Volume 2, Issue 4
Volume 2, Edition 4: Holiday 2024
Commissioner's Corner
Dear Legislative Partners:
As we approach the holidays, I hope you have the opportunity to relax and enjoy the season with family and friends.
In this edition of DAS Newsline, we highlight the launch of the CT Gateway portal, introduce the new state fire marshal, provide an update on the construction of the new Bullard-Havens Technical High School, and more.
Please feel free to share this information with your constituents.
Thank you, and happy holidays.
Michelle Gilman
Commissioner, DAS
DAS Decks the Halls
Did you know the DAS facilities team manages the Governor's Residence and is responsible for the Holiday Open House? Along with many volunteers, DAS worked around the clock to decorate the facility in time for the open house.
Take a look behind the scenes as we prepared for the big event.
CT Gateway Portal Launches
On November 18, DAS launched CT Gateway, a new cloud-based portal for those who do business with the state. Ultimately, CT Gateway will host the applications for several programs within DAS Procurement; starting immediately, the first application, Small/Minority Business Enterprise (S/MBE), has been moved to CT Gateway.
The S/MBE application on CT Gateway includes several new, user-friendly processes:
- Streamlined, mobile-friendly application.
- Greater accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
- Realtime application status.
- Immediate inclusion in a web-based directory of certified S/MBEs.
Learn more about CT Gateway: Department of Administrative Services launches CT Gateway portal (CT.gov)
Meet the Next State Fire Marshal
Commissioner Gilman recently appointed Lauri Volkert as state fire marshal beginning on December 2, 2024. Volkert is the first woman to hold the position. Before joining DAS, she served as fire marshal for the Town of Windsor since 2023 and previously served as a fire inspector for the town.
Volkert succeeds William Abbott, who retired after 19 years of state service, including 11 years as the state fire marshal and more than 25 years as a firefighter and municipal fire marshal.
Commissioner Gilman Appoints Lauri Volkert as State Fire Marshal (CT.gov)
Fire Safety for The Holidays
The holidays are all about joy and celebration, but let’s not forget the importance of safety.
The latest video from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, in collaboration with the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit and the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital, shares essential fire safety tips to help people protect their homes and loved ones during this festive time.
They share important tips for making the holidays as safe as possible, from safe cooking practices to candle usage and decoration safety.
Please share this information with anyone who may be interested.
Reminder: School Districts Must Complete IAQ Checklists by End of Year
Per state statute, school districts are required to perform an annual uniform inspection and evaluation of indoor air quality within each school building using the EPA’s Tools for Schools checklists.
To comply with state law for the annual IAQ inspection, school districts must:
- Conduct the required inspection and evaluation using the EPA checklists.
- Make results of each inspection publicly available at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board of education and post such results on the board’s website or the website for the individual school.
- Submit the following form to DAS: Indoor Air Quality Annual Reporting Form (Microsoft Forms).
The deadline for districts to complete the checklists and submit the form to DAS is December 31, 2024.
For additional information on how to meet this requirement, please visit the IAQ Requirements for School Districts website.
Bullard-Havens Update
Several members of the DAS team recently visited the site of the new Bullard-Havens Technical High School, a major project overseen by DAS Construction Services. The progress has been incredible.
Since the groundbreaking in May 2023, a former athletic field has been transformed into a magnificent structure that will soon be the state's most sustainable and efficient technical high school. We remain on track to open the new school to students beginning in the fall of 2025, with the demolition of the old school to follow.
Digital Equity Funding
In late October, we received official notice that Connecticut is being awarded more than $9 million in federal funding to launch key initiatives outlined in the state’s digital equity plan.
The funding will support initiatives including:
💻 “Digital navigation” pilots: Local partners will receive support to work directly with residents to address skill gaps and lack of access to Internet connections and computers.
🤝 Digital equity collaboratives: Covering the entire state, six new collaboratives will provide the resources and professional network for educators, policymakers, and community organizations to learn and share best practices that scale and improve efforts to connect and train residents.
🎓 Digital equity curriculum: Through the collaboratives, the state will release a set of common assessments and teaching resources freely available to adult education and other local training programs to help meet residents where they are to close the digital skills gap in Connecticut.
🗺️ Asset map: Residents will be able to conduct online searches and call a telephone hotline to find and use the community-based programs and resources to help them get online and develop the technical skills necessary to thrive in the digital world.
This is an essential step in our efforts to close the state's digital divide.
Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Awarded $9 Million to Close the Digital Divide (CT.gov)
New Website for Military Talent
The State of Connecticut has long sought to recruit veterans to positions in state government, giving them the opportunity to lend their incredible talents and continue their service. To help ensure resources and opportunities are accessible for veterans considering applying for a position in state government, DAS Talent Solutions has created the Military Talent website.
Do you know a veteran who might be interested in applying? Please share this resource with them.
Commissioner Gilman Gives Central Commencement Address
Commissioner Michelle Gilman was honored to deliver the commencement address at her alma mater, Central Connecticut State University, on December 14.
In her speech, she reminded the graduating class of the importance of lifelong friendships, their dedication to their careers, and the invaluable experiences they gained at Central.
Congratulations to the class of December 2024. You can watch the commissioner's remarks on the DAS LinkedIn.
VIDEO: Commissioner Gilman Central Commencement Remarks (LinkedIn)
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