funding for the public health
expenditure category focuses on helping families recover from the pandemic, whether that
negative impact was due to a gap in care, an additional need for support services such as
substance abuse or mental health care, or general recovery from the life-altering effects of
COVID-19. Addressing the public health impacts consist of maintaining and ensuring for the future
that there are adequate levels of PPE and supplies for public health emergencies, while also
creating transformative change for children and families across the state through programs that
directly support the community. Programs range from smaller scale initiatives that seek to offer
respite or provide support for health research studies, to larger scale efforts such as bolstering
children’s mental health supports.
For example, the funding allocation for Respite Care for Family Caregivers will provide short-term
relief for family caregivers who were taking care of elderly family members or family members
with a disability through the course of the pandemic. This funding could be used to enhance
existing respite care services by offering additional resources or expanding hours of operation.
By providing respite care for families with the greatest need, funding can initiate more equitable
outcomes and have the maximum impact on families who have been stretched thin with caregiver
duties.
The Community Health Worker program is intended to train community health workers (CHWs)
across the state to support the families hardest hit by the pandemic. Most CHWs are from the
communities which they serve; because they know their community best, they are able to work
closely with families and quickly build trust. CHWs can then connect families and new mothers to
health and support services and spread awareness of programs that the families may need. In
the aftermath of COVID-19, many families have had their healthcare disrupted and/or have felt
isolated from larger communities. CHWs can bridge this gap between families and needed
services. Integrating this program with the Universal Home Visiting program under the Office of
Early Childhood will allow for a continuum of care for families whose health has been disrupted
by the pandemic.
Children’s mental health has been significantly affected due to the pandemic and disruptions in
schooling, changes of lifestyle, and decreased social interaction with peers. Funding allocated for
mental health initiatives for children are focused on providing additional support services and
continue to be refined by an interagency workgroup being led by the Department of Children and
Families (DCF). DCF will also work closely with the State Department of Education to integrate
urgent care centers with school-based programs for the most effective outcomes.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 5
Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2)
A second focus of the state’s SLFRF-funded efforts have been to support those negatively
impacted economically by the pandemic. Broadly speaking, these efforts fall into three
categories: (1) broad-based assistance for individuals and families who have felt particular
economic harm; (2) targeted aid to revitalize the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries; and (3)
workforce development and job training programming.
First, the General Assembly has authorized a number of programs intended to provide direct
support for individuals and families who have suffered economically from the pandemic. A
significant amount of funding was authorized to replenish the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund,
against which the state was forced to borrow significant sums during the worst of the pandemic
to cover the sudden tidal wave of unemployment claims. Additional funding was authorized for
the Department of Labor to administer and operate unemployment benefits, helping to maintain
consumer access to timely responses from agency personnel. Finally, direct benefit programs
include several food assistance initiatives administered by the state Department of Agriculture,
ranging from vouchers for seniors and for use at farmers’ markets, to support for food pantries
and food banks.
Second, the General Assembly approved the Governor’s request for statewide support of the
travel, tourism, and hospitality industries, which have been particularly hard-hit by COVID-19.
Funds from various sources were authorized to support statewide marketing efforts; SLFRF funds
will be targeted to new tourism branding as well as seasonal tourism promotions which will draw
visitors and revitalize sales and employment within the sector. In addition, funding was approved
to provide free access to 102 museums for children and one accompanying adult throughout the
state in an effort both to support museums which lost revenue and to provide educational
stimulation and reverse learning loss for children. Finally, a number of individual venues and
attractions were authorized to receive direct grants, and those projects are currently being scoped
in coordination with the grantees and the General Assembly to ensure compliance with federal
regulations.
Finally, significant funding was approved for the creation of new workforce development and job
training initiatives, as well as support and coordination for existing programs. The Office of
Workforce Strategy, housed within the Office of the Governor, is rolling out CareerConneCT, a
comprehensive program which consists in large part (which part would be supported by SLFRF)
of job training programs aimed at getting unemployed individuals or individuals significantly
impacted by the pandemic back to work in high-quality career pathways, particularly in areas such
as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, clean energy, and construction.
The intended outcome will be to train and place between 5,500 and 7,000 students and job
seekers to enter employment in careers including, but not limited to, those sectors. Individual not-
for-profit organizations supporting job training were also authorized to receive funding.
Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC 3)
With equity at its core, services to disproportionately impacted communities are another primary
focus of our strategy for SLFRF dollars.
The pandemic has been a particularly challenging experience for families with young children.
Children have missed out on key early-learning opportunities and milestones, while parents have,
in many cases, suffered income loss and been forced to grapple with a de-stabilized childcare
system and the transition to remote-learning. As a response, Connecticut has made substantial
investments in childcare and education through CSFRF funds.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 6
First, CSFRF have been dedicated to covering parent fees for income-eligible families of 3- and
4-year-olds in state-funded childcare centers for the Summer of 2021. Second, CSFRF funds will
be provided to support parent fees in the Care4Kids subsidized childcare system until the
allocation for this period has been exhausted. This will provide economic relief and educational
opportunity to thousands of children and parents in low to moderate-income households, bolster
the provision of healthy early childhood environments in disproportionately low- to moderate-
income communities, support kindergarten readiness, and bolster learning recovery efforts,
among some of our neediest, most impacted populations and communities. Additionally, this will
help parents to recover from COVID-19 related income loss, provide support to parents re-
entering the workforce and allow parents to re-invest their savings into their highly-impacted
families and communities.
Giving birth during the pandemic has been an exceptionally challenging experience. Currently,
more than 1 in 3 women have perinatal depression, compared to less than 1 in 5 (15-20%) prior
to the pandemic. To support these women, Connecticut is introducing universal home visiting in
certain areas of the state that suffered disproportionate impact, stress and child trauma during
the pandemic. Universal home visiting program will be piloted through Family Connects, an
evidence-based home visiting model that pairs new mothers with registered nurses to provide up
to 3 home visits for needs assessments and knowledge sharing. Nurses will also help families
gain access to critical community programs and resources to support. Home visiting has been
shown to improve mental and physical health outcomes and prevent child maltreatment, resulting
in a 50% reduction of emergency medical care use (years 0-1) and a 28% reduction in mothers’
clinical anxiety.
To build public health resilience in communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic,
Connecticut is investing in Community Health Workers (CHWs). CHWs serve as trusted providers
to the highest risk families and children in our most impoverished cities. Community health
workers work to improve patient experience, care coordination, and clinical outcomes with the
public health and social services systems. These services will be provided to families and their
children who have experienced 3 or more adverse childhood experiences. Research has clearly
found that more investment into early intervention leads to fewer emergency department visits
and better preventative care practices, leading to better health and economic outcomes for
families and delivering care more effectively for the state.
Lower-income and minority workers have suffered disproportionately from the effects of the
pandemic. As a matter of equity, the state is initiating a program to provide legal representation
to tenants facing eviction thus supporting residents hit hardest by income disruption to help them
better navigate the foreclosure process and help them stay in their homes. This represents just
one aspect of a comprehensive approach to housing utilizing SLFRF dollars which includes
reducing energy costs to homeowners facing hardship through remediation of barriers to
weatherizing homes and funding energy efficiency upgrades for affordable housing. Energy
affordability is one of the leading causes of homelessness in the United States and Connecticut
residents spend the second highest amount on annual energy bills in the nation at an average of
$3,600. Layering these efforts on top of the UniteCT program—a program that provides up to
$15,000 in rental and up to $1,500 electricity payment assistance on behalf of households
financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut’s rental housing market will be
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 7
stabilized and the state will have created a comprehensive set of supports for residents facing
housing hardship.
Premium Pay (EC 4)
The state has mounted one of the most comprehensive and effective pandemic responses in the
country, including rapidly standing up nationally recognized testing, contact tracing, vulnerable
resident support and vaccination programs. Connecticut’s COVID-19 response has been nation-
leading, in no small part due to the incredible work of front-line state employees and National
Guard members who risked their wellbeing to serve their communities. In recognition of this
essential service, Connecticut is investing $20 million in premium pay for front line state
employees and members of the National Guard. This funding will provide financial support for
their exceptional service which saved lives and contributed to our nation-leading response and
recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Revenue Replacement (EC 6)
The COVID-19 public health emergency has created a significant economic shock, impacting
revenues for state and local governments. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 acknowledges
that state and local governments have suffered deep revenue losses and enables use of funds to
ensure that important government services can be maintained. The State of Connecticut has
allocated $1.75 billion in federal pandemic aid to be used to support budget balance: $559.9
million in FY 2022 and $1,194.9 million in FY 2023.
Promoting equitable outcomes
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on Connecticut’s most vulnerable
residents. Minorities and, in particular, women of color, who are more likely to hold high-risk,
essential positions, have been adversely impacted by COVID-19. It is our collective responsibility
to address these challenges through an equity-focused lens.
Thus, every initiative has been designed with equity at its core, directed at and prioritizing those
who suffered most due to the pandemic. Across policy areas, access to transformative
programming is focused on supporting our most vulnerable populations. More importantly, ease
of access has been prioritized for rapid deployment and adoption. While different programs have
been established to support their respective populations, which have been disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic, qualifying households/individuals will receive equal levels of support,
consistent with the state’s ambitions to offer equitable services to all. Connecticut will, or already
has, implemented various communication channels to inform residents of the planned
programming and intends to provide wraparound administrative support wherever possible.
Programs like Universal Home Visiting and Community Health Workers for Families will transform
access to supports and services for families and their young children.
In the “Services to Disproportionately Impacted Communities (EC-3)” subsection under the “Use
of Funds” section, readers will see a multitude of intended outcomes. Some programs target
specific populations, whereas others aspire to become a universal service. However, even where
universality is a primary goal, like universal home visiting, subject matter experts have identified
higher uptake rates of those invaluable services by families and individuals most in need. In effect,
the state’s core desire is to support those residents who have been disproportionately impacted
or suffered economic harm because of the pandemic, ranging from traditionally marginalized
populations to postpartum mothers.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 8
Data will be collected by each program’s respective owner agency. All state agencies have robust
data collection systems and processes and will prioritize data, which highlight (1) the effectiveness
of the program and (2) the accuracy of the program in reaching its intended population. Data will
be disaggregated at the demographic and socioeconomic levels, where feasible and legally
permissible.
With these additional resources, the state has the ability to invest in people and projects
simultaneously. In the near term, continued assistance to our residents who are struggling will be
offered. The state will provide support for providers who have been on the front lines of combatting
this pandemic. It will allow for maintaining the programs that are helping the food insecure. There
will be aid for those struggling with housing costs and keeping the lights on. What Governor
Lamont has proposed is a comprehensive investment program aimed at equity and lifting up the
communities in our state who not only were most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
in 2020 and 2021 but have historically faced inequities in the areas of health, opportunity, and
education.
Community Engagement
To develop a plan for State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funding, we have gone through a robust,
democratic process of debate, negotiation, and collaboration between the Governor and the
General Assembly of Connecticut beginning on April 26
th
, 2021, when Governor Lamont released
Connecticut’s Plan for the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021: A Roadmap for a Transformative,
Equitable and Healthy Recovery for our State. This plan represented the work of a robust set of
interagency processes to develop a transformative plan for a stronger, post-pandemic
Connecticut and the beginning of months of democratic engagement over the final allocation of
these ARPA dollars. This process of public, democratic debate culminated in the passage of
Public Act 21-2 of the June Special Session, An Act Concerning Provisions Related to Revenue
and Other Items to Implement the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2023 detailing
109 initiatives designed to build Connecticut back better.
Building on this approach, we are investing in programs with deep community ties and proven
track records of success. Programs like Hands on Hartford, an agency founded in 1969 by
members of 8 congregations in the community to serve Hartford’s most economically challenged
residents in the areas of food, housing, and health. Volunteer-driven, Hands on Hartford founded
Connecticut’s first supportive housing program for people living with AIDS. It has also founded
Hartford’s only group home for adults with mental illness, its first soup kitchen, its only fuel
assistance program for the working poor, its only weekend senior nutrition program, and a
comprehensive after-school tutoring and arts education program for elementary school aged
children. For over 50 years, Hands on Hartford has served its community becoming a cornerstone
and an exemplar of the type of community oriented and driven organization that our plan supports.
We are also designing collaboration and community engagement into our initiatives. For example,
our workforce development project will require that the state’s nine Regional Workforce
Development Boards to collaborate with regional training providers and companies to inform the
design of each application submitted. Our statewide marketing campaign is being driven by a
series of community surveys and engagement with nonprofits and for-profit travel and tourism
partners throughout the state. (
https://www.ctvisit.com/press-releases/new-program-provides-
connecticut%E2%80%99s-tourism-industry-research-based-insights-business) Additionally,
through our implementation of the Summer Experience at Connecticut’s Top Venues, the
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 9
Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has regularly interfaced with the
largest five museums, and have had one meeting with the other program participants in
conjunction with CT Humanities and the CT League of History Organizations, and will be hosting
at least one additional virtual meeting after the program closes. Via the CTVisit website (official
State Tourism website) various DECD staff have had email and phone call conversations with
visitors who are using the program. Their feedback has enabled DECD to troubleshoot potential
problems to find solutions.
To build greater health capacity within communities most impacted by health disparities, we are
investing in organizations with deep roots in those communities like Fair Haven Clinic and Cornell-
Scott Hill Health Center, Federally Qualified Health Centers that strive to improve the health and
social health of the communities they serve while being accountable and governed by those
communities. These are indispensable institutions that provide access to a wide range of health
services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. We are also investing in Community Health
workers, trusted community health professionals who work to improve patient experience, care
coordination, and clinical outcomes with the public health and social services systems. This
investment stems from the widely recognized importance of trust between a community and the
health providers within that community which is so essential to building healthier and more
resilient communities.
Use of Evidence
As indicated in the Project Inventory, the state is still in the process of identifying the scope of
certain projects and determining compliance with federal regulations. Consequently, an approach
to building evidence and the development of a Learning Agenda across projects has not yet begun
in full. However, we anticipate the use of evidence and evaluation to proceed along the following
lines and to leverage related state efforts to support the use of data, analysis and evaluation.
The evidence-building strategy will include three components: 1) prioritizing investments for
evidence-building, 2) supporting the allocation of resources for evaluation and data analysis and
3) communicating and connecting projects with existing state efforts to coordinate and leverage
capacity.
Prioritization for an evidence-building strategy and, potentially, a learning agenda, is anticipated
to closely follow the five priority areas identified by Governor Lamont and referenced in the
Executive Summary:
1) Defeating COVID-19
2) Investing in the future with 21st century upgrades and investments
3) Creating a more affordable Connecticut
4) Make economic growth work for everyone
5) Resources to enable Connecticut to modernize and ease the delivery of services
In each of these five areas, core projects can be identified that have the potential to generate
high-quality evidence during the course of SLFRF funding support. These projects are anticipated
to devote resources to monitoring and evaluation activities, including the development of impact
evaluations for select projects. Prioritization is necessary to allocate limited resources efficiently
– despite the resources available, we cannot ‘evaluate everything.’
The identification of projects for evidence-building and impact evaluation can be based on a
combination of factors:
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 10
1) The alignment between the project and the five areas identified by Governor Lamont, to
ensure that investments in evidence-building align with the priorities in the SLFRF
investments as a whole
2) The scale or magnitude of the project, with the anticipation that projects with greater reach
are a more likely focus for rigorous program evaluation, including consideration of the
capability of the host agency
3) The existing evidence base for the program, to ensure that the methods required for
rigorous program evaluation are appropriate and that any evaluation can generate new
knowledge and insights
4) The potential for robust community engagement, to use those insights to inform the
evidence-building strategy with both qualitative and quantitative data (‘mixed methods’),
identified as a capacity gap in Connecticut’s State Data Plan
A sample of projects that are a likely focus for rigorous evaluation includes:
1) Defeating COVID-19: Systematically studying the link between COVID-19 and obesity,
which increases the risk of severe illness from COVID-19, and also disproportionately
impacts some racial and ethnic minority groups, to improve government-operated nutrition
and health programs.
2) Investing in the future: Several project focus on tutoring, and high-dosage tutoring (HDT)
is among the best and most cost-effective interventions rigorously evaluated for
accelerating student learning. Research has found that intensive models of tutoring, when
implemented with fidelity, can produce learning gains for students as high as
one to two
years in math beyond what they typically learn in the classroom and reductions in failure
rates by more than 50 percent. Given the extensive impact that COVID-19 had on student
learning, expanding HDT programs is an effective strategy for addressing learning loss
and ensuring that thousands of students have the academic support they need to thrive in
the upcoming school year.
3) Creating a more affordable Connecticut: Financial aid and student supports have been
studied in multiple jurisdictions. The expansion of Guided Pathways and need-based
scholarships in Connecticut to disproportionately impacted populations is an opportunity
to generate new evidence about these interventions and their impact on academic and
career success.
4) Make economic growth work for everyone: The CareerConneCT project will consist of job
training programs aimed at getting unemployed individuals or individuals significantly
impacted by the pandemic back to work in high-quality career pathways, particularly in
areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information techonology, clean
energy, and construction, with intended outcomes to train and place between 5,500 and
7,000 students and job seekers to enter employment in careers including, but not limited
to, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, clean energy, and construction. The
evaluation framework is planned to use a quasi-experimental analysis that will be focused
on, among other things, wage gains, educational attainment, and decreased reliance on
state services.
5) Resources to enable Connecticut to modernize and ease the delivery of services:
Evidence demonstrates that Community Health Centers, Federally Qualified Health
Centers (FQHCs), and FQHC look-alikes reduce inpatient and emergency department
utilization for the Medicaid and underserved populations. Because FQHCs primarily serve
low-income and minority populations, they also help increase health education for
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 11
uninsured patients and provide access to critical health screenings. More evidence-based
context can be found here.
As projects develop, OPM plans to communicate the focus on evidence-building to agencies and
project implementation teams to ensure awareness that evaluation and data analysis are
allowable expenses and that recipients may use resources to “build their internal capacity to
successfully implement economic relief programs, with investments in data analysis, targeted
outreach, technology infrastructure, and impact evaluations.”
The evidence-building strategy is also envisioned to leverage work underway to enhance state
data and analytical capacity. Projects will be encouraged to work with and make use of these
resources, including:
1) The state longitudinal data system (P20 WIN
), as a potential backbone for integrating data
across agency systems. The P20 WIN research agenda includes focus on college and
career readiness, student readiness, financial aid, workforce training programs and
barriers to success, all of which are areas for substantial investment in Connecticut’s
SLFRF Recovery Plan. For example, the research on workforce training programs
incorporates the same quasi-experimental framework under consideration for the
CareerConneCT program described above.
2) The state open data portal (data.ct.gov) which posts data from agencies, including
program enrollment and outcomes and houses existing dashboards on the impact of
COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery. The use of the open data portal in SLFRF
planning efforts has already begun, with posting of maps, data and documentation on
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs) for the development of project plans and determination
of eligibility.
Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management has a history of supporting transparency, data
analysis and performance monitoring through multiple avenues and anticipates leveraging those
existing resources in the evidence-building process as the SLFRF plan implementation moves
forward.
Table of Expenses by Expenditure Category
While we have made substantial progress in developing a strategic and transformative vision, the
State of Connecticut did not have any obligations or expenditures within the time period covered
by this report: (i.e., through July 31, 2021).
Project Inventory
Project 1: Enhanced Student Retention at Community Colleges
Funding amount: $19,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: Education Assistance: Academic Services, 3.3
This project represents a total allocation of $19.5 million ($6.5 million per year for FY 2022, FY
2023, and FY 2024) to support the piloting of Guided Pathways in the Connecticut Community
College system while an influx of resources is being invested in the community colleges to support
broader workforce development, upskilling and expanded degrees and certification programs.
The Guided Pathways advising model involves significantly lowering the student-to-advisor ratio
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 12
at community colleges to ensure that college students have the necessary support to identify their
academic goals and remove barriers to achieving them. This will benefit students pursuing higher
education with the goal of stable employment after the pandemic, as well as community colleges
whose enrollment decline during the pandemic has caused revenue volatility. The Connecticut
Community College system office is further evaluating the most effective ways to target resources
from the State Fiscal Recovery Fund to hire advising staff that will support students in
communities that were disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Program Website: CSCU - Guided Pathways (ct.edu)
Project 2: Higher Education - CSCU
Funding amount: $15,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 3: Senior Food Vouchers
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. This
project will allocate a total of $200,000 ($100,000 each for FY 2022 and 2023) for the Farmer’s
Market Nutrition Program to increase Senior Food Vouchers. The Farmer’s Market Program is a
food program administered by the Department of Agriculture. It provides food vouchers to low-
income families. The vouchers are used to buy fresh produce from local grown farms. This funding
will provide additional vouchers that will be distributed to lower income seniors already receiving
assistance. The additional vouchers will help offset the negative economic impacts caused by the
pandemic resulting in food insecurities.
Project 4: Farmer’s Market Nutrition
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. This
project will allocate a total of $200,000 ($100,000 each for FY 2022 and 2023) for the Farmer’s
Market Nutrition Program to increase WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Vouchers. The
Farmer’s Market Program is a food program administered by the state Department of Agriculture.
It provides food vouchers to low-income families. The vouchers are used to buy fresh produce
from local grown farms. The funding will provide additional vouchers that will be distributed to
lower income families already receiving assistance. The additional vouchers will help offset the
negative economic impacts caused by the pandemic resulting in food insecurities.
Project 5: Farm-to-School Grant
Funding amount: $500,000
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 13
Project Expenditure Category: 3.5 Education Assistance: Other
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. This
project will allocate a total of $500,000 ($250,000 each for FY 2022 and 2023) for a Farm-to-
School Grant Program. This program will provide fresh nutritional food to schools directly from
local grown farms, as well as educate students on healthy eating. The program will be
administered by the Department of Agriculture and be targeted towards schools-of-need.
Project 6: Food Insecurity Grants to Food Pantries and Food Banks
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. This
project will allocate a total of $1 million in FY 2022 for grants to food pantries and food banks to
address food insecurity. Families have experienced loss of employment, due to the pandemic,
resulting in negative economic impacts and food insecurities. Many of these families have become
reliant on food pantries and food banks to feed their families. This will provide funding to increase
inventory in food pantries and food banks experiencing shortages.
Project 7: Respite Care for Family Caregivers
Funding amount: $3,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
This funding will provide respite care that will offer short-term relief for family caregivers who have
been caring for older adults or close family members with a disability. The Department of
Developmental Services (DDS) will work closely with the Department of Aging and Disability
Services (ADS) to provide this care for the families with the greatest need. Supports may include
respite overnight facilities, family support grants, adult day services and outreach. This respite
care program is not necessarily evidence-based, but rather will be a way to provide funding to
enhance and support existing respite care programs.
Project 8: Beardsley Zoo
Funding amount: $492,242
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development, is in the process of engaging with the Beardsley Zoo to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The anticipated allocation to the zoo
is $492,242 ($246,121 in each of FY 2022 and FY 2023). The Beardsley Zoo is a nonprofit zoo
in Bridgeport where there are animals, graphics and zoo programs for visitors. The following
methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered, based on
profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial
information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 14
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 9: Amistad
Funding amount: $400,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 10: Maritime Center Authority
Funding amount: $392,590
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 11: Mystic Aquarium
Funding amount: $355,206
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity Mystic Aquarium
to ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following
methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on
profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial
information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 12: Music Haven
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 15
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 13: Norwalk Symphony
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 14: Riverfront Recapture
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. The
following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered to
comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 16
• Particularly relevant to this entity, improving outdoor spaces as a response to the public
health emergency and/or its negative economic impacts.
Project 15: Connecticut Main Street Center
Funding amount: $700,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs;
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19; and
• Improving outdoor spaces as a response to the public health emergency and/or its
negative economic impacts.
Project 16: Middletown Downtown Business District
Funding amount: $700,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs;
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19; and
• Improving outdoor spaces as a response to the public health emergency and/or its
negative economic impacts.
Project 17: CRDA Economic Support for Venues
Funding amount: $7,500,000
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 17
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Capital Region Development Authority is a public corporation which oversees several
regional revenues in the Hartford area. This project will address the economic impact that COVID-
19has had upon those venues, including revenue loss from closures and cancellations. The Office
of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and to ensure
compliance with federal regulations.
Project 18: Working Cities Challenge
Funding amount: $2,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other
The Working Cities Challenge is a grant competition operated by the Federal Reserve Bank of
Boston to advance collaborative leadership in smaller, postindustrial cities to transform the lives
of their low-income residents. The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of
coordinating with municipalities and the General Assembly to scope the project and ensure
compliance with federal regulations.
Project 19: Charter Oak Temple Restoration Association
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management and relevant state agencies are in the process of engaging
with the named entity to ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations.
The following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered
in order to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 20: West Haven Veterans Museum
Funding amount: $50,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 18
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 21: VFW Rocky Hill
Funding amount: $30,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs;
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19; and
• Improving outdoor spaces as a response to the public health emergency and/or its
negative economic impacts.
Project 22: Playhouse on Park
Funding amount: $30,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 19
Project 23: Family Justice Center
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations / 3.13 Social Determinants of
Health: Other
The Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Economic and Community
Development are working with the Department of Social Services to engage the named entity to
ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations.
The primary method for operationalizing the funding with the named entity is through addressing
disparities in economic outcomes from the public health emergency through addressing
educational disparities exacerbated by COVID-19, including: early learning services, increasing
resources for high-poverty school districts, educational services like tutoring or afterschool
programs, and supports for students’ social, emotional, and mental health needs;
Additionally, the following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are
being considered based on profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred
expenses, or other financial information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 24: East Hartford Little League
Funding amount: $50,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.9 Healthy Childhood Environments: Other
The Office of Policy and Management and the Department of Economic and Community
Development are in the process of working with the State Department of Education to engage
with the named entity to ensure funding from CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations.
The following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered
based on profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or
other financial information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs;
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19; and
• Additionally, these services automatically qualify as eligible uses when provided in
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), low-income areas designated by HUD; to families in
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 20
QCTs; or by Tribal governments. Outside of these areas, recipient governments can also
identify and serve households, populations, and geographic areas disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic. Services under this category could include:
o Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on education, childhood health and welfare, including:
Summer education and enrichment programs in these communities, which
include many communities currently struggling with high levels of violence;
Programs that address learning loss and keep students productively
engaged;
Enhanced services for foster youths and home visiting programs; and
Summer camps and recreation.
Project 25: Hartford YMCA
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Additionally, these services automatically qualify as eligible uses when provided in
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), low-income areas designated by HUD; to families in
QCTs; or by Tribal governments. Outside of these areas, recipient governments can also
identify and serve households, populations, and geographic areas disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic. Services under this category could include:
o Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on education, childhood health and welfare, including:
Summer education and enrichment programs in these communities, which
include many communities currently struggling with high levels of
violence;.
Programs that address learning loss and keep students productively
engaged;
Enhanced services for foster youths and home visiting programs; and
Summer camps and recreation.
Project 26: ESF/Dream Camp of Hartford
Funding amount: $100,000
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 21
Project Expenditure Category: 3.9 Healthy Childhood Environments: Other
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Additionally, these services automatically qualify as eligible uses when provided in
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), low-income areas designated by HUD; to families in
QCTs; or by Tribal governments. Outside of these areas, recipient governments can also
identify and serve households, populations, and geographic areas disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic. Services under this category could include:
o Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on education, childhood health and welfare, including:
Summer education and enrichment programs in these communities, which
include many communities currently struggling with high levels of violence;
Programs that address learning loss and keep students productively
engaged;
Enhanced services for foster youths and home visiting programs; and
Summer camps and recreation.
Project 27: Beta Iota Boule Foundation – Youth Services
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations / 3.9 Healthy Childhood
Environments: Other
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 28: Legacy Foundation for Health and Disparities
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations / 3.9 Healthy Childhood
Environments: Other
The Office of Policy and Management and Department of Economic and Community
Development are in the process of engaging with the State Department of Education and
Department of Public Health to engage with the named entity to ensure funding from CSFRF is in
compliance with federal regulations.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 22
The following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered
based on profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or
other financial information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Additionally, these services automatically qualify as eligible uses when provided in
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), low-income areas designated by HUD; to families in
QCTs; or by Tribal governments. Outside of these areas, recipient governments can also
identify and serve households, populations, and geographic areas disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic. Services under this category could include:
o Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on education, childhood health and welfare, including:
Summer education and enrichment programs in these communities, which
include many communities currently struggling with high levels of violence;
Programs that address learning loss and keep students productively
engaged;
Enhanced services for foster youths and home visiting programs; and
Summer camps and recreation.
Project 29: Connecticut Center for Advanced Technologies
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 30: Middlesex YMCA
Funding amount: $100,000
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 23
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations / 3.9 Healthy Childhood
Environments: Other
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of engaging with the named entity to ensure funding
from the CSFRF is in compliance with federal regulations. The following methods for
operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered based on profit and loss
statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or other financial information
necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 31: Shatterproof
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.11 Substance Use Services / 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of working with the Department of Mental Health and
Addiction Services to engage the named entity to ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance
with federal regulations. The following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named
entity are being considered based on profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement
of incurred expenses, or other financial information necessary to comply with the federal
regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 32: Summer Experience at Connecticut’s Top Venues
Funding amount: $15,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or
Hospitality [and/or 3.5 Other Education Assistance]
On April 30, 2021, Governor Ned Lamont proposed the launch of an initiative that would allow
Connecticut children (18 and under) plus one accompanying Connecticut adult to visit museums
throughout the state free of charge from July 1 to September 6, 2021. One hundred and two (102)
funded and non-funded museums are participating, including the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk,
Mystic Aquarium, Mystic Seaport, the CT Science Center in Hartford, and the Beardsley Zoo in
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 24
Bridgeport. The project is being delivered by a partnership between the Connecticut Office of the
Arts within the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD, the lead state
agency), the State Tourism Department, CT Humanities, and the State Department of Education.
Funded museum partners number 53. A complete list of all museum partners may be found here:
https://www.ctvisit.com/articles/connecticut-summer-museum-free-admission-kids
. Applications
to the program were received in June. Funding for the program covers the period of July 1 through
September 6, 2021. The funding period is July 1 through December 30, 2021. Project outcomes
include the following: to provide enrichment activities for CT kids and families to prepare them
for a successful return to the classroom post-pandemic; to support family learning in informal
educational situations; to reduce the barriers to entry to museums for low-income and non-
traditional visitors; to provide funding to assist non-profit museums to recover from the financial
effects of the pandemic by encouraging visitation. All participants (whether funded or unfunded)
will be required to complete a final report consisting of data collection including number of visitors
to the museums during the time period; visitor demographics, collateral effects of the program
(such as gift shop sales, café/restaurant sales, purchase of “add-on’s”, etc.); and comparison of
visitation data from 2019 to 2020 and 2021. These reports will be collected and finalized by
January 2022. DECD also plans to collaborate with the state Department of Education to collect
further information from teachers regarding participation in the program and student readiness in
the classroom, but we do not have a firm timeline or project plan for that data collection. With
respect to community engagement, DECD has regularly interfaced with the largest five museums
(enumerated above), have had one meeting with the other program participants in conjunction
with CT Humanities and the CT League of History Organizations, and will be hosting at least one
additional virtual meeting after the program closes. Via the CTVisit website (official State Tourism
website) various DECD staff have had email and phone call conversations with visitors who are
using the program. Their feedback has enabled us to troubleshoot potential problems to find
solutions.
Project 33: Statewide Marketing
Funding Amount: $7,107,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The state’s Strategic Marketing Plan, which draws on several sources of funding, encompasses
three initiatives: (1) new year-round and season tourism campaigns; (2) programming to attract
and retaining part- and full-time residents; and (3) promotion of the state’s improved climate for
business formation and growth. ARP funds will support the first initiative, designed as a response
to the economic harm to the travel/tourism industry dealt by COVID. New tourism campaigns will
begin to be rolled out in Fall 2021; market research, content development, and web design will
occur in Fall / Winter 2021; and further marketing campaigns will launch Winter and Spring 2022.
Intended outcomes include growth in quarterly and year-over-year sales supported by traveler
spending (e.g., within the hospitality industry, at major venues, etc.); and growth in employment
within travel/hospitality sector. Interim data will include evaluations of data from consumer
surveys related to brand awareness; engagement on social media; unique visits to CTVisit.com
portal and click-through’s to businesses linked on site; visits to arts, cultural, and recreational
attractions; and the number of large-scale conventions and events booked in-state. With respect
to community engagement, DECD Office of Tourism has conducted consumer surveys, including
one in March 2021 related to post-Covid travel (
https://www.ctvisit.com/press-releases/new-
program-provides-connecticut%E2%80%99s-tourism-industry-research-based-insights-
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 25
business); DECD plans to conduct similar surveys, and also is in regular contact with non-for-
profit and for-profit travel and tourism partners throughout the state. The main website for the
state’s tourism office is
http://CTvisit.com.
Project 34: Governor’s Workforce Initiatives (aka CareerConneCT)
Funding Amount: $70,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
CareerConneCT will consist largely of job training programs aimed at getting unemployed
individuals or individuals significantly impacted by the pandemic back to work in high-quality
career pathways, particularly in areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, clean
energy, and construction. These funds will also be used to support students whose education has
been impacted by the pandemic and either need support in finishing their high school diploma or
entering the workforce immediately after graduating by earning industry-recognized credentials.
The Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS, a sub-agency housed within the Office of the Governor)
will supplement these ARP dollars with additional funding focused on supporting systems
redesign efforts to improve some of the structural issues that currently plague Connecticut’s
workforce system. OWS will be managing these funds and will likely need to hire a program
manager to help with the administration of the funds. The Office of Workforce Strategy will solicit
proposals from partnership groups that must include at least on workforce development board,
educational or workforce training provider, and an industry partner. The intended outcomes of
CareerConneCT be to train and place between 5,500 and 7,000 students and job seekers to enter
employment in careers including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, IT, clean
energy, and construction. OWS is partnering with the Office of Policy and Management to design
a framework for evaluating the success of each program that is funded with ARP dollars. This
evaluation framework will include before and after analyses that will be focused on, among other
things, wage gains, educational attainment, decreased reliance on state services, etc. Program
providers will be asked to submit a core set of data about each participant after completion of the
program. With respect to community engagement, each training proposal will be required to
include language on how that program will be addressing the needs of traditionally marginalized
populations in the workforce. By requiring the state’s nine Regional Workforce Development
Boards to collaborate with regional training providers and companies, the OWS will be expecting
deep community engagement to inform the design of each application submitted.
Project 35: CT Hospitality Industry Support
Funding amount: $30,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
This project is intended to provide direct support to businesses in the tourism, travel, and
hospitality industry which have suffered direct economic harm due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance
with federal regulations. The following methods for operationalizing the funding are being
considered.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 26
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 36: Regulatory Modernization
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with potential grantees
within this program to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 37: Historic Wooster Square Association
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Funding
being considered in order to support improving outdoor spaces as a response to the public health
emergency and/or its negative economic impacts in accordance with federal regulations.
Project 38: Humane Commission/Animal Shelter of New Haven
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance
with federal regulations. The following methods for operationalizing the funding are being
considered.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 39: Ball and Socket Cheshire
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance
with federal regulations. The following methods for operationalizing the funding are being
considered.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 27
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 40: Junta for Progressive Action
Funding amount: $750,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Economic and
Community Development are in the process of ensure funding from the CSFRF is in compliance
with federal regulations. The following methods for operationalizing the funding are being
considered.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning
needs that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
Project 41: CT Airport Authority
Funding amount: $2,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 42: Right to Read
Funding amount: $25,720,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.3 Education Assistance: Academic Services
The Office of Policy and Management and the State Department of Education are in the process
of operationalizing this funding which will support the Center for Literacy Research and Success,
newly established at the State Department of Education in Public Act 21-2, JSS. The center will
have responsibility for statewide oversight of literacy education and intensive supports for literacy
education in Alliance Districts, the 33 lowest performing districts in the State of Connecticut. The
reading assessments and curricula recommended and implemented by the Center for Literacy
Research and Success are required, by the language establishing the center and delineating its
duties in PA 21-2, JSS, to be evidence based. This funding will provide intense supports to
students in Connecticut’s lowest performing districts and provide resources to all districts to assist
children who read below grade level, thereby helping to mitigate educational disparities
exacerbated by the pandemic.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 28
Project 43: Faith Acts Priority School Districts
Funding amount: $10,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.2 Education Assistance: Aid to High-Poverty Districts
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with the Connecticut State
Department of Education to operationalize this program which will provide an additional $10
million in support to Priority Districts during Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023. Priority districts are 15
of Connecticut’s highest poverty, highest need districts, with some of the greatest challenges to
educational achievement. This funding will help to advance equitable education funding across
geographic areas and to mitigate educational disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.
Project 44: CT Writing Project
Funding amount: $159,500
Project Expenditure Category: 3.2 Education Assistance: Academic Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
State Department of Education to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal
regulations. The Grantee is an affiliate of the National Writing Project, dedicated to improving
students’ writing by strengthening the teaching of writing, providing professional development
programs for classroom teachers, and expanding the professional roles of teachers. Eligible
potential uses include programming dedicated to supporting students disproportionately impacted
by COVID or as aid to a non-profit operationalized within applicable CSFRF guidelines.
Project 45: Ascend Mentoring - Windsor
Funding amount: $300,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Educational Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
Ascend Mentoring is an organization in Windsor, Connecticut that serves children aged 12-18
enrolled in Windsor Public Schools with three areas of focus employment services, financial
planning, and mental health resources. The Office of Policy and Management and the State
Department of Education are in the process of operationalizing this funding with the goal of
providing additional social, emotional, and mental health resources, as well as other enrichment
opportunities to students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Project 46: Women in Manufacturing - Platt Tech Regional Vocational Technical School
Funding amount: $70,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 47: Elevate Bridgeport
Funding amount: $800,000
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 29
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Educational Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
Elevate Bridgeport provides additional elective classes mentoring extra-curricular activities
college and career preparation for Students in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Office of Policy and
the State Department of Education are working to operationalize these funds to provide additional
enrichment activities for students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Project 48: Grant to RHAM Manufacturing Program
Funding amount: $32,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
This program will provide support to Career and Technical Education at RHAM High School in
Hebron Connecticut. The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with
the State Department of Education to ensure support provided is in compliance with federal
guidance.
Project 49: East Hartford Youth Services
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
East Hartford Youth Services is a Municipal Agency in East Hartford, Connecticut which provides
community support, counseling services and other services to youth in East Hartford, Connecticut.
The Office of Policy and Management and the State Department of Education are in the process
of operationalizing the funding to support social, emotional, and mental health services as well as
other enrichment opportunities for students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Project 50: Student Achievement Through Opportunity
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 51: Summer Camp Scholarships for Families
Funding amount: $3,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
Working with the State Department of Education, scholarships to sports and specialty camps will
be targeted for children at or below 50% of state median income (SMI) for summer 2022. This will
help families provide their children with fun, safe summer activities after multiple years in which
many children experienced enhanced isolation and decreased interpersonal contacts due to the
pandemic. The delivery mechanism and partners are currently being discussed by The Office of
Policy and Management and the State Department of Education. Summer camp is an engaging
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 30
and enriching experience that is proven to help accelerate learning and support students’ mental
health. Providing $3.5 million in scholarships to families who need it most allows the state to
extend these evidence-based interventions to disproportionately impacted communities (EC3).
Project 52: New Haven Local Little League
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
The following methods for operationalizing the funding with the named entity are being considered
based on profit and loss statements for the eligible period, statement of incurred expenses, or
other financial information necessary to comply with the federal regulations.
• Loans or grants to mitigate financial hardship such as declines in revenues or impacts of
periods of business closure, for example by supporting payroll and benefits costs, costs
to retain employees, mortgage, rent, or utilities costs, and other operating costs;
• Loans, grants, or in-kind assistance to implement COVID-19 prevention or mitigation
tactics, such as physical plant changes to enable social distancing, enhanced cleaning
efforts, barriers or partitions, or COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or contact tracing
programs; and
• Technical assistance, counseling, or other services to assist with business planning needs
that responds to the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
• Additionally, these services automatically qualify as eligible uses when provided in
Qualified Census Tracts (QCTs), low-income areas designated by HUD; to families in
QCTs; or by Tribal governments. Outside of these areas, recipient governments can also
identify and serve households, populations, and geographic areas disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic. Services under this category could include:
o Programs or services that address or mitigate the impacts of the COVID-19 public
health emergency on education, childhood health and welfare, including:
Summer education and enrichment programs in these communities, which
include many communities currently struggling with high levels of violence;
Programs that address learning loss and keep students productively
engaged;
Enhanced services for foster youths and home visiting programs; and
o Summer camps and recreation.
Project 53: Hamden Before and After School Programming
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. The parties
involved in this process ultimately aim to use this funding to provide additional before and after
school programming to students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Project 54: Hamden Pre-K Programming
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 31
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.1 Education Assistance: Early Learning
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. The parties
involved in this process ultimately aim to use this funding to provide additional early educational
opportunities to students disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Project 55: Air Quality Study
Funding amount: $20,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The link between social determinants of health, including social, environmental and economic
conditions and health outcomes, is widely recognized in the public health literature, as well as the
corresponding disproportionate impact on some racial and ethnic groups. The Office of Policy and
Management is working with the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to
operationalize funding for an air quality study in Sherman Connecticut.
Project 56: Swimming Lessons to DEEP
Funding amount: $1,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.5 Education Assistance: Other
The Office of Policy and Management is working with the Department of Energy and
Environmental Protection to operationalize funding an annual program to provide free or
significantly subsidized swim lessons for children in Connecticut from families of limited financial
means. The most efficient way to get this program up and running quickly is to utilize existing
capacity year-round to provide lessons. This may include municipal recreation departments,
YMCAs, private organizations and individuals, and others. DEEP is reviewing options to provide
vouchers for families to pay all or a significant portion of the cost of swim lessons at any provider
they want who meets minimum qualifications. Eligibility would be based on one or more metrics
of family means, informed by DSS. Lessons could be given anywhere a provider offers, including
at our state park swim areas, if desired. Providers would redeem the vouchers for a pre-
determined level of reimbursement per lesson provided.
Project 57: Health and Safety Barriers to Housing Remediation
Funding amount: $7,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance
Over 30% of the homes of residents with limited income contain health and safety barriers that
prevent the completion of weatherization measures to make those homes more efficient. This
poses an equity concern for income-eligible participants who are unable to access the
considerable energy savings and health benefits of participating in Connecticut’ Conservation and
Load Management (C&LM) fund’s income-eligible residential program, Home Energy Solutions –
Income Eligible (HES-IE). HES-IE helps Connecticut residents with limited income to weatherize
their homes with insulation, air sealing, and improved air ventilation. However, if customers have
health and safety barriers in their homes such as asbestos and vermiculite, mold, gas leaks, and
knob-and-tube wiring, weatherization measures cannot be completed. A program is needed to
remediate these barriers so that we can increase energy efficiency, reduce future energy bills,
and improve indoor and outdoor air quality for residents with limited income, who have been
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 32
disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Access to affordable energy is a
fundamental necessity for living in the modern world, including access to the internet that enables
remote work, education, and healthcare. Reducing energy costs will help the state’s most
vulnerable residents avoid utility service disconnections, which are a primary cause of
homelessness. Improving the health, safety and comfort of a home’s inhabitants is also of
particular importance given that many people are spending more time than ever in their homes,
working, and attending school remotely. This proposal will also support energy efficiency jobs,
which were substantially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as jobs related to barrier
remediation. More efficient home energy use improves air quality, reduces greenhouse gas
emissions, and improves home resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Department of
Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will have oversight over the program, as it does
over the coordinated HES-IE program. Program administrators will be chosen through an RFP
process conducted by, or in coordination with, Eversource and Avangrid, who administer the HES-
IE program. With funding of $7 million over three years, the Health and Safety Barrier Remediation
program will serve approximately 875 homes.4 With a maximum expenditure of $15,000 and an
average of $8,000 per home, the program will unlock $1.131 million in HES-IE utility co-
investment for weatherization services and $1.680 million in lifetime customer energy savings for
income-eligible households. Customers will be automatically eligible for barrier remediation funds
if they are eligible for HES-IE and utility hardship programs. DEEP has existing prioritization
criteria in place that is also used in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance
Program. The barrier remediation program could also include utility customers who qualify for
“medical hardship.” Eversource and Avangrid, who administer the HES-IE program, have a
database of thousands of homes that have been deferred from HES-IE services due to the
presence of a barrier. These homes represent a viable program pipeline since they have already
expressed interest in HES-IE and thus require little to no lead acquisition or administrative work
to receive weatherization services once health and safety barriers are cleared. This program will
also be coordinated with the Efficient Energy Retrofit for Affordable Housing program described
below.
Project 58: Efficient Energy Retrofit for Housing
Funding amount: $7,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance
The Efficient Energy Retrofit for Affordable Housing program will target affordable housing, which
is often outdated with inefficient energy consumption, to ensure that the inhabitants of affordable
housing have healthy homes, can afford their energy bills, and are able to participate in clean
energy programs. Connecticut households spend the second highest amount on annual energy
bills in the nation at an average of $3,600. One of the leading causes of homelessness is an
inability to pay utility bills, even if the person can afford to pay rent. Providing funds to pay for up-
front costs of energy appliances or renewable energy infrastructure that many affordable housing
tenants are not able to afford will unlock years of energy bill savings and provide other safety,
health, and environmental benefits. This program will therefore create opportunities for
participation in energy efficiency and clean energy programs for people living in affordable
housing, improving the energy efficiency of the home, and leveraging incentives for rooftop solar
and/or storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and electric heat pumps, to further reduce
energy bills and provide resilience. The program can also provide electricity infrastructure
improvements if needed to support the clean economy of the future. DEEP will administer the
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 33
program, in coordination with other state agencies as well as the Connecticut Green Bank and
the Connecticut Housing and Finance Authority. Incentives from existing energy efficiency and
renewable energy programs will be leveraged. DEEP targets an average per unit spend of $5,000,
which will allow DEEP to reach roughly 1,000 homes and pay for the administrative costs to run
the program.
Project 59: Quinnipiac Avenue Canoe Launch
Funding amount: $250,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. When
provided in a QTC, investments in parks, public plazas, and other public outdoor recreation
spaces may be responsive to the needs of disproportionately impacted communities by promoting
healthier living environments and outdoor recreation and socialization to mitigate the spread of
COVID-19.
Project 60: Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs
Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen serves people who are experiencing homelessness or living in
poverty by providing food assistance and services, including nightly dinners, a weekly food pantry
and drop-in resource center in downtown New Haven. The Office of Policy and Management is in
the process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 61: Hands on Hartford
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.1 Household Assistance: Food Programs
Hands on Hartford, an agency founded in 1969 by members of 8 congregations in the community
to serve Hartford’s most economically challenged residents in the areas of food, housing, and
health. Volunteer-driven, Hands on Hartford founded Connecticut’s first supportive housing
program for people living with AIDS. It has also founded Hartford’s only group home for adults
with mental illness, its first soup kitchen, its only fuel assistance program for the working poor, its
only weekend senior nutrition program, and a comprehensive after-school tutoring and arts
education program for elementary school aged children. The Office of Policy and Management is
in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project
and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 62: DPH Loan Repayment
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 34
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Funds
will be utilized to expand access to health care through educational loan repayment assistance to
community-based providers of primary care services working in medically underserved or health
professional shortage areas, or otherwise providing services to populations disproportionately
impacted by COVID-19.
Project 63: Community Health Workers
Funding amount: $6,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community Health Workers
or Benefits Navigators
The Community Health Worker (CHW) program will build resilience for the next generation by
training trusted CHWs to support the highest risk families in the state. Community Health Workers
already exist and are doing exceptional work throughout the state. The scope of this project
continues to be refined as guidance is updated; however, the main activities include: an analysis
of the current landscape to determine the number of and type of CHWs across the state;
identification of critical partnerships (for employment, training, outreach, marketing, etc.);
identifying areas and families with need by developing a screening tool; determining integration
points with home visiting programs, etc. The timeline is currently under discussion, though current
landscape analysis, training, and program initiation could take between 9 – 18 months. The
intended outcomes include a continuum of care for families with the greatest need and better
awareness of and connections to health/social services for those families. Additional metrics to
evaluate success and impact will need to be discussed. This funding will support and enhance
the work that CHWs do as care managers, patient navigators, case workers, etc. Though CHWs
are not strictly evidence-based, some studies have shown that CHW intervention reduces
healthcare costs and rates of hospital admission. The Department of Public Health (DPH), the
Office of Health Strategy (OHS), and the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) will work closely
together to determine the exact structure of a rigorous program evaluation, which is certainly
critical to ensuring program success.
Project 64: Obesity & COVID-19 Study
Funding amount: $6,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. A study
would be expected to involve data analysis intended to lead to improved programming addressing
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project 65: Cornell Scott-Hill Health
Funding amount: $250,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Cornell
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 35
Scott Hill Health Center is a federally qualified health center serving approximately 36,000
patients throughout Greater New Haven and the Lower Naugatuck Valley each year. Funds may
be targeted to COVID prevention or mitigation activities, such as medical care, support for
vulnerable populations to access medical services, enhancement to health care capacity,
purchases of PPE, ventilation improvements in health care settings, or capital investments to
meet pandemic operational needs. May also be utilized for medical expenses, or health care
employee compensation to the extent that their services are devoted to mitigating or responding
to the public health emergency.
Project 66: Groton Water Taxi
Funding amount: $200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.11 Aid to Tourism, Travel, or Hospitality
Supports the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi - Sightseeing & Historic Boat Tours along
the Thames River in Groton and New London. The Office of Policy and Management is in the
process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 67: Domestic Worker Grants
Funding amount: $400,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.9 Small Business Economic Assistance (General)
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with the Department of
Labor and the General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal
regulations.
Project 68: Veterans Employment Opportunity Pilot
Funding amount: $700,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with the Department of
Labor on the initiative to support workforce training programs for veterans disproportionately
impacted by the pandemic either due to a direct impact to employment or secondary impacts of
the pandemic including housing instability, food instability or mental health concerns project and
ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 69: Opportunities for Long Term Unemployed Returning Citizens
Funding amount: $1,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with the Department of
Labor on the initiative to support workforce training programs for individuals who have been
suffered long term unemployment as a result of the pandemic.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 36
Project 70: TBICO Danbury Women’s Employment Program
Funding amount: $50,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with the Department of
Labor on the initiative to support workforce training programs women whose employment has
been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic either directly or has ability to provide for their
dependents has been directly impacted.
Project 71: Boys and Girls Club Workforce Development - Milford
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. Intention
is to support workforce development for constituents served by the agency who have been
disproportionality impacted by the pandemic by providing job training and supportive services.
Project 72: Women’s Mentoring Network – Strategic Life Skills Workshop
Funding amount: $10,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Labor is in the
process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal regulations. Intention is to support workforce development for
constituents served by the agency who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic
by providing job training and supportive services.
Project 73: Senior Jobs Bank – West Hartford
Funding amount: $20,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Labor is in the
process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal regulations. Intention is to support workforce development for
constituents served by the agency who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic
by providing job training and supportive services.
Project 74: Greater Bridgeport OIC Job Development and Training Program
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Labor is in the
process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal regulations. Intention is to support workforce development for
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 37
constituents served by the agency who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic
by providing job training and supportive services.
Project 75: Unemployment Trust Fund
Funding amount: $155,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.8 Contributions to UI Trust Funds
When COVID-19 hit our state last spring, Connecticut was ill-prepared to handle the sudden influx
of unemployment claims and ended FY 2021 having borrowed approximately $894 million in UI
funds. These loans are typically repaid by an increased tax on employers. Utilizing $155 million
could prevent a $19 million special assessment on employers that would otherwise be required
to cover interest payments due to the federal government this fall and would assist in the
repayment of the federal UI loan principal, mitigating the tax impact on employers.
Project 76: Unemployment Support
Funding amount: $15,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.13 Other Economic Support
The State of Connecticut is dedicating $15 million in FY 2022 to continue to support the need for
enhanced staff and operations at the Department of Labor’s contact center during this period of
heightened demand. In addition, dedicated federal support would preserve the state’s UI
administrative reserve, helping to maintain consumer access to timely responses from agency
personnel and address the growing demand on agency resources to support all facets of the
claims process for the COVID driven unemployment support programs providing benefits to
Connecticut residents.
Project 77: Customized Services for Mortgage Crisis Jobs Training Program
Funding amount: $1,100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management in collaboration with the Department of Labor is in the
process of coordinating with this grantee and the General Assembly to scope the project and
ensure compliance with federal guidance. The intention is to support workforce development for
constituents served by the agency who have been disproportionality impacted by the pandemic
by providing job training and supportive services.
Project 78: Care4Kids Parent Fees
Funding amount: $5,300,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care
The goal of the Care4Kids program is to make childcare affordable for low to moderate income
families in Connecticut. The program is a partnership between the State of Connecticut, the
families in the program and the providers who take care of the children. It allocates $5.3 million
to the Office of Early Childhood to cover parent fees in the Care4Kids program until the funding
allocated for this initiative is exhausted. This will supplement $8.7 million in stimulus funding
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 38
awarded directly by the federal government to OEC which will support the same initiative. The
initiative will provide economic relief to the families of thousands lower- and middle-income
children, many of whom have suffered unemployment, loss of income and other trauma resulting
from the COVID-19 pandemic, while providing early educational opportunities to the children
themselves and promoting health early childhood environments.
Program website: CT Care 4 Kids – Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Project 79: Parent Fees for 3-4 Year Olds at State Funded Childcare Centers
Funding amount: $3,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.6 Healthy Childhood Environments: Child Care
Allocating $3.5 million to pay parent fees in the school readiness and child day care state-
contracted programs through September of 2021. This initiative will provide economic relief to the
families of income-eligible children enrolled in these programs, many of whom come from
communities and populations that have suffered disproportionately from the health and economic
consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also helping to retain children in these high-
quality educational programs, mitigating learning loss and increasing kindergarten readiness. In
addition, $3.5 million will be provided out of federal stimulus funds awarded to OEC from prior
legislation for Family Resource Center programs. They will offer free summer programs for
preschool children and their families for children, not enrolled in early childhood programs, who
missed out on preschool experiences due to COVID-19.
Project 80: Universal Home Visiting
Funding amount: $8,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting
This funding will be used to create a universal home visiting program. Home visiting sends
registered nurses from the community to the homes of newborns within the first three weeks after
birth to conduct health and wellness checks for both the infant and mother. Registered nurses
inform mothers of the core functions of infant and maternal health and of the community resources
available to meet their identified needs. The nurse documents physical assessments, community
referrals, and general visitation outcomes and shares the appropriate information to the family’s
health-care providers. The timeline for this project varies and is continuing to be discussed,
though it will likely take between 24-36 months to fully roll out the program in pilot cities and then
throughout the state. Partnerships will likely include healthcare organizations/nonprofits, hospital
systems, community health centers/FQHCs, home visiting models, etc. The Office of Early
Childhood (OEC) is working closely with the Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Office of
Health Strategy (OHS) in the planning and implementation process. The intended outcomes
include improving health outcomes and enhance social determinants of health, namely the mental
health and wellbeing, for mothers and their newborns. Just as importantly, Universal home visiting
reduces the stigma associated with targeted eligibility requirements, which creates enrollment
challenges for existing services statewide. This will help increase contact and create connections
with high-risk families to help them access higher intensity services.
Evidence shows that universal home visiting reduces emergency medical care and child welfare
engagement, generating $3 in savings for every $1 spent in program costs. Having a baby is a
big life change - every family can benefit from early public health supports like home visiting
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 39
regardless of income and risk profile. In addition, universal home visiting reduces stigma for
eligibility as stated above. The Connecticut Needs Assessment
of Connecticut’s federally funded
home visiting system highlights stigma as an issue by noting that “primary prevention was often
difficult or unavailable for families to access and HV has been stigmatized as an extension of DCF
services... having a clear distinction between prevention services and those provided by DCF was
anticipated to reduce barriers to engagement”. Program evaluation metrics are continuing to be
discussed and refined among agencies. For example, a potential operating partner, Family
Connects demonstrates several outcomes: a 50% reduction in emergency room visits and
hospital overnight stays in the first year of infants'’ lives; mothers 28%-30% less likely to report
postpartum clinical anxiety or depression; 13%-15% increase in community connections made;
44% lower rates of Child Protective Services investigations. Additionally, Family Connects is
designated as an evidence-based model under the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home
Visiting (MIECHV) program through the Administration for Children & Families. Studies can be
found
here, here, and here.
Project 81: Roberta Willis Need-Based Scholarships
Funding amount: $40,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.5 Education Assistance: Other
The pandemic has taken a toll on the personal financial situations of many Connecticut residents
who were pursuing higher education or will now enroll in a college or university in pursuit of stable
employment. This funding from CSFRF will increase the available resources for need-based
scholarships to Connecticut residents attending public and independent nonprofit colleges and
universities, increasing state-issued financial aid by 18% in each year. In FY 2019, approximately
11,000 students received an average state scholarship award of $2,990. This dedicated
investment could support up to 2,000 students each year. The Office of Policy and Management
is evaluating ways to target this funding to students in communities that were disproportionately
impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project 82: College Corps CT Summer Program
Funding amount: $1,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.5 Education Assistance: Other
In order to fulfill the state’s goals of providing all students access to enriching and engaging
summer programs in 2021, the College Corps CT recruited 500 students statewide to work in
summer programs. Corps members received one week of specialized training prior to being
matched with summer enrichment programs throughout the state. They worked for seven weeks
supporting summer programs to provide joyful, stimulating experiences and to mitigate school
disengagement for youth. Corps members participated in weekly cohort meetings with team
leaders and mentors who provided ongoing guidance, resources, and support.
The state of Connecticut partnered with Fairfield University to recruit, train, and operationalize the
program in coordination with the State Department of Education. More information can be found
at:
https://www.fairfield.edu/graduate-and-professional-studies/school-of-education-and-human-
development/community-engagement/college-corps-ct-summer-program/
The $1.5 million was paired with Coronavirus Relief Funds for a $3 million total investment.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 40
The College Corps CT aims to provide meaningful and enriching work experience for college
students while fulfilling the staffing needs of summer programs across the state. Members of the
College Corps CT were placed in summer programs that are a part of the State Department of
Education’s Expansion and Innovation Grant Programs and therefore are proven evidence-based
interventions and will be rigorously evaluated.
Project 83: Private Providers
Funding amount: $60,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The $60 million over two years, in combination with OPM Private Provider funding, some Medicaid
support for Intermediate Care Facilities, and carryforward funding will support contracted
providers in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). That funding will help implement
a minimum wage increase for employees in DDS provider settings and support a 3% increase for
those making over the minimum wage, plus fund a health and retirement pool to enhance benefits
for these important health care workers.
Project 84: PPE & Supplies
Funding amount: $20,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.5 Personal Protective Equipment
Funding in the amount of $20 million is allocated to support continued investment and
replacement of expired PPE to ensure that the state is prepared and can continue to safeguard
its direct care and frontline workers. The funding will also support a new emergency management
warehouse to be operated by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s
Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and a small logistics staff. This will
provide Connecticut an asset that most states already have and will permit safe storage of PPE,
as well as emergency support vehicles and communications devices that are currently often
stored outside, subjecting them to weather degradation and potential theft.
Project 85: State Employee Essential Workers and National Guard Premium Pay
Funding amount: $20,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 4.1 Public Sector Employees
This funding will provide financial recognition for the essential workers who gave us security
during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Project 86: Higher Education - UConn
Funding amount: $25,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
These funds aim to offset direct COVID-19 related costs and revenue impacts from the ongoing
pandemic during the upcoming fiscal years. UConn faced significant costs in 2020 for student
testing, remote learning technology, and campus adaptations to accommodate learning during
the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, UConn saw steep revenue declines from reduced
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 41
enrollment at community colleges and reduced on-campus housing and dining fees at universities
as students chose to attend classes remotely while living off-campus. The funding will provide
budget stability and cover ongoing direct costs and revenue losses from COVID-19 as higher
education institutions transition to operating in a post-pandemic environment. The funds fall under
the Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2), and Services to Disproportionately Impacted
Communities (EC 3) Expenditure Categories.
Project 87: UCHC Revenue Impact
Funding amount: $35,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Funding of $35 million is allocated to the University of Connecticut Health Center (UCH), the
state’s only academic medical center, in FY 2022 to reimburse UCH’s clinical fund for revenue
losses experienced during the period of reduced capacity in 2020 in response to COVID-19
outbreaks. UCH has stated that revenue losses resulting from reduced clinical operations in FY
2020 alone were $19 million. This direct budget impact from COVID-19 was not eligible for relief
from the previous federal funding available under the Coronavirus Relief Fund but is expected to
be an allowable use of the CSFRF. As UCH already faces a difficult financial outlook in the coming
years, including a projected budget deficit of up to $40 million in FY 2023, this relief for revenue
losses related to the pandemic will provide flexibility to address challenges down the road. The
funds fall under the Negative Economic Impacts (EC 2), and Services to Disproportionately
Impacted Communities (EC 3) Expenditure Categories.
Project 88: University of Connecticut Health Center
Funding amount: $38,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
Similar to Project 87. The legislature allocated funding in separate lines for similar purposes.
Project 89: Fostering Community
Funding amount: $20,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofits
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. The
Department of Children and Families will work with the vendor, Fostering the Community Inc., to
identify one or more enhanced services for child welfare-involved families and/or foster youth to
provide support and training in child development, positive parenting, or coping skills.
Project 90: Casa Boricua-Meriden
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community Health Workers
or Benefits Navigators
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. Casa
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 42
Boricua De Meriden is a non-profit organization that works to improve the education, health, and
well-being of Puerto Rican/Latino persons in Greater Meriden. This organization’s experience in
assisting clients in navigating public benefits and the provision of services for individuals
experiencing homelessness is consistent with eligible use guidelines.
Project 91: Children’s Mental Health Initiatives
Funding amount: $10,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.1 Mental Health Services
$5.25 million in CSLFRF funds annually will be utilized to support care coordinators to facilitate
discharges from emergency departments (EDs), inpatient settings and Psychiatric Residential
Treatment Facilities (PRTFs), expand children’s mobile crisis services to 24/7-hour coverage, and
support new children’s behavioral health urgent care centers that can provide diversionary
opportunities from EDs. Additionally, this funding will be utilized to support interventions to
address trauma experienced by youth residing in urban communities, and the promotion of
improved provider specific program performance through expanded data analysis as it relates to
racial equity and justice.
Project 92: Child First
Funding amount: $10,200,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.7 Healthy Childhood Environments: Home Visiting
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. Child First
is an intensive, therapeutic home visiting program that works with parents and families to help
address emotional, behavioral, or developmental challenges, as well as learning problems in
young children, birth to six years of age. Services will be provided to families living in Qualified
Census Tracts and to families that are child welfare-involved.
Project 93: Mothers Against Violence
Funding amount: $50,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.16 Social Determinants of Health: Community Violence
Interventions
Mothers Against Violence (MAV) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to fight
crime in communities by promoting leadership, training, counseling services and workforce
development to at risk children and their families. MAV offers training and workforce development
opportunities for the youth, counseling services for children and adults, and behavior and anger
management training. They also participate in the VIDA program which promotes financial
savings for individuals to buy homes, start businesses, to assist in educational costs. MAV
provides individuals and community with tools and resources that will help to decrease violence
in the community.
MAV runs a number of activities that allow for community engagement. Some of these activities
are:
• Walk for Life
• Back to School Drive
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 43
• Annual Holiday Celebration
• Monthly Grief Support Group
• Available to visit a community for a forum
MAV is not classified as an evidence-based intervention. A program evaluation is currently not in
place. Regular communication with the program coordinator and reporting will occur throughout
the life of the contract.
Project 94: Legal Representation for Tenant Eviction
Funding amount: $20,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.12 Housing Support: Other Housing Assistance
The project allocates $20 million from CSFRF ($10 million each year in FY 2022 and FY 2023) in
response to the housing crisis brought about by the COVID 19 public health crisis to support legal
representation costs as well as administrative termination hearings, assistance to tenants at
notice-to-quit stage, increases in tenants appearing in cases, and education/outreach to tenants.
For reference, in an economically good year, nearly 20,000 Connecticut households face the
threat of eviction. Most of those households have no one to represent them in court, even though
representation significantly increases tenants’ chances of staying in their homes. Of note, other
jurisdictions have saved between $2.40 and $12.74 on other services for every dollar spent
providing counsel. Thus, in addition to the CSFRF allocation, funding of $600,000 of federal
Emergency Rental Assistance 2 funds will be provided to support the Foreclosure Mediation
Program and the potential surge in eviction cases. This commitment of CSFRF resources
augments significant other ARP funds dedicated to supporting tenants, landlords, and
homeowners. This includes: the state’s allocation of Emergency Rental Assistance 2 funds of
$186 million to support the continued success of UniteCT, the program created with $236 million
of funding from the December Consolidated Appropriations Act to provide rental and electricity
payment assistance on behalf of Connecticut households financially impacted by the COVID-19
pandemic; $123 million for the Homeowners Assistance Fund to help qualifying homeowners
struggling with mortgage payments and other costs; $36 million in HOME funds to meet the
housing and service needs of the community’s most vulnerable population; plus additional
resources provided directly to our center cities to provide housing opportunity for very low-income
households through the construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing units and the
provision of housing support services, and Connecticut’s anticipated share of $5 billion in
nationwide funding for new tenant-based vouchers.
Project 95: New Haven Police Activities League
Funding amount: $100,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.13 Social Determinants of Health: Other
New Haven Police Activities League (NH-PAL) program provides educational and athletic
programs for children throughout the city, as well as sponsoring different activities. NH-PAL
responds to the needs of youth in many neighborhoods, through after school, weekend, and
special summer events. The purpose is to build character, help strengthen police-community
relations, and keep children off illegal drugs. NH-PAL’s primary partners are the City of New
Haven and New Haven Police Department. NH-PAL also partners with the community at large by
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 44
soliciting funds, equipment, and volunteer help from members of the community, so that the cost
to taxpayers is small while the returns are great.
Participants in the NH-PAL activities are reportedly much less likely to engage in crime, far more
likely to praise the character of the police force and discourage their friends from either committing
crimes or covering up criminal activity. PAL research indicates that it is an effective tool in juvenile
crime prevention and in juvenile community policing.
NH-PAL runs a number of activities that allow for community engagement. Some of these
activities are American Legion baseball teams, basketball leagues, judo classes, a street hockey
league, a chess club, track and field clinics, girls’ volleyball, flag football, and karate instruction.
Special events include essay contests, Young Eagles Day with a local pilot’s association, an
Olympic style statewide track and field competition and many others.
Project 96: TRUE Unit – Cheshire CI
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 97: Worth Program York CI
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.4 Education Assistance: Social, Emotional, and Mental Health
Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations
Project 98: Vocational Village Dept Corrections
Funding amount: $20,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations
Project 99: Fair Haven Clinic
Funding amount: $10,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 100: Workforce Development, Education and Training
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.7 Job Training Assistance
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 45
Project 101: Nursing Home Facility Support
Funding amount: $10,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 102: MyCT Resident One Stop
Funding amount: $2,500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.14 Social Determinants of Health: Community Health Workers
or Benefits Navigators
The MyCT initiative seeks to put all government services online in a way that makes state services
more accessible. This one-stop approach enables residents to access health and human services
programs via the online portal by simplifying online interactions, and making it easier to locate,
apply for, and maintain participation in state benefit programs. This operating support will provide
the necessary resources to bring in additional project assistance for user research and design of
the health and human services function within MyCT. Lastly, these funds will allow the state to
bring in additional business domain expertise for the duration of the project.
Project 103: New Reach Life Haven Shelter
Funding amount: $500,000
Project Expenditure Category: 3.11 Housing Support: Services for Unhoused Persons
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 104: Mary Wade
Funding amount: $750,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.4 Prevention in Congregate Settings
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 105: Community Action Agencies
Funding amount: $5,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal regulations.
Project 106: CTN
Funding amount: $1,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 2.10 Aid to Nonprofit Organizations
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance. This project
State of Connecticut 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report 46
will allocate a total of $1 million in FY 2022 for CT-N (Connecticut Network). CT-N is a network
that assists in providing Connecticut's citizens with access to unbiased information about state
government and public policy via television and other relevant technologies. CT-N has been, and
continues to be, essential in public outreach throughout the pandemic while maintaining social
distance. By utilizing CT-N, the state of Connecticut is able to reduce the spread of COVID by
providing an alternative to public presence during the legislative process. However, as a result of
utilizing CT-N, the Office of Legislative Management has incurred additional cost to increase
coverage. This funding will help offset the cost incurred in providing additional coverage.
Project 107: DMHAS Private Providers
Funding amount: $50,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
The Office of Policy and Management is in the process of coordinating with this grantee and the
General Assembly to scope the project and ensure compliance with federal guidance.
Project 108: Blind and Deaf Community Supports
Funding amount: $2,000,000
Project Expenditure Category: 1.12 Other Public Health Services
Funding will address deficiencies in support services for individuals who are blind, deaf, hard of
hearing or deafblind. This may include clear masks, vaccine clinic supports and informational
videos, communication cards, and interpreter services for the deaf community. Project activities
will include identifying partners, determining need, and deciding how best to allocate funds.
Project 109: Revenue
Funding amount: $1,754,800,000
Project Expenditure Category: 6.1 Provision of Government Services
The State of Connecticut has allocated $1.75 billion in federal pandemic aid to be used to support
budget balance: $559.9 million in FY 2022 and $1,194.9 million in FY 2023.
Ineligible Activities: Tax Offset Provision (States and territories only)
Item
Amount
a. Revenue-reducing Covered Changes
$ 0.00
