Hurricane Maria, Displaced Children, Suicide Prevention Awarness Month, CT DOL Fall Career Fairs

2-1-1 Connecticut | 2-1-1 Child Care | Child Development Infoline | Community Results Center

September

2017

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Hurricane Maria- Information & Ways to Help

A Message from Richard Porth

President/CEO of United Way of Connecticut

Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a high-end Category 4 storm on September 20, 2017, leaving the entire island without power. The images and news coming out of Puerto Rico concerning the destruction and suffering caused by Hurricane Maria are heart-wrenching. This is an especially difficult time for our neighbors, friends and co-workers who have family and friends in Puerto Rico.

United Way of Connecticut's 2-1-1 has published an eLibrary paper (available in both English and Spanish ) which provides information on how to contact loved ones, ways to provide help, and finding help for disaster victims arriving in Connecticut. This e-library paper is being continuously updated as new information becomes available.

Connecticut 2-1-1 works with the State's Emergency Operation Center to help provide access to services related to emergency/disaster recovery and serves as a statewide resource for emergency-related information collection and dissemination.

Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211ct.org for access to services and to stay informed during any extreme weather episode.

Children Displaced by Disaster- Providing Access to School and Connection to Services

In a recent press release, Governor Dannel P. Malloy and State Department of Education Commissioner Dianna R. Wentzell announced that they are providing every school superintendent in the state with guidance on suggested protocols to ensure that any student arriving from Puerto Rico, or any affected storm area, has immediate access to school and expedited connections to the services they may need.

"In the days since Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria brought devastation to the island, the administration has received a number of inquiries from superintendents and other school officials requesting information on how to supervise this potential situation."

Click HERE to read the Governor's full Press Release and to access links to additional information such as:

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender or background. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention shows that in Connecticut suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people (ages 10-34) and the 4th leading cause of death for ages 35-54. In many cases the individuals, friends and families affected by suicide are left in the dark, feeling shame or stigma that prevents talking openly about issues dealing with suicide.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month which helps promote resources and awareness around the issues of suicide prevention. Learn more about risk factors and warning signs at http://www.preventsuicidect.org/. Suicide is preventable!

Connecticut 2-1-1 is certified by the American Association of Suicidology in crisis intervention. If you or someone you know is in an emergency, Dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.

Connecticut Department of Labor's Fall Career Fair Series

The Connecticut Department of Labor's fall career fair series includes four Diverse Ability Career Fairs in partnership with the CT State Colleges and Universities, and a Middlesex County Career Fair that will be held in conjunction with the Middlesex Chamber of Commerce 2017 Business Showcase. It is expected that each career fair will feature hundreds of job opportunities and attract talented jobseekers.

Career Fair dates, hours and locations:

October 6 Diverse Ability Career Fair:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Parkway, Waterbury

October 11 Middlesex County Career Fair:
11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Radisson Hotel Cromwell, 100 Berlin Road, Cromwell

October 13 Diverse Ability Career Fair
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Northwestern CT Community College, Park Place, Winsted

October 27 Diverse Ability Career Fair:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Manchester Community College, Great Path, Manchester

October 31 Diverse Ability Career Fair:
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Gateway Community College, 20 Church Street, New Haven

There is no cost to jobseekers who are interested in attending these career fairs. Companies interested in taking part in one, or multiple careers fairs can visit the Connecticut Department of Labor's career website at www.ctjobfairs.com for important details and registration information.

The mission of United Way of Connecticut is to help meet the needs of Connecticut and its residents by providing information, education and connection to services.