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  • In this episode of the podcast, we are talking about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBI’s happens when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that happen to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (happens in more than one area of the brain). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that results in coma or even death.

    Barbara Rubin is the author of a book about her daughter Jennifer, called More Than You Can See: A Mother’s Memoir. Barbara discusses her daughter Jenn's traumatic brain injury (TBI), sustained at age 17 which led to a prolonged coma and severe communication and mobility issues. Jenn required extensive rehabilitation, including relearning basic life skills. The family benefited from a supportive therapy center and later transitioned Jenn to a group home in Danbury, Connecticut called Abilities Beyond. Barbara emphasizes the importance of utilizing available resources and advocating for care, highlighting the impact of her book on helping others in similar situations. Barbara also says parents in the same situation today need to take advantage of any programs made available to them including CT Paid Leave.

    To get a copy of Barbara Rubin's book, More than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir: More Than You Can See: A Mother's Memoir: Rubin, Barbara: 9781647422493: Amazon.com: Books

    To learn more about Ability Beyond in Danbury please go to their website at: Ability Beyond

    For more information or to apply for benefits please go to ctpaidleave.org: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • Connecticut is one of the wealthiest states, but nearly half a million people don’t know where their next meal is coming from. More than 84 thousand children live in poverty in Connecticut and 122 thousand in near poverty. About 35 percent of Connecticut households are burdened by housing costs, compared to about 32 percent nationally.

    The United Way of Connecticut released its ALICE Report for 2024 in October, showing that 13% more state residents, or an additional 65,000 households, are struggling to make ends meet despite being employed and not earning enough to cover the basic cost of living. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and it’s a statewide problem.

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

    To get in touch with the United Way of CT Please go to CTunitedway.org.
    For services or help dial 2-1-1.

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

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

    Access Health CT is the state’s official health insurance marketplace and Access Health CT has helped over 1 million individuals and small businesses get health insurance since it started in 2013.Their efforts have played a crucial role in reducing Connecticut’s uninsured rate dropping from 9.2% to 5.2%.

    Caroline Ruwet, is the Director of Marketing at Access Health CT. We discussed their enrollment fairs that are going on across Connecticut and how they devised their marketing strategy to cover the entire state. We talked about healthcare disparity, and what they are trying to do to reduce healthcare bias. We talked about their small businesses and how they help them navigate healthcare.

    For information about Access Health CT please go to: Accesshealthct.com

    For information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • November is National Diabetes Awareness Month. As of this year about 38.4 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with diabetes these incudes type I and type 2. The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, highlighting the importance of awareness and prevention.

    In this episode we talk to Dr Pooja Luthra, A UConn Health Endocrinologist, and Director of the Diabetes Education Program. We discuss the 3 types of diabetes, Type 1 and 2 and gestational diabetes, Dr. Luthra Talks about treatments and controlling diabetes with lifestyle changes. For example, eating healthy and including a workout regimen into your daily routine. Dr Luthra also sees the benefits her patience could experience with CT Paid Leave benefits.

    To get in touch with the Diabetes Education program go to: Managing Diabetes for 2 - UConn Today

    To get more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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

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

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

    Connecticut Paid Leave helps address food insecurity by providing financial support to workers who need to take time off for their own serious health condition or to care for a loved one with a serious health condition. That income replacement can keep food on the table and bills being paid.

    For information about Foodshare please go their website at: Connecticut Foodshare (ctfoodshare.org)

    For information about Monterey Place in New Haven please go to their website at: Affordable Apartments in New Haven, CT | Monterey Place (montereybc.com)

    For information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave (ctpaidleave,org)

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • October is Safe Sleep and SIDS Awareness Month. According to the National Institute for Health (NIH) SIDS is the leading cause of death among babies between one month and one year. The vast majority of deaths take place before a baby reaches six months of age. Every year there are about 3,400 cases of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths know as SUID in the U.S.

    Alison Jacobson is the CEO of First Candle, which is a national non-profit addressing Sudden Unexpected Infant Death. They do this through community partnerships, educating families on life-saving safe sleep practices, while also providing bereavement support services to families who have tragically experienced the death of their baby from SUID or Stillbirth. Alison is a loss mom herself, her son Connor died in 1997, and she is passionate about helping save babies lives while supporting grieving families.

    In this episode, we talked about SIDS and SUID prevention and how to create a safe sleeping environment for your baby. We discussed the racial disparities that exist and how mortality rates increase for black and brown babies. We also discussed how CT Paid Leave can help with time away from work with income replacement for behavioral health and mental health appointments for parents who are dealing with the emotional trauma from the loss of their baby. Alison also stressed the importance of educating about safe sleep practices to anyone who deals with a sleeping baby like grandparents and other family members as well as babysitters.

    For more information about First Candle please go to: First Candle: Committed to ending Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

    For information or to apply for benefits please go to: https://www.ctpaidleave.org/

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. The reason it starts on September 15th is that it coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries. This month celebrates the cultures, histories and contributions of Hispanic people.

    In this episode, we find out about the rich culture and history of the Hispanic Community in Connecticut. Co-chairs of the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee, Gladys Ramos and Olga Pena, emphasize their efforts to raise funds for scholarships and the importance of community events like the Latin Festival and Three Kings celebration. They also share their rich Hispanic traditions, and stress the importance of family, religion and partnerships in the community. Andrea Torres Fodor is the President of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport, and she talks about the beauty of her homeland of Ecuador and the importance of family and traditions. She discusses the growth of Hispanic businesses in Connecticut, and the importance of their contributions to the greater Bridgeport community. She talks about the Latino Business Expo, which is a great way to network with other businesses and to find out about the resources available in the state that are here to help the Hispanic businesses and community. She also highlights the significance of Connecticut Paid Leave, particularly the caregiver benefits, which align with the multi-generational households in the Hispanic community in Connecticut. She said it's important to make sure people in the Hispanic community know about state programs like CT Paid Leave that can help them when they need it most.

    To get in touch with the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee please use this link: (20+) Hispanic Heritage | Facebook

    To get in touch with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport please use this link: HCCGB | Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

    To get information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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

    To get in touch with the Jordan Porco Foundation go to: Jordan Porco Foundation Jordan Porco Foundation | Suicide Awareness and Prevention (rememberingjordan.org)

    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for Immediate Help call: 1.800.273.8255

    Or Text HOME to 741741

    Dial 988

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

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

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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

    To get in touch with the Bureau of Aging please call: 1-800-994-9422

    for information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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

    For more information about the Baby Bond program please go to: CT Baby Bonds

    For more information about CT Paid Leave or to apply for benefits please go to:
    CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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

    To find a Community Health Center near you please go to: Community Health Center Association of Connecticut | CHC/ACT (chcact.org)

    To apply for benefits or for more information please go to: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • Pets are like family. The dog treat business had a good year in 2024. The market value exceeded expectations, reaching $8.3 million. The trend is set to continue, with the market projected to reach a whopping $14.2 million by 2034.

    Laurie Surprenant and Amy Kenkel are the co-owners of the dog bakery company, Leaps and Bones. They talk about the struggles starting the business in their home, and the hardships and rewards of owning their own business. They have built a family culture in their business with most employees being there at least for 5 years and some have been there since the beginning. They are such big supporters of CT Paid Leave because they want their employees, who are like family, to have real benefits. They have had employees use the CT Paid Leave program and realize the benefits it gives to small businesses and their workers.

    To get in touch with Leaps and Bones you can call 860-212-2305, or to find out more please go to:
    All Natural Dog Bakery/Dog Cake Bakery (leapsandbones.com)

    To apply for benefits or more, please go to: CT Paid Leave


    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • Chris Murphy is the junior United States Senator for Connecticut and has dedicated his career to public service as an advocate for Connecticut families. In the Senate, he is a strong voice for mental health care access, commonsense gun safety laws, and a forward-looking foreign policy. As a member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, he fights for policies to support workers and their families, like making childcare more affordable, paid leave, and raising the minimum wage.

    Senator Murphy talked about the epidemic of loneliness and social isolation, and social connection, and how the CT Paid Leave program can help.

    To contact Junior United States Senator Chris Murphy, go to: Contact Chris | Senator Chris Murphy (senate.gov)

    For information about his platform of loneliness: ‘I care about it’: Sen. Chris Murphy’s battle against loneliness (senate.gov)

    For information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • This is an exciting time for anyone suffering from early onset Alzheimer's disease. A new drug that should get FDA approval by the end of this year, would expand the treatment options for the more than 6 million Americans of all ages who have Alzheimer's. The disease is the fifth-leading cause of death for adults over 65. Donanemab, a drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company, showed promising results in clinical trials. The drug eliminates brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's. Studies show the drug could be a breakthrough in treating early stages of the disease, slowing cognitive decline in those with early symptoms.

    Joe Montminy is a patient advocate who is living with younger onset dementia and is currently serving on the MA/NH Alzheimer’s Association Board of Directors and the New England Alzheimer’s Association Early-Stage Advisory group. He used to live in CT and was diagnosed at 54 years old, it took 3 years before he could get a correct diagnosis. Joe says he is optimistic that this new drug and exciting new blood testing to get an earlier diagnosis, is going to make a big difference. Joe keeps a very positive attitude and finds comfort in a support group. Kristen Cusato is the Director of Communications for the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut Chapter & she is a New England Research champion. Kristen thinks that education is key and knowing the early signs of the disease, which can lead to an early diagnosis and treatment. She believes people like Joe can help with his advocacy, but more importantly he can bring hope with his story of struggle with early onset Alzheimer's disease.

    To get in touch with the CT chapter of the Alzheimer's Association: Connecticut Chapter (alz.org)

    To get information or to apply for benefits: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • Studies have shown that taking paternity leave helps fathers to feel less stressed, anxious, and depressed. The reason this happens is because of a hormone called oxytocin. When released, it promotes bonding and reduces stress levels. 43 percent of fathers are taking bonding leave through CT Paid Leave. This gives fathers time away from work with income replacement so they can bond with their baby whether by birth, adoption or fostering.

    Just in time for Father's Day which is June 16th, I talked with two fathers for a special podcast. Guest David Sergi lived in a state without a paid leave program when his first child was born, and moved to CT so they could expand their family in a state with a paid leave program with their second child. Guest Charlie Johnson has resided in CT and wasn't able to use CT paid Leave for his first child because it wasn't available yet. He was able to use it for his second child. Both David and Charlie say being able to take bonding leave has been life altering.

    David and Charlie discuss the stigma of being a father taking bonding leave, how long they took off from work, how the CT Paid Leave program worked for them and how it changed their relationships with their families.

    To find out more about bonding leave or to apply for benefits go to:
    Qualifying Reasons (ctpaidleave.org)

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector borne infectious disease in the United States. The CDC says more people are infected with Lyme Disease than breast cancer. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases come with a lot of unknowns. Before starting to treat symptoms, you must first get a proper diagnosis. Unfortunately, diagnosing Lyme disease can be complicated and unclear. Lyme disease can turn into a chronic health condition if it goes undiagnosed. CT Paid Leave can help with this by giving you income replacement while you take time away from work for appointments, treatments and flare ups.
    Dr Myriah Hinchey is the medical director of Tao Center for Vitality in Hebron. Dr. Hinchey is a naturopathic physician and Fellow of the Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS), and she is recognized as an expert in the field of Lyme disease and other complex chronic inflammatory conditions, with over 17 years of specialized experience. She has helped thousands of people infected to get effective treatment.
    She says it is tough to get a diagnosis without getting more in depth and accurate testing done. Dr Hinchey says not all Lyme disease tests are created equal. The accuracy of Lyme disease tests can vary widely between testing methods, leaving many people without a reliable diagnosis, or misdiagnosis that can lead to many health complications. Dr. Hinchey also had Lyme disease and treated herself. She believes that prevention is the key and by doing tick checks every time you go outside, can save you years of agony.

    For information about Dr. Myriah Hinchey: Natural Lyme Disease Treatment Specialist - Specializing in natural herbal protocols - Dr Myriah Hinchey ND, Medical Director (taovitality.com)

    For the 3rd annual LymeBytes Symposium in CT: LymeBytes™ Lyme Disease Conference & Community Support – LymeBytes!™

    For more information or to apply for benefits: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



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  • May is Maternal Mental Health Month. During the month, the focus is on increasing awareness about mental health and the well-being of mothers during pregnancy and the time after birth. About 10-15% of women experience postpartum depression. Mental health issues are the most common complication of childbirth. Doulas can help alleviate some of the emotional stress and burden from a parent as they help recognize what the parent needs.
    Guests Brittany Needham and Shannon Knox created Golden Radiance Village, a holistic full spectrum doula company. They talked about what they do as doula's and the certifications and training they went through and how their friendship and business partnership grew. Doulas provide support to mothers regarding prenatal care and post-partum care which can include post-partum depression, which can be considered a serious health condition under CT Paid Leave. Shannon and Brittany talk about some of the signs families and friends should be looking for with post-partum depression. They talk about the emotional struggles for single parents, and how doula work can really help parents through trying times.
    Shannon and Brittany both think CT Paid Leave is a great service to offer their clients, because it can give new parents a chance to have time away from work, and to focus on their new baby and their own health needs and not worry about finances.

    For more information or to get a hold of Golden Radiance Village go to: About Us — Golden Radiance Village

    For information or to sign up for benefits: go to : CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



    https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/



    https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • National Infertility Awareness Week is April 21-27. The week is an observance that aims to raise awareness about infertility, provide support, and foster conversations around this critical health issue. Roughly one out of six people experience infertility. The chance to expand a family can take time away from work to focus on testing, diagnostics, and treatment.
    Dr. Maya Barsky is a lead physician at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services and Assistant Professor in the Department of OB/GYN at the UConn School of Medicine and is an infertility specialist. Dr. Barsky talks about some of the testing that can occur when infertility is an issue. She also discusses the treatments available to her patients who want to expand their family. She said this can be a burden on a family financially, emotionally and physically.
    Crystal and Everett have underlying health issues that caused their infertility. Everett was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a child and had a double lung transplant. He knew that having children would be challenging with his condition and the anti- rejection medications. Everett and his wife Crystal went to the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services and had IVF treatments and had their first baby girl and are now pregnant with their second child due in July as a result of IVF treatments! Crystal is a unionized State of Connecticut employee and is not able to utilize CT Paid Leave. However, Everett is planning on taking CT Paid Leave for bonding with his second child. He also used CT Paid Leave when he had serious complications from COVID and was under the care of his doctor. Dr Barsky says that CT Paid Leave is a wonderful program for patients to utilize for the hardships of infertility diagnosis, and infertility and mental health treatments.

    To get in touch with one of the six locations at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services visit: UConn Fertility | Center for Advanced Reproductive Services in Connecticut
    Or you can reach them at: 844-467-3483

    For information about CT Paid Leave or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave




    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • April is Autism Acceptance Month. According to the CDC, in 2023 one in 36 children were diagnosed as falling somewhere on the autism spectrum. The cost of caring for people with autism is predicted to reach $461 billion by 2025 in the U.S.

    Alanna, who has three children, knew very early on that something was different about her youngest son Lawson. She had to wait 2 years for further testing, and Lawson was diagnosed as Level 2 on the autism spectrum. Alanna feels that receiving an early diagnosis was very important to Lawson's wellbeing and treatment plan. She sees the beauty in the little things that Lawson does, like reading and drawing.

    Dr. Kristine Schlitchting is the founder and CEO of Hopewell Health Solutions, a therapeutic and psychiatric practice offering intensive outpatient therapy for children as young as 8 who suffer from a variety of disorders, including autism. She believes that a child's autism is a broader family issue, and that all the stakeholders including teachers and schools need to be on the same page to provide the best treatment strategy. Dr Schlitchting encourages parents to utilize CT Paid Leave benefits, as there is usually a time commitment needed from the parents or caregivers with intensive outpatient therapy. Whether it is driving the child for treatment or being involved in family therapy, parents need the flexibility that CT Paid Leave can provide.

    To get more information about Hopewell Health Solutions go to: Mental Health Counseling | Glastonbury, CT | 06073 (hopewellhealthsolutions.com)
    Phone # 860-946-0477

    There are several locations including:
    West Hartford
    1216 Farmington Ave. Suite 301
    West Hartford, CT

    South Glastonbury
    1420 Main St. Suite 124
    Glastonbury, CT

    Downtown Glastonbury
    300 Hebron Ave., Suite 201, 203 and 212
    Glastonbury, Ct

    Glastonbury
    33 Pratt St.
    Glastonbury, CT

    For information on Valley View School in Portland CT: Valley View | Portland Schools (portlandctschools.org)

    For information about Autism: What is autism? | Autism Speaks

    For information or to apply for benefits go to: CT Paid Leave

    https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US



    https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave



    https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/



    https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave



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  • March is National Kidney Month. The average cost of a kidney transplant in the United States ranges from $300,000 to $500,000. This figure includes pre-transplant evaluations, the surgery itself, post-operative care, immunosuppressant medications, and follow-up appointments. Programs like CT Paid Leave can help with up to 12 weeks of income replacement while you heal from major surgery.

    Nick Arsenault is a seasoned nurse who's navigated his own two kidney transplants, all while continuing to hold down his job. Nick talks about the challenges he faced physically and emotionally during the process, and complications that came up during his fight with kidney disease. Nick used CT Paid Leave twice and considered it to be crucial to his healing process, allowing him time away from work so he could focus on his health. He utilized CT Paid Leave for his second transplant to supplement his company's short-term disability. He considered the program to be a lifeline, because he was able to cover his bills while he was at home recovering. He also talks about the importance of asking for help if you are struggling with the reality of your health crisis. He talks about his journey with therapy to help with the emotional toll of undergoing dialysis and facing a kidney transplant. He now tells his patients that is it important not to neglect your mental health, because it is key to your overall health. Nick is currently using intermittent leave under the CT Paid Leave program to deal with issues that developed during his second transplant. He talks about living with a chronic health condition and the need for ongoing medical appointments and medications. Nick is now 2 years out from his last transplant and says he is thankful every day.

    To find out more information about Hartford Hospitals Transplant program ; Transplant | hartfordhospital.org | Hartford Hospital | Hartford, CT

    To get in touch with the Kidney Foundation of CT: NKF Serving Connecticut | National Kidney Foundation

    For more information or to apply for benefits go to: CT Paid Leave

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