At the direction of Governor Ned Lamont, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS), Department of Housing (DOH), Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), and the Department of Social Services (DSS), United Way 2-1-1, the Connecticut Coalition to End Homelessness, and other partners are implementing the severe cold weather protocol to ensure all those in need are sheltered during the severe cold weather.
The Severe Cold Weather protocol will be activated from today, Monday, February 25, at 5 pm through 10 am on Wednesday, February 27.
The current forecast calls for wind chills in the single digits both tonight and tomorrow night. Check the
Governor's website
for more information about this specific alert.
If you receive a call from someone looking for shelter and you are not aware of any shelter space, please direct the person to 2-1-1. If your town opens a shelter or warming center, please ask your town emergency management department to indicate its status on DEMHS WebEOC. Working with local shelters, 2-1-1 will act as a clearinghouse to ensure that shelter is identified for those who need it. Please spread the word of this critical service provided by 2-1-1.
Please note: Providers are asked to provide coverage for the full duration of the activation period unless otherwise revised by the Office of the Governor. While shelters are not required to remain open during hours they would normally close during this cold weather period, any efforts that shelters and other frontline providers can make to provide shelter space for those in need during this particular cold is appreciated.
If you have any questions about the policies for access to shelter in your area, please contact your
CAN coordinator
.
If you have any questions about the 2-1-1 referral process, please contact Wendy Caruso, at
Wendy.Caruso@ctunitedway.org
, or if identify someone in need of immediate shelter, please dial 2-1-1, press option 5 and a contact specialist will assist you with shelter arrangements in your area.
