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Local Voices

State RepTony Hwang Receives CCPA Community Champion Award

Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center, left, recently presented Representative Tony Hwang with the Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA) 2013 Community Champion Award at the Marriott Hartford Downtown.

State Representative Tony Hwang received one of three Community Champion Awards presented by the Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA) at their recent 44th Annual Conference in Hartford.

Elected to the General Assembly in 2008, Rep. Hwang believes that “everyone deserves an opportunity to live with dignity and a sense of belonging in our community.”  A strong advocate for individuals with disabilities, Rep. Hwang has been vocal in championing the need to increase funding to private providers who support them.  

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During the 2013 legislative session, he worked with CCPA to sponsor and pass Senate Bill 761, which, as Public Act 13-227, makes permanent a pilot program from a 1977 law that promotes expanded employment opportunities for people with disabilities and economic disadvantages. 

Rep. Hwang was nominated for this prestigious award by Martin D. Schwartz, President and CEO of The Kennedy Center. “This public act he introduced is a proud testament to what Connecticut can offer its very deserving yet vulnerable individuals, and just one example of the support and advocacy that Tony has offered to our provider community and the individuals that we serve,” said Schwartz. “We thank Rep. Hwang for his critical leadership, and look forward to having the opportunity to working with him in the upcoming session.”

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The Connecticut Community Providers Association (CCPA) is the premiere state trade association representing organizations that provide health and human services and supports for children, adults and families in the areas of mental health, substance use disorders, developmental disabilities, child and family health and well-being, and other related issue areas.  Community providers deliver quality health and human services to 500,000 of Connecticut’s residents each year.           

CCPA works closely with our member organizations, and advocates on their behalf at the Connecticut state legislature, with Connecticut state agencies, and at the federal level. Members become informed on all relevant state and federal policies, funding, and innovations. The association provides quality education and training on timely and significant health and human service issues, including implementation of health care reform. In addition to advocacy and training, CCPA works with non-profit providers to create employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

The Kennedy Center is a nationally accredited, non-profit, community-based rehabilitation organization that currently serves 2,400 individuals annually. The agency actively responds to the needs of the community by offering innovative, comprehensive service options to persons with disabilities and special needs, from birth to senior years. The Kennedy Center operates 26 community experience programs, 16 group homes, an industries program composed of six businesses, supported and competitive employment and job placement services, a family support and respite service, travel training, and a variety of children’s programs. Visit www.thekennedycenterinc.org for more information.

 

 


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