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News from Beacon Hill
Legislature begins 2013-2014 session
Members of the 188th Great and General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts took their seats on January 2, 2013 on Inauguration Day at the State House. Speaker DeLeo and Senate President Murray were reelected to lead the House and Senate and both set out their priorities for the 2013-2014 legislative session. Rep. Stanley is beginning his 13th year as a state representative of the 9th Middlesex district and looks forward to tackling the challenges facing the Commonwealth.
Gov. Patrick Delivers State of the Commonwealth Speech
The Governor delivered his State of the Commonwealth on Wednesday evening at the State House, where he proposed investing in opportunity and growth by building a 21st-Century education and transportation network. To support almost $2 billion in investments that will strengthen the state's economic future, the Governor called for the creation of what he called a more fair and comprehensive tax system that lowers the sales tax to 4.5 percent and raises the income tax to 6.25 percent.
In his budget, the Governor seeks to cut the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 4.5 percent and dedicate all the proceeds to a public works fund that will support his transportation plan, as well as the school building fund and other public infrastructure. The sales tax proceeds will be dedicated and off limits for any other purpose.
To fund his education initiatives, the Governor proposed a one percentage point increase in the income tax to 6.25 percent. To make that increase fair to all according to their ability to pay, the Governor would like to double the personal exemptions. Additionally, the Governor will eliminate a number of special favors in the tax code that have outlived their usefulness and make the system needlessly complex. Eliminating those special tax breaks broadens the base of those who contribute to meeting the state's needs.
The Flu and Staying Healthy
Influenza activity continues to increase in the United States and most of the country is now experiencing high levels of influenza-like-illness (ILI), according to CDC's latest FluView report. CDC continues to recommend influenza vaccination for people who have not yet been vaccinated this season and antiviral treatment as early as possible for people who get sick and are at high risk of flu complications. Click here for more information on what you can do to stay healthy.
Rep. Stanley attends meeting to discuss gun violence
Approximately 150 to 200 people, including Rep. Stanley and 100 members of the House and Senate, attended a State House meeting hosted by Rep. Linsky (D-Natick) about reforming the state's gun laws. Governor Patrick and Speaker DeLeo have both indicated their plans to seek tougher gun restrictions this session.
At the meeting, the group discussed ways to reduce gun violence in MA and update existing gun laws. Rep. Linsky announced his intention to file legislation to address the type of guns and ammunition that can be sold legally in the Commonwealth and who will be eligible to purchase firearms. Rep. Linsky's bill will help close loopholes in existing laws and update to the definitions and types of firearms and ammunition permitted under the state's assault weapons ban.
Governor Patrick Files Gun Safety Legislation
Seeking to put an end to the gun violence that impacts too many families and neighborhoods across the Commonwealth, Governor Patrick filed commonsense gun safety legislation to enhance background checks, close licensing loopholes, reduce access to high-powered rounds of ammunition and prevent illegal firearm possession. Additionally, in the FY14 budget he files next week, the Governor will include a $5 million increase for Department of Mental Health (DMH) programs that promote public safety and increase public awareness that mental health treatment is available and effective. His package builds on gun safety measures the Governor has filed over the years and coincides with the legislative momentum building here and across the country to strengthen gun laws following the tragic shootings in Newtown, CT last month. Furthermore, the Governor looks forward to working with our state, municipal and federal partners on comprehensive gun safety legislation.
Rep. Stanley asks Leadership to restore funding for the McKinney-Vento line item
In a letter to Speaker DeLeo and Chairman Dempsey, Rep. Stanley urged that when the supplement budget for FY13 is discussed, that the legislature restores the funding for the McKinney-Vento line item to the FY13 budget recommendation at $11.3 million. As state revenues have not been meeting FY13 budget estimates, the Governor has included line-item 7035-0005 as part of his administration's 9c cuts from local government accounts, effective immediately. The McKinney-Vento homeless student transportation account has been slashed by $5,250,000, 46 percent less than what the FY13 budget had allocated.
Rep. Stanley thanked the Speaker and Chairman for including the McKinney-Vento reimbursement to cities and towns for the busing of homeless students in the FY13 Budget. A previously unfunded mandate from the federal government, the McKinney-Vento line item would compensate municipalities up to $11.3 million for the cost of transportation of non-resident students to make sure these students are regularly attending classes.
Many municipalities, including Waltham, were very relieved last year when the McKinney-Vento line item was included in the FY13 budget to fully reimburse homeless student transportation costs. Rep. Stanley led the effort to create the new $11.3 million line item. Waltham, in particular, documented two-year cots to transport homeless students to and from schools or origin exceeding $200,000. Waltham has been funding transportation costs for 12% of the state's homeless even though only one percent of the homeless population lives in the city.
Rep. Stanley files employment leave bill and real estate appraisal management regulation bill
Rep. Stanley filed an employment leave bill which would require employers to permit their employees up to 15 days of leave from work per year to address issues related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking experienced by them or a family member. The law will impact employers of 50 or more employees, and individuals will need to provide some form of documentation in order to be eligible for the leave.
He also filed legislation to regulate real estate appraisal management companies. Similar legislation filed by Rep. Stanley intended to ensure accurate appraisals of Massachusetts homes cleared a key committee during the last legislative session. The new bill would regulate appraisal management companies who said have long operated without substantial government oversight - inaccurate appraisals of homes exacerbated the nation's ongoing foreclosure crisis. The bill would also conform Massachusetts to the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial services law, which requires all states to regulate appraisal management companies by 2014.
Governor Patrick to increase spending on public education by more than $2.5 billion
Governor Patrick called for renewed investment in education in order to create opportunity across the Commonwealth and to keep the Massachusetts economy growing. Governor Patrick laid out a plan that would provide universal access to high quality early education for children across the state, from birth through age five; fully fund K-12 education and allow for extended school days in high-need schools; make college more affordable and accessible for high school graduates; and allow community colleges to expand their efforts to provide students with the knowledge and skill training needed to succeed in the workplace.
This investment package, to be filed with the Governor's FY14 budget proposal next week, totals approximately $550 million in its first year and increases to nearly $1 billion annually over the next four years. The Commonwealth's Innovation Economy relies on a high-knowledge, well-skilled workforce, and in order for Massachusetts to remain competitive in the 21st century global economy, our commitment to excellence and opportunity for all of our students must start earlier, run deeper, and be sustained longer.
The Patrick-Murray Administration is implementing a wide array of initiatives in early education, K-12, and postsecondary education to build a 21st century public education system in Massachusetts - one that truly meets each student where he or she is and provides opportunities needed for success in the classroom and beyond. As a result of the Administration's strategic investments in education and innovation, and cutting-edge education reform efforts like the Achievement Gap Act of 2010, the Commonwealth's students perform at the top in national, and in some cases, international assessments of academic achievement.
Fiscal Year 2014 Consensus Revenue Estimate
In a letter to House, Brian S. Dempsey, Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, recently updated members on the state's fiscal climate and the Committee's resulting responsible approach to spending and difficult budget decisions. The letter also mentioned the need to continue to adopt initiatives and reforms to streamline our government, both state and municipal, to use limited resources even more efficiently and be mindful of the Commonwealth's important role in protecting our most vulnerable citizens.
In December, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means held the Consensus Revenue Hearing where members received testimony from experts in the fields of state finance and revenue. Based on this testimony, the House, Senate, and Executive Office officials have agreed to a consensus revenue estimate of $22.33 billion for Fiscal Year 2014. This reflects an estimated tax revenue growth of 3.9% over the current fiscal year, and projects $838 million in new tax collections.
Chairman Dempsey, in his letter, stated the need to consider not only the economic climate in the Commonwealth, but on the national level. Though Congress recently passed legislation to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff, the issue has not been resolved entirely. The compromise postponed for two months consideration of $110 billion dollars in spending cuts and the recurring question of increasing the debt ceiling.
Gov. Patrick wants tax hikes to help public transportation system
Gov. Patrick launched a plan called "The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan" to increase taxes to help Massachusetts' troubled transportation system. His plan includes gaining legislative approval for $1.02 billion a year in new or higher taxes and fees committed to transportation. The Governor's tax increases will include a hike in the gas tax, increased tolls and stricter fees on vehicles that emit more pollution or are driven farther. Patrick said that his plan to better transportation is a state-wide effort and includes rebuilding the Interstate 91 viaduct in Springfield, replacing the I-93/I-95 interchange in Woburn and building new Red and Orange Line cars at plants employing MA workers.
State Partners with Nonprofit Groups to Protect 212 Acres across MA
Lieutenant Governor Murray and Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Rick Sullivan announced awards in the amount of $504,117 in grants to seven nonprofit organizations to preserve 212 acres of open space across Massachusetts. Awarded through the EEA's Conservation Partnership Grant Program, these grants help nonprofit organizations leverage funds to purchase land for conservation or recreation.
EEA evaluates and selects proposed projects based on their ability to conserve biodiversity, protect water quality, promote recreation, and preserve working farms and forests. Projects this year include properties that enlarge or connect to other conservation land, expand recreational trail networks, protect working farms or preserve important fish and wildlife habitats.
Massachusetts Life Sciences Center Announces Equipment and Supply Matching Grants for Public High Schools
The Patrick Administration and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced $3.2 million in grants to support the purchase of life sciences training equipment and supplies at vocational technical schools, public high schools in Massachusetts' Gateway Cities, and workforce training programs across the state.
Awardees provide a breadth of training ranging from general STEM education curricula to biotechnology. The student population that will benefit from these equipment grants represents a diverse workforce, including workers seeking re-training and low-income individuals preparing for entry-level positions.
This grant program seeks to further the development of the state's life sciences workforce by providing funding of up to $250,000 per institution for life sciences equipment and supplies. To be eligible for an award of greater than $100,000, applicants must have secured matching funds or in-kind donations from an industry partner that supports the training program for which the equipment and supplies are needed. Industry sponsors have contributed more than $400,000 in matching funds and in-kind donations as part of this year's program.
State Announces Goal of 1,000 New Units of Supportive Housing By 2015
Lieutenant Governor Murray announced a first-in-the-nation, collaborative effort by 18 state agencies to create an additional 1,000 units of permanent, supportive housing in Massachusetts by 2015. He also announced grants for 138 vouchers to support programming for homeless and very low-income households
Supportive housing, which is operated in conjunction with a network of non-profit agencies across the Commonwealth, includes not just a place to live for a family, but also services that could include child-care, access to job training, mental-health care, and other opportunities that give participants a helping hand. There are currently approximately 15,000 units of supportive housing in Massachusetts.
The 18 agencies involved in a memorandum of understanding will partner to improve existing processes, make recommendations for new, collaborative efforts, and develop a long-range action plan to meet the need for supportive housing among the Commonwealth's residents. Supportive housing helps individuals and families that are homeless or facing homelessness, institutionalized or at-risk of institutionalization; people with disabilities and the elderly. Additionally, the agencies will assess the extent of public cost-savings generated as a result of providing permanent supportive housing and will recommend strategic reinvestments.
Governor Patrick Breaks Ground on MA's First Zero Net Energy Office Building
Governor Patrick joined Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Commissioner Mary Griffin, local elected officials and conservationists for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the new field headquarters for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). The $25 million facility will include 45,000 square feet of office, laboratory and meeting space and feature a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels, innovative mechanical systems and a building design that will make it the first zero net energy office building constructed by the Commonwealth.
The new building will replace the 12,000 square foot Richard Cronin Building and three trailers that previously housed about 90 employees. The new facility will accommodate 120 employees, allowing MassWildlife to relocate its Hunter Education program staff from a small office in Ayer when the new building is completed in the spring of 2014. Employees from DFG's Office of Fishing and Boating Access will also be relocated into the new facility.
The building will produce all of its annual energy needs through a 294 kilowatt rooftop solar panel array. Energy needs have been driven down to levels approximately 60 percent below on other buildings of this type through the design of a high-performance exterior building envelope, and the use of energy efficient heating and cooling systems, including a closed-loop geothermal well system, radiant ceilings, and outside-air ventilation with heat recovery.
Governor Patrick Signs Legislation to Regulate and Establish Guidelines for Virtual Schools
Governor Patrick signed H. 4274, "An Act Establishing Commonwealth Virtual Schools" which expands online educational opportunities for students across the Commonwealth and secures proper state oversight of virtual schools to ensure that all students receive a high quality education. This bill establishes clear guidelines for the approval and operation of Commonwealth virtual schools, and directs the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (the Board) to draft comprehensive regulations governing the structure and oversight of virtual schools in Massachusetts. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will also develop and publish a listing of online courses aligned with current state academic standards that virtual schools may use. The bill also creates a Digital Learning Advisory Council, comprised of fifteen members appointed by the Board, to advise DESE on all matters relating to virtual schools.
Under this legislation, a single school district, two or more school districts, an education collaborative, an institution of higher education, a non-profit entity, two or more certified teachers, or parents are eligible to submit a proposal to develop a virtual school. Private and parochial schools and for-profit entities are not eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applications that take into consideration the following groups when approving proposals: students with physical challenges that make it difficult for them to attend school, expelled students, students who have dropped out of school, and pregnant/parenting students.
The bill mandates that no more than ten virtual schools may operate at one time in Massachusetts and no more than two percent of students enrolled statewide may be enrolled full-time in virtual schools. Virtual schools established by a school district, multiple districts or an education collaborative that serve only their own students do not count toward this cap. All other virtual schools established by those entities must enroll at least 5 percent of their students from the district(s) or collaboratives that established the school.
Legislation Filed to Reform Board of Pharmacy and Fill Gaps in Compounding Industry Oversight
Governor Patrick announced that he is filing legislation to reform the Board of Pharmacy and strengthen state oversight of the compounding pharmacy industry in Massachusetts. Governor Patrick's legislation, along with related actions the Administration is taking, builds on recommendations released today by the Commission on Pharmacy Compounding. The Governor established the Commission in October 2012 as part of the Administration's comprehensive response to the national fungal meningitis outbreak linked to products manufactured at the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Framingham.
Governor Patrick Signs Legislation to Provide Housing Rights and Protections for Victims of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
Governor Patrick signed S. 2402, "An Act Relative to Housing Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence, Rape, Sexual Assault and Stalking" which will provide housing rights and protections for victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to the challenges of finding safety and maintaining stable housing, victims of sexual and domestic violence often encounter financial and legal barriers if they need to leave their home, even when staying in their home is unsafe. Many victims also face discrimination from prospective landlords when or if a past history of abuse is known. The legislation signed by the Governor provides victims of these crimes with rights and protections while also protecting the rights of property owners.
The bill establishes a defense to eviction if a landlord attempts to evict a tenant because he/she was the victim of one of these crimes; creates a provision for victims of these crimes, with appropriate documentation, to vacate their lease or rental agreements without financial penalty; and provides a provision that allows for victims to have their locks changed.
Legislation Filed to Freeze Unemployment Insurance Rates, Lower Health Insurance Contributions for Employers
Governor Patrick filed legislation that will lower business costs and encourage job growth by freezing unemployment insurance rates for employers and reducing or eliminating the contributions they make to fund health care programs for low-income residents. The legislation will help align state health programs with the Affordable Care Act to maintain quality, affordable care in the Commonwealth.
The legislation is part of the Patrick Administration's comprehensive regulatory reform effort to conduct a fresh analysis of existing regulations and determine what still makes sense in the 21st century. To date, the unprecedented effort has removed unnecessary barriers to starting a small business, enhanced efficiencies of state government operations and aligned state practices with widely accepted national models or best practices.
Glen Shor Sworn in as Secretary of Administration and Finance
Governor Patrick swore in Glen Shor as Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. Prior to his appointment, Shor served as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Health Insurance Connector Authority. While at the Health Connector, Shor oversaw the programs, policies, operations and staff of the Commonwealth's official public health insurance Exchange - a cornerstone of the state's historic health care reform law of 2006 and the model for health insurance Exchanges nationwide under the landmark federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Prior to his work at the Health Connector, Shor served as Assistant Secretary for Health Care Policy and Deputy General Counsel at the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, where he was a lead policy person for implementing health care reform in Massachusetts.
Governor Patrick Files Legislation to Improve Business Climate for Licensed Professionals
Governor Patrick announced legislation to streamline and improve the licensing process and business climate for thousands of professional licensees throughout Massachusetts. The legislation makes a number of changes to Division of Professional Licensure operations, including merging the barber and electrology boards into a new Cosmetology and Barbering Board, eliminating the Board of Registration of Radio and Television Technicians and modifying statutory language in an effort to streamline and improve state services. The legislation is part of the Administration's comprehensive regulatory reform effort to conduct a fresh analysis of existing regulations and determine what still makes sense in the 21st century.
Governor Patrick Announces Legislation to Improve Oversight, Efficiency of Local Housing Authorities
Governor Patrick filed legislation that will professionalize, modernize and regionalize the operations and financial management of the Commonwealth's housing authorities. The proposals will change the governance structure of the housing authority system in order to protect the safety net that public housing provides for the Commonwealth's most vulnerable families, seniors and persons with disabilities and builds on the Administration's unprecedented commitment to public housing.
The legislation consolidates the state's 240 housing authorities into six regional housing authorities and builds on the steps the Patrick-Murray Administration has taken to increase transparency, accountability, performance, efficiency, innovation and cost savings in the state's public housing system. The reforms, part of a series of reforms the Governor is proposing to make government work better, are the latest step in the Administration's efforts to upgrade oversight and management at local housing authorities, and address issues that plague some authorities while also providing another opportunity for municipalities to regionalize certain services.
Members of the Commission on LGBT Youth Sworn-in
New and returning members of the Massachusetts Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Youth were recently sworn in. The 28 members, representing all 14 counties in Massachusetts, are the third Youth Council class and will serve for two years. The Commission provides recommendations to state agencies and the Legislature relative to Fiscal Year 2014. The Commission on LGBT Youth is established by law as an independent agency of the Commonwealth. Our mission is to recommend and advocate effective policies, programs, and resources to all branches of state government for LGBT youth to thrive.
In June 2012, the Governor participated in the Commission's 20th anniversary public hearings for youth and adults across the Commonwealth to assess the strengths and needs of LGBT youth. The recommendations that emerged from those hearings focus on three themes critical to LGBT youth: access to services; training and education around sexual orientation and gender identity; and nondiscrimination policies and guidance.
Gov. Patrick Files Legislation to Change Unemployment Insurance for Municipalities
Governor Deval Patrick filed legislation that he said will close loopholes to Municipal Unemployment Insurance (UI) and create a fair and collaborative system that provides economic relief to cities and towns. The announcement follows the November release of the Municipal UI Task Force Report. The Governor's legislation arises from the work and recommendations of the Task Force he convened to address the concerns raised during the spring of 2012 by a number of municipalities. After soliciting feedback from municipalities through letter, meetings and presentations, the Task Force issued its recommendation in November.
Resources to help you find a job in 2013
Finding a job can be difficult, so Massachusetts offers a number of programs and services to help job seekers find work. Massachusetts One-Stop Career Centers connect workers and employers through job fairs and workshops, while the office of Labor and Workforce Development offers detailed job hunting information, including tips on writing a resume and cover letter, interviewing and networking, as well as career planning advice. The state also offers a variety of training opportunities for job seekers to obtain the education and skills needed for good paying jobs and careers. Additionally, special Section 30 Training Benefits programs exist for the unemployed. Please click here to learn more.
Ways to Save Money on Your Winter Heating Bills
Whether you heat your home with gas, oil, electricity or some other fuel you can save money by "winterizing your home." By taking steps to make your home more energy efficient you will lower your energy consumption and thereby reduce your heating bill. Click here to view 15 things to do now to winterize your home.
Mobile ticketing for Commuter Rail now available
Commuter Rail customers: Buy your single-ride, 10-ride tickets, and monthly passes via the MBTA's new mobile app for smartphones. Single and 10-ride tickets are now available for the Fitchburg, Haverhill, Lowell, and Newburyport/Rockport Lines. Purchase your monthly pass from your smartphone. No waiting required. Please click here to learn more.
Indoor ice skating rinks
Ice skating is a great winter activity for people of all ages and abilities. Many ice skating rinks have skate rentals and snack concessions. Click here for a list of rinks listed alphabetically by city or town.
2013 outdoor recreational licenses available
Purchase your 2013 hunting, sporting, fishing and trapping license online, at any walk-in license vendor location, or at the MassWildlife District office. Please click here for more information.
New Health Care Cost Containment Website
Governor Patrick launched the next phase of health care reform, signing legislation that builds on the Commonwealth's nation-leading access to care through landmark measures that will lower costs and make quality, affordable care a reality for all Massachusetts residents. The mission of the Center of Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) is to improve health care quality and contain health care costs by critically examining the Massachusetts health care system and providing objective information, developing and recommending policies, and implementing strategies that benefit the people of MA. Click here to visit CHIA's website which outlines information on the law, notice of upcoming events and a single portal for connecting with other health care related state agencies, authorities and commissions.
Get Emergency Information on Your Smartphone
Ping4alerts! is a new mobile communications app for alerting the public in emergencies and disasters. Through geofencing technology, ping4alerts! enables the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to send highly targeted, instant multimedia alerts to iPhone and Android devices to notify citizens about situations and events happening near them. The ping4alerts! FREE mobile app is one way that MEMA sends emergency information and messages. To learn more, click here.
Do you have unclaimed property in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts State Treasury has identified hundreds of thousands of new individuals, charities and businesses over the last six months that are entitled to over $60 million in unclaimed property. As part of an effort to return this money, the Treasury will be publishing in newspapers a list of names identified over the past six months owed more than $100.
Unclaimed Property includes forgotten savings and checking accounts, un-cashed checks, insurance policy proceeds, stocks, dividends, and contents of unattended safe deposit boxes. Most accounts are considered unclaimed and turned over to the Treasury for safekeeping after three years with no activity. In addition to the $60 million that the Treasury identified over the last six months, the Commonwealth is holding over $2 billion in trust until rightful owners can be identified.
The newly released list will include 11 accounts over $100,000, 23 accounts between $50,000 and $100,000, 434 accounts between $10,000 and $50,000 and 10,795 accounts in excess of $1,000. Due to space constraints the list will not include the names of approximately 297,000 individuals identified in the last six months who are owed less than $100, but anyone can easily check to see if they are owed money at www.findmassmoney.com or by calling 888-344-MASS (6277). One in ten people in Massachusetts has unclaimed property in their name.
Mass.gov Offers Open Government Website
To foster an "open government," Mass.gov offers information about legislative and regulatory processes, public records, campaign finance reports, lobbyist registrations and reports, open meetings and more. Residents can also get details on the state budget, see where the state's money comes from, locate a law on a topic that is of interest to you or obtain information on any city or town in Massachusetts. Residents can also view detailed information on state government spending. To learn more and visit the site, click here.
MassDOT RMV Customer Service has New Number
MassDOT announced a new telephone number for Registry of Motor Vehicles business and transactions, 857-DOT-8000/857-368-8000. The number serves the RMV's Call Center which answers an average of 45,000 calls each month. Over the next year, customers will become familiar with the 857-DOT area code and exchange as MassDOT offices across the Commonwealth transition to the new number. The telephone transition will result in annual phone bill and maintenance savings of approximately $422,000.
Concerned about lead in your home?
Lead is a toxic metal that can come from a number of materials found in and around our homes, including old paint and contaminated soil. If you have lead pipes, or brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures, it can enter your drinking water via the plumbing. Lead exposure frequently occurs without any symptoms, and can cause behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and death. Children six years old and younger are most at risk. The state offers information about lead and removing it from your home. To learn more, visit the Health and Human Services' website.
File for unemployment insurance benefits online or by phone
The Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) administers the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, providing temporary assistance to unemployed Massachusetts workers. Click here to get help with filing a new claim.
Find Volunteer Opportunities at Connect & Serve Connect & Serve is a free web-based volunteer portal administered by the Massachusetts Service Alliance. The Connect & Serve website is a valuable resource for organizations who recruit volunteers and for individuals who wish to find fulfilling volunteer opportunities in their communities. Click here to find a volunteer opportunity near you.
Connect & Serve's user-friendly design has many features to increase the visibility of opportunities across the state, including a quick search function highlighting impact areas, an easy zip-code radius search, and a monthly service projects calendar. All volunteer opportunities are promoted through a statewide collaboration with volunteer connector agencies to build awareness to a wider audience in all regions of the state. Spreading the Word on the Flu Vaccine Every flu season, local health officials work hard to get the word out about the importance of getting vaccinated. At the same time, our communities are becoming more ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse than ever before. Now there's a new, comprehensive guide to help local public health departments and community-based organizations get the message out about flu vaccine to the wide variety of people, languages and cultures in their midst. The guide provides a range of real-world practical tips and tools for anyone looking for ways to engage with hard-to-reach populations on the importance of flu vaccination. For more information about how to stay healthy this flu season, click here.
Exciting New Veterans Resource!
The Patrick Administration launched www.MassVetsAdvisor.org, a cutting-edge web portal that offers enhanced access to services and support for veterans living in the Commonwealth. The new site will help veterans and their family members access more than 200 state and federal benefits in one location, including programs for education, counseling, employment, health care and other services. MassVetsAdvisor streamlines comprehensive data from state and federal resources and lists only the benefits and services each veteran is qualified for, including an "action plan" to apply for the benefits. Veterans will be able to print, email, save or forward the action plan to their Veterans Services Officer for additional one-on-one assistance.
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC's goal is to keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy. To apply for WIC, call 1-800-WIC-1007 or contact a WIC Program in your community. Please click here for more info.
SAVE Partners with Veterans' Services to Support Veterans & Their Families The fundamental principle of the Statewide Advocacy for Veterans' Empowerment (SAVE) program is to advocate for veterans who are not able to obtain the benefits they have earned due to institutional or personal barriers. The program's primary mission is prevention of suicide and mental health distress through the identification of issues facing veterans when they return from service and proactively providing them with access to benefits and services that may address these issues and result in positive transitions back to civilian life. SAVE acts as a liaison between veterans and their families and the various agencies within the federal and state governments. To learn more, please click here. Mass 2-1-1, in Partnership with United Way, Partners with Department of Veterans Services To learn more about the services available to veterans by MA 2-1-1 and the Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services, the chief advocate for veterans and their families in the Commonwealth, please click here. 2-1-1 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral. 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities and the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies. 2-1-1 makes it possible for people to navigate the complex and ever-growing maze of human service agencies and programs. By making services easier to access, 2-1-1 encourages prevention and fosters self-sufficiency. It also is hoped that it will reduce the number of non-emergency calls inappropriately made to 911.
MassWildlife Offers Calendar of Events The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) is responsible for the conservation - including restoration, protection and management - of fish and wildlife resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. The Division works to balance the needs of people and wildlife today so wildlife will be available for everyone's enjoyment today and for future generations. To learn more about DFW events across the Commonwealth, such as wildlife-related workshops, talks, walks or demonstrations, please click here. MassDOT RMV urges eligible drivers to renew their licenses online Services available on the MassDOT RMV website include applying for a first time license; converting an out-of-state license; scheduling a branch appointment; registration renewals; ordering a driving record, crash report or Fast Lane transponder; viewing the status of a license, registration, driver education certificate and title; signing up for organ/tissue donation; and canceling a registration plate.
Drivers Encouraged to "Donate Life"
Massachusetts drivers can register as organ donors on their driver's license or online through the Donate Life New England registry. About 99 percent of all Massachusetts residents who designate themselves as organ and tissue donors do so through the Registry of Motor Vehicles at RMV branches and on its website. Free program to help veterans & their families quit smoking
A free, statewide smoking cessation program is designed to help Massachusetts veterans and their families live healthier and longer lives. Massachusetts veterans and their family members can now call the Massachusetts Smokers Helpline at 1-800-QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) or click here to receive free telephone support and a two-week supply of nicotine patches to help them quit smoking.
Job Opportunities with the Commonwealth of MA
There are a number of job listings posted on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts home page. For more information, click here.
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