For the People

Did you know by 2025, Connecticut is on track to have more than 90,000 residents living with Alzheimer's? This morning For the People is opening with our long-time partners at the Alzheimer's Association talking about important research, as well as ways for you to support the association - especially on March 30 - 'Advocacy Day' at the State Capital.

Then we'll hang around Hartford to chat with The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC), which just received a quarter million dollar grant to begin promoting a revised set of equitable social studies standards, professional development, and sustainable partnerships between cultural institutions, educators, and schools across the state.

And we'll close introducing the Connecticut-based World Heritage Cultural Center and its founder who is inspired to bring global cultures together peacefully celebrating and collaborating around food, music and the arts.

If you think you've been experiencing heightened anxiety over the past couple of years, imagine what it's doing to our kids. So we're checking in with the Anxiety Program at the Yale Child Study Center to see how they've been trying to help, and we'll talk about what's in store at their 8th Annual Spotlight on Anxiety Forum for Concerned Parents and Professionals.
Then we'll get you hungry for helping out a good cause touting Jersey Mike's Month of Giving & Day of Giving, with all proceeds going to support the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games. And we'll chat with the Connecticut Special Olympics to find out about the athletes representing our state in the games this June.
And we'll close helping celebrate the Waterbury Palace Theater's 100th Anniversary with its CEO, and unveil all the ways you can come out and enjoy this beautiful Connecticut entertainment landmark — and all the activities planned for its centennial year

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, so  For the People is turning to a top resource at Wheeler Health for some straight talk about what to do if you or someone you know - even a teen or young adult - is experiencing unhealthy gambling habits.

Then we're flipping to an important environmental concern with the Connecticut Audubon Society talking about why Connecticut is losing a serious amount of its bird population, and how that trend is creating an ecological domino effect that has the potential to impact everyone across the state and nation.

And have you heard that the Governor wants $70 million from this year's budget to step up remediating lead in Connecticut households? Well, For the People is all over it with our connection at the US EPA, which is launching virtual listening sessions this week so folks can call in and discuss their risks and challenges to eliminating lead exposure in their own community.

We're introducing you to Health360 the home to Northwestern Connecticut's Area Health Education Center (AHEC). Learn how this nonprofit is developing a pipeline for future health care professionals who are prepared to practice in Connecticut’s underserved communities.

Then, on a related subject - we'll tap an exec from the CT League for Nursing & CT Center for Nursing Workforce to discuss an incredibly important and concerning report about our state's nursing resources, and how a crisis level shortage of nurses is looming.

And we'll close chatting with the new leader of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Connecticut - which recently re-launched after the merger of two similar agencies serving different parts of the state.

Super Bowl Sunday is here - and if you are planning your Super Bowl feast, we're bringing in a food safety expert from the USDA to run us through all the game day details you need to know to put the blitz on foodborne illness whether you're doing all the cooking yourself, or ordering in.

Then we're going to meet Fairfield CARES - the community's prevention council. We'll talk with a student advisor and a bunch of students explaining why they are choosing to, and advocating for all young people to avoid the temptations and possible tragic after effects of substance use.

And we'll close with Connecticut's new Comptroller Natalie Braswell, who is  introducing  the CT Essential Worker COVID-19 Assistance Fund - a brand new benefit for front line responders who may have suffered financial issues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

We're opening up with AARP Connecticut reviewing their 2022 agenda for the upcoming Legislative session, which is packed with advocacy for programs and benefits for everyone in our state. 

Then we're going to talk about a brand new battery storage system program from PURA and the CT Green Bank that can protect you and your home or business from extreme weather and power outages - along with incentives that could reduce up to 80% of the system's cost.

And we're closing with Lt Governor Susan Bysiewicz, getting the latest on how she is helping promote the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls, a new grant program for minority women business owners, and the 2022 Computing Challenge - 'Coding for Good.'

We're watching out for your health and the health of those you love as we open up the latest American Lung Association's State of Tobacco Control report to try and figure out why Connecticut is failing its residents when it comes to funding tobacco education, awareness, and cessation programs.

Then we're circling back with the Connecticut Psychological Association for a candid conversation about the ways insurance companies deal - or do not deal - with supporting the mental health concerns of state residents, especially as the pandemic continues to collectively wear us all down.

And we're catching up with and inviting you to a cool event being presented by the Connecticut Epilepsy Advocate. Stay tuned to learn more about this unique local nonprofit and how to get in on all the 'Star Wars Night' fun!

Later this week the CT League of Conservation Voters will be hosting their 2022 Environmental Summit, so we'll check-in to see what's in store as lawmakers, advocates, policy experts, and the public discover what key environmental issues are on the table for the 2022 state legislative session.

Then we'll visit with the director of CT's Office of Health Strategy to look into the business of health care as delivered by local hospitals with a review of key data from the OHS Annual Report on the Financial Status of Connecticut’s Short Term Acute Care Hospitals.

And we'll close touching base with the The Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut - previewing their 40th Winter Conference. Find out why you should attend this virtual event offering over 20 workshops on farming, seed saving, organic land care, community food security, social justice issues, and more. 

As we have often said - there's always something wild happening at Connecticut's only zoo - and 2022 marks the 100th Anniversary of The Beardsley Zoo. So we're kicking off a year's worth of zoo-centric segments with zoo director Gregg Dancho to learn about its history, and what's in store for this centennial year.

Then we're going to check in with a pair of conservation experts from the state's USDA office for a lesson on conservation easements - find out the many ways these land, water, and soil saving initiatives benefit our communities, state, and our environment.

And we'll close with a nonprofit eager to share the benefits of self-care through meditation - the Community Mindfulness Project. Could you afford to have a little more peace and less stress in your life? Stay tuned - we may have the solution!

We're introducing the Connecticut Urban Forest Council's top official to hear about plans to plant thousands of new trees in several local cities. Will you be seeing a patch of new trees in your neighborhood? Stay tuned.

Did you know you might be eligible to apply for CT Paid Leave right now? We'll get a refresher on what you need to know right now, whether you are an employer or employee from the CEO of the CT Paid Leave Authority.

And we'll check in with our friends from the Red Cross to hear the latest on about critical blood donor shortages and a range of volunteer opportunities in their disaster services division.