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| 「波士頓 You&Me樂團」的「那些年我們一起追的」演出團員合影。 前左起，劉雙洲，黃崇校，林美均，莎莎(右三)，馮子盛(右二)等人。(周菊子攝) |
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| 演唱會在波士頓僑教中心舉行。(周菊子攝) |
5月19日這天，卻在主唱陳瑩璇突然進了急診室中，臨陣因應，更動演出。司儀兼鍵盤手、歌手莎莎坦言，現場活動就怕遇上這類不可控因素，幸好團員強大，馬上重擬歌單，換人唱，整場演出有笑聲，有淚水，溫馨又感人。
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| 顧宗浩和楊智晴當天幫忙做接待、收票，還合唱了一首歌。(周菊子攝) |
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| 林美均曾為Jing樂團演奏，今年5月還在歐陽娜娜畢業時， 應邀做吉他伴奏。7月將返台發展。(周菊子攝) |
接下來6月15日，「波士頓 You&Me樂團」將在波士頓華商會主辦，假波士頓華埠牌樓前舉行的「臺灣夜市」，把臺灣流行樂曲帶進波士頓華埠。(更新版)
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| 「波士頓 You&Me樂團」主唱陳瑩璇(前中)和團員們5月11日時 在Somerville的陽台音樂節中表演。(周菊子攝) |
Opioid Overdose Deaths More Likely Among Massachusetts Residents Injured at Work, New Department of Public Health Report Finds
Workers in construction and other physically demanding industries disproportionately impacted
BOSTON (May 23, 2024) – Working-age Massachusetts residents who died between 2011 and 2020 were 35 percent more likely to have died of an opioid-related overdose if they had previously been injured at work, according to a new report released today by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) that, for the first time, links the aftermath of work-related injuries to opioid-related overdose deaths.
Using the Public Health Data Warehouse, DPH compiled information about individuals’ employment and work-related injury status from their workers’ compensation claims and linked it with data from their death certificates. By linking these data sets, DPH found that of the 4,304 working-age (16-64 years) Massachusetts residents who died and had at least one workplace injury claim, 741 (17.2 percent) died from an opioid-related overdose between 2011 and 2020. Previous analyses primarily relied on death certificate data, which have limited work-related information.
The data also show that injured workers who died from an opioid-related overdose were more likely to be male, between 25-44 years old, Hispanic, US-born, and have jobs in construction and extraction (e.g., quarrying and mining), as well as in food preparation and serving, compared with those who died of causes unrelated to substance use. Sprains and strains, particularly of the back, were the most common injury types among those who suffered fatal opioid-related overdoses – a significant finding that allows DPH to, for the first time, assess the correlation between acute and chronic pain from occupational injuries and opioid use and death.
“Occupational injuries can take both a physical and mental toll, and those who suffer injuries at work may be discouraged from seeking help because of stigmatization and fear of losing their jobs. Avoiding or delaying care can lead to a preventable overdose death,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “In order for us to properly address the overdose crisis, we must eliminate the stigma that accompanies substance use disorder in all sectors of society, including the workplace. We are prioritizing investments in community support, prevention, and treatment programs and reducing any barriers to treatment, all of which can help prevent overdose deaths.”
“Overdose deaths are preventable, and we must continue to focus relentlessly on finding ways to prevent opioid addiction from stealing more lives,” said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “The data are clear: Individuals who suffer work-related injuries are at a heightened risk of substance use disorders – and overdose deaths. By recognizing and acting upon this association, we can target interventions that can save lives and protect the well-being of workers, especially those in physically demanding occupations who are disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic.”
Workers in industries and occupations that require very physically demanding work and who have much higher rates of overall workplace injury than other workers continue to be disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, according to the report, which was created by DPH’s Occupational Health Surveillance Program. The majority (28.2 percent) of the 741 Massachusetts workers who were previously injured at work and who died of an opioid-related overdose between 2011 and 2020 worked in construction and extraction occupations, according to the data. This is followed by 11.2 percent who worked in transportation and material-moving, and 6.8 percent who worked in food preparation and serving-related occupations.
Work-related factors, such as lower rates of paid sick leave, low wages, and higher job insecurity (e.g., seasonal work, independent contractors, and temporary help), exacerbate the pressure on workers to work while ill or injured, and not seek crucial medical or substance use treatment for fear of losing income.
While the data indicate there were lower numbers of deaths among residents of color who were injured at work compared with white non-Hispanics, who made up the majority of the state’s workforce in 2011-2020, Hispanic workers in Massachusetts suffer the highest rate of death from workplace injury. Nationwide, both Hispanic and Black non-Hispanic workers disproportionately work in the most dangerous jobs that can lead to injury.
This report may not represent the full picture of injured workers who died from an opioid-related overdose in Massachusetts. The data do not include workers who were injured on the job but who did not file a workers’ compensation claim. This cohort may include immigrant and undocumented workers who may be less likely to file a workers’ compensation claim or may experience barriers to filing one.
DPH continues to support worker-focused efforts that involve the expansion of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorder in the Commonwealth. Using federal grant funding and in collaboration with Health Resources in Action, DPH has developed a comprehensive website with trainings and materials to increase opioid awareness and provide resources for Massachusetts employers to implement policies and practices aimed at prevention and recovery. This includes the implementation of recovery-supportive workplace initiatives that focus on injury prevention and providing employers with the tools to help employees seek and stay in recovery.
Additionally, DPH
recently provided funding for research to UMass Lowell to evaluate and improve
the Opioid Alternative Treatment Pathway program, run by the Massachusetts
Department of Industrial Accidents, which oversees the state’s workers’
compensation system. The program uses a mediation process between insurers and
injured workers who have been prescribed opioids for pain to provide
alternative pain management and support services, including drug treatment,
with the goal of reducing the workers’ dependence on opioid pain medication.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration fiscal year 2024 budget invests more than $700 million in substance addiction prevention and treatment programs to address the state’s overdose crisis, including an expanded 24/7 overdose prevention helpline available by calling 800-972-0590 and at safe-spot.me.
By establishing the strong link between work-related injuries and fatal opioid-related overdoses among Massachusetts workers, this report also underscores the role that employers, unions, employee assistance programs, and other entities play in preventing fatal opioid-related overdose. This includes injury prevention, as well as creating a work environment that fosters communication to help remove the stigma surrounding substance use and asking for help, providing harm reduction strategies like naloxone training, and intentionally centering voices from Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, and other communities of color in program-planning and outreach strategies.
Key findings from the report:
Senate begins third day of budget debate after making historic increase to per pupil aid and boosting rural school aid on Wednesday
Chamber’s amendments also increase funds for libraries, red flag
law awareness, and civic education
(BOSTON–5/23/2024) The Senate will begin the third day of
debate of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget on Thursday morning. As of the beginning
of debate on Thursday, the upper chamber adopted 375 amendments, rejected 281
amendments, and has taken 26 roll call votes.
“We are returning to the Chamber today proud of how we have
strengthened our budget so far, and by extension, the entire Commonwealth,”
said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m looking forward to
continuing that work today, and doing what the Senate does best: investing in
our people and our communities.”
“We continue to swiftly move through the amendment process,
and with just over 200 amendments remaining, we’re in the home stretch now.
Again, transparency and inclusivity remain at the center of the Senate FY 25
budget process. Through yesterday’s adopted amendments, we strengthened our
commitment to educational excellence for all in the Commonwealth,” said Senator
Michael J. Rodrigues (D-Westport), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and
Means.
Since Wednesday afternoon, the Senate has adopted numerous
amendments, including:
Increasing Minimum Per Pupil Aid to $110—Amendment
620
Proposed by Senator Cronin and adopted by a roll call vote
of 39-0, the amendment increases the minimum per-pupil aid amount to a historic
level of $110 per student, at a cost of $3.1M. This is an increase over the
minimum of $104 in per-pupil aid included in the Senate Ways and Means
Committee's original budget recommendation, which was already a significant
increase from the minimum of $60 in per-pupil aid that was included in the
Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
Increasing Rural School Aid—Amendment 631
Proposed
by Senator Paul Mark and adopted by a roll call vote of 39-0, the amendment
increases funding allocated specifically for rural school districts by $2.5M,
bringing the total amount to $17.5M.
Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant Program—Amendment
170
Proposed by Senator Miranda and adopted by a roll call vote
of 39-0, the amendment adds $2.5M to a statewide program to develop,
strengthen, and invest in community-led efforts to support communities that are
disproportionately impacted by the criminal justice system and face
historically disproportionate challenges to economic growth. The amendment
brings the total amount for this program to $10M.
Municipal Libraries Local Aid – Amendment 624
Proposed by Senator Feeney and adopted by a roll call vote
of 39-0, the amendment increases funding for municipal libraries by $2.4M,
bringing the total amount to $20M.
Regional Libraries Local Aid—Amendment 612
Proposed
by Senator Oliveira and adopted by a roll call vote of 39-0, the amendment
increases funding for regional libraries by nearly $2.3M, bringing the total
amount to $19M.
Red Flag Law Public Awareness Campaign—Amendment 934
Proposed by Senator Creem and adopted by the Senate, the
amendment dedicates $250K to the creation of a new public awareness campaign
about extreme risk protection orders in Massachusetts, in order to prevent
unnecessary gun violence.
Veterans’ Benefits—Amendment 825
Proposed by Senator Rush and adopted by the Senate, the
amendment increases the funding level for veterans’ benefits across the
Commonwealth by $2.2M, to a level of $70.4M.
Career and Technical Education—Amendment 611
Proposed by Senator Cronin and adopted by the Senate, the
amendment increases the total amount dedicated to grants for school districts
looking to improve and expand local technical education pathways by $1M, for a
total of $3.5M.
Addressing Antisemitism—Amendment 803
Proposed
by Senator Velis and adopted by a roll call vote of 40-0, the amendment
requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to provide
schools with resources for combatting antisemitism and discrimination and
establishes a commission on combatting antisemitism in the Commonwealth.
Civics Education Trust Fund—Amendment 621
Proposed by Senator Rausch and adopted by roll call vote of
39-0, the amendment increases the amount dedicated to the Civics Education
Trust Fund by $1M, bringing the total amount to $2.5M.
The Senate
anticipates debate continuing through Thursday afternoon.
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to Lead Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition
Coalition to focus on
addressing the needs of caregivers as a talent attract and retention strategy
in Massachusetts
Boston, MA – The
Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Executive Office of
Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) will lead the “Massachusetts Caregiver
Coalition,” a public-private partnership of diverse business and worker
advocates with a focus on elevating the needs of family caregivers as a talent
attraction and retention strategy in Massachusetts. Secretary Jones of EOLWD
made the announcement at a panel entitled, People, Caregiving and the
Economy: How the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition brings it all
together.
Today’s announcement
marks a transition for the Coalition, first launched in 2019, to align with and
build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda. The mission of
the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition is to support and build creative solutions
that allow family caregivers to continue to thrive in the workplace while also
caring for family at home.
“Family caregivers are
the backbone of our long-term care system, both nationally and in
Massachusetts, and they play a pivotal role in our communities, workforce, and
economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It’s vital that government,
business, academia, and labor work together to provide and build supportive
workplaces for our caregivers. Our administration is proud to take a leading
role in the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition to advance this important work.”
“Caring for a loved one
while also working full or part-time can have an impact on the mental,
emotional, and physical well-being of the caregiver,” said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. “With this transition, the Massachusetts Caregiver
Coalition will work with many partners to create, promote, and enable a support
system for our family caregivers and reduce their burden to increase
opportunities for our talent to thrive both at work and home.”
In Massachusetts, there are more than one million residents providing care to family, friends, and neighbors and who are critical to the health, safety, and emotional wellbeing of the state and nation. The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition will promote and share best practices and resources to increase productivity for caregivers at work and home, attract untapped talent managing caregiving responsibilities, and retain existing talent navigating work-life balance in the workplace.
“As caregiving remains a
critical infrastructure to attract and retain a strong workforce, we also have
to acknowledge the many workers across all industries who take on the
responsibility as a family caregiver,” said Secretary Lauren Jones of
Labor and Workforce Development. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration
looks forward to this next chapter of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition as
we promote best practices and share resources to support existing and future
workers as caregivers in the workplace.”
“Over the past five
years, MassTech has been convening the Caregiver Coalition to promote the needs
of caregivers across our state and highlight the economic impact that
caregiving can have on employers,” said Carolyn Kirk, CEO, MassTech.
“While MassTech will continue to be an active public partner in the Coalition,
having the leadership and reach of EOLWD will further elevate the needs of
caregivers as a talent attraction and retention strategy in the state.”
Caregiving has been a
focus area for the Healey-Driscoll Administration. In the recently
released Massachusetts
Workforce Agenda: Meeting the Moment to Attract, Retain, and Develop a Future
Workforce, the Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted the
importance of supporting workers, including the cost of caregiving and a
“whole-of-government” approach to caregiving.
In addition to
transitioning leadership of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition from the
Massachusetts Tech Collaborative to EOLWD, the Administration’s efforts include
cross-secretariat collaboration to ensure affordable, high-quality child care
in Massachusetts, as outlined in an Executive
Order signed by Governor Healey January 2024 and building a
workforce to support both child care and senior care.
The Coalition aims to
partner with, encourage, and challenge Massachusetts employers wherever they
are in their progress of supporting employee caregivers by: Illuminating the
needs of employee caregivers and their economic impact; Identifying, sharing, and
leveraging best practices inclusive of all employer sizes, locations and types
of workforce; Championing employee caregiver policies; and Enabling culture
change for caregivers across all sectors of the economy.
In addition to EOLWD,
other founding members of the Coalition include ARCHANGELS, Care.com, Cigna,
EMD Serono, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), Massachusetts
Business Roundtable, and Careforth (aka Seniorlink).
Healey-Driscoll Administration Raises Awareness for Youth Mental Health Services
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| 中華公所主席雷國輝(左三) 應波士頓台山鄉親聯誼會副會長陳晶年(左起)、 會長黃紹培，副會長黃偉健、李樹靄，黃漢湖等人之邀，出席雙親節。 (周菊子攝) |
 |
| 台山鄉親聯誼會會長黃紹培說明該會如今一年辦四次聚會。 (周菊子攝) |
擔任司儀，的副會長陳晶年稍後補充說明，該會每年也都參加主街舉辦的「夏日聯歡會」，「燈籠節」，中華公所的「中秋節聯歡會」等活動，提供表演節目，還組隊到中華頤養院等機構探訪、慰問耆英，回饋、服務社區。
 |
| 台山副會長陳晶年(後)謝謝阮鴻燦(左)帶麻州參議員助理 Haley Dillon出席。(周菊子攝) |
 |
| 華人前進會社區組織員鄺寶蓮到會提醒鄉親，選舉將至。 (周菊子攝) |
鄺寶蓮還在會中派發「My
Ombudsman」這健康醫療福利機構的傳單，解說該會服務內容，營運及聯絡方式。
 |
| 鄺寶蓮(左起)、黃國威、李照桃同桌聚談。 (周菊子攝) |
該會會費一年一繳，每人10元。會長黃紹培直言，這會費額度十分的象徵性，近來物價飆漲， 該會辦活動也不得不酌收費用，期望善長仁翁資助。 (更新版)
 |
| 台山鄉親雙親節約180人出席。(周菊子攝) |
Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development to Lead Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition
Coalition to focus on
addressing the needs of caregivers as a talent attract and retention strategy
in Massachusetts
Boston, MA – The
Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today that the Executive Office of
Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) will lead the “Massachusetts Caregiver
Coalition,” a public-private partnership of diverse business and worker
advocates with a focus on elevating the needs of family caregivers as a talent
attraction and retention strategy in Massachusetts. Secretary Jones of EOLWD
made the announcement at a panel entitled, People, Caregiving and the
Economy: How the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition brings it all
together.
Today’s announcement
marks a transition for the Coalition, first launched in 2019, to align with and
build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda. The mission of
the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition is to support and build creative solutions
that allow family caregivers to continue to thrive in the workplace while also
caring for family at home.
“Family caregivers are
the backbone of our long-term care system, both nationally and in
Massachusetts, and they play a pivotal role in our communities, workforce, and
economy,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It’s vital that government,
business, academia, and labor work together to provide and build supportive
workplaces for our caregivers. Our administration is proud to take a leading
role in the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition to advance this important work.”
“Caring for a loved one
while also working full or part-time can have an impact on the mental,
emotional, and physical well-being of the caregiver,” said Lieutenant
Governor Kim Driscoll. “With this transition, the Massachusetts Caregiver
Coalition will work with many partners to create, promote, and enable a support
system for our family caregivers and reduce their burden to increase
opportunities for our talent to thrive both at work and home.”
In Massachusetts, there
are more than one million residents providing care to family, friends, and
neighbors and who are critical to the health, safety, and emotional wellbeing
of the state and nation. The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition will promote and
share best practices and resources to increase productivity for caregivers at
work and home, attract untapped talent managing caregiving responsibilities,
and retain existing talent navigating work-life balance in the workplace.
“As caregiving remains a
critical infrastructure to attract and retain a strong workforce, we also have
to acknowledge the many workers across all industries who take on the
responsibility as a family caregiver,” said Secretary Lauren Jones of
Labor and Workforce Development. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration
looks forward to this next chapter of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition as
we promote best practices and share resources to support existing and future
workers as caregivers in the workplace.”
“Over the past five
years, MassTech has been convening the Caregiver Coalition to promote the needs
of caregivers across our state and highlight the economic impact that
caregiving can have on employers,” said Carolyn Kirk, CEO, MassTech.
“While MassTech will continue to be an active public partner in the Coalition,
having the leadership and reach of EOLWD will further elevate the needs of
caregivers as a talent attraction and retention strategy in the state.”
Caregiving has been a
focus area for the Healey-Driscoll Administration. In the recently
released Massachusetts
Workforce Agenda: Meeting the Moment to Attract, Retain, and Develop a Future
Workforce, the Healey-Driscoll Administration highlighted the
importance of supporting workers, including the cost of caregiving and a
“whole-of-government” approach to caregiving.
In addition to
transitioning leadership of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition from the
Massachusetts Tech Collaborative to EOLWD, the Administration’s efforts include
cross-secretariat collaboration to ensure affordable, high-quality child care
in Massachusetts, as outlined in an Executive
Order signed by Governor Healey January 2024 and building a
workforce to support both child care and senior care.
The Coalition aims to
partner with, encourage, and challenge Massachusetts employers wherever they
are in their progress of supporting employee caregivers by: Illuminating the
needs of employee caregivers and their economic impact; Identifying, sharing, and
leveraging best practices inclusive of all employer sizes, locations and types
of workforce; Championing employee caregiver policies; and Enabling culture
change for caregivers across all sectors of the economy.
In addition to EOLWD,
other founding members of the Coalition include ARCHANGELS, Care.com, Cigna,
EMD Serono, Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech), Massachusetts
Business Roundtable, and Careforth (aka Seniorlink).
