Governor Healey Announces Veterans Equality Review Board (VERB) to Support Veterans Discharged Under “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” Policy

 Governor Healey Announces Veterans Equality Review Board (VERB) to Support Veterans Discharged Under “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” Policy 

BOSTON- In a significant move to honor the rights and service of veterans discharged under the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” (DADT) policy, Governor Maura T. Healey today swore in five members to the newly established Veterans Equality Review Board (VERB). VERB’s goal is to provide an application process for certain veterans who received an “other than honorable discharge” under DADT and recommend their eligibility for state-based veteran benefits. 

“Today is a historic milestone for Massachusetts veterans, service members, and their families,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The creation of the Veterans Equality Review Board underscores our commitment to righting the wrongs of the past and supporting LGBTQ+ veterans who have served our nation with pride and honor. I’m grateful for the efforts of Secretary Santiago and his team to help ensure that these veterans receive the support and benefits they deserve.” 

“It's time we correct the injustices endured by LGBTQ+ service members discharged under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and make sure they receive the state benefits they've earned through their dedicated service,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, the daughter of a Navy veteran. 

“Every veteran deserves respect and recognition. We owe it to those who served in uniform to right past injustices,” stated Secretary Jon Santiago of the Executive Office of Veterans Services. “Though progress has been made towards LGBTQ+ equality, there's more work ahead. Providing state benefits to veterans with less than honorable discharges under 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' represents a significant step in healing discrimination's wounds.” 

The responsibilities of VERB include: 

• Reviewing applications submitted by veterans who believe they received an “other than honorable discharge” due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. 

• Providing recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Services on granting state-based veterans benefits to applicants. 

• Ensuring that veterans who qualify for benefits can access the support they need. 

 

The application process for veterans seeking benefits through the VERB is straightforward and accessible. Veterans can submit their applications online through the EOVS website, which provides clear instructions and lists all required documentation. 

VERB was created as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget to rectify historical injustices faced by LGBTQ+ veterans who served our nation under the restrictive DADT policy. The Board consists of five members: three appointed by the Secretary of the Executive Office of Veterans Services and two appointed by the Governor. These members will serve five-year terms and play a crucial role in ensuring veterans receive the support and benefits they deserve. 

"Twelve years after the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, the unfortunate truth is that many service members are still impacted by this policy and many of them call Massachusetts their home," said Senator John Velis, the Senate Chair of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs and sponsor of this policy in the FY23 budget. “The work of the Veterans Equality Review Board is all about ensuring that LGBTQ veterans across the Commonwealth have the same access to benefits and services that their fellow veterans have. This is a historic day and I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and my partners in the Legislature, for their commitment to doing right by our service members.” 
 

“While we cannot change the past, the creation of the Veterans Equality Review Board accentuates the Commonwealth’s dedication to all veterans, regardless of sexual orientation,” said Representative Gerard Cassidy, House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. “VERB provides a beacon of hope for veterans who bravely served our country and were wrongfully discriminated against.” 

The five members of VERB, each with diverse backgrounds and expertise, are dedicated to ensuring fair treatment and support for veterans who endured discrimination and hardship due to their service under the DADT policy: 

• Claire Burgess, PhD: Clinical Psychologist at VA Boston Healthcare System, LGBTQ+ Postdoctoral Fellow, and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School. 

• Cliff Brown: Army veteran, Project Manager, Home Base, Massachusetts National Guard member. 

• Lynette Gabrila: Army veteran, Director of Veterans Services for the Wachusett District, actively involved in charitable organizations and causes. 

• Christine Serpe, PhD: Staff Psychologist at VA Boston Healthcare System and Assistant Professor at Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. 

• Rachel McNeill: U.S. Army Reserves veteran, veteran advocate, and community organizer. 

For more information about the Veterans Equality Review Board, please visit the Executive Office of Veterans Services website.  

麻州文化會撥款185萬元資助740節慶活動及項目

Mass Cultural Council Awards $1.85M to 740 Arts-Related Festivals & Projects Statewide

BOSTON – Mass Cultural Council today announces the recipients of its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Festivals & Projects grant program. These $2,500 awards to organizations support public activities that incorporate the arts, humanities, or sciences.  In total, Mass Cultural Council granted $1,850,000 to 740 cultural projects and festivals statewide. “These festivals and projects foster meaningful connections within our communities,” said Michael J. Bobbit, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. “I love how our Festivals & Projects program reaches into every corner of the Commonwealth to support these creative activities. I encourage all who can to join me in engaging in and attending as many of these upcoming events as possible.” As the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities. The Agency pursues this mission through a broad range of programs, services, advocacy, and the equitable investment of public resources. In this FY24 grant cycle, Mass Cultural Council expanded eligibility to receive Festivals & Projects funding to allow for all proposals that incorporated the arts, humanities, or interpretive sciences in some way. As a result, the program received a record 1,231 applications requesting nearly $3 million in funding. The Agency had the resources to approve about 60% of these proposals this year. A review of the grant recipients shows that in FY24, Festival & Project award winners include: 518 organizations who will use this grant to put on a program that is entirely free to the public (70%) 367 organizations who have not received funding from any Mass Cultural Council grant program in the past three years (50%) 188 organizations who self-identify as BIPOC-centered (25%) 136 organizations who voluntarily participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program (18%) “The volume of applicants to this program tell me that people have a real desire for these community-building activities,” said Bobbitt. “Additionally, as our team at Mass Cultural Council continues to focus on access and recruitment, I am pleased to note that our resources are being equitably distributed to organizations who are actively engaged in the creative and cultural sector.” The full FY24 Festivals & Projects funding list and project descriptions are available online, including these upcoming vibrant celebrations: CineFest Latino Boston 2023 – CineFest Latino Boston, LLC (Boston) Dates: September 27, 2023 – October 1, 2023 CineFest Latino Boston 2023 is a festival of films by Latino filmmakers about the Latino experience in the United States and abroad. CineFest Latino Boston is a five-day event showcasing films by and about Latinos, the only film festival of its kind in the region. The Festival screens more than 2 dozen films, with many international award-winning films making their Boston-area premiere. The event includes screenings, panel discussions, appearances, and Q&A sessions with the filmmakers, as well as an ongoing series of conversations with the audience.   Western Massachusetts Community Ofrenda – Attack Bear Press (Easthampton) Dates: October 28, 2023 – November 6, 2023 This project began in 2019 as a space for indigenous and/or Latinx people to find community together and celebrate Dia de los Muertos. It has now expanded into a large, public event with three locations in two cities – Holyoke & Easthampton. The event spans just over a week and includes a new accessible, family-friendly event the weekend prior with talks from local cultural leaders about the significance of the folk holiday, music, and participation of representatives from the Mexican consulate. Community members will be invited to paint bisque-fired clay calaveras for one of the ofrendas, there will be performances by a mariachi band, and a recorded community storytelling. Food Rescue Outdoor Cooler Mural – Green Beverly 107Q, Inc. (Beverly) Dates: September 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024 Green Beverly’s Food Rescue project brings public art to food rescue, to combat hunger and minimize food waste in the local community. The project features a large, outdoor walk-in cooler for food rescue in a public space that will feature colorful murals by local artists that will bring the area to life. The art installation around the cooler will not only beautify the space, but will also educate the public about the Food Rescue project. This project rescues edible food from local supermarkets, gardens, and restaurants and provides it to local organizations that feed it to the food insecure. Dominican Carnival: Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage – Guardians of Tradition (Worcester) Dates: October 16, 2023 – October 22, 2023 Dominican Carnival: Colorful Tale of Satire and World Heritage is a free, community art exhibit and theater production. The Dominican Republic has one of the oldest carnivals in the Americas. This is a tradition that started as a form of protest against slavery and religious oppression and is influenced by the arrival of enslaved Africans brought to the island by Spain, France, and England. The project aims to highlight the cultural heritage of one of the largest immigrant groups in Massachusetts, Dominicans, and show the intersectionality of these cultures while also forming a connection with the audience and elevating the importance of cultural identity.

麻州長Healey指派3名高等教育委員會委員 曾參選州長的Danielle Allen側身其一

 Governor Healey Appoints Three New Members, Reappoints Chair of Department of Higher Education Board of Director 

Members All Bring Experience Uplifting Students and Communities Historically Underrepresented in Higher Education  

 

BOSTON – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey appointed Harneen Chernow, Danielle Allen and Dr. Christina Royal to serve on the Board of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Governor Healey also reappointed Chris Gabrieli as Chair of the Board. These new appointments will help advance the Board’s mission of ensuring students can access high quality, affordable, and diverse post-secondary learning experiences at the state’s public and private higher education colleges and universities.    

“Equity is at the center of our administration. I’m proud to be appointing members of the Board of Higher Education who share this commitment and will work to expand access to affordable, high quality higher education for every student,” said Governor Healey. “Massachusetts has long been a leader in higher education, and I’m confident that under the leadership of Chair Gabrieli and the other board members, we will continue to lengthen our lead and deliver results for the people of Massachusetts.” 

“Chair Gabrieli has served the Board of Higher Education with distinction, and we are confident that with the addition of Harneen Chernow, Danielle Allen and Dr. Christina Royal, the Board will continue their excellent work on behalf of the people of Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Every single one of our learners should have the opportunity to excel here in Massachusetts and as we expand other pathways to success, we must strengthen this path to higher education as well.”  

“I am thrilled that so many members of the Board of Higher Education will share our administration’s commitment to uplifting students historically underserved and underrepresented in our institutions of higher learning,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “I am glad to continue working with Chair Gabrieli and I’m looking forward to the fresh perspectives brough by new members Harneen Chernow, Danielle Allen, and Dr. Christina Royal.”  

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education aims to improve the quality of higher education throughout the state and ensure that Massachusetts residents have the opportunity to benefit from a higher education that enriches their lives and advances their contributions to the civic life and economic development of the state. The high standard held for the state’s institutions of higher education allows for a concerte focus on equity, accountability, empowerment, and much more. The 13-member Board is responsible for defining and maintaining the mission of the Department of Education. 

“For the last eight years, I have had the privilege of serving on the board and am grateful to continue because our work is not finished,” said Chairman Gabrieli. “I am delighted to work with our terrific cohort of fellow Board members, our Secretary and Commissioner and our higher ed leaders and stakeholders who also all believe in making sure our colleges and universities have the tools and innovations they need to serve our students, educate our workforce and build more equitable communities. I look forward to working with my new colleagues and am excited to see what we will accomplish together.” 

Chris Gabrieli was first appointed to the Board of Higher Education in March 2015. He has been the co-founder of several non-profit education innovation and reform initiatives and a lecturer at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.  He is also the Chairman of the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership, a groundbreaking partnership between the state, district and teacher's union aimed at accelerating innovation and success for students.   

Harneen Chernow is a Director of the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds (TEF), a multi-state healthcare workforce intermediary providing education and training opportunities to over 300,000 members in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington DC and Florida. Of central importance in her work is TEF’s partnership with the public postsecondary education system, where members complete their degrees and obtain necessary credentials. Chernow’s focus and experience is in expanding career advancement and educational opportunities to workers who have been systemically excluded from succeeding in postsecondary education, helping them access family-sustaining jobs and careers. 

Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University, where she is a professor of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy. She is a seasoned nonprofit leader, advocate for democracy, and was a leading national voice on the pandemic response. She’s also a distinguished author and a mom. A past chair of the Mellon Foundation and Pulitzer Prize Boards, and former Dean of Humanities at the University of Chicago, Allen continues to serve as a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and American Philosophical Society.  

Dr. Christina Royal is the president of Infinite Unlearning, LLC, and recently wrapped up her tenure as the fourth president of Holyoke Community College (HCC), and the first woman, multi-racial, and queer leader to lead the institution from 2017 to 2023. She has served in progressively responsible roles in both higher education, with experience with community college and private four-year institutions, as well as in corporate environments. In her presidency at HCC, she led the creation of the college’s first strategic plan, which prioritized equity by removing barriers for historically marginalized learners, including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, first generation, adult learners, and students living in poverty. Dr. Royal also established the President’s Student Emergency Fund, collaboratively transformed the institution’s shared governance model, launched El Centro to support Latinx students as a Hispanic Serving Institution, expanded mental health services, and secured the largest philanthropic gift to a community college in Massachusetts, among other notable accomplishments.    

 

波士頓市議會議長Flynn召開公聽會 擬訂條例要求製作槍枝流向年度報告

Council President Flynn and Councilor Worrell Held Hearing on Ordinance to Study the Trafficking of Illegal Firearms 

BOSTON - Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Brian Worrell held a hearing on Monday, September 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. to discuss the ordinance that they sponsored to have a study and annual report with data on the flow of firearms and information on illegal firearms recovered in the City. The hearing was chaired by Councilor Ricardo Arroyo in the Committee on Government Operations, and was attended by officials from the Boston Police Department and numerous City Councilors. The ordinance and hearing follows the unanimous adoption of a City Council Resolution declaring gun violence as a public health emergency in October 2022. 

Gun trafficking and the illegal flow of firearms is a major contributor to gun violence, with the Boston Police recovering close to 900 firearms in 2022. Since 2015, there have been over 1,700 shootings recorded in the City of Boston, with more than 170 shootings in 2022. According to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, only 10 percent of the firearms recovered at crime scenes that were traced were purchased in Massachusetts, while the rest were brought into Massachusetts from 18 other states. Having a comprehensive study and review of the flow of firearms into the City of Boston would help law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking, and help us develop strategies on gun violence prevention.

At the hearing, Councilors spoke of the importance of curbing gun violence, the trauma brought on by gun violence in the community, as well as the concerning uses of 3D-printed “ghost guns” and modifiers such as switches. The Boston Police Department’s Regional Intelligence Center is responsible for collecting and tracking data on firearm recoveries, while overall number of shootings and shooting victims are trending downward, possession of firearms still remains a big concern. So far the Boston Police recovered 602 guns in 2023, 415 were crime guns, including 59 “ghost guns”. Most of the data requested in the ordinance are already collected, and the Boston Police expressed willingness to collaborate on this ordinance.  

“Data on the flow of firearms will help our law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking, and allow us to develop more effective strategies to reduce gun violence,” said Council President Flynn. “I want to thank the Boston Police Department for the work that they do in keeping our communities safe, and Councilor Worrell and my colleagues for their partnership on this issue. I look forward to continuing collaborating with our Boston Police, and passing this ordinance so that we can work together to stop the illegal flow of firearms into our neighborhoods.”

"Generations of underinvestment in marginalized communities have led to violent incidents such as Sunday night's shooting in District 4 that injured five people including two minors and traumatized our residents," Councilor Worrell said. "It's important that we follow the data being collected to see how we can better understand the flow of out-of-state guns, ghost guns and modified guns that are flowing through the city. I look forward to engaging with the Boston Police Department, Council President Flynn, my council colleagues, community groups and our city's families in curbing gun violence." (Update version from Ed Flynn's office)

麻州中小學教育廳無異議通過Healey州長的健康及體育教育新框架

 Governor Healey’s New Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Framework Receives Unanimous Approval 

LGBTQ+ inclusive, medically accurate and developmentally- and age-appropriate update is the first since 1999 

Includes mental health, personal safety, healthy relationships, nutrition,  substance misuse education & more 

 
MALDEN – Governor Maura Healey announced today that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has unanimously approved an updated comprehensive health and physical education framework today, the first time the guidelines have been updated since 1999. 

The updated framework (download) is inclusive, medically accurate and developmentally- and age-appropriate. It outlines standards for what a comprehensive and LGBTQ+-inclusive health and physical education program should include: mental and emotional health; personal safety; physical health and hygiene; healthy relationships; nutrition and balanced eating; physical activity and fitness; substance use and misuse; sexual health; and public, community, and environmental health.  

The Board’s vote came after more than 60 days of public comment in which the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) received nearly 5,400 responses through a survey, email and regular mail. 

“Massachusetts is leading the way by providing a health and physical education framework that is inclusive, medically accurate and age-appropriate to help them make decisions that are right for their health and wellbeing,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful to the Board for approving the first update to the health education frameworks in more than two decades, and we appreciate the input we received from residents across the state.” 

“This framework was approved after years of work by advocates and education leaders, and thousands of pieces of feedback,” Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll said. “I’m glad to see that so many people were involved in the process, and I hope districts find this a valuable resource.”   

“The framework the Board approved today is the combined result of contributions and feedback from educators, parents, community members and health and physical education content experts,” said Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler. “It provides a solid foundation for school districts and health and physical education teachers.” 

 “I’d like to thank my fellow Board members for seeing this process through and recognizing the importance of this update,” said Board Chair Katherine Craven. “Students deserve a health and physical education framework that is up-to-date and relevant.”  

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, educators, and health experts began the process of revising the framework in 2018, ultimately leading to the draft shared in June. As part of the process leading up to the draft, DESE worked with educators, administrators, families, students, subject matter experts, and representatives of different types of schools and districts, professional roles and professional and community-based organizations. After the draft was released in June, the public comment period ran through the end of August. 

“I’m grateful to everyone who contributed to this process,” said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “With the hard work of drafting and refining the update behind us, our staff will now focus on providing implementation resources and support for districts.”  

State law (G.L. c. 71, § 1 and G.L. c. 71, § 3) requires all public schools to teach health education and physical education, but school districts have discretion to determine how standards are implemented at the local level, including what curriculum and materials they will use. 

State law (G.L. c. 71, § 32A) also gives parents the right to opt out their children from lessons related to sex education, which is a small portion of the knowledge covered in this framework.