Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education & Care Is Making Great Strides

You may recall from earlier newsletters the work that I have been doing as co-Chair of this Commission along with School Committee member Marc McGovern. The Commission's work is ongoing, but we expect to unveil our findings and recommendations in October.  If you know anyone who has been a childcare provider or pre-school teacher for over 20 years, please email us her/his name and contact information.

Some highlights of the Blue Ribbon Commission (BRC)

The School Department has agreed to support a pre-school to kindergarten transitional pilot project. The goal is to establish stronger working relationships among teachers at both levels that will ultimately benefit children in their care and classrooms.

Based on the work of Kathy Modigliani, a national leading voice on Home Day Care, and that of Cambridge's own Betty Bardige, we are launching a literacy training workshop. This is a unique collaboration among the Cambridge Public Library, the Department of Human Services and the Cambridge Health Alliance.

The City is exploring ways to help Home Daycare providers access group insurance. This will be a significant support in reducing the cost for providers.

The BRC has secured the resources to continue providing child care centers through the City with ongoing mental health and developmental support for teachers, parents and children.  This program was eliminated by the state and replaced with two people who would have to serve 60 communities.  I am pleased to announce that for the first time, home day care providers will also have access to these services.

If you are interested in learning more about the BRC, please contact me at City Hall.

Craigie/Chapman Arms - An Important Victory for Affordable Housing

I am happy to report that a collaborative effort among Homer Owners Rehab (HRI), Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee (CEOC), the Alliance of Cambridge Tenants (ACT), Harvard University, and most importantly the residents, has resulted in a victory for affordable housing and tenants. The Craigie/ Chapman Arms building is being purchased by HRI and 25 of the units will continue to remain affordable, allowing residents to stay in their homes. My previous newsletter reported that this Harvard Square building had been put up for sale and its tenants threatened with huge rent increases. As Chair of the Housing Committee, I have been working to help secure these units as permanently affordable and we have succeeded. In addition to the collaborating agencies, I want to thank the staff of the housing division of the Community Development Department for their tireless efforts.

Domestic Violence Summit

As Chair of the City Council's Community Health Committee, I have been organizing a Summit on Domestic Violence Prevention and Early Intervention.  "UNSAFE at Home: A Strategy Summit on Domestic Violence in Cambridge" will take place in October, 2011 involving stake holders who are engaged in responding to and preventing domestic violence and residents whose lives are touched by this issue. I want to thank the Transition House, the Cambridge Commission on Women, the City's Public Health Commission, the Cambridge Police Department and District Attorney Gerry Leone and his staff for their insight, commitment and time to bring this important discussion together.  The summit will allow participants to join with colleagues from different fields, learn about community prevention initiatives that work and help create an action agenda for a safer community.

Technology Updates

In my first term as Chair of the Finance Committee, I promised to create opportunities to further engage the community in the City's budget process.  As a direct result of community-based budget hearings held throughout the City, I was able to respond to residents' calls for expanding technology in City government.  Following the budget hearings, I chaired meetings to examine the role of technology in enhancing the level of government services and have focused on four key programs that are now being implemented. I am proud to announce these advancements:

1) As of this October residents will now be able to pay their taxes on-line.

2) Starting mid-Fall 2011, the City will launch new mobile applications which will allow the public to access City services via a Smartphone. The applications will be expanded to include public reporting of graffiti, missed rubbish pick up, broken streetlights, rodent issues and potholes. The current CRS system will be expanded to allow the public to enter a complaint directly to the work order structure, receive notification of the work order ticket number, an estimate of the time for resolution and notification when the problem is resolved.  Currently, if someone has a problem or a complaint they call the City Manager's office or a City Councilor and recieve a confirmation letter via email and another one upon resolution.

3) Google Search has been implemented to enhance the search function on the City's website to return more relevant information. The search has been expanded to include Cambridge Public Schools, the Health Alliance and the Housing Authority websites. The Cambridge Alert Network has also been enhanced with an improved E-line, City Observer and Code Red (reverse 311). A new Web Developer Position has been created and is open for applicants.

4) The City is also creating a Technology Advisory Committee (sometimes called "Government 2.0") to continue developing these advancements.  I am gratified that we are using technology to increase convenience and to create a gateway for more civic engagement. 

Please email me if you are interested in being considered to serve on this committee or if you would like more information.