Norwalk political notes: A grant to help children, grants for campaign funding

Updated, 2:30 p.m. Thursday, information from Fred Wilms; 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, information from Lucy Dathan. Correction, Dathan applied in March.

NORWALK, Conn. — Some Norwalk political happenings:

• Thomas, Zucaro announce fundraising wins
• Duff, et al, have filed for CEP
• Himes touts $3 million grant to Child First

Zucaro first to officially qualify; Thomas praises volunteer interest

Both competitors for the District 143 State Representative position have raised the money needed to qualify for Citizens Election Program (CEP) financing, they say.

Republican candidate Patrizia Zucaro was out first with a press release announcing this victory; Democratic candidate Stephanie Thomas’ press release states that she had raised the money in February.

The pair are vying for the seat held by Republican incumbent Gail Lavielle for nearly a decade.

“To qualify for CEP campaign funding, candidates for the state House must raise at least $5,300 in contributions of $270 or less, including individual contributions from at least 150 residents of the towns they are seeking to represent,” Zucaro’s press release explains.

Zucaro’s campaign submitted the application on the first date possible, the release said. It was approved May 28.

She is a Westport attorney, who spent a decade in real estate.

“The people of Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport need their voices to be heard now more than ever, and I would be honored to be their voice in the state legislature,” Zucaro is quoted as saying. “Our state government has a transparency issue, and taxpayers deserve to know what decisions are being made, and who is making them.…I want to thank the residents of Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport for their strong and immediate support. I look forward to advocating for policies that balance public health and economic and social imperatives in a way that ensures their safety and their future here in Connecticut.”

Thomas, a Norwalk Zoning Commissioner who works with nonprofits, raised the money within two weeks of beginning her campaign in February, her release states. The Thomas campaign touts a high level of volunteer activity during the pandemic, saying she “expected the campaign to go on hold as supporters dealt with the new challenges in their own lives, but the opposite was true.”

She has more than 150 volunteers working remotely through these tough times, according to the campaign.

“It’s so rewarding to see these people who are taking time out of their busy lives during this unprecedented election cycle time to volunteer and donate their time,” Thomas said in the release. “Despite the pandemic and the economic issues it has brought, the people of Wilton, Norwalk, and Westport have shown that they believe in this campaign and I am grateful for their support.”

Thomas held a “Thomas Talks” on her Facebook page Monday. It’s planned to be an ongoing series.

The Zucaro campaign’s CEP filing is dated May 20 and Thomas’ filing is dated May 27.

Thomas SEEC30_Optional_Itemized_Statement_for_Pre-Grant_Application_Review_(May)_74255

Thomas SEEC30_Itemized_Statement_accompanying_application_for_Public_Grant_74499

Zucaro SEEC30_Itemized_Statement_accompanying_application_for_Public_Grant_73792

No press releases here

So who else has submitted the official forms to qualify for CEP funding?

State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-25) filed his itemized statement on June 4. The campaign had raised $18,983 from individuals as of the day before, the statement said.

Duff is being challenged by Republican candidate Elisavet Kousidis.

Fred Wilms, Republican candidate for District 142, filed the itemized statement on May 26, claiming $10,030 from individuals as of that date. Incumbent State Rep. Lucy Dathan (D-142) filed an optional itemized statement for “pre-grant application review” in March. Dathan raised $6,065 from individuals as of March 31.

Dathan said Wednesday that her campaign raised the donations needed to qualify in January, in less than three weeks of fundraising.

“I was approved for the pre-qualification in March, but needed to get the nomination from the Dem party before filing for the final form. This happened on May 18th 2020. We are in process of getting the documents notarized now (delayed due to COVID) and expect these to be with the SEEC in the next few days,” she wrote.

Wilms on Thursday said his application was approved June 3. “I hit my fundraising goals at the end of February – the quickest ever,” he wrote.

State Rep. Travis Simms (D-140) also filed an optional pre-grant application review in March. He had raised $452. Republicans endorsed John Flynn to run against Simms.

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Duff SEEC30_Optional_Itemized_Statement_for_Pre-Grant_Application_Review_(March)_74460

Duff SEEC30_Itemized_Statement_accompanying_application_for_Public_Grant_74651

Simms SEEC30_Optional_Itemized_Statement_for_Pre-Grant_Application_Review_(March)_73296

Wilms SEEC30_Itemized_Statement_accompanying_application_for_Public_Grant_74490

Himes

A Trumbull-based non-profit organization will receive a $3 million grant from the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Greenwich) announced Tuesday.

“Child First is an evidence-based, two-generation, home-based trauma and mental health intervention that heals and protects young children and families who have experienced trauma and adversity,” the press release said.

“Congratulations to Child First on their grant to develop their new National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Category II Treatment and Service Adaption Center, The Center for Prevention and Early Trauma Treatment,” Himes is quoted as saying. “Child First’s work is more important than ever as COVID-19 is creating new trauma for children and families that needs to be identified and addressed immediately. I’m proud that Child First started here in Southwest Connecticut and now is expanding nation-wide.”

Child First, Inc. (Child and Family Interagency Resource, Support, and Training) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Connecticut, its website states. It dates to 1995.

The grant will be distributed over the course of five years, Himes press release states. It will promote collaboration with early childhood providers and other stakeholders in five selected regions of the U.S. to:

• “Train community providers to understand the profound impact of trauma and adversity on the development of the young child
• “Help providers create nurturing, trauma-informed services and practices
• “Identify children and families who have experienced traumatic stress and have need for further intervention, and how and to whom to refer
• “Provide training in multiple trauma and mental health interventions which support families’ strengths”

“This is an incredible opportunity to focus efforts on very young children and their families,” Dr. Darcy Lowell, the founder and CEO of Child First, is quoted as saying. “We know that trauma and adversity can have profound negative impacts on the developing brains of young children.  However, through early efforts at prevention, identification, and treatment, these children and their families can thrive!  … We want to sincerely thank Representative Himes for his strong belief in the potential of our children and support for this initiative.”

Himes is seeking reelection and faces a primary challenge from Brian Merlen, a Green Party candidate, according to Ballotpedia. Republican Norwalker Jonathan Riddle recently won his party’s endorsement for the seat.