30年來第一次 麻州政府提案更新管理居民托兒服務的執照法規

Healey-Driscoll Administration Proposes Comprehensive Updates
to Residential Program Regulations for First Time in 30 Years
to Improve Support for Children and Staff

 

Regulation changes focus on building a stable, skilled workforce and enhancing child safety

 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today proposed changes that represent the first comprehensive update to the Department of Early Education and Care’s (EEC) licensing regulations governing residential programs for children since 1995. These changes promote a stronger workforce through improved requirements on staff professional development, including on trauma-informed and responsive care, working with LGBTQ+ populations, sexual abuse and grooming, cultural responsiveness, and missing or absent children.

 

The proposed regulation changes also improve child safety through new policies regarding the use of surveillance cameras, align with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s updated regulations on seclusion practices, and require more comprehensive treatment plans that consider a child’s long-term goals, trauma history, culture or religion, LGBTQ+ identity, and behavior needs. Further, residential programs will be required to share more information with their boards, such as EEC licensing reviews and investigations to improve accountability and transparency.

 

Residential programs provide care and housing for children up to age 18, or 22 for certain children living with disabilities, in a group care setting outside of their family home. Many of the children residing at these programs have complex behavioral health and or social-emotional needs or are otherwise in need of additional complex support.

 

“I want to thank Commissioner Kershaw and her entire team at EEC for their dedicated, collaborative and thorough work to update these regulations. Residential programs provide important care and support for children and families with some of the most complex needs. These updates will promote more inclusive and safe environments for all children and boost this critical workforce,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I encourage parents, community members and programs to submit public comment and share their feedback.”

 

“These long-overdue updates represent an important step forward in ensuring that Massachusetts’ residential programs reflect the best knowledge and practices available to support children, youth, and the staff who care for them,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “By modernizing language, promoting inclusivity, and embedding a trauma-informed approach, we are positioning our system to better meet the needs of children and their families.”

 

Today’s revisions are the result of extensive collaboration with residential programs, sister agencies, advocates, and families, and are informed by national best practices to ensure the regulatory framework is responsive to evolving societal needs. This included soliciting feedback through a provider survey, targeted workgroups and discussions with trade and advocacy groups, as well as program visits.

 

“These updates will benefit so many children in our state who receive services from residential programs and create a better environment for the staff who care for them,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “I appreciate the dedication of the EEC team who took the time to understand EOHHS agencies’ experiences with residential programs and incorporate our feedback into the regulations which will improve outcomes for children and families.”

 

The proposed changes revise language to be more modern and inclusive, including gender-neutral pronouns and require forms and documents are in each person’s preferred language, as well as focus on helping children find stable, long-term placements. They also bring in proven best practices to better support children and staff and promote greater transparency and accountability across residential programs.

 

“Our residential staff are doing some of the most demanding and meaningful work in the state,” said Paul Belsito, Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “These updates reflect the dedication of so many partners who contributed their time, expertise, and lived experience to this process. By strengthening the supports, training, and tools available to staff, we’re ensuring they can continue providing the highest-quality care for every child in their programs.”

 

"Today’s unanimous vote reflects the Board’s shared commitment to strengthening the foundation of care for children, families, and the dedicated professionals who support them,” said Maria Gonzalez Moeller, CEO of The Community Group and Vice-Chair of the Board of Early Education and Care. “These proposed revisions to the residential program regulations come from thoughtful collaboration and a deep understanding of the realities faced by our workforce and the young people we serve. By moving these updates to public comment, we’re inviting the broader community to help shape a framework that truly promotes safety, quality, and opportunity for every child and family in Massachusetts."

 

Today’s proposed regulation updates build on EEC’s ongoing work to strengthen the residential program workforce and improve the safety and well-being of children. Last year, EEC and the Department of Higher Education opened up the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship for residential program staff for the first time. This helps staff increase their qualifications through a college degree. The administration also provided loan forgiveness to residential program staff last year through the MA Repay Program. Further, EEC updated the Background Record Check (BRC) process for residential programs, including moving the BRC process into a more modern system to improve the user experience and adding a new out-of-state child welfare check for candidates who lived outside Massachusetts within the last five years.

 

The Board of Early Education and Care unanimously voted today to send these proposed changes to public comment, which provides an opportunity for stakeholders, including families, providers, advocates, and members of the public, to provide feedback before they are finalized. EEC will also host a public hearing on Wednesday, December 17 at 3 p.m., where members of the public are invited to attend and provide feedback. Each speaker will have up to three minutes to share.

 

Details on how to submit public comments, including deadlines and methods of submission, will be available on the Department’s website at Mass.gov/EEC.

 

麻州州長Healey指派 Gina K. Kwon升任公安廳長

 （Boston Orange 摘譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（12）宣佈，指派 Gina K. Kwon 立即升任麻州公共安全和保障（EOPSS）廳長，接替已於9月退休的前廳長Terrence M. Reidy。

Gina K. Kwon 在2023 年 2 月由奚莉州長指派為EOPSS 執法次長，擁有深厚的州及地方檢察官和執法經驗。奚莉州長稱讚 Kwon 是一位「資深檢察官和執法領袖」，並強調她能有效整合執法機構與社區領袖，全面提升州內公共安全。

奚莉州長表示：「我為任命她為公共安全和保障廳長感到驕傲，並感謝副廳長蘇珊·特里（Susan Terrey）在過渡期的有力領導。」特里女士此前擔任臨時廳長，未來將繼續擔任副廳長兼國土安全次長。

Gina K. Kwon感謝得到州長信任，並承諾 將努力強化關係、支持公共安全人員，並改善社區安全。

在 EOPSS 任職期間，Gina K. Kwon 表現卓越。她為州警察、警察訓練委員會等機構提供了策略性領導，並監督了州警察的重大轉型，包括聘用上校諾布爾，推動問責制和招募實踐改革。她還在州長主持的公共安全圓桌會議中發揮關鍵作用，促使州警察投入資源，成功打擊非法街頭佔用等犯罪行為。

在加入 EOPSS 之前，Gina K. Kwon 曾擔任麻州檢察長辦公室刑事局局長，領導重大調查與起訴，並在米斗塞和薩福克郡檢察官辦公室累積了豐富的經驗，處理從毒品到幫派犯罪等多類複雜案件。

Gina K. Kwon是麻州仇恨犯罪工作組的成員，擁有波士頓學院學士學位和新英格蘭法學院的法律博士學位。

麻州無人認領財產高達34億元 ㄧ名騙子拿走110萬元被捕

           (Boston Orange綜合編譯)靠著騙取無人認領財產，一名騙子竟然可以騙走了110萬元。波士頓環球報11月10日報導了一篇這樣的故事。

           麻州有34億元無人認領財產，查詢很簡單，上網填名字就行，www.findmassmoney.gov。

一位名叫Diane Rothchild的女士，10年前去世，身後遺有一筆錢，61.5萬元，一直保留在麻州財政廳的無人認領財產部門。

      2023年9月，突然有個名叫Renaud Dutail的人，向麻州財政廳提供了駕照，以及證明他和Diane Rothchild有關係的法律文件，於是幾個月後，一張61.5萬元金額的支票，就寄到了他在亞特蘭大的家中。他也兌現了這支票。

幾個月後，Diane Rothchild的兩個兒子，聯繫麻州無人認領財產部門，表示經過一些延誤，他們現在準備領取遺產了，問麻州政府能否把錢寄給他們。

            Diane Rothchild的其中一個而子說，那時候麻州財政廳基本上是告訴他們，『我們已經寄出去了，對嗎？』。

            然而，這筆錢其實是寄給了一名專門盜竊州政府無人認領財產的慣犯，Shaka Stayman。麻州檢察官說，這騙子只是在麻州就騙走了至少110萬美元。州警調查人員描述的這起竊案手法大膽，涉及偽造、冒充他人，一系列的使用一次性手機、郵件轉接系統和匿名電話服務。

這宗案件，只是他長達二十年犯罪史中的最新篇章。

Shaka Stayman現年44歲，被控在多州詐騙，其手段通常包括身分盜竊，並且多次以死者為目標，正如Diane Rothchild案中所指控的那樣。他曾多次承認犯有欺詐或相關罪行。麻州總檢察長Andrea Campbell辦公室稱，已有十幾個州來詢問關於他的情況。

            從2012年以來，提交給麻州法院和聯邦法院的數十頁文件將Shaka Stayman描繪成數位時代的經典騙子。他似乎也刻意如此稱呼自己，在一次詐騙活動中，他註冊的電子郵件地址是「Frank Abagnale」——電影《逍遙法外(Catch Me If You Can》中由李奧納多·迪卡皮歐（Leonardo DiCaprio ）飾演的那位從騙子轉型為作家的角色。但和握手及迷人微笑不同的是，他的工具是帳戶密碼、虛擬郵箱和難以追蹤的即時通訊應用程式。

律師Robert Fisher説，「網路世界為人們打開了很多方便之門」。他曾擔任聯邦檢察官，專注於詐欺案件，如今在尼克森·皮博迪(Nixson Peabody)律師事務所擔任辯護律師，仍從事這方面的工作。 “不幸的是，要假設網路上的一切都是騙局。”

            來自亞特蘭大的Shaka Stayman八月被捕，週五在薩福克高等法院出庭。他被控25項罪名，包括洗錢和竊盜。Shaka Stayman身材矮小，濃密的鬍鬚中夾雜著灰白，他對每一項指控都表示“不認罪”，除此之外，他幾乎沒說話。

助理檢察長Shane O’Sullivan說，「被告在整個詐騙過程中，始終表現出冒充他人的能力」，他要求保釋金200萬美元。

            法官詹姆斯·布德羅同意了這項要求，表示因為被告可能拿得到的錢（會很多），有潛逃風險。

            據稱，Shaka Stayman用這些錢過著奢靡的生活；他在亞特蘭大擁有一套公寓和一輛保時捷。Shaka Stayman被捕時似乎正在搬家。檢察官稱，他以超過200萬美元價格賣掉了的那套公寓，連同那輛跑車都已被查封。

            曾經寫過一本關於詐騙書籍，長期在波士頓地區從事安全工作的專家Anthony Amore說， 「騙子們或許能短暫地過著奢靡生活，但很少人能富有的死去」。

史泰曼出生於1981年，從小性格內向，酷愛閱讀。他的一位律師曾寫道，他童年經歷了一些坎坷：父親早逝，他還患有幼年型關節炎。但他成長在一個由母親操持的「溫暖而充滿愛的家庭」。

 

「他身材矮小，個性有些靦腆，但一旦熟悉了環境，就會變得熱情開朗，」律師寫道。 “他熱愛學習，酷愛閱讀。斯泰曼本質上是一個顧家的人，毫無疑問，他得到了家人的愛與支持。”

1981年出生的Shaka Stayman，2007年第一次被捕，當時檢方說那是 “情節較簡單的”詐騙案，他最終被判緩刑。

一位檢察官在多年後以後，Shaka Stayman首次因聯邦指控被捕後寫道，「顯然，那次『警鐘』並沒有對被告的行為產生必要的影響，反而促使他從事更加複雜的犯罪計劃，使他得以逃避偵查和起訴多年」。

2007年，Shaka Stayman和其他幾人透過一名中間人獲取了他人的個人財務帳戶信息，而該中間人的信息則來自一名「內部人士」。他們透過電話、傳真和電子郵件聯繫金融機構，存取並竊取帳戶資金。他們精心挑選目標：一名居住在國外的女子、一名精神失常的男子，以及一些已經過世的人。

2012年4月，聯邦當局在紐約州和北卡羅來納州起訴他。隔年，他對兩項指控都認罪。

一位檢察官在量刑備忘錄中寫道，「顯然，被告犯罪的動機不僅是為了生存，更是出於貪婪」。

他的律師說他已被關押兩年多。

「他深感悔恨，而且是真心的，」他的律師寫道。 “他決心向自己和家人證明，他值得他們的愛和支持。他不會再讓他們失望了。”

法官判處把他關進聯邦監獄七年。

在獄中，他遇到了一個志同道合的Matthew Crupi，一個2015年犯龐氏騙局罪的人。Matthew Crupi打著房地產公司名號，以高額回報為誘餌，騙取投資者數百萬美元，然後用新投資償還先前的資金。

根據法庭文件，Shaka Stayman和Matthew Crupi在2018年雙雙獲釋後，「兩人一直保持聯繫」。Shaka Stayman找Matthew Crupi合作各種詐騙計畫，包括信用卡和休眠帳戶。

2022年，亞特蘭大警方注意到Shaka Stayman的銀行帳戶有詐欺活動後逮捕了他，指控他用盜竊來的身份資訊從一個家庭信託基金中詐騙了70.6萬美元。這些州級指控最終導致了阿拉巴馬州的聯邦指控。

2023年12月Shaka Stayman以無抵押債券保釋。有關當局稱，那時候他已經開始著手下一個目標：麻州的無人認領財產部門。

從2023年9月開始，Shaka Stayman在也來自喬治亞州的67歲保釋擔保人Dwight Tucker協助下，涉嫌開始向麻州財政部提交虛假的無人認領財產申請。這些財產存放著三年多無人使用過的帳戶和保險箱中的物品。

塔克對8月被捕後不認罪，已安排於本週稍後提審。

在麻州，有個網上平台，方便人們申請或查詢無人認領的財產。

通常情況下，以這種方式認領財產的人必須提供帶照片的身份證明、簽名、社會安全號碼以及一些證明其與該財產有適當關聯的文件。

據當局稱，Shaka Stayman在每次案件中都「精心且一絲不苟地」偽造文件。警方調查人員記錄顯示，他使用了多個電子郵件地址和郵件轉發服務，以及即時通訊應用程式和預付費電話。

麻州財政廳辦公室表示，他們有一套系統來標記可疑的無人認領財產申請。該系統旨在記錄電子郵件是否為新建立或特別長，IP 位址是否來自其他州，或者同一台電腦是否被用於為不同人的財產提交多份申請。每項都會為申請增加一些分數，如果總分夠高，就會被標記為可疑。在本案中，麻州財政廳的稽核發現了這些問題，並通知了州警分局。

檢察官表示，他們已與其他州的執法部門（包括內布拉斯加州、密西根州、德拉瓦州和佛蒙特州）談過，Shaka Stayman可能做了的類似騙局。他已在阿拉巴馬州的案件中認罪，將於12月被判刑。

他的律師Daniel Reilly上週五在法庭上說，“他肯定會坐牢，他自己也清楚這一點。”

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會迎新 楊志祥、廖怡恩接任會長

經文處科技組組長蔡孟勳（左二）和波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如（右一），
恭喜楊志祥（左一），廖怡恩接任會長。（周菊子攝）

                   (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州劍橋市報導) 波士頓台灣人生物科技協會（BTBA）11月8日下午，在哈佛大學主校園的Lehman廳迎新，由新任會長楊志祥，廖怡恩介紹新一屆團隊幹部，還請來學界，業界2名前輩分享經驗，暢談「剛開始的90天」，為新人撒出“定海神針”。

BTBA在哈佛Lehman聽舉辦迎新會。（周菊子攝）

                  應邀出席的嘉賓，有駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長廖朝宏，科技組組長蔡孟勳，秘書楊明儀，波克萊台灣商會(BTCC)會長陳奕如，以及波士頓台灣人醫師協會（BTPA）會長謝宜瑾等人。

出席嘉賓包括，左起順時針方向，廖朝宏處長，蔡孟勳組長，麻大助理教授吳孟儒，
科技組秘書楊明儀，波士頓台灣人醫師協會會長謝宜瑾，波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如。
（周菊子攝）

            廖朝宏處長稱許BTBA如今已是大波士頓地區最專業，最有影響力的團體。她直言這都要感謝從第一任會長（陳昇宏）起的歷屆會長，幹部，攜手努力，把BTBA做得越來越大，越來越好。他希望BTBA的成員們在工作上，學業上有任何需要的時候，或者想要和台灣連結的話，可以隨時和經文處聯絡，找科技組的蔡孟勳組長，楊明儀秘書提供專業諮詢。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏稱許BTBA已經是個很有影響力的社團。（周菊子攝）

            蔡孟勳組長原本是台大生物科技研究所所長， 3年前才被國科會借調，出任波士頓經文處處長。他還記得自己當年剛下飛機，就和BTBA的會長見了面，3年來討論過很多議題，包括生技代工，人工智慧（AI）等等。雖然進來大家好像覺得生技不像以前那麼熱了，但他一直相信這領域會有很好的發展。12月初，科技組會有一個2030攬才計畫，歡迎大家上線旁聽。

BTBA新任共會長楊志祥是Biocytogen的”體內藥理科學家
（in Vivo Pharmacology Scientist）“。（周菊子攝）

            BTBA的2名2025-2026新任會長，分別是在Biocytogen擔任”體內藥理科學家（in Vivo Pharmacology Scientist）” 的楊志祥，和在Novartis擔任“生物標誌物（biomarker development.）開發資深科學家”的廖怡恩。

BTBA新任共會長廖怡恩是Novartis的“生物標誌物
（biomarker development.）開發資深科學家”。（周菊子攝）

          他們倆簡潔扼要的介紹，BTBA緣起於一群博士後在2012年交流，聯誼，然後團結成立的組織。2013年辦了第一次年會，如今走進第14個年頭，已促成美國的密蘇里州，德州，加州，以及日本，歐洲相繼組成了台灣人生物科技協會（TBA）。希望將來有更多人參與籌辦年會，並藉由BTBA這品牌，邀請知名的專家，學者來交流，分享。

          麻州大學陳氏醫學院助理教授吳孟儒（Meng-Ju Wu）博士，Vertex製藥首席研究員蔡函庭（Phoebe Tsai），這天在「剛開始的90天（The First 90 Days）」的主題下，分享他們剛進入一個新環境時，如何因應陌生人與事的經驗。

波士頓台灣人醫師協會會長謝宜瑾（左）介紹該會。（周菊子攝）

            BTBA在大波士頓，其實算是一個相對年輕的社團，但幹部團隊之龐大，讓很多社團豔羨不已。

           楊志祥和廖怡恩這天在會上介紹該會的每年活動，基本上安排有七或八月十的年會。今年10月團建，11月迎新，12月辦2030跨世代年輕學者方案線上講座，推出KOM輔導者項目，其他暫定有2月慶祝農曆新年，6月軟實力工作坊等。

波克萊台灣商會會長陳奕如這天以贊助商身份出席。（周菊子攝）

            該會的組織架構分年度節目規劃，後勤支援，營運等3大塊，下面各分3、4個小組，包括科學創新，業界職涯，領導力與潛能培養，活動交流，以及宣傳，資訊科技，美術設計，「生技來一刻」的播客(Podcast)，以及募款，秘書，財稅務等，每組各有2到4人。其中還有人是身在他鄉，卻不惜以遠距方式加入服務行列，佐證了BTBA如今已是個吸引力十足的組織。

科學創新組由廖庭尉，朱怡德，黃奕傑，郭宏哲等人統籌。（周菊子攝）

業界職涯組的黃如君，孫阿卡，胡念文。（周菊子攝）

            當天在會上介紹的幹部團隊，包括科學創新組的朱怡德，黃奕傑，郭宏哲，廖庭尉。業界職涯組的黃如君，孫阿卡，胡念文。領導力與潛能培養組的薛翔尹，吳淑瑋，張婷雅，李意涵。活動交流組的蘇彥竹，陳品瑋，黃郁婷。宣傳組的黃瀞瑩，張皓程。資訊科技組的黃嚴樞，謝宗霖，陳筠媞。美術設計組的趙敏妤，廖芳楟，吳欣舫。募款組的楊珺婷，李浩槿，錢正芬。秘書組的梁馨文，林其諭。財稅務的陳君瑋，林琪蓁。生技來一刻的彭郁茹，林茂然。

   多名BTBA的前會長，包括蔡明儒，何逸雲，羅維中，胡金儒，林致中等人，這天也都熱心出席，繼續支持BTBA的活動。

領導力與潛能培養組的薛翔尹，吳淑瑋，張婷雅，李意涵。（周菊子攝）

                楊志祥，廖怡恩兩名會長，會後很體貼的還把活動中所提到連結，發了出來，包括活動後調查 & 小幫手報名：https://forms.gle/avBdRTmSkXD5SokM7，12/02 國科會青穗計畫說明會：https://forms.gle/vMSamamYhbaaRF1a7，12/14 Mentor-Mentee Program：https://forms.gle/gYWNCYpZJmtsty8f8。（訂正人名版，蔡函庭，廖庭尉，薛翔尹）

活動交流組的蘇彥竹，陳品瑋，黃郁婷。（周菊子攝）

資訊科技組的黃嚴樞，謝宗霖，陳筠媞。（周菊子攝）

財稅務組有陳君瑋，林琪蓁。（周菊子攝）

何逸雲代表”生技來一刻“做介紹。（周菊子攝）

吳孟儒（右）和蔡函庭（左）分享”第一個90天“經驗。（周菊子攝）

BTBA上屆會長胡金儒（中）和本屆幹部黃郁婷（左），Erica等人
一起繼續服務。（周菊子攝）

BTBA的迎新派對，出席踴躍。（周菊子攝）

美國已至少成立了4個台灣人生物科技協會，日本，歐洲也各有一個。（周菊子攝）

Healey-Driscoll Administration Honors Massachusetts Veterans and Families at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Honors Massachusetts Veterans and Families at Annual Veterans Day Ceremony  

From the Governor's office

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Treasurer Deborah Goldberg and Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago today joined veterans, service members, and Gold Star families at the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony inside the Hall of Flags at the Massachusetts State House. 

The event brought together state and local leaders to honor those who have served and to recognize Massachusetts’ ongoing commitment to veterans through expanded programs, stronger partnerships, and record investments in care, housing, and support. 

“Massachusetts is home to generations of heroes who have defended our freedom and strengthened our communities,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Today we honor their service and reaffirm our administration’s promise to ensure every veteran receives the services and support they deserve, whether through housing, employment, or health care.” 

From the Governor's office

“As the daughter of a Navy veteran, I know how deeply military service shapes families,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our administration is committed to honoring that legacy by building a state where veterans and their loved ones are supported every step of the way.” 

“It was extraordinarily meaningful to welcome Mary Brigham and her three sons, whose father and grandfather, Sgt. Thomas P. Flynn of Worcester, was a World War I veteran and Purple Heart recipient,” said Treasurer Goldberg. “Our Unclaimed Property team had recently found 6 Purple Hearts in safety deposit boxes. Sgt. Flynn’s medal was one of them. We are so grateful to him and all veterans for their sacrifices on behalf of us and our country.” 

From the Governor's office

“Veterans Day reminds us that service never ends,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “It lives on in the way we care for one another, build community, and honor the people who wore the uniform. I feel humbled to serve those who served us and proud of the progress we continue to make together.” 

The ceremony featured performances by the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the Lynn English High School Marine Corps JROTC, and Boston Police Officer Kim Tavares, who performed the national anthem. 

Two honorees received this year’s Veterans Day awards: 

• Andrew Biggio, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Boston police officer, and author of The Rifle: Combat Stories from America’s Last WWII Veterans, received the Captain Thomas Hudner Jr. Valor Award for exemplifying extraordinary courage and service to the veteran community. 
• Soldier On, a Pittsfield-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness, received the Captain Thomas Kelley Community Engagement Award for its decades of leadership providing housing, support, and stability for veterans across Massachusetts. 

The 2025 ceremony also highlighted the End Veteran Homelessness Campaign, a signature initiative of the Healey-Driscoll Administration that has placed over 1,000 veterans in permanent housing since its launch in 2024. The campaign, led by EOVS in partnership with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, combines data-driven outreach, coordinated care, and historic investments to ensure every veteran in Massachusetts has a safe, stable home. 

The ceremony further recognized the 2025 Acts of Service Campaign, part of Massachusetts’ Semiquincentennial commemoration, which uplifts stories of community service and encourages residents to give back to those who have served. 

Since its establishment in March 2023, the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) has transformed how Massachusetts delivers care to veterans. Under Secretary Santiago’s leadership, both the Massachusetts Veterans Homes at Chelsea and Holyoke achieved full state and federal licensure and certification; the HERO Act was signed into law expanding benefits and protections; and the state launched its largest-ever investment in housing and services for veterans and their families. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES EXPANDED MILITARY LEAVE BENEFITS FOR THE CITY WORKFORCE

MAYOR MICHELLE WU ANNOUNCES EXPANDED MILITARY LEAVE BENEFITS FOR THE CITY WORKFORCE

BOSTON - Tuesday, November 11, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Office of Human Resources today announced updates to the City’s Military Leave Policy to strengthen support for employees who serve in the United States Military. The updates, which take effect on November 11, 2025, introduce expanded paid leave for Active Duty service and streamlines the leave request process. “These updates will make it easier for our service members to take the time they need to fulfill their duties, with clear protections and compensation, while reinforcing Boston’s deep respect and gratitude for those who serve,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful to all our city employees working double duty for both the City of Boston and serving their country. Their devotion to others is inspiring and deserving of benefits that fully support and respect their work.” The changes build on the City’s long-standing commitment to honor, protect, and support employees who serve—whether in routine training, national emergencies, or active deployments—and aim to ensure fair, consistent, and streamlined administration of military leave across departments. Approximately 600 City employees will benefit from the updated policy.  Currently, the City of Boston’s Military Leave Policy provides job and compensation protection for employees who are called to military service. All employees are entitled to unpaid leave under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), a federal law that protects the employment rights of service members. In addition, benefits-eligible, full-time and part-time City employees receive paid leave and, when applicable, differential pay depending on the type and duration of military service. Military leave can be taken for: Annual training, drills, and parades Active Duty service Emergency missions under Massachusetts law The City’s policy also outlines the process for taking and returning from leave, and ensures continued access to benefits like health insurance and vacation accrual during eligible paid leave. Employees are guaranteed reinstatement to their positions under USERRA guidelines. Mayor Wu today announced the following revisions to the Military Leave Policy to better serve our employees: New Paid Benefit for Active Duty Service: For the first time, the City is offering 40 days of fully paid leave per federal fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) to employees called to Active Duty, followed by differential pay (if applicable) once those days are exhausted. This new benefit ensures financial stability for service members and aligns compensation for Active Duty with existing benefits for training and emergency deployments. Improved Request Process for Employees: To improve the experience for employees and to ensure consistency across departments, the City has launched a centralized Military Leave Request Form through the City’s employee portal. This ensures all leave is properly recorded and administered, and reduces administrative burdens on departments and employees.  “When employees serve in the military, they’re serving all of us,” said Chief People Officer, Alex Lawrence. “These policy updates make sure that when our staff are called to duty, whether for training or national service, they can go with confidence that their job, pay, and benefits are protected.” “When a City of Boston employee is called to active duty, they are not stepping away from public service—they are expanding it,” said Commissioner of Veteran Services, Robert Santiago. “Our obligation as a municipal government is just as clear: when they serve our country, we serve them and their families.” The City will continue to honor its responsibilities under federal law, while also offering stronger local protections and resources to City workers. In addition to the new paid Active Duty benefit announced today, the policy also provides:  Up to 40 paid days per federal fiscal year for training, drills, and parades Up to 30 paid days per mission for emergency deployment under Massachusetts law Job reinstatement protections and decompression time after military leave Ongoing accrual of vacation and sick time during paid military leave consistent with applicable CBAs and employer benefit policies Access to group health benefits during military service Employees who are currently on military leave as of November 11, 2025, will remain covered by the previous policy until their return. To explore job openings or learn more about working with the City, visit boston.gov/jobs.

Governor Healey Unveils Art Exhibition by Massachusetts Veterans

 Governor Healey Unveils Art Exhibition by Massachusetts Veterans   

 

BOSTON – Today, in honor of Veterans Day, Governor Maura Healey unveiled a temporary art installation featuring works created by veterans living in Massachusetts. The exhibition, presented in partnership with the Mass Cultural Council, showcases the work of Peter J Damon, Hector René Membreño-Canales, and Francis Olschafskie and will be on view in the Governor’s Reception Area through December 12. 

“Our veterans have sacrificed and contributed so much to our state and our nation, and this exhibition is an opportunity to honor their service and showcase their many talents,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It invites the thousands of visitors who come through the State House to pause, reflect and connect with Peter, Hector, and Francis’s work. I’m deeply grateful to each of them for sharing their art with us.” 

“I want to thank the Mass Cultural Council and all three artists for helping us bring this meaningful exhibition to the People’s House,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our veterans embody the values that define us, and it’s an honor to celebrate their service and creativity here in our capital.” 

Under Governor Healey's leadership, veterans services in Massachusetts have been transformed. She appointed the first-ever cabinet level Veterans Services Secretary, Jon Santiago, signed the most comprehensive veterans’ legislation in state history with the HERO Act, helped more than 1,000 veterans get housing through the End Veteran Homelessness campaign, opened a state-of-the-art new facility at the Chelsea Veterans Home and broke ground on the new Holyoke Veterans Home. 

Since taking office, Governor Healey sought to expand diverse art on display in the Governor’s Executive Office Suite by adding Black Tie by Robert T. Freeman and At the Tremont Street Car Barns by Allan Rohan Crite, which are on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts. She has also displayed other temporary exhibitions in the Governor’s reception area, including celebrating Black History, Climate Month, Pride Month, the Cape & Islands, Hispanic Heritage Month, Western Massachusetts, Native American Heritage Month and Women Veterans. The office also has on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Early Summer by J. Appleton Brown, Spring Hillside by J. J. Enneking, George Washington by Francis Alexander, Landscape by Leslie Prince Thompson and Showery May Morning, by J. Appleton Brown. 

 

Additional information about the temporary installments: 

Peter J Damon is an artist, catastrophically injured Iraq War Veteran, and co-owner of True Grit Art Gallery in Middleborough, Massachusetts. Alongside his wife, Jenn, he operates this vibrant space, representing over 25 artists from across Southern New England and establishing it as a key cultural venue for Southeastern Massachusetts and beyond. 

After suffering traumatic amputations of both arms in 2003 while serving in Iraq for the Massachusetts National Guard, Damon channeled his resilience into art as a profound source of meaning and purpose. He paints primarily in oils, drawing inspiration from his working-class roots in Brockton, Massachusetts, where he grew up. His work captures the simple yet evocative colors, shapes, lines, and textures found in the humble architecture of Brockton and the surrounding areas, including Middleborough, where he now resides. Through his art, Damon explores themes of grit, recovery, and everyday beauty, inviting viewers to find depth in the ordinary. His pieces reflect not only personal triumph but also a deep connection to the landscapes and communities that shaped him. His work “Parade Day” and “Canal Drawbridge at Dusk” are on display in the Governor’s Reception office. 

 

Hector René Membreño-Canales is a Honduran American artist, educator, and researcher whose work explores the intersections of military experience, identity, and visual culture. A former U.S. Army Public Affairs Officer, he served for over a decade with deployments and assignments in Iraq, El Salvador, Poland, Germany, and Canada. In 2022, he completed the Smithsonian Institution’s inaugural U.S. Army Monuments Officer Training, continuing his commitment to preserving cultural heritage in conflict zones. Currently based in Massachusetts, Membreño-Canales is the Francis C. Robertson Instructor of Visual Studies and Photography at Phillips Academy Andover and a Lecturer in the Art, Culture, and Technology (ACT) Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

Membreño-Canales’s earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the School of Visual Arts and a Master of Fine Art in Art and Art History from Hunter College, City University of New York.  He has received awards and grants from The Eddie Adams Workshop, Red Bull Arts, Magnum Foundation, and Harvard University. His photograph Soldier in Kevlar is currently on display in the Governor’s Reception area. 

Francis Olschafskie is a photographer, educator, and media artist, and a 2025 Mass Cultural Council Grants for Creative Individuals recipient. His work explores the intersections of photography, media, and technology, reflecting decades of artistic and academic engagement. 

Olschafskie holds an undergraduate degree in Photography from the Massachusetts College of Art and a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab. He has taught in the photography programs at New York University, the School of Visual Arts, the International Center of Photography, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. 

His photographs have been widely exhibited across the United States and Europe, including at the Walker Art Center, Museum of Modern Art, Isentan Museum, Greek Ministry of Culture, Tisch School of the Arts, Robert Hull Fleming Museum and the Photographic Resource Center.  

 His work Flowers is currently on display in the Governor’s Reception area.