Dog Owners May Be Next in State’s “Still Revolutionary” Tourism Marketing

Who let the dogs out?  Apparently, Connecticut’s two-year, $27 million tourism campaign is seriously considering doing just that.  So says Kip Bergstrom, Deputy Commissioner of the State Department of Economic and Community Development.  Bergstrom, interviewed by Diane Smith of CT-N for an hour-long discussion (with live audience) as part of the Old State House’s lunchtime conversation series, suggested that dogs – and their owners - may be the next group to boost the state’s tourism numbers and dollars. The state’s tourism team, branding the state as "still revolutionary,"  is starting to compile “dog-friendly places” throughout Connecticut, to add to the state’s tourism website.  Why?  One of Connecticut’s advantages in attracting tourists is that it is a “drive-to” site, rather than a “fly-to” site, with a huge population close by, Bergstrom points out.  Which means the family pet – often a dog – can come along for the ride, and the visit.

It’s a big market, Bergstrom told the CT-N audience, “and we can immediately begin to reveal places you can go in Connecticut with a dog.”  Among the major plusses - the 800 miles of hiking trails in Connecticut - perfect for dog and owner to go for a walk.  Bergstrom, the owner of six dogs, admitted “don’t be surprised if there’s a dog in the next ad.”

Bergstrom also noted that in deciding on the new “still revolutionary” brand, the state and its tourism team of vendors spoke with more than 1,500 people in the state.  He said that the brand should last for decades, propelled by “ambassadors” – individuals throughout the state repeating their own stories of Connecticut’s “places that matter.”

Bergstrom said that the campaign “has already paid for itself” through increased tourism, with more advertising and targeted messaging ahead.  The expectation is that by campaign’s end, the state will receive $3 in state and local taxes for every $1 spent in the marketing effort.  Taking note of the location of the interview, Bergstrom said “democracy is not a noun, it’s a verb.”

CT Girl Scouts Celebrate Centennial by Honoring Top 100

In honor of its 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored 100 women, men, and organizations that embody the best of Girl Scout values at the 2012 Centennial Gala – Woman of Merit benefit dinner, held this month. The Centennial Gala had five categories of honorees:

• Distinguished Alumnae,
• Community Champion,
• Trail Blazers,
• Girls of Promise, and
• Women of Promise

Honorees included Governor Dannel P. Malloy and Cathy Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Wyman, State Treasurer Denise Nappier, State Representative Michelle Cook (D-65); Jen Rizzotti, women’s basketball coach at the University of Hartford; Carolyn Kuan, Music Director, Hartford Symphony Orchestra; Rear Admiral Sandra L. Stosz, Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; and Chief Lynn Malerba of the Mohegan Tribe.  The full list of honorees is on the Girl Scouts of Connecticut website.

“We were delighted to honor these 100 extraordinary people and organizations ,” said Teresa C. Younger, President of Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s Board of Directors. “This has been a special year for Girl Scouts of Connecticut, celebrating its 100th Anniversary, and there’s no better time to celebrate the achievements of many throughout the state who are the role models for and help build girls of courage, confidence, and character.”

The categories of the honorees are:

Trailblazers are individuals, families, organizations or groups whose pioneering efforts opened the door for girls and/or women to follow. They may have been the ‘‘first’’ to reach a particular career or professional milestone, have participated in an organization or activity in a way that changed how women were involved, or challenged themselves in some way that created new opportunities for girls and women. If an organization or group, it may have demonstrated innovative solutions to working with girls to develop leadership skills or create unique opportunities for girls.

Community Champions are individuals, families, organizations or groups who have made significant contributions as volunteers within their own community, or on a regional or national level. They have distinguished themselves as mentors and role models. They have a proven track record of helping others succeed and have achieved personal success through the skills and abilities they have developed in the people around them. Their lives and work exemplify the value of community service intrinsic to Girl Scouts. If an organization or group, it has demonstrated through its mission, programs and support the importance of developing girls to reach their full potential and have proven success.

Distinguished Alumnae are individuals who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, exceptional service, and an extraordinary dedication to the Girl Scout Movement. They are alumnae whose leadership, initiative, and energy have strengthened Girl Scouting, made a significant contribution to the mission, and who exemplify the true spirit of Girl Scouts.

Women of Promise are alumnae, age 35 and under, who have distinguished themselves in their profession and/or community. They are women who demonstrate exceptional promise in terms of their ability to ascend and assume significant leadership roles.

Girls of Promise are current Girl Scouts ages 12-18 who distinguish themselves through their work in Girl Scouting and exemplify the values and principles of the Girl Scout Movement.

Prescription Drug Take Back Day is Saturday; 60 CT Sites Ready

State and local law enforcement officials in more than 60 cities and towns across Connecticut will join with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) this Saturday, September 29, to give residents the opportunity to prevent drug abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs. Attorney General George Jepsen joined the DEA, the state Departments of Consumer Protection and of Emergency Services and Public Protection, and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership in detailing the state’s growing prescription drug problem and encouraging state residents to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day by visiting a nearby collection site.  Connecticut’s  collection sites will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 90 percent of addictions start in the teenage years. Prescription medications are now the most commonly used drugs among 12 to 13 year olds. Two-thirds of teens who abuse pain relievers say they get them from their family members and friends

“Prescription drug abuse is the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and the problem is here, at our doorstep,” said Attorney General Jepsen. “Safe disposal of unused and unwanted prescription medications is an effective way of getting potentially dangerous substances out of medicine cabinets.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more Americans die from drug overdoses than in car crashes, and this increasing trend is driven by prescription painkiller overdoses.

“National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is an opportunity for us to increase awareness of the simple steps we all can take to slow the growth of prescription drug abuse, which is a 365-day a year problem, and to encourage everyone to use safe drug disposal practices every day,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said, noting that Connecticut has sites for unused prescription medication to be turned in throughout the year, beyond the nationwide event  this Saturday.

This past April, Americans turned in 552,161 pounds – 276 tons – of prescription drugs at over 5,600 sites operated by the DEA and nearly 4,300 state and local law enforcement partners. In its four previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners took in over 1.5 million pounds – nearly 775 tons – of medication.

“The Governor’s Prevention Partnership commends the leadership of the Attorney General and the DEA in bringing focus to the need for proper disposal of unused medicine in order to reduce the risk of youth drug abuse,” said Jill Spineti, president and CEO of the Governor’s Prevention Partnership. “We also remind parents and caregivers to have open communication with their children and to remain vigilant throughout the teenage years, so that misuse or abuse of medicine can be avoided.”

Property Tax Overreliance in Connecticut Slows Economy

The per capita property tax burden in Connecticut is $2,473, an amount that is almost twice the national average of $1,388 and second highest in the nation, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) says in a new report highlighting the state’s overreliance on property taxes to fund municipal government.  Connecticut ranks eighth in property taxes as a percentage of median home value, but CCM says property taxes are not covering the costs of running the state’s cities and towns. Connecticut's 169 cities and towns, along with their boroughs, fire districts and other political subdivisions, levied about $8.7 billion in property taxes in 2009-10, the last fiscal year for which CCM has complete records, the CT Mirror reported, adding that the total, once updated, likely would clear $9 billion for the current year, according to CCM.

Property taxes provide about 72 percent of the revenue for municipalities, while state aid -- which stands at about $3 billion -- represents 24 percent, CCM indicated.  In another breakdown, the CCM report found that:

• 20 towns depend on property taxes for at least 90 percent ofall their revenue
• 48 municipalities rely on property taxes for at least 80 percent of their revenue

CCM's five-point plan calls for expanding the new revenue-sharing arrangements that began last year and allows cities and towns to get some revenues from state sales and real estate tax increases.

Rounding Up Connecticut Legislative Voting Data Reveals Like-Minded Patterns

A picture is worth a thousand words, the saying goes.  The website Readily Apparent proves that once again, with interactive infographics for every state legislator – showing who among their colleagues voted in similar patters during the 2012 session.  The site is easy to use, and full of often-revealing comparisons displayed in concentric circles.  Visitors to the site elect their local legislator from a pull down menu, and see who is in orbit around them, as it were.  While the red-blue divisions are clearly evident for many, there are some surprises along the way. The Similarity Graphic used by Readily Apparent shows how similar Connecticut legislators are based on their 2012 voting, crossover rates, and introduced and sponsored bills. The closer others are to a selected lawmaker in the center circle, the more similar their records; the further away the less similar.

Eastern Connecticut's Increase in Hispanic Graduation Rate Is #1 Nationally

The Education Trust, a national education advocacy group, has ranked Eastern Connecticut State University as number one in a national study of the improvement of six-year graduation rates of Hispanic students among public universities and colleges.  The Education Trust study examined the graduation rates of 391 public and private colleges and universities in the United States, detailing the results for African American, Hispanic and white students, as well as the overall graduation rates of all students at those institutions. For the class of full-time, first-time students entering in fall 1998, the six-year graduation rate was barely 20 percent for Hispanic students at Eastern. However, for those Hispanic students entering in 2004, the proportion who had graduated by 2010 was 57.8 percent, the largest improvement among the 228 public institutions in The Education Trust study, "Advancing to completion: increasing degree attainment by improving graduation rates and closing gaps for Hispanic students."

José Cruz, vice president for higher education policy and practice at The Education Trust, said: "The lessons are clear.  What institutions of higher education do -- and don't do -- for students directly and powerfully impacts student success.  The schools we've identified provide vivid sign posts on the road to boosting graduation rates at colleges and universities across the country."

Eastern's 57.8 percent graduation rate for Hispanic students is actually above Eastern's overall graduation rate of 52.4 percent for the entire entering class of 2004. In addition, Eastern's improvement rate of 37.8 percent far exceeds the overall improvement rate among the study's 391 institutions of 3.5 percent, as well as the 3.9 percent improvement rate among the study's 228 public colleges and universities.

"While we know that there is much more work to be done on our campus in supporting Latino and other underrepresented students to achieve their educational goals and graduate from college, I am very pleased ," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez.  "This is a tribute to the work of our faculty and staff in providing support to students who face a myriad of issues in enrolling in and succeeding at college -- language barriers, cultural isolation, financial challenges and lack of family history as it relates to college attendance."

Núñez mentioned several grants from private and federal grant sources that have helped Eastern to identify and serve students who are academically at risk so that appropriate support systems can be activated early on. In particular, a Nellie Mae Education Foundation "Project Compass" grant and a U.S. Department of Education Title III grant have helped the University to create and improve its Student Success Model, which features additional advising staff; a revised, four-tiered advising system; faculty mentors; and a one-stop Academic Services Center that provides tutoring, math and writing instructional support for more than 10,000 student visitors a year.

"It is equally important for students of color to see familiar faces at the front of the classroom," said Núñez, indicating that Eastern has the largest percentage of minority faculty of any college or university in Connecticut.  Eastern also has two pre-enrollment programs each summer for students who may not meet the University's standard entrance requirements--the Summer Proof of Ability Program, which offers an opportunity to demonstrate academic potential, and the Summer Transition at Eastern Program/Contract Admissions Program, which provides intensive instruction in study skills and foundation academics to help low-income, first-generation and traditionally under-represented students transition from high school to college.

As The Education Trust report noted.  "... If America is to restore its status as first-in-the-world in degree attainment, colleges need to do more to ensure that all of their students -- especially Hispanic students -- graduate from college."

Deaf Child Bill of Rights is Focus at State Capitol

The focus at the State Capitol on Thursday, September 20 will be Connecticut’s deaf and hearing impaired children, with a particular spotlight on the Deaf Child Bill of Rights, approved by the General Assembly earlier this year and signed into law in June by Gov. Malloy. Represented at the Capitol on Thursday, with information for the public as well as legislators and staff, will be:

• Disabilities Network of Eastern CT Informational
• CREC Soundbridge Educational
• Relay Connecticut Telecommunication Services

Approval of the Deaf Child Bill of Rights made Connecticut, the birthplace of deaf education, the 12th state to have the Deaf Child Bill of Rights. The new law became effective on July 1, 2012. It was widely viewed as a historic day for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities in Connecticut as well across the country, because the DCBR law creates an environment that will allow deaf and hard of hearing children “to become who they really are, develop, learn, expand and shine in all education settings,” officials said.

The new law states that “The individualized education program for any child identified as deaf or hearing impaired shall include a language and communication plan developed by the planning and placement team for such child.

Such language and communication plan shall address:

(1) The primary language or mode of communication chosen for the child,

(2) Opportunities for direct communication with peers and professional personnel in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(3) Educational options available to the child,

(4) The qualifications of teachers and other professional personnel administering such plan for the child, including such teacher's or personnel's proficiency in the primary language or mode of communication for the child,

(5) The accessibility of academic instruction, school services and extracurricular activities to the child,

(6) Assistive devices and services for the child, and

(7) Communication and physical environment accommodations for the child.

Report: Adult Obesity Rate in CT Could Reach 46.5% by 2030

The number of obese adults, along with related disease rates and health care costs, is on course to increase dramatically in Connecticut over the next 20 years, according to a new report by Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF).  For the first time, the annual report includes an analysis that forecasts 2030 adult obesity rates in each state and the likely resulting rise in obesity-related disease rates and health care costs.  Public health funding and preparedness data is also provided for all 50 states.  Connecticut, the data indicates, ranked 33rd in state funding per capita in 2011. The analysis also shows that states could prevent obesity-related diseases and dramatically reduce health care costs if they reduced the average body mass index of their residents by just 5 percent by 2030.   The analysis, F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2012, was commissioned by TFAH and RWJF and conducted by the National Heart Forum, is based on a peer-reviewed model published last year in The Lancet.

Findings include:

• Projected Increases in Obesity Rates

If obesity rates continue on their current trajectories, by 2030, the obesity rate in Connecticut could reach 46.5 percent. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2011, 24.5 percent of adults in the state were obese.  Nationally, by 2030, 13 states could have adult obesity rates above 60 percent, 39 states could have rates above 50 percent, and all 50 states could have rates above 44 percent.

• Projected Increases in Disease Rates

Over the next 20 years, obesity could contribute to 412,641 new cases of type 2 diabetes, 1,014,057 new cases of coronary heart disease and stroke, 941,046 new cases of hypertension, 597,155 new cases of arthritis, and 147,883 new cases of obesity-related cancer in Connecticut.

Currently, more than 25 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, 27 million have chronic heart disease, 68 million have hypertension and 50 million have arthritis. In addition, 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, and approximately one in three deaths from cancer per year (approximately 190,650) are related to obesity, poor nutrition or physical inactivity.

• Projected Increase in Health Care Costs

By 2030, obesity-related health care costs in Connecticut could climb by 15.7 percent, which could be the 22nd highest increase in the country. Nationally, nine states could see increases of more than 20 percent, with New Jersey on course to see the biggest increase at 34.5 percent.

In the United States, medical costs associated with treating preventable obesity-related diseases are estimated to increase by $48 billion to $66 billion per year by 2030, and the loss in economic productivity could be between $390 billion and $580 billion annually by 2030.

How Reducing Obesity Could Lower Disease Rates and Health Care Costs

If BMIs were lowered by 5 percent, Connecticut could save 7 percent in health care costs, which would equate to savings of $ 7,370,000,000 by 2030. The number of Connecticut residents who could be spared from developing new cases of major obesity-related diseases includes:

• 83,932 people could be spared from type 2 diabetes,
• 79,528 from coronary heart disease and stroke,
• 75,911 from hypertension,
• 38,564 from arthritis, and
• 6,374 from obesity-related cancer.

Earlier this year, the Connecticut Coalition Against Childhood Obesity formed to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity and the urgent need to address its connection to Connecticut’s educational achievement gap. The Coalition, comprised of more than 30 health advocacy organizations, stresses that the connections between better health and better academic achievement make action against childhood obesity an education as well as health imperative.  Among the initiatives approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, with the support and advocacy of the coalition, was a pilot program for school health coordinators in a number of districts, highlighting the links between children’s health and academic performance.

CT nonprofit launches online financial literacy program

The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) has launched Financial Avenue, a free, online financial education program to help adults and young adults better manage their money and assets.  The program is the latest in a full range of financial literacy services offered by the New Haven-based CAHS, including in-person classes at partner nonprofits throughout the state.  The new on-line courses provide an option for those who have had trouble making it to  scheduled on-ground classes. Students can earn up to 16 certificates in specific topics and work at their own pace.  According to the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project, two-thirds of American adults earning less than $30,000 use the internet. In addition lower-income internet users (earning $25,000 or less) tend to spend more time on the internet than others, about 13 hours online per month.

CAHS also offers the Connecticut Money School as well as a series of downloadable fact sheets on various financial topics. Connecticut Money School (CMS) is a project of the CAHS  and five nonprofit partners.

To sign up or receive more information on the Financial Avenue program, visit www.ctmoney.org.  Class topics span a wide range of topics including: Budgeting, Borrowing Money, Tackling Debt, Understanding Insurance, Taxes & You, Understanding a Paycheck, Importance of Saving, Banking Basics, Investing in Your Future, Your First Job, Paying for College, Working in College, Credit History, Credit Cards, Contracts, and Identity Theft.

A $25,000 grant from the First Niagara Bank Foundation helped launch Financial Avenue.

How one man's idea became the world-wide leader in sports broadcasting

ESPN Founder Bill Rasmussen addressed students at the University of Connecticut last week, and  in a Forbes magazine article recalls how it all began, highlighting a series of marvelous, insightful and often-ironic anecdotes, as well as some sit-up-and-take-notice numbers:

• “A salesman once told me that every sale starts with a ‘no.’ We knew we were going to be really be big because we got lots of ‘no’s’ in the beginning. Now there are over six U.S. networks and 46 international networks that have grown from the original ESPN.”
• “I met with the man from RCA along with my son, Scott. He told us all about what satellite packages were available, including a 24-hour package that no one had ever bought. When Scott went over the pricing structure, he realized the 24-hour package was the best option. Of course, we didn’t have any money, but I called the man from RCA the next day and said, ‘We’ll take one of those things.’ ‘One of what things,’ he asked. ‘One of those 24 hour things.’”
• “When we first went out to meet with the cable systems around the country, we asked them to pay the ridiculously exorbitant $.01 (cents) per day per subscriber -– a cost of $.30 (cents) per month -– triple that of Ted Turner‘s already established SuperStation WTBS. They practically laughed us out of the meetings.”
• “We ended up costing cable systems 2.4 cents per subscriber per month – and when the word started to get out, especially during the 1980 NCAA Basketball tournament, we had cable systems calling us trying to get on board. Now ESPN charges $5.13 per subscriber per month and has over 100 million households in the U.S. alone.”
• “NBC had the national TV contract back then, but only aired the Final Four and some regional tournament games, a handful of contests in all. I told Mr. Byers (NCAA President), ‘We want to do every single game you haven’t committed to the (major) networks.’ He said, ‘Every single one?’ I said yes.”
• “We (Bill and Scott Rasmussen) were in traffic on I-84 in Connecticut, it was sweltering hot, and we had all the windows rolled down. And we were trying to come up with ideas to fill 8,760 hours a year of television programming. We had been talking back and forth for a while, until Scott finally said something like, ‘Play football all day, for all I care.’ And suddenly, the ideas started coming fast and furious during that car ride, we came up with the idea for ‘Sports Center.’”

And how did it all begin?  “In 1978, I was working as the Communications Director of the New England Whalers of the World Hockey Association, and when the Whalers didn’t make the 1978 WHA playoffs, most of the front office staff – including me – were fired.”  So, Rasmussen began working on an idea he had to telecast Connecticut college sports – somehow- and provide more than the traditional three-minutes on the evening local news that were traditionally devoted to sports.  Needless to say, one thing led to another, and the quickly incorporated E.S.P. Network soon evolved into ESPN, among the most recognizable sports broadcasting brands in the world.