The Westview News

Press Release
REPRESENTATIVE JOE COURTNEY VISITS WESTVIEW
Date
June 26, 2024

      United States Congressman Joe Courtney (CT—2nd District) visited the growing family of organizations at Westview Health Care Center this week. Representative Courtney has come to Westview many times during his Congressional career; the most recent visit being in 2019 as Country Living at Westview Commons was under construction. Westview Commons—the independent and assisted living facility across the street from Westview Health Care Center—has enjoyed several years of bustling activity, consistent occupation, and wide smiles. The campus at Westview now includes the recently-opened Westview Child Care Center, and the students there enjoyed a friendly time with Representative Courtney during the delightful June afternoon.

      This special stop-by was coordinated by Representative Courtney connecting with the Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce. Elle-Jordyn Sherman, Director of the NCCC, contacted Westview’s leadership to suggest the occasion and joined the tour of dignitaries walking about Westview’s Dayville, CT facilities. Elle-Jordyn commented on the importance of gathering our Quiet Corner businesses and organizations with our elected officials:

     “The Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce is committed to addressing our regions workforce needs. In meeting with area businesses, a continued concern is access to affordable and accessible childcare in our region. Northeastern CT is considered a childcare desert—which means there are not enough childcare seats as there are number of children under the age of 5. This creates a huge gap in our workforce. By collaborating with partnering agencies, businesses, and legislators, we are exploring innovative solutions to increase the number of childcare facilities, available seats, and qualified talent.”

     Elle added her gratitude for our district’s Representative and the event host. “Congressman Joe Courtney has interest in more conversations about childcare access in NECT and reached out to the Chamber to convene a roundtable discussion about the issue. Knowing Westview Health Care’s innovation to address the childcare desert with their own workforce, in creating Westview Child Care Center, we knew Westview would be the best place to bring the Congressman to tour their facility and talk with area stakeholders about the childcare crisis. It was the start of advocating for more seats, funding, and solutions to this barrier in NECT. We look forward to continuing this essential conversation in our region.”

     While visiting Westview Child Care Center, Representative Courtney shared smiles and conversations with the students there as well as Westview Child Care Center Director Katy Holzer. Their discussions covered a range of topics, and Katy was happy to hear Representative Courtney’s kind remarks about employer-based child care options.

     “We are immensely grateful to Congressman Joe Courtney for his visit to Westview Child Care Center and participation in the roundtable discussion,” said Katy. “His presence here is not only an honor, but also a testament to his commitment to addressing the critical issue of child care in our community. I would also like to express my deep appreciation for the Northeast Chamber of Commerce's outreach and outstanding coordination of this event. The children were thrilled by yesterday's experience, and it was heartwarming to see their excitement and engagement.”

     Director Holzer went on to share praise for all who made this day a sterling opportunity for discussion. “I am incredibly proud of my team at Westview Child Care Center and the entire Westview organization. Their dedication and hard work ensured that everything went smoothly, making the day a resounding success. Thank you all for making this special event possible and for your continued support in our mission to provide exceptional early childhood education for our community."

     Representative Courtney was considerate about this collaborative conversation and kind in his remarks about Westview’s family of facilities. “It’s clear from our roundtable discussion, organized in partnership with Elle-Jordyn Sherman, the Executive Director of the Northeastern CT Chamber of Commerce, that David Panteleakos, Katy Holzer, and their great team at Westview have met a critical need for both employees and families across northeastern Connecticut. Westview Child Care Center’s long waitlist—which is not unique to Westview—is a clear signal that we still have a great deal of work to do to increase access to care. In Congress, I’m working to pass legislation that makes it easier for more businesses to start child care centers for their employees and communities. I look forward to continuing working with partners across the region to ensure every family can access early childhood care. Thank you, again, to the entire Westview organization for hosting this important conversation,” said Congressman Courtney.

Westview Health Care Center is a 103-bed inpatient skilled nursing facility, which includes a distinct and self-contained 28-bed sub-acute short term rehabilitation unit and outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapies including: Sports Medicine, Adolescent/Pediatric, Adult, and Aquatic Outpatient Centers, all dedicated to providing outstanding quality health care services. The Dayville, Connecticut facility is consistently ranked among the top nursing facilities in the nation, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as U.S. News and World Report, consecutively for the past years.