The Paid Leave Podcast

CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Building Family Fiscal Health and Policies

In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon, talks about his office, caregiving and the sandwich generation, and other family friendly policies in the state. November happens to be National Family Caregiver Month. Comptroller Scanlon, talked about his role in improving state finances. Sean explains his role as the Comptroller, comparing it to a Chief Financial Officer, and details his responsibilities, including managing state finances, healthcare plans, and various programs like the flood program for Hartford residents and the MyCTSavings retirement plan for employees. He discusses the importance of caregiving and why policies like paid leave can help ease the burden on residents. Sean discusses his efforts to reform the MERS pension system. He highlights the importance of mental health parity and the Array RX drug discount card, giving discounts for medications. Sean emphasizes the need for fiscal responsibility to fund future programs and improve state affordability, aiming to make Connecticut a more attractive place to live and work, and how CT Paid Leave can help with that vision. Sean recounts how a book report on Bobby Kennedy inspired him to pursue a career in politics. For more information about the Comptroller's Office please go to Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller [https://osc.ct.gov/]. For more information or to apply for benefits please go to CT Paid Leave [https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US]. https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

Osteoporosis Awareness and How to Strengthen Bone Health

In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, I speak to a professional about osteoporosis and bone health. In October it is International Osteoporosis Day on October 20th, National Health Education Week October 21-25th, and is also International Day of Older Persons on October 1st. Two out of three women with postmenopausal osteoporosis will break a bone in their lifetime. I speak with Joan Doback, a certified Physician Assistant celebrating 36 years in the field. Doback, who works as a Bone Health Coordinator at the Connecticut Orthopedic Institute, explains the importance of bone health, particularly for women post-menopause. She highlights the significance of DEXA scans for diagnosing osteoporosis and osteopenia, and the role that lifestyle factors plays in bone health like diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol. She recommends weight-bearing exercises, resistance training, and balance exercises to improve bone density. Doback also discusses medical treatments for osteoporosis and the impact of fractures on caregivers of patients. She emphasized the importance that the Connecticut Paid Leave program is for caregivers. She says the good news is that Osteoporosis can be reversible.  For more information on the Bridgeport Bone Health program at the CT Orthopedic Institute at St Vincent's Hospital: Bone Health Program | CT Orthopaedic Institute | St. Vincent’s Medical Center [https://ctorthostvincents.org/patient-support/bone-health-program] For Information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

A Study Shows How Paid Leave Policies Help Create Healthy Families and Communities

On this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking about paid family leave policies and how they affect families and communities. Drexel University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, has done a study called Making the Case for Paid Family Leave.  The study shows the benefits of taking time off for your own serious health condition or that of a loved one as well as taking pregnancy and bonding leave when adding to your family. Here to talk about this is Natalie Shaak, she is the Associate Director of Communication and Administration at the Center for Hunger Communities at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University. The study, which included a literature review and personal stories, highlights the physical and mental health benefits of paid leave, particularly for mothers and infants. It found that paid leave reduces postpartum depression, domestic violence, and stress, and improves child health outcomes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing paid leave, including the need for inclusive policies that cover part-time and gig workers. They emphasize the importance of paid leave for workplace culture, recruitment, and retention, and advocate for a national program to ensure equitable access. To get in touch with Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health: About the Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health | Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health [https://drexel.edu/dornsife/about/overview/] For information or to apply for benefits go to: CT Paid Leave [https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US] https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

Living with Sickle Cell Disease and Celebrating Motherhood

In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are focusing on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States; more than 90% are non-Hispanic Black or African American. Many people with Sickle Cell Disease do not receive the recommended healthcare screenings and treatments mainly because of social barriers.  My guests are Dr. Genice Nelson. Dr.  Nelson is the Nursing Director at UConn Health-at the New England Sickle Cell Institute, Hemophilia Treatment Center, and Outpatient Behavioral Health Programs. Daisha Dillon is a mom who was diagnosed at birth with sickle cell disease and has been suffering since she was 6 months old. She always wanted to be a mom and has a healthy daughter who was born without Sickle cell disease. Daisha is seen at the New England Sickle cell Institute and gets her treatments for sickle cell and pain there at UConn Health. We discussed what sickle cell disease is and how it effects the body. Dr. Nelson is aware of CT Paid Leave, and the benefits it has for the patients she treats and their caregivers. Daisha's health has been improving with the newer medications that have become available to combat the symptoms and the pain.  To get more information about the New England Sickle Cell Institute: New England Sickle Cell Institute | UConn Health [https://www.uconnhealth.org/cancer-blood-disorders/services-specialties/sickle-cell] For more information about Dr. Genice Nelson: Genice Nelson, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC | UConn Health [https://www.uconnhealth.org/providers/profiles/nelson-genice] For more information or to apply for benefits: ctpaidleave.org https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

One Family's Journey of Hispanic Heritage, Mental Health, and Healing.

It this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we take a look at Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th through October 15th. During this month it is a celebration of the culture and diversity of the Hispanic population, but it also focuses on mental health and the challenges that Hispanics face.  Evelyn Alejandro joins me to talk about Hispanic Heritage Month, and her parents struggles with mental health. Evelyn was the focus of an article in Mental Health Connecticut's Let's FACE IT Campaign. In the article she discusses her parents' mental health conditions, and how it affected her as a young girl. She talks about losing her mother tragically in a car crash, and how her trauma led to her being told she may be suffering from PTSD. Evelyn discusses the shame and stigma of mental health and says that CT Paid Leave is a resource that can help many Hispanics, who may not know about the program.  To get in touch with Evelyn Please go to her website at: Agape Designs - Holistic Marketing Agency [https://agapedesignsct.com/]  Contact Evelyn at her email address: agapedesigns860@gmail.com Or Here at the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at their PYVOT program: PYVOT - Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce [https://www.centralctchambers.org/pyvot/#:~:text=PYVOT%20is%20Central%20Connecticut%E2%80%99s%20premier%20young%20professional%20network,networking%2C%20career%20growth%2C%20volunteer%20opportunities%2C%20and%20leadership%20development.] For more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]