Bolinsky Earns 'Spirit of Advocacy' Award

**Submitted by Connecticut House Republicans**

Oct. 9, 2025

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky was honored on Friday, October 3, 2025, by the Coalition of Resident Council Presidents as their 2025 recipient of the Carol Rosenwald "Spirit of Advocacy Award".

The Coalition recognized Representative Bolinsky's work as Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Aging Committee on a broad spectrum of issues, all of which have raised the voice of, and improved standards of care for Connecticut’s seniors, living in long-term care (LTC) facilities across our state. Carol Rosenwald, for whom the award was named, was a steadfast advocate for the rights of, and the quality of care for LTC residents, tirelessly driving legislative change as the founder of the Statewide Coalition of Resident Councils.

Rep. Bolinsky’s work has included a much-needed expansion of the state’s Long Terms Care Ombudsman program (LTCOP) to be regionally deployed among the state’s five Area Agencies on Aging, bringing consumer assistance, advocacy and state oversight closer to home. His work within the Aging Committee has also dovetailed, hand-in-hand, with policy-expansion initiatives with representatives of the Governor’s, and Speaker of the House’s office on high-profile bills to raise nursing home care standards, and to build-out systems and supports promoting and supporting Connecticut’s “Aging-in- Place” initiatives for those who prefer to receive their care in their own homes, or those with family caregivers, like his wife and he were for ten-years.

Also having experienced having parents in long-term, skilled-care facilities, Bolinsky’s work has included advocacy for the personal needs allowance that allows a small stipend for residents to cover personal expenses, like toiletries, clothing, haircuts and other necessities. His experiences with family in LTC facilities also has led to raising standards for minimum staffing levels in nursing homes. The current staffing minimum provides at least three hours of direct care per resident per day, and the provision of virtual visiting of a resident’s loved ones.

Rep. Bolinsky said “I am truly honored to receive the Spirit of Advocacy Award from the Coalition of Resident Councils. This recognition is a reflection of the voices and experiences of residents across Connecticut who inspire me every day to keep fighting for dignity, respect, and quality of life. I will continue to be their advocate and partner at the State Capitol.”

A bit more about the award’s namesake: In September of 1996, nursing home resident and activist Carol Rosenwald, with assistance from the Ombudsman Program, began organizing residents across the state to advocate for improvements in the long-term care system. Carol envisioned a time when the “VOICES” of nursing home residents could be heard “beyond the walls” of their facilities. She founded the Statewide Coalition of Resident Councils and the driving force behind the first “VOICES” Forum in 1997. As a large group of voting constituents, residents were able to speak directly with political leaders and public officials about important issues affecting their quality of life.