It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Sailor's Refuge in Bristol, CT gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Bristol, CT is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company,”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
“Bessie has been an exceptional Health Care Provider. She takes such pride in her work and truly cares about the people she is in contact with. She is dedicated, diligent, and is devoted to her job assignment. She not only takes care of my Mom, but she goes above and beyond her call of duty. Bessie has a unique ability to connect with every person she meets. No day goes by that my Mom is not pampered. Bessie make sure she's always comfortable. She makes exceptional meals for her 3 times a day, cleans her clothes, gives her showers, washes her hair and makes her look amazing every single day. Bessie is so beneficial to our family we can't imagine our family without her. I myself and my family members could never do what she does for our Mom. She has been with my mom and our family for almost 1 year and we don't know what we would do without her, she truly is a gift from God. She not only takes care of my Mom daily, nightly and weekly, she also takes care of her personal life and whatever life throws at her. She is a devoted caretaker and should be recognized with the utmost respect. Her dedication to improving the health and well-being of my Mom is commendable. You can't find anyone as special as she. Her life commitment has touched our lives through her delivery of exceptional care in a compassionate, respectful, and safe manner on a daily basis. She has become a member of our family and she has shown us the meaning of adaptability. Her strong faith in God, Forgiveness, and Believing in each other makes her the great person that she is. On behalf of our family, we would like to thank you for the extraordinary care and services your company has provided to us. Thank you for all you do”
“We used Always Best Care for my mother. They provided basically anything we needed a few hours a week, they were very thorough in asking about my mother's condition, and what were the needs that were required. It's more like bathing, medication, and companionship. We used them for about a week.”
“Thank you again to you, Susan and the rest of the care-givers and staff of Always Best Care for the outstanding service you have provided for our parents. ABC provided professional, first-class support that allowed our parents to remain in their home while relieving of us of concern for their care and is something we will never forget. You can be sure we will happily refer any family member or friend that is seeking care at home to Always Best Care.”
“Dear Rick, Over the past three plus years, my father Joseph Ceuch has lived at home assisted by the caregivers from your company Always Best Care of Greater Bristol. This letter is a personal thank you from my father and the entire Ceuch family on how your caregivers treated and attended to my father during this time. The caregivers became part of our extended family who shared in countless family events resulting in beautiful lasting memories. Caregivers Frances Boateng, Jeremy Turner, and Yanice Hernandez were awesome in their care of my father. I want to especially acknowledge Francis as a person who went above and beyond his responsibility and became part of the Ceuch inner circle. It was not uncommon for Francis on his off days to stop by during a family picnic to say hello...he is truly loved by my father. Again, I want to thank you for the loving care your caregivers provided my father. I would highly recommend your company to anyone interested in having a caregiver attend to a loved one. Thanks again”
“Heather, I just wanted to thank Always Best Care in helping to provide care for my step father, Daryl. It's unbelievable how the progression of his illness happened so quickly, however, Always Best Care was always ready to provide the level of care he needed as it increased. Most importantly, I'd like to thank his aide, Sue Malasics. She was wonderful to Daryl and took great care of his needs. I knew I did not have to worry with Sue there with him. She was always cooking wonderful homemade meals and desserts and I was happy to see how happy she made Daryl. I think she is a wonderful asset to Always Best Care. Should I know of anyone needing help in the future, I would recommend Always Best Care and Sue Malasics.”
“My mother was bedbound for months and had serious health related issues including kidney failure. My mother was also very demanding about her care and who she would allow into her home. After several attempts with various in-home care agencies my mother really responded well to Always Best Care Senior Services of Greater Bristol and we cant thank them enough for the high level of compassionate care they were able to provide during my moms final months.”
“I am a past client of this provider My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Our sister, Barbara has early-onset dementia , and was in sudden need of a personal care assistant until placement in a quality skilled nursing facility became available. We reached out to home health care agencies in her local area but, by this point, had already worked with several agencies for med reminders for Barbara (and 24/7 care for our Mom in another area of CT) and were a bit skeptical that that we’d find one that could provide consistent quality of care.When I spoke with Rick Downey of Always Best Care Senior Services in Bristol, he conveyed both confidence in his knowledge of health care and empathy in understanding the frustrations that families experience when seeking quality care for their loved ones. We were next contacted by their care coordinator,Heather Kozikowski, who came to our sister’s home to conduct an assessment and further explain the services offered by Always Best Care.A further testament to the exceptional quality of Always Best Care is the service and care we’ve received after Barbara is no longer a client; our thanks to Always Best Care for the excellent care of our sister, and the peace-of-mind it afforded our family knowing that she was in such kind and competent hands!”
“I am a retired registered nurse, and for several years, I have been the primary caregiver for my husbamd/ My husband suffers from dementia and is aphasic. On a Saturday morning in October of 2015, a sudden change in my health required an emergent hospitilization, which late resulted in an extensive rehabilitation stay. Upon my hospitalization, my son reached out to Always Best Care Senior Services of greater Bristol. The Always Best Care team assessed my husband, his needs, and had his care staffed within hours of my son's call. The care provided to my husband has been exceptional. The caregivers as well as the office staff have been attentive to our needs and have met all of our expectations. I would highly recommend Always Best Care to you and anyone who is in need of care for their loved one.”
“I had a very good experience ! I really appreciate the service that your company, Always Best Care, offered our family and especially the caring, loving attitude that Amber and Natalie displayed to Carol at all times. They were outstanding and you should be proud to place them in any situation with the full expectation they will represent your firm in a most professional manner. Thanks again for all your help.”
“My journey with Always Best Care began with a visit from the owner and office manager. Soon after, I was introduced to the caregiver who would provide care for me. All 3 persons seemed very knowledgeable, experienced anf caring. I was certainly provided with quality service and much respect and compassion.”
“Dave and staff, thank you or consistently caring and comforting my Mom. Your quality of care will be recommended to others. You went above and beyond what was expected.”
“I have a very good providers from this Company”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Page Park in Bristol, CT with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Chef's Table or visit Old Post Office, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Bristol, CT, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Bristol, CT understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Bristol, CT 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
BRISTOL — The tears were flowing hours before manager Adam Whitlock and Bristol Little League took the field Thursday in pursuit of the New England Little League Softball championship.The emotions only intensified a few hours later.AdvertisementArticle continues below this adDown to its final two outs, Bristol rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to stun Cranston, Rhode Island, 4-3, and send the Connecticut champions to the Little League Softball World Series.Bristol was two outs f...
BRISTOL — The tears were flowing hours before manager Adam Whitlock and Bristol Little League took the field Thursday in pursuit of the New England Little League Softball championship.
The emotions only intensified a few hours later.
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Down to its final two outs, Bristol rallied for three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to stun Cranston, Rhode Island, 4-3, and send the Connecticut champions to the Little League Softball World Series.
Bristol was two outs from elimination before Lucy Bastiaanse ignited the comeback with a solo home run to make it a one-run game. Singles by Keeva Knowles and Lucy Kalat, followed by an intentional walk to Ava Lefurgey, loaded the bases. Makinnley Whitlock's ground ball resulted in a fielder's choice that failed to record an out as the tying run scored.
Moments later, Avery Collins lined a full-count pitch that glanced off the glove of a Cranston infielder, allowing the winning run to score and setting off a wild celebration.
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"The kids came together and pushed the last run across," Adam Whitlock said. "What an amazing ballgame."
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Even trailing by two runs entering the final inning, Whitlock never stopped believing.
"He kept saying he could see in the future," Collins said.
Finding the right words was much harder before the first pitch.
"I was crying," Whitlock said. "There was so much emotion. I had to lay down in the pavilion in the back and close my eyes just to get my heart rate right. That was four hours before the game. Once I calmed down, it was easier to speak calmly. The kids, they were emotional. Some of them were in tears, breathing a little harder."
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Bristol grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Bastiaanse, who finished with three of Bristol's 10 hits, led off with a single and later scored on Kalat's squeeze bunt.
Lefurgey dominated early, striking out eight of the first nine batters she faced. She finished with 11 strikeouts.
Cranston seized control in the fourth inning. Sloane Benchsky opened with an infield single, and an error on a force play at second was followed by Chloe Whittenberger's ninth hit of the regional. Emma Arrighie delivered a two-run double before Aubrey Riker added an RBI single.
Kalat, however, cut down a runner at the plate from center field to keep Bristol within two runs.
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"It was the chance to be down two and not three," Whitlock said. "Maybe we'd still be on the ball field. That was a big deal for sure."
Kalat then came on to pitch with two outs in the sixth inning after Cranston put two runners aboard. She needed just one pitch to get Whittenberger to ground out and end the threat.
That gave Bristol one last chance.
Bastiaanse's home run down the left-field line started the rally.
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"We were telling her to hit it down the left-field line, and she hit it right there," Makinnley Whitlock said. "We were so excited because she did exactly what we told her to do. Now we were back. We had just one out and had a run."
It was a heartbreaking finish for the Rhode Island champions.
"We were two outs away," Cranston manager Bobby Arrighie said. "It was a flip of the coin.
"I have known those girls since they were 5 or 6 years old. There is nothing else they could have done. They walked off with their heads high."
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Connecticut has now advanced to the Little League Softball World Series four times in the past five years.
Bristol will face the winner of the Central-West regional championship on Aug. 3 in Greenville, North Carolina, in its World Series opener.
NEW ENGLAND LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Rhode Island: 000 300 — 3 6 1Connecticut: 100 003 — 4 10 1Aubrey Riker and Mia Castillo; Ava Lefurgey, Lucy Kalat (6) and Dakota Green.WP: Kalat. LP: Riker.
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HR: Bristol — Lucy Bastiaanse.
These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more Connecticut political news, for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter.The State Bond Commission — including Gov. Ned Lamont and campaign rival state Sen. Ryan Fazio — voted to approve borrowing up to $145 million on Monday to help lower electric bills.The bonds will be used to pay down costs from unpaid bills that were allowed to accumulate during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as p...
These news briefs are part of The Connecticut Mirror’s 2026 political coverage. For more Connecticut political news, for The Issue, the CT Mirror’s weekly politics newsletter.
The State Bond Commission — including Gov. Ned Lamont and campaign rival state Sen. Ryan Fazio — voted to approve borrowing up to $145 million on Monday to help lower electric bills.
The bonds will be used to pay down costs from unpaid bills that were allowed to accumulate during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as providing funding for the state’s electric vehicle charging program that had previously been collected through the public benefits charge on customers’ bills.
It was the second time the Bond Commission approved borrowing money to offset those costs. The first time, in August 2025, helped to reduce bills by about $5 to $10 a month. The second round of borrowing was already factored into rate adjustments that took effect Sept. 1.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Reports filed on Sept. 10 give a final snapshot of spending by Gov. Ned Lamont and his challenger, Josh Elliott, in the Democratic primary won by the governor.
As of Aug. 31, Lamont’s campaign spent just shy of $10.5 million, with the self-funding governor personally donating $10.2 million to the effort.
Elliott, who participated in the voluntary public financing program, spent $4 million.
— Mark Pazniokas, Capitol Bureau Chief
Central Connecticut State University President Zulma Toro is under investigation for intimidation and bullying, CT Examiner reported Tuesday.
The complaint stemmed from a specific incident at a staff retreat in August. Toro allegedly screamed at staff members and canceled the retreat after someone called her plans for a newly purchased building unrealistic.
Toro was also the subject of a 2019 complaint that was ultimately dismissed. CT Examiner reports she has previously been criticized for threatening and insulting staff, as well as making them take care of her mother and her dog.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
Subcommittees of the Blue Ribbon Commission on K-12 Education Funding and Accountability are working on potential changes to special education, school choice, accountability and the Education Cost Sharing, or ECS, formula.
All four subcommittees should be finished with their work by mid-October.
Members of the ECS subcommittee have so far expressed strong interest in tying the state’s main school funding grant to inflation, as legislators tried to do earlier this year. The special education subcommittee has discussed adding a special education weight to ECS and increasing funding for in-district programming.
— Theo Peck-Suzuki, Education Reporter
Connecticut is among 10 states that will receive federal grant money to reduce the number of children entering foster care.
The grants range from $600,000 to $750,000 for states to create programs that prevent the need for foster care. The total one-time grant funding is $7.3 million spread across states. Connecticut will set up the infrastructure it needs to bill the federal government for more family therapy services, aiming to reduce long wait times.
The announcement comes at a time many states, including Connecticut, are struggling to find placements for children in foster care.
— Ginny Monk, Investigative Reporter
Eversource, along with other electric utilities in Massachusetts, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Tuesday accusing Hydro-Quebec of failing to deliver power to the New England electric grid during a severe cold snap this past winter.
The lawsuit is not expected to have an impact on Eversource’s customers in Connecticut, who are not a party to the utilities’ agreements to purchase 9.45 terawatt hours of electricity from the Canadian power company.
Much of that power is fed into New England through a new transmission line that powered on in January, just days before a severe cold snap scrambled the region’s electric grid. Hydro Quebec has argued that the cold snap was a “force majeure” that necessitated cutting off exports of power to the U.S. in order to serve customers in Canada.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Supporters of Connecticut’s quantum ambitions got good news this week, as New Haven officials approved a key step in the development of the building that will house much of the effort.
On Tuesday, New Haven’s Board of Alders approved a development agreement between the city and Winstanley Enterprises, the Massachusetts-based developer that will construct a new building to house QuantumCT’s future headquarters. The building will also serve as the home for Unilever’s forthcoming Global Innovation Center.
The deal was approved unanimously, though at least one alder raised a deeper concern about the city’s massive quantum effort, calling for the project to serve all of New Haven.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority was ordered to release hundreds of pages of emails and other communications this week related to the drafting of energy-related bills during the 2025 legislative session.
The order came from the state’s Freedom of Information Commission based on a complaint from Eversource, which had sought access to the records. The FOIC also admonished PURA legal director Scott Muska over his handling of the records request but stopped short of imposing any fines.
The decision marked the latest blemish against PURA’s handling of records requests under the leadership of former Chair Marissa Gillett, who was separately fined $2,500 by the FOIC last December related to another complaint.
Gillett stepped down from PURA last year, and the authority’s board has since been filled with new members appointed by Gov. Ned Lamont.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
Connecticut households are facing increased financial strain and feel worse off than a year ago, according to a new report from the CBIA Foundation for Economic Growth and Opportunity and the University of New Hampshire Survey Center’s States of Opinion Project.
In a consumer survey released this week, local residents cited increased household expenses, including housing, groceries and gasoline, as contributing to the worsening issues. A majority of respondents said that the legislature wasn’t doing enough to help, with just 22% approving of lawmakers’ handling of economic and job creation issues.
The survey adds to a growing pile of data pointing to state residents’ mounting economic issues, with recent reports from the United Way of Connecticut and CT Voices for Children adding that low-income households are being hit hardest.
— P.R. Lockhart, Economic Development Reporter
Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Friday that the Department of Transportation will add four new weekday trains to the state’s Shore Line East route between New Haven and New London.
The new trains will begin running on Mon., Oct. 5. The trains will depart New Haven’s Union Station at 2:55 p.m. and 5:55 p.m., before returning from New London at 4:40 p.m. and 7:28 p.m.
The additions to service come as Shore Line East has struggled to attract riders following the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers set aside an additional $3 million to support the route as part of this year’s budget adjustments.
— John Moritz, Energy & Environment Reporter
This article first appeared on CT Mirror and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
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