Representative Kai Belton's Passion, Advocacy, and Commitment to Connecticut Families.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast we focus on mental health and speak with a local politician who started a caucus dealing with black family health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month it is also Maternal Mental Health Month and National Adolescent Health Month, and it’s Children’s Mental Health Awareness week from May 5-11th. CT Paid Leave gives up to 12 weeks of income Replacement for your own serious health conditions ot that of a loved one that includes maternity and bonding leave and mental health issues if your health care professional deems it a serious health condition. Guest Kai Belton, a state representative and advocate for children's mental health and victim services, shares her journey into politics, inspired by the late Rep. Q Williams. Belton emphasizes the importance of the Black Maternal and Infant Health Caucus in addressing racial disparities in maternal health. She recounts her personal experiences with healthcare and advocates for the critical role of paid leave in supporting families and caregivers, particularly during crises. Belton also discusses the need for diverse healthcare workers and the impact of maternal mental health on community health.To get in touch with Representative Kai Belton: Belton | Connecticut House Democrats or call 1-800-842-8267, 860-240-8585.For information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave.https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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24:29
A Nurse Turned Author and Her Struggle with Autoimmune Disease.
In this episode, we are talking about auto-immune disease. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system is overactive and attacks and damages the body's own tissues. May 9th is Autoimmune Arthritis Day, and it is also ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia International Awareness Day (May 12). ME stands for myologic encephalomyelitis, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is a chronic, complex, neuroimmune disease that affects the quality of life of its' patients. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by pain stiffness and tenderness in the muscles of the neck shoulders back hips arms and legs, and there are many other symptoms as well. 80 percent of autoimmune diseases affect women. Our expert today is Melissa Marquis, she is a nurse, author, and emergency management specialist. She has many years of experience in nursing, so when she started to not feel like herself, she started on a very long journey to diagnosis of her symptoms. She wrote a book about her experiences called, Invisible: A Nurse-Turned-Patient's Resource to Living Well with Autoimmune Disease. We talked about her long diagnosis that took 13 years. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and support systems. Melissa's book aims to empower patients and families by providing practical advice and strategies. She talks about her daily struggles and how CT Paid Leave may be a great resource for her to use, as her disease is progressing. She says we should all be grateful for programs like these that helps patients and their caregivers.You can buy Melissa Marqui's book online at Amazon: Invisible: A Nurse-Turned-Patient's Resource to Living Well with Autoimmune Disease: Marquis MS RN, Melissa: 9798891129184: Amazon.com: BooksFor more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.orghttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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30:16
A Courageous Story About Parkinson's Disease, and the Resources That Offer Support.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast we discuss Parkinson's disease, what it is, what it does, and how to treat it. Parkinson's Awareness Month is observed in April, and is an opportunity to increase awareness about the ailment and its symptoms, as well as to support victims. National Parkinson's day is observed on April 11 every year to raise awareness about this medical condition and its severity. Muhammad Ali and Michael J Fox are the most well-known people to suffer from Parkinson's disease. Joining in on this conversation is Holly Seymour, the Program Director for the Connecticut Chapter of the American Parkinson's Disease Association, also known as APDA. Heather Pierce joins us as a caregiver. She supported her dad after his diagnosis of Parkinson's in 2019 and was his caregiver and advocate before he passed in 2021. She's now a board member for APDA and leads a support group where she helps those with PD and their care partners navigate the changes of life with PD. She also owns a company called ClearView Senior Living Advisors, where she helps families connect to resources. She's starting school in Vermont to be an end-of-life doula to further the support she can offer families. She's also a community educator for the Alzheimer's Association.Holly explains Parkinson's symptoms, treatments, and the importance of support groups. Heather recounts her father's personal journey with Parkinson's, highlighting the challenges of caregiving. They emphasize the significance of mental health support and the benefits of Connecticut's Paid Leave program for those diagnosed who are still working, and to their caregivers. The podcast aims to raise awareness and provide resources for those affected by Parkinson's.To get in touch with or to join a support group with the APDA please go to: apdaparkinson.org/CT or call 860-996-4276.To get in touch with Heather Pierce go to her website at: Clearviewseniorlivingadvisor.com or call or call 860-733-9506.For information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.orghttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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29:42
The Office of Victim Services Offers Hope and Assistance for Victims of Violent Crimes
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and it’s also Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action on April 2nd; it is also National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12.In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast I speak with Rachel McKnight, Program Manager from the Office of Victim Services (OVS), and Marc Pelka, Deputy Director. They explain how OVS assists crime victims with financial expenses, receiving around 2,000 applications annually. They detail the types of crimes, including violent and property crimes, vehicular crimes, and the various expenses covered by OVS, such as medical bills, funeral costs, and lost wages. They also discuss the collaboration and the change of law that allows OVS and CT Paid Leave to work together. With the two agencies working together, it offers income replacement and support for victims of violent crimes and their families, emphasizing the importance of financial aid in the aftermath of crime.To get in touch with OVS please go to their website at: jud.ct.gov/crimevictim.or email them at: OVScompensation@jud.ct.gov.or call OVS at: 888-286-7347. For more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.orghttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
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34:51
Working to Empower Connecticut's LGBTQ+ Families with Inclusive Healthcare
LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is in March and was started in 2003. It raises public awareness regarding the unique health needs and disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. It also highlights many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.My guest Bill Ollayos, is the administrator of the Connecticut LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network and is a Law Fellow with Children, Women, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO). He says the network's mission is to advance equity through policy advocacy, community outreach, and grant funding that can be used for some unique events for the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasizes the importance of mental health, noting that 70% of LGBTQ+ individuals accessed mental health services in the past three years, but 15% were refused care due to their identity. Bill also talked about how CT Paid Leave talks about chosen family and the importance of the program covering mental health as well. Bill also discusses the network's efforts to improve healthcare access and the significance of Connecticut's non-discrimination laws and supportive legislature.To get in touch with CT's LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network go to: ctlgbtqnetwork.orgFor information or to apply for benefits please go to : ctpaidleave.orghttps://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_UShttps://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeavehttps://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave
Paid Leave is a hot topic in our country right now. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without a national paid leave policy, and Connecticut is one of only 13 states and the District of Columbia to have a state program in place. Other cities and states are working to join the paid leave movement. The Paid Leave Podcast examines the state of Connecticut's paid leave program and the impact it has on various groups and diverse communities. Radio veteran Nancy Barrow interviews the people who fought to make paid leave a reality in Connecticut, and those who will ultimately benefit from the program. The states with paid leave include Connecticut, Rhode Island, California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, Massachusetts, Oregon, Maryland, Delaware, Minnesota, Colorado, Vermont, New Hampshire, Illinois, Minnesota and the district of Washington, D.C.
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