華埠聯絡員林天琪報告：綠線停駛，8/9 華埠中秋節，814~16華埠牌樓電影節20週年

波士頓市長華埠聯絡員林天琪報告。（周菊子攝）

  （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導）波士頓市長華埠聯絡員林天琪8月5日晚到華埠居民會月例會上，提醒居民，綠線地鐵的BCDE線將在8月8日至16日全線暫停營運，9月1日將是初選日，請及早登記成為選民，綠路每週二早上暫時關閉。

中華公所中秋節聯歡會海報。

林天琪請居民注意，在8月8日至16日的這8天期間，麻州地鐵（MBTA）的綠線地鐵，包括BCDE等4個分支路線，都將暫停行駛，包括B線的Babcock 街到政府中心（Government Center），Ｃ線的kenmore到政府中心，D線的Kenmore到北車站（North Station），以及E線的Heath街到北車站等路段，都將暫停營運，需要搭車的民眾宜及早做好因應措施。CD線將在Kemore和後灣（Back Bay）之間提供銜接巴士，E線則請民眾利用39號巴士。

Worcester線通勤火車在南車站，後灣，和Lansdowne之間路段，將可免費搭乘。

今年是州級選舉年，州及聯邦政府層次的民意代表將在9月1日辦理初選。林天琪表示，波士頓選物局將寄發信件給不活躍的選民，促請他們重新登記成為選民，以期初選日當天可以順利行使投票權利。

林天琪另外提醒居民們，綠路保護會為徹底清潔華埠公園，培育花草，將於每週二的早上7點至11點，暫時關閉華埠公園，請民眾注意在這短時間，公園將無法正常使用，但有意加入清潔公園者，歡迎加入行列。

ACDC的華埠牌樓電影節。

林天琪也在她發給社區民眾的週報中提醒居民，8月9日早上10點至下午5點，中華公所將在華埠舉辦中秋節聯歡會，8月14至16日的下午5點到晚上10點，在華埠陳毓禮公園有慶祝20週年的「華埠牌樓電影節」等活動。

波士頓華埠居民會8月好忙碌 綠路、中華公所都來做簡報

波士頓華埠居民會居民發言踴躍。（周菊子攝）

(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)波士頓華埠居民會 (CRA）8月份例會，5日在昆士小學飯堂舉行，分享5項議程，包括警察報告，綠路（Greenway）近況，史都華街（Stuart）51-59號屋頂申請改裝電子廣告牌，喜露街（Herald）50號發展案，王氏青年會免費健身項目等。

波士頓華埠居民會會長黃國威開場致詞。（周菊子攝）

會議由華埠居民會會長黃國威開場，華人前進會員工做中英文翻譯，至少有六、七十名居民出席。

警察報告

波士頓A1區警察黃天輝報告3宗案件。（周菊子攝）

    波士頓市A1區警察黃天輝（Frank Wong）這個月匯報了3宗案件，分別為8月1日下午下午約3點半，Knapp街超市員工和嫌疑竊賊發生爭執。自稱是遊民的嫌犯把總值約100美元的魚肉及洗手乳液藏在塑膠袋內，沒結帳就要離開。警察趕到時，嫌犯把魚肉丟到地上，還出言威脅警員及店經理。搜身時，警察在嫌犯身上查到吸食毒品用具，隨後逮補，送押，並以店鋪盜竊，恐嚇，妨礙秩序等罪名起訴該嫌犯。

波士頓市議員愛德華費連（Ed Flynn）的助理盧善柔說明 9月將在開會，
討論增加警力問題。（周菊子攝）

    7月27日晚上6點50分，警方接獲報案，在夏利臣街（Harrison）35號的美容品供應店鋪內，一名身分不明男性潛入辦公室，偷走店員粉紅色名牌Prada包，包內的信用卡，學生證及地鐵卡一併遭竊，嫌犯迄今在逃。

    另一宗是7月27日晚上7點，警察在乞臣街（Hudson）2號，發現一名穿白色背心的男子向路人展示袋內數塊牛排，由於嫌犯無法出示購買憑證，警方認為嫌犯涉嫌銷贓，進一步查驗時，發現該男子因「白天侵入住宅」最，已被通緝，隨即當場逮補。

    出席民眾向警察探問，馬津尼路(Marginal)曾有疑似槍響聲。黃天輝回應道該地區屬於D4區，不歸A1區管轄，所以他並不清楚詳情。但波士頓警力不足，無法兼顧所有狀況，也是事實。

    波士頓市議員愛德華費連（Ed Flynn）的助理盧善柔在現場補充道，費連議員將在9月份再次召開社區會議，和民眾討論警力不足問題。

綠路保護會

綠路保護會主任Chris Cook說明，居民的聲音，他們聽到了。（周菊子攝）

    綠路保護會主任Chris Cook這碗特地出席會議，向華埠居民匯報過去一年來的該會策略規劃，說明該會聽到包括需要公共廁所，要求公園內禁止吸菸，希望有更多樹蔭遮頭，想要有更多適合帶小朋友玩的遊樂設施等民眾心聲後，已積極設法配合，目前已在華埠公園內安裝了2個流動廁所，將安放置9月底，然後明年再把流動廁所帶回來。該會將以建永久性公共廁所為長期目標。

    禁止吸菸部分，該會將以增加張貼告示牌，發放貼紙方式，來提醒民眾，在公園內吸菸違法。該會已加派人員巡邏，取締非法販售商品，勸導民眾不要吸菸，但他必須說明巡邏員不是警察。

    至於增加遊樂設施和遮陽樹蔭，該會已在規劃，只是恐怕需要幾年的時間來推動。

    Chris Cook還匯報道，該會正在著手清潔華埠牌樓公園，將在每週二早上7點至中午，暫時關閉公園，歡迎有意攜手清潔公園者，加入志工行列。華埠公園內的舢舨壁畫，需要修復，該會也將處理。

喜露街50號超市

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝親自說明喜露街50號超市狀況。（周菊子攝）

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝這天到華埠居民會向居民匯報喜露街50號發展案中的超市進展。

雷國輝說明，座落在喜露街50號的中國超市（C-Mart）已於今年2月關閉。改建發展案原本想要找合作伙伴，開設有25,000平方英尺的大型超市，但是努力了一年半，和17家超市業者接觸過，但找不到願意合作者。目前致力規劃一間大約12,000道14,000平方英尺的超市。

雷國輝也說明，喜露街50號將蓋117戶可負擔住宅，其中以家庭收入在地區中位收入的30%，50%，60%，80％者為準來分配的戶數，依序為24，24 ，36， 33戶。

在回應居民關於超市有沒停車位的提問時，雷國輝解釋道，當初規劃佔地25,000平方英尺超市時，的確安排要建19個停車位，但是挖掘地下停車場的成本太高，每個車位約需耗資50到60萬美元，最多也只能蓋出20個停車位，不符經濟效益。目前的縮小版超市，未規劃停車場，不過中華公所正與周邊鄰居協商，希望能徵得對面辦公大樓同意，以每半小時收費5到6美元的費率，供買菜民眾使用。

出席民眾Peter Lin Macus提議中華公所參考Dorchester等地的合作社方式，藉著社區擁有，自行經營方式，申請政府補助方式，降低超市貨品物價。雷國輝回應道，中華公所研究過，但這模式難找合適地點，目前不可行。

史都華街（Stuart）51-59號

律師Richard C Lynds報告申請改裝電子廣告牌事宜。（周菊子攝）

    承辦史都華街（Stuart）51-59號屋頂廣告的Media Vision公司，請LORCL律師樓的Richard C Lynds代表說明，他們正在申請把該一地點屋頂上原有的實體廣告牌，改成電子廣告牌，以期更有效率的更換廣告內容。

Media Vision的2名負責人親自出席，了解民意。（周菊子攝）

    Richard C Lynds說明，Media Vision公司目前持有特許牌照（Conditional License），要改為電子廣告牌，得到州政府批准，同時取得波士頓市的特許牌照。他強調廣告牌的大小尺寸與位置，將和現有廣告牌一樣，唯一不同是以往為實體廣告，更動後將變成電子模式。

    出席居民以天滿街和史都華街交界處幾大電子廣告牌，光度過亮，讓黑夜如白晝，閃得過往行人反而不安全。

    Richard C Lynds保證他們的電子廣告牌，亮度絕對符合州政府標準，他們也將考慮未來捐出收益的一部分，供做社區公益，以及提供社區機構廣告費折扣。

王氏青年會

王氏青年會健康生活計畫主任何健兒促請居民參加免費活動。（周菊子攝）

王氏青年會(Wang YMCA)健康生活計畫主任何健兒表示，該會為鼓勵居民培養健康生活習慣，辦有多項免費課程，歡迎居民參加，包括從8月10日至9月30日，每週一，三的早上11點半至中午12點半，為期8週的「健康生活習慣」班，專為患有關節炎老年人設計，每週上課2次，每次1小時，每16週做一次體能測試的團體運動課”ENHANCE Fitness”，以及免費量血壓活動。查詢詳情可洽857-278-9008，或是kho@ymcaboston.org。

波士頓華埠居民會這晚的月例會，還有波士頓市長華埠聯絡員林天琪，以及麻州參議員Nick Collins出席簡報。

Nick Collins

麻州參議員Nick Collins報告政績。（周菊子攝）

參議員Nick Collins在會場分發中文版的個人競選連任文宣之餘，也上台報告，上週五麻州議會的會期剛結束，他為波士頓市的耆英局（Age Strong）爭取到更多經費，以其波士頓長者能得到更好的照顧。他也促成州政府撥款2000萬元給波士頓市，用以改善街道及人行道，確保民眾有行路安全。另外他支持波士頓增加警力。

出席居民發言，擔心電子廣告牌太亮。（周菊子攝）

他表示，麻州參議會無異議通過了修正案，將禁止成人娛樂場所在距離學校，醫療機構或研究機構的500英尺以內設立。他還應昆士小學校長要求，提議進一步的修訂該法案，要把K-12年級學校也涵蓋在保護範圍之內。

居民余佩英表達意見。（周菊子攝）

Nick Collins還以小西貢（Little Saigon）為例，表示他也支持把華埠指定為文化區，以便華埠能夠得到更多保護，有更多經費可以辦理中秋節聯歡會等文藝活動。

華人前進會員工鄺寶蓮表示，這晚居民發言踴躍，表達意見，一點也不怯場，真有社區會議的感覺了。

居民發言踴躍。（周菊子攝）

居民詢問特許牌照狀況。（周菊子攝）

華埠居民會執委用台山話發言。（周菊子攝）

Governor Healey Signs Bills Strengthening Safety, Quality and Oversight of Home Care

Governor Healey Signs Bills Strengthening Safety, Quality and Oversight of Home Care

New law establishes state’s first-ever licensing system, adds protections for workers and consumers, and helps older adults safely age at home

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey today signed into law An Act to improve Massachusetts home care, creating Massachusetts’ first-ever statewide licensing system for home care agencies and establishing new standards to protect older adults, people with disabilities, families and the workers who care for them. 

As more Massachusetts residents choose to receive care in their homes, the home care industry has grown rapidly while operating without a statewide licensing system. The new law closes that gap by creating consistent standards of oversight to help ensure families can have confidence in the care their loved ones receive while supporting the dedicated workforce that makes it possible for more people to age safely and independently at home. 

 “Massachusetts families deserve peace of mind when they hire someone to care for their loved ones at home,” said Governor Maura Healey. “This law strengthens the safety, quality and accountability of home care across Massachusetts, giving families confidence in the care their loved ones receive and supporting the dedicated workers who make independent living possible.”

“We want people to have options as they age so that they can make the choices that work best for them,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “By establishing statewide safety and quality standards for home care agencies and strengthening protections for workers and consumers, we're making it easier for more people to safely receive high-quality care at home while giving families greater peace of mind.”

“Providing services at home where appropriate can be more cost-effective and beneficial to the health and well-being of consumers,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah. “I appreciate the work of the legislature and the Governor to now ensure the safety of these services by creating a set of standards so families know their loved ones can reliably access quality care in their homes.”

Home care agencies provide non-medical services such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, companionship, medication reminders and other daily supports that allows older adults and people with disabilities to remain and live safely in their homes and communities. 

The new law directs the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), in collaboration with the Executive Office of Aging & Independence and the Department of Public Health (DPH), to establish and oversee a statewide licensing system. Under the law, agencies must obtain a state license before operating or advertising home care services. EOHHS will have the authority to inspect and investigate agencies, enforce compliance with state standards, and deny, suspend or revoke licenses or impose penalties when agencies fail to meet legal requirements. Licensed agencies will be required to:

• Conduct background checks on employees
• Meet state standards for worker safety and consumer protection
• Provide training on topics including worker safety, abuse prevention and quality care
• Maintain workers’ compensation and liability insurance
• Meet operational, financial, and ownership disclosure requirements established by the state
  
  

The law also establishes a Home Care Oversight Advisory Council to advise EOHHS on implementation and oversight of the licensing system, as well as a Home Care Worker and Abuse Stakeholder Advisory Committee to study safety issues affecting worker and consumer safety and recommend additional protections.

"This legislation takes important steps to improve services for seniors, and to ensure a safe work environment for home care workers," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. "I want to thank Governor Healey for signing this legislation into law, as well as Chairman Stanley and my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for recognizing the need for these important reforms."

"Aging at home should bring families comfort and reassurance—not lingering questions about who's coming through the door," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "With the Governor's signature today, this legislation will put real accountability in place for an industry that touches countless families. It gives older adults and their loved ones the confidence they deserve, while giving the workforce behind this care the recognition it has earned. I want to thank Senator Jehlen for her steady leadership on this bill, Senator Brownsberger for guiding the conference committee, every Senator who supported it, our House colleagues for their partnership, and the Governor for her signature."

"The Legislature and Governor Healey share a commitment to protecting vulnerable people who need home care," said Senator William N. Brownsberger. "I am grateful for this partnership to create a strong new law speaking to that commitment."

"Everyone—consumers and workers—will be safer and better served with home care licensure in place. This legislation is the culmination of years of collaboration with advocates representing older adults, care providers, unions, and regulators to ensure all agencies are vetted, workers are protected, and consumers receive high-quality care. The commissions on Long Term Services and Supports and Family Caregiving are important next steps in providing more affordable options for our residents to access care and services. I am grateful to the Senate President, her team, my co-chair Representative Stanley and his team, along with my fellow conferees," said Senator Patricia D. Jehlen, Senate Chair, Joint Committee on Aging and Independence, "Most of us will need long term care at some point, and many will find it very hard to afford. The long term services and supports commission will take the next step toward creating social insurance for long term care, recommending models with variables such as the required contribution and the amount or duration of benefits. Establishing social insurance for long term care will make it possible for many more people to age with financial security."

"With the Governor's signature, the Commonwealth once again answers the call to meet the needs of our older adults and prioritize aging in place," said Representative Thomas M. Stanley, House Chair, Joint Committee on Aging and Independence. "At a time when our aging population is growing and demand for home care is expected to increase, the licensing and oversight process established in this bill for home care agencies is needed more than ever to protect consumers, their families and home care workers. The work ahead involving the commissions on family caregiving and long-term care financing will be incredibly important to improve supports for our family caregivers and address the affordability of long-term services and supports for the middle class. I'm grateful to Governor Healey, Speaker Mariano, the Senate President and my legislative colleagues for their efforts to get this legislation over the finish line." 

"I was proud to have served as a member of the conference committee tasked with working on this important piece of legislation, that will have an immediate impact on the lives of our older neighbors to ensure that they are being provided with the safest and best available care," said Representative Frank A. Moran. "This legislation is the culmination of years of diligent work with expert insights provided from a wide array of stakeholders. Thank you to Governor Healey for signing this bill into law, Speaker Ron Mariano for making this bill a priority this session, and Chair Thomas Stanley for his leadership throughout this process."

"This is quintessentially good government legislation and has been very well received by all home care stakeholders in my district," said Representative David F. DeCoste.

"As someone who was a family caregiver to two aging parents for more than a decade, I celebrate the passage of this bill. Through the inclusion of the Family Caregiver Commission, we recognize and pay tribute to caregivers for who they are, the enormous sacrifices that they make each day, and their tremendous contributions to our communities, our Commonwealth, and our loved ones," said Representative Michael P. Kushmerek.

In addition, the bill creates a special legislative commission to study family caregiving policies, including the potential costs, benefits and implementation of allowing spouses to serve as paid caregivers through MassHealth, as well as opportunities to expand access to home-based care and reduce reliance on institutional care.

EOHHS will begin working on all facets of the new law in the coming months.

Statements of Support

Jake Krilovich, CEO, Home Care Alliance of Massachusetts:

"For more than fifteen years, we have worked to establish common-sense standards for home care providers across Massachusetts. Passage of this bill marks a pivotal moment for the industry and for families who rely on home care services. Consumers will have greater peace of mind knowing their providers are held to consistent standards of quality and accountability. We are grateful to Governor Healey, Speaker Mariano, Senate President Spilka and the lead sponsors Senator Pat Jehlen and Representative Tom Stanley whose longstanding leadership and commitment to this issue was critical to today's milestone."

Gabrielle Kenney, Manager, Right at Home:

"Having grown up in a family-owned home care business, I've had the unique opportunity to watch this industry evolve from both the outside looking in and now as a provider. After seeing firsthand the incredible work caregivers do and the challenges families face navigating care, I strongly believe licensure is an important step forward. Standardizing practices across Massachusetts will help create a safer, more consistent home care experience for seniors and their families while recognizing the professionalism of our workforce. It also strengthens accountability across the industry, giving families greater confidence in the care they receive and helping ensure all providers are held to the same high standards." 

Julie Watt Faqir, Executive Director, Home Care Aide Council:

"We would not be here today celebrating the Governor signing this important home care consumer protection legislation without the leadership and steadfast support of Senator Pat Jehlen and Representative Tom Stanley. Together, they have served as the lead supporters of this legislation and have worked tirelessly to ensure our state's most vulnerable residents receive the care and support they need to live safely at home in their communities. The Home Care Aide Council joins our colleagues in expressing our gratitude to the Governor, the Legislature and Senate and House leadership for passing this legislation to establish home care licensure with vital oversight, accountability and standards for all home care agencies."

Betsey Crimmins, Executive Director, Mass Aging Access:

"Our statewide ASAP network is grateful to the Massachusetts Legislature for passing this important legislation and to Governor Healey for signing it into law. By establishing licensure for non-medical home care services this law will ensure a quality network of providers for consumers and keep services affordable for those who rely on them. It also strengthens our long-term services and supports network that allows older adults and people with disabilities to remain at home where they want to be, out of more costly settings, with better health outcomes, and a higher quality of life."

Cari Medina, Executive Vice President, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East:

"As Massachusetts' population ages, the demand for homecare is rising. Older adults and people with disabilities who receive care at home, and their families, deserve protection and strong oversight. This legislation establishes clear standards to ensure that those entrusted with caring for our state's most vulnerable residents live up to that serious responsibility. We greatly appreciate Governor Healey's support and thank her for signing this critical legislation. We look forward working with the Administration, Legislature, and all stakeholders to implement the bill's many important reforms."

麻州州長Maura Healey簽法案 提四大核心加強保護兒童

        （Boston Orange編譯）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）今（7）日發佈新聞，稱已簽署「加強兒童福利保護法案（An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections）」，以推動寄養權利法案、提供早期輔導、無縫就學與擴大監督等四大核心，為麻州帶出數十年以來最大兒童福利改革。

        奚莉州長表示，每個兒童都應該在安全環境中成長，家庭也應在困難演變成危機前得到協助。副州長Kim Driscoll與健康及人民服務廳廳長奇亞梅·馬哈尼亞（Kiame Mahaniah, MD）也指出，這項法案將降低家庭尋求協助的門檻，透過預防性服務讓社區更加茁壯。

        新法規定 12 至 18 歲面臨困難的青少年，在進入法院程序前，原則上須先透過社區「家庭資源中心（Family Resource Centers, FRC）」尋求協助，以減少司法介入。新法還頒布「寄養兒童權利法案（Foster Child Bill of Rights）」，保障青少年及兒童在尊嚴、隱私、醫療及處理與自身有關事務上做決策的權利。

        在教育與安全配套方面，新法成立專責教育單位並實施「先入學、後補件」機制，配合籌備中的數位學籍檔案，避免寄養兒童因頻繁搬遷而中斷學業。此外，若寄養兒童發生安置變動或住院等重大事件，系統將即時通知律師；過去未成年時期核發的防虐保護令，在滿 18 歲後也不再自動失效，可申請延長。

        新法更大幅提升行政透明度。兒童與家庭局局長斯塔芙恩·米勒（Staverne Miller）與兒童權益事務專員的瑪麗索爾·加西亞（Marisol García）表示，新法要求兒童與家庭局（DCF）建立線上數據儀表板並公布營運報告，同時授權支持兒童權益辦公室（Office of the Child Advocate, OCA）一同主持兒童死亡審查小組，確保整體兒少保護體系更加公開，並具有問責約束力。

Governor Healey Signs Landmark Child Welfare Reform Legislation

New law strengthens protections for children, expands family supports, increases transparency and accountability, including creating a Foster Child Bill of Rights 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey signed An Act enhancing child welfare protections into law, one of the most significant updates to Massachusetts’ child welfare system in decades. The legislation strengthens protections for children in foster care, expands support for families before they reach a crisis, improves educational stability for children involved with the child welfare system, and increases transparency and accountability across state government. It establishes a Foster Child Bill of Rights to ensure children are treated with dignity, have their rights protected, and receive the support they need to succeed. The law also modernizes the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) process by emphasizing community-based services that help families access support before court involvement becomes necessary. 

 

“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up safe, supported and set up to succeed, and every family deserves somewhere to turn before a challenge becomes a crisis,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We're building one of the strongest child and family support systems in the country by strengthening protections for children, expanding community-based support for families and making our child welfare system more transparent and accountable. I'm grateful to our partners in the Legislature, the Office of the Child Advocate and the many advocates, providers and families who helped shape this legislation.”

“Families across the country are facing challenges and hardships, and we see the impact it has on families and communities in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “That’s why our administration is committed to strengthening preventive and community-based services for children and families. This bill will reduce barriers for families and help families access support before challenges become a crisis.”

“In my role as a practicing physician, I have seen firsthand the positive impact that access to the right services and supports can have on a family facing difficult circumstances,” said Secretary for Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD. “This legislation recognizes that healthy children, strong families, and thriving communities depend on access to effective preventive services and support.”

“We are grateful to the Legislature, the Office of the Child Advocate, and our partners for working with us on this comprehensive legislation,” said Department of Children and Families Commissioner Staverne Miller. “This bill demonstrates our shared commitment to transparency, accountability, and strengthening the support available to children and families, while continuing our work to support them before and during times of crisis.”

“I am grateful for this legislation that represents a major step forward for the well being of children and families across Massachusetts, helps safeguard the rights of children in state care, and moves children towards community resources rather than court involvement,” said Marisol García, The Child Advocate. “We also thank the Legislature and Governor Healey for providing my office with additional tools to do our work and enhance our oversight. We look forward to working with our partners to implement them in a way that improves outcomes for children and families.”

"This bill reflects our commitment to ensuring the Commonwealth's most vulnerable children and youth have access to the health outcomes and educational opportunities they deserve," said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano. "It gives our child welfare agencies the tools they need, provides transparency into how the state is performing, and strengthens independent oversight to examine problems system-wide. I'm thankful to Governor Healey for signing this critical legislation into law, as well as Chair Livingstone and my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for their work on this important issue."

"As both a social worker and a legislator, I know firsthand that when everyone in the Commonwealth has access to opportunity and the tools to succeed, our whole state is stronger for it. For the children in our state and foster care system, those tools may sound simple, but they're profound: knowing they're safe, knowing they're cared for, staying connected to their community, and understanding their own rights," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka. "This bill builds on work I've been proud to lead for years — first as Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, and through championing community-based services with the creation of Family Resource Centers. I'm deeply grateful to Senator Robyn Kennedy for driving this legislation forward, to Senator Comerford for chairing the conference committee, to my Senate colleagues and our partners in the House for their support, and to the Governor for signing this bill into law."

"This law reflects our shared responsibility to the children of the Commonwealth — especially those who have experienced abuse, entered foster care, or are navigating crises," said Senator Jo Comerford, Co-Chair of the Conference Committee and Vice Chair of Senate Ways and Means. "It affirms that every child deserves not only protection, but support, stability, dignity, and the opportunity to build the future they deserve. This law makes meaningful, systemwide advances — from establishing a Foster Child Bill of Rights to strengthening education continuity, family supports, and system accountability. It makes our child welfare system more responsive, transparent, and compassionate. I am grateful to legislative colleagues, Governor Maura Healey, and her Administration for acting swiftly and decisively on behalf of the youngest in the Commonwealth." 

"This bill strengthens the systems that protect the Commonwealth's most vulnerable children, it provides new tools to schools, courts, and child welfare agencies to improve educational, health, and safety outcomes for our most vulnerable children. The bill also mandates more public reporting to better understand what's working and identify where improvement is needed. I want to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Senator Comerford, Representative Garcia, and the other conferees for their commitment to these issues and work to achieve this result. I thank Governor Healey for signing this bill into law and for her Administration's commitment to children and families," said Representative Jay D. Livingstone, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, and Co-Chair of the Conference Committee.

"An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections makes important changes to improve the efficiency, transparency, accountability, and performance of the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA), and the Children Requiring Assistance (CRA) systems," said Senator Robyn K. Kennedy, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. "These long-needed improvements to our child welfare ecosystem have passed because of the tireless work of so many - because of their efforts, Massachusetts will be a better place for our children to learn and grow. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it also takes a village to make policy that helps all the children of the Commonwealth thrive."

“Children only get one childhood, and every decision we make should reaffirm our commitment to making that childhood a safe one. This law strengthens the protections children and families need while giving child welfare professionals better tools to keep children safe. I am grateful to Governor Healey for signing this legislation into law and to Speaker Mariano for the opportunity to work alongside my House and Senate colleagues to bring this bill across the finish line.” said Representative Judith Garcia.

"Every child should have the opportunity to thrive in a safe and stable environment, surrounded by adults who are committed to their success. I'm grateful to my fellow conferees for their hard work in advancing this important legislation across the finish line. Together, we have taken meaningful steps to strengthen our child welfare system by safeguarding the rights of children in foster care by increasing accountability across state agencies. These reforms demonstrate our shared and lasting commitment to supporting children and families, ensuring that every young person has the protections and opportunities they need to succeed," said Senator Patrick M. O'Connor.

“Every child in Massachusetts deserves to grow up safe, supported, and seen, and this legislation brings us closer to that promise for our most vulnerable young people. I am grateful to Governor Healey for her steadfast commitment to children and families across the Commonwealth, and to Senate President Spilka and Senator Kennedy for their leadership in bringing this bill forward. I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” - Senator Joan Lovely.

The law includes a broad range of reforms designed to better protect children, strengthen families and improve oversight of the child welfare system, including:

Increasing Transparency and Accountability 

• The law streamlines and modernizes the Department of Children and Families’ (DCF) oversight and reporting requirements by creating an Annual Report, Quarterly Profile Reports, a Fair Hearing Report, a Foster Care Review Report, and a Transition-Aged Youth Report to track the department’s performance. The law also allows DCF to publish these reports through accessible online dashboards on Mass.gov and requires the department to develop a five-year strategic plan with measurable goals for improving child safety, permanency and well-being in each region of Massachusetts. 

Strengthening Children's Rights

• The law creates a comprehensive Bill of Rights for children and young adults in DCF care, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect and protecting their rights to safety, privacy, health care, education, family and sibling connections, participation in decisions about their care, and support as they transition to adulthood. This law also provides access to records and personal documents, attorney contact, participation in case planning and court/permanency processes, and transition planning for older youth.

Expanding Support for Families

•  The law modernizes the Child Requiring Assistance (CRA) process to help families get support earlier by strengthening Family Resource Centers, expanding the services they can provide, requiring multidisciplinary teams to support families with complex needs, and helping families connect with community-based services before challenges become crises or involvement with the child welfare system. The legislation also updates the CRA process by limiting it to children ages 12 to 18 who are not in DCF or DYS custody, generally requiring families to first connect with a Family Resource Center before most parent- or school-filed court cases can proceed, expanding confidentiality and record expungement protections, and updating hearing and placement procedures.

Helping Children Stay on Track in School

• The law strengthens educational support for children in foster care to improve school stability and educational outcomes. It formally establishes DCF's Education Unit in state law, subject to available funding, to help improve educational outcomes for children in foster care. It also requires DCF and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to adopt regulations that help children enroll in school without delay while allowing schools to gather necessary records after enrollment. The law also creates a special commission to study a digital education portfolio system so educational records can better follow children in foster care.

Strengthens Communication with Children's Attorneys  

• The law strengthens communication between DCF and children's attorneys by ensuring they are promptly informed about significant events affecting the children they represent. It requires DCF to notify a child's attorney about placement changes, hospitalizations, abuse or neglect reports, arrests, and significant school disciplinary actions. The law also requires automated notifications through the DCF Attorney Portal.

Expanding the Office of the Child Advocate

• The law expands the authority and independence of the Office of the Child Advocate to strengthen oversight of Massachusetts' child welfare system. It expands the office's oversight of child-serving agencies, broadens critical incident oversight, authorizes systemwide reviews, provides additional resources for mandated reporters, creates online resources about the CRA process, and requires periodic reviews of child welfare data reporting. 

Improving Child Fatality Reviews

• The law strengthens child fatality reviews by giving the Office of the Child Advocate a greater leadership role in overseeing the review process. It makes the Office of the Child Advocate and the Department of Public Health co-chairs of the State and Local Child Fatality Review Teams, leveraging the Child Advocate's expertise to strengthen oversight and identify opportunities to better protect children.

Supporting Families After Tragedy

• The law provides resources for grieving families by ensuring they have access to information and support following the sudden unexplained death of a child. It requires the Office of the Child Advocate to create and maintain publicly available information and resources for parents who have experienced a sudden unexplained pediatric death.

Extending Court Protections

• The law ensures abuse and harassment prevention orders continue protecting children into adulthood. It prevents protection orders issued on behalf of a child from automatically expiring when the child turns 18, preserving that individual's ability to ask the court to extend the order or make it permanent

推廣在地保育 百頭大象進駐波士頓聯邦大道等角落

雀喜市（Chelsea)市政府大門外，早從7月25日就已經展示出其中一頭大象。（周菊子攝）

     （Boston Orange編譯）100頭由印度原住民手工打造、體積和真大象一樣那麼大的實體雕塑大象，即日起至9月13日在聯邦大道廣場（Commonwealth Avenue Mall）展出。

    這項名為「偉大大象遷徙（The Great Elephant Migration）」的沉浸式裝置藝術，旨在串聯全球募款，推廣在地保育行動，並已為世界各地的保育組織及印度原民社區累積逾440萬美元善款。

    這批象群雕塑以印度尼爾吉里生物圈保護區（Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve）的真實大象為原型，目前陳列於阿靈頓街（Arlington Street）與費爾菲爾德街（Fairfield Street）之間。展覽共同創作者露絲‧加內什（Ruth Ganesh）表示，象群2024年從新港（Newport）啟程，已巡迴美國多地，此行選在美國獨立250週年之際落腳波士頓，是著眼於這座城市與茶葉及獨立運動的歷史連結——原型大象自幼生長於茶園，但展覽傳達的不是獨立，而是萬物互依互存的精神。

    展覽收益主要來自雕塑販售，價格依尺寸從8,500美元至22,000美元不等。加內什透露，團隊目標是在波士頓售出50至80頭，目前已提前售出數件。波士頓公共圖書館（BPL）、萊佛士酒店（Raffles Hotel）與萊諾克斯酒店（Lenox Hotel）等在地商家也「認養」了部分雕塑，讓多達27頭大象延綿在聯邦大道上，增添能見度。

    這些雕塑由印度南部泰米爾納德邦（Tamil Nadu）尼爾吉里丘陵（Nilgiri Hills）的300名原住民工匠，以入侵植物「馬纓丹（Lantana camera）」手工編製而成。該植物破壞森林生態，迫使野生動物離開棲地、加劇人獸衝突，展覽藉此傳達「動物具有個體性與情感」的原住民視角。加內什強調，工匠們視大象為「美麗的人類」，啟發團隊以尊重生命的態度策展。

    展覽期間的大象雕塑銷售收益，一部分將捐贈給新英格蘭水族館（New England Aquarium）用於露脊鯨保育工作，同時也將支持波士頓公共藝術三年展。

    大象展覽的主要贊助者為聯邦大道上的私人俱樂部「昆之家（The 'Quin House）」，波士頓市政府和旅遊推廣組織「Meet Boston」也參與支持。

CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES 26TH ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

 CITY OF BOSTON ANNOUNCES 26TH ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

Gospel Fest—free and open to all—is New England’s largest annual Gospel music celebration.

BOSTON - Tuesday, August 4, 2026 -  Friday, August 7, 2026 -  Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that Gospel Fest, an annual City event that showcases local and national gospel talent, will take place on Sunday, August 30 at 5:00 p.m. on City Hall Plaza. The show will be headlined by Billboard Gospel Charts-topping artist Todd Galberth. 

“This summer, Boston showed the world what it means to be a welcoming, beautiful and family-friendly city for everyone, and we are excited to keep that spirit going with our annual Gospel Fest,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This beloved tradition brings people together through music, community and faith and showcases the pride we take in celebrating the many cultures and communities that call Boston home.”

Galberth will be joined by a lineup of talented performers including the Community Choir, City Praise Team, Jesus Gang The Family,  Alexis Benoit, Angela Elizabeth, Pastor Jeremy D. Battle, and the lBoston Latin School Gospel Choir. The Community Choir features participation from more than 85 members representing nearly 40 churches across the city and region.

“This Summer proves what’s possible when Boston comes together,” said Donald Wright, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “Gospel Fest is a joyful reminder that our City’s greatest success is found in its people.”

“Gospel Fest is a Musical Celebration that helps connect various generations through faith, joy, hope and peace,” said Will Dickerson, Senior Advisor & Head of Faith-based Initiatives. 

“It’s an uplifting time to share with family, neighbors and friends as we reflect on what is truly possible when we come together in the city of Boston.” 

The event will feature food vendors, including Cool Shade Jamaican Food Truck, Gourmet Fingerz Southern Cuisine, Chivo Taqueria and delicious cookies from Boston Cookie Kitchen. All attendees should bring their own chairs to this event. For more information about the 26th Gospel Fest, please visit the Gospel Fest event page.

Building on the momentum of large-scale events earlier this summer, the Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment is also activating City Hall Plaza with the Donna Summer Disco Party on August 28 and Summer Dance Parties on August 14 and September 12. 

In addition, the City will host the Friday Afternoon Concert Series on August 7 and 21 and Open Streets Boston from August through October. Open Streets Boston allows local businesses to expand into the street and safely make space for music, games, bicycling, and community tabling in Boston’s neighborhoods. All events take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s remaining Open Streets dates are as follows:

Saturday, September 12, 2026 | Mattapan 
Sunday, October 4, 2026 | Allston-Brighton
Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Roslindale 

年收入20萬美元以下家庭今起入讀 BU 免學費

     (Boston Orange編譯) 波士頓大學（BU）8月6日宣佈，從本學年起推出全新財務援助計劃「BU承諾（BU Promise）」，家庭年收入低於20萬美元的學生，可全額減免學費，且不強制申請學生貸款。

    波士頓大學的2026-27學年度總費用高達9.5萬美元，其中學費就占了大約三分之二。採行新財務援助方式後，符合資格學生入讀該校的每年實際負擔，將不超過2萬美元，將為中產家庭節省極爲可觀的開支。

    若學生的家庭年收入低於7.5萬美元，校方更保證全額補助學費、住宿及膳食費，等同免費就讀。

    波士頓大學在審查申請財務援助學生的資格時，將兼顧其家庭收入與資產。在年收入之外，還會評估申請人家庭擁有的現金、存款、投資、房產及企業股權等「典型資產」。若學生的家庭資產高出一般水準，即使年收入低於門檻，仍可能無法獲得學費全額減免的財務援助，但該校將提供其他客製化財務援助。年收入超過20萬美元的家庭，若同時負擔多名子女就讀大學或居住於高消費地區，校方鼓勵他們照常申請，將根據個案從寬考量。

    波士頓大學「BU承諾」計畫的最大亮點是「不強制貸款」，也就是新生的財務援助方案將不再包括強制性貸款，是否申領聯邦貸款來補足上學所需的全部費用，完全由學生自由決定，學生們畢業後揹負的貸款額，將因此大幅降低。

    波士頓大學去年已核發4.73億美元獎助金，約45%的大學部學生受惠。

    美國近年有越來越多大學院校，為學生提供更優惠的就讀援助，例如哈佛大學、麻省理工學院、都為家庭年收20萬美元以下學生提供免學費待遇（普林斯頓大學的門檻是家庭年收入25萬美元）；若家庭年收入低於10萬美元，哈佛和MIT還提供全額免費待遇（普林斯頓大學的門檻是15萬元），聖十字學院門檻為10萬美元；而麻州大學系統四校則強調，年收低於7.5萬美元者學費全免。

波士頓華埠National Night Out 頒社區服務獎給陽光幼兒園

波士頓市長吳弭（中）頒發幕後英雄獎給陽光幼兒園。（周菊子攝）

     （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導）全美各地一年一度的「全國治安夜（National Night Out）」，波士頓市由市長吳弭(Michelle Wu) 和警察局長Michael Cox率隊，8月4日傍晚來到華埠大同村，感謝居民合作，頒”社區服務“獎給”陽光幼兒園“。

波士頓市長和華埠民眾合影。（周菊子攝）

吳弭市長和波士頓警察局長Michael Cox等人，在8月3、4兩日的下午2點半到8點，共跑了布萊頓廣場（Brighton Common），華埠大同村（Chinatown Tai Tung Village），南端堡壘村（Castle Square），南波士頓（South Boston）等12個地方，和民眾晤談，促進警民交流。

波士頓市長吳弭感謝民眾和警察合作維持治安。（周菊子攝）

吳弭市長在大同村致詞時，先用中文開場的說「每年非常高興跟大家一起，慶祝波士頓的安全，然後，我們一起合作，努力工作」，再以英文強調華埠在波士頓的每個世代中都佔有重要地位，看到大家一起為社區努力，更是讓人高興。今年還選出了幕後英雄加以表揚。

麻州參議員Nick Collins（左起）頒獎給陽光幼兒園的黃旭麗等人。
（周菊子攝）

吳弭市長特地介紹，和她一起來到華埠的還有薩福克郡地方檢察官Kevin Hayden，波士頓市議員愛德華費連，Erin Murphy，波士頓市消防局，急救中心（EMS），公共衛生局（BHPC），耆英局（Age Strong Commission）等許多市府部門。

吳弭市長還點名感謝華埠聯絡員林天琪（Katrina Lin）為華埠居民所做的貢獻。

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox稱許波士頓華埠是該局最好的社區夥伴之一。希望警民繼續攜手合作，打擊犯罪。

波士頓市長吳弭（右起）和警察局長Michael Cox離開華埠
後，和麻州眾議員一起趕到堡壘村，出席National Night Out。 (周菊子攝）

波士頓華埠的National Night Out照例在大同村中央的庭院舉行，掛出「全美滅罪安全夜」橫幅，安排有陽光幼兒園小朋友，以及老師黃旭麗的歌舞，廣教學校的醒獅，K-Pop舞蹈，陳國航等人演唱卡啦ＯＫ。

AARP，塔芙茨大學，塔芙茨醫療中心，華人醫務中心，波士頓耆英居家護理，紐英崙中華公所等贊助單位，在現場擺出介紹服務攤位，波士頓警察局在現場分送爆米花和冰淇淋，小孩子們拿氣球，玩彈跳屋。

堡壘村的National Night Out有Vivian Lee（右四）做翻譯。(周菊子攝）

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox稱華埠是最合作的社區夥伴之一。 (周菊子攝）

由於今年是麻州的州級選舉年，轄區包括波士頓的麻州參議員Nick Collins刻正競選連任，波士頓市長吳弭卻早就公開表態支持Latoya Gayle角逐這一席位，於是今年的華埠「全美滅罪安全夜」上演了同一個社區服務獎，頒發兩次的場景。麻州參議員Nick Collins單槍匹馬的先頒發了一次，波士頓市長率大隊人馬抵達大同村後，又頒了一次。陽光幼兒園的黃旭麗等人，於是就領了2次獎。

今年的華埠「全美滅罪安全夜」，較令人意外的是，主持台前臨時加裝的隔離塑膠柵欄，綁的比往年更多。

波士頓警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩和情報分析副總監陳定良等人，
都隨大隊拜訪地方居民。(周菊子攝）

由於8月3日凌晨大約12點38分左右，在海德公園大道（Hyde Park Ave.）海地餐廳（Little Haiti International Cuisine）外發生一起槍擊案，5人中彈，1人死亡，警察逮補了27歲的嫌犯Oliver Derima，而鄰近波士頓華埠的城中區在7月份內共發生3起槍擊案。根據波士頓前鋒報（Boston Herald）的整理，整個波士頓今夏槍案頻傳，踏入8月後，在東波士頓，海德公園和多徹斯特的藍山大道，一連發生3起致命槍擊案，以至今年以來已共有17起兇殺案，14人因槍擊案死亡。

陽光幼兒園的黃旭麗表演舞蹈。(周菊子攝）

        吳弭市長還在大同村的致詞結束後，和波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox一起被媒體追問。吳弭市長強調事前預防與跨部門合作的重要。她表示，儘管波士頓市兇殺案數量比去年低，但波士頓市的態度是零容忍。

今夏進波士頓市府ISD實習的楊定凱（右），經中華公所主席雷國輝（左）的招呼，
和吳弭市長合影。(周菊子攝）

余麗媖在活動現場遇見久未露面的廣教學校前校長湯鳳鳴（中）。(周菊子攝）

塔芙茨醫療中心在會場擺攤為人量血壓。(周菊子攝）

民眾被擋在圍欄外看主持台的表演。(周菊子攝）

堡壘村的National Night Out有攤位展示野生動物。(周菊子攝）

廣教學校表演醒獅。(周菊子攝）

昆士小學校長司徒玉英（中）也在活動現場。(周菊子攝）

波士頓A1區警員黃天輝為民眾哇冰淇凌。(周菊子攝）

大同村的National Night Out有彈跳屋供小朋友玩耍。(周菊子攝）

華人前進會也在現場擺攤。(周菊子攝）

波士頓市長吳弭（中）支持Latoya Gayle(左）參選麻州參議員。(周菊子攝）