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Darien Human Services outlines winter assistance, trainings and usage figures
Summary
At its Jan. 21 meeting the Commission on Aging received a Human Services report detailing holiday-adoption counts, upcoming Mental Health First Aid training on Feb. 3–4, LIHEAP application deadlines, the Emergency Call List enrollment (≈100 residents) and Medical Loan Closet usage (44 households, 13 first-time users).
The Town of Darien Commission on Aging on Jan. 21 received a Human Services report covering holiday assistance, enrollment in emergency supports and upcoming training. Chair Joseph Pankowski Jr. read the report in the absence of Human Services staff member Ali Ramsteck.
Human Services reported that during the 2025 holiday season 48 seniors and 51 families were adopted by community members, compared with 58 seniors and 46 families the previous year, and that residents donated gift cards and items via an Amazon wish list. The department said about 100 residents are enrolled in an Emergency Call List for storm or emergency outreach. In the past quarter 44 households used the Medical Loan Closet; 13 of those were first-time users.
The department announced a Mental Health First Aid training set for Feb. 3–4 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to be led by Ali Ramsteck and Marcy Rand of New Canaan Human Services. Officials also reminded residents that applications for the 2025–2026 Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are open: oil-heated households may apply until March 18, and households heating with other utilities may apply until May 15.
Commissioners did not advance a policy vote related to these items; they accepted the report and moved on to other business. The Human Services announcements establish near-term dates and supports for Darien residents heading into spring.
