Connecticut Update!

This week, we are delighted to have a post from Emma Mullen, Research Assistant, of the Connecticut Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, our CT state partner!

Read below to find out what's new with the Connecticut Elder Economic Security Initiative.

Greetings from the Connecticut Initiative!

The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women is very happy to host the Elder Economic Security Initiative for Connecticut. The Initiative clearly intersects with our three priority areas, keeping Connecticut women free from sex discrimination, promoting economic security, and health and well being throughout the lifespan. Our work is dependent upon the strong partnerships we have with WOW, the Connecticut Commission on Aging, and our many dedicated stakeholders who represent a variety of organizations and geographic locations in Connecticut.

Our official launch was just about a month ago, at The Marvin, an innovative congregate housing facility for older adults. We developed a short program and formally released the Connecticut Elder Economic Security Standard Index (Connecticut Index) and Policy Brief. On hand were community members, aging advocates, Marvin residents, local media, as well as four older women who shared their personal stories. They stole the show as they courageously shared their struggles with chronic disease, family care giving, and a lack of available public supports. These women made it impossible to miss that they represent thousands of other Connecticut women whose lives are reflected in the policy brief’s case studies, and that they live by the numbers in the index.

The Marvin is home to an all day childcare program and an accredited school readiness program. This intergenerational programming greatly benefits both parties. To recognize the relationship between children and older adults, and their needs in a community is to recognize the need for economic security throughout a lifespan. Retirement security can begin with education and continue through career and mid-life as women experience the cumulative effects of the wage gap – where women earn only 77 cents for each dollar earned by their male counterparts.

Moving forward we are creating materials for a variety of audiences and ages.

· We have developed a bookmark for consumers with specific phone numbers to call for help and more information about income supports.
· We have developed a board game, to educate younger individuals about retirement income needs and to connect consumers to resources in a bright and colorful way.
· We also want to provide new caregivers with resources, thereby targeting mid-life and younger women -- to demonstrate the importance of future planning.

If you have any questions about the initiative in Connecticut, do not hesitate to call Emma Mullen at (860) 240-5291, or email me at Emma.Mullen@cga.ct.gov. We are happy to give presentations on Connecticut findings.