Health and human services report: farmer’s market permits, screening events, donation portal and new repair fund

New Canaan’s health and human services staff reported multiple seasonal programs, new outreach tools and partnerships at the commission meeting.

Health updates: Jen Eilson, director of health, said activity is picking up for the department’s busy season. The town’s farmer’s market is scheduled to open April 26 and permitting activity is accelerating. Eilson reported that a caregiver event held the prior day drew “over 40 people” and included participation from several agencies listed in the meeting: Waveny’s navigator program, Wheel It Forward, Elder House, Lifted Brain Wellness Center and Oasis Senior Living. She said the town’s walking club resumed with many new participants and that suicidal‑ideation indicators in the 10‑to‑17 age group are growing in the department’s local caseload; Eilson specified that those figures refer to New Canaan only.

A free skin‑cancer training and screening for first responders is planned for Saturday, May 17. Eilson said dermatologist Elle DeMolle, who practices in New Canaan, is partnering with the health department and local emergency services to offer the screening to EMS, police and fire personnel.

Human services updates: Marcy (Human Services Director) announced a new donation button on the human services website that allows donors to pick categories (domestic violence, most needed, food pantry, heat/utilities, back‑to‑school and home goods/personal care). She said the portal had raised $1,500 in the prior two weeks. Marcy also said Catholic Charities is holding monthly office hours in town to meet residents for financial counseling and referrals, and that her office is exploring an employment assistance partnership (Workplace in Bridgeport) to support resume and job‑search help for residents.

Auto‑repair assistance: Marcy described a community‑run auto‑repair fund associated with a local group (referred to in the meeting as a Zoom Box foundation). The fund would provide small repairs to keep residents working (new tires, minor accident repairs). Commissioners said Lauren Patterson would hold the fund and that the pilot is willing to cover up to $1,000–$1,500 per case; Marcy said human services would refer eligible residents after a financial assessment.

Meals on Wheels and other programs: Commissioners heard that Meals on Wheels delivers roughly 18,000 meals annually to about 400 clients; meeting participants said fundraising supports benevolent (donor‑funded) meals but the precise funding breakdown between donated support and self‑pay meals was not specified in the meeting record.

Ending: Commissioners encouraged continuing partnerships with nonprofit providers and asked staff to monitor caseloads, particularly in relation to expanding affordable housing, and to report back quarterly on needs tied to housing changes.