Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Early Education and Care Data Advisory Commission

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Kicks Off Early Education and Care Data Advisory Commission

BOSTON — This month, the Healey-Driscoll Administration launched the Data Advisory Commission on Early Education and Care. Established in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget signed by Governor Maura Healey, the Commission is charged with making recommendations to improve the use of state, provider and program-level data related to the cost, quality and utilization of early education and care services. This includes a focus on the needs and capabilities of providers located in rural areas.​ Further, the Commission will be analyzing high-impact, cost-effective data strategies for assessing the needs of families and children.

 

“I want families in every part of our state to be able to afford high-quality child care, and at the hours and locations that make sense for them. We know that too many kids are on waitlists for a seat, and it is hard to find care. The Data Advisory Commission is going to help us determine where the gaps are in access and affordability, and I look forward to seeing their recommendations,” said Governor Maura Healey.

 

“Accessible and affordable child care is a priority for our administration. The state’s early education system has made significant improvements over the last two years, but we know more work needs to be done to lower costs for families and support child care businesses to be financially stable,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This Commission is bringing a variety of perspectives and experiences together to dive into the data to help inform ways we can continue to build on this progress.”

 

This new Commission builds on the significant progress the agency has made to strengthen the data and research infrastructure and capacity at EEC. Over the last two years, EEC has built the agency’s first data and research division focused on collecting and analyzing data and leading research to inform policy decisions and improve programs and services. In October 2024, EEC launched key performance indicator (KPI) Dashboards on its website, as well as the agency’s first research agenda and additional public-facing data sets and tools.

 

“We know that improving access to early education and care for all families in the communities in which they live, learn and work is key to strengthening our economy and creating a more affordable and competitive state. And we know that good data is an important part of that. I look forward to seeing the Commission’s thoughtful, collaborative work and recommendations,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.

 

“Launching the Data Advisory Commission is an important milestone for EEC and our new data analytics and research teams,” said Amy Kershaw, Commissioner of the Department of Early Education and Care. “We look forward to working in partnership with Commissioner members to continue to build our data infrastructure and capacity, to better understand the child care experience and needs of children and families across the state.”

 

The Commission also aligns with the agency’s commitment to modernizing its user-facing portals through two technology projects that are underway and will modernize and improve data tracking and analysis. This includes the development of a new family portal and case management system for the state’s child care financial assistance programs (CCFA). EEC is working to build a more modern, mobile-friendly, accessible, multilingual, and dignified CCFA technology system, reducing barriers for families seeking assistance paying for child care and making it easier for child care providers to administer the programs. This new system will enhance the availability of data on the CCFA waitlist, application and eligibility determination process, and payments.

 

EEC is also designing and building an early education and care educator portal with an embedded credential management system. The system will create a single front door for current and aspiring educators to apply for and access their professional credentials and will be integrated with EEC’s StrongStart Learning Management System, which will allow for future automatic importing of courses from StrongStart and associating educators with their programs. This new system will improve data available on educator demographics, employment, compensation, professional advancement, and recruitment and retention.

 

“We must use every tool available to expand access to high-quality, affordable early education and child care to support children and young families in Massachusetts,” said State Senator Jason Lewis, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. “The Legislature established the Data Advisory Commission last year to delve into our state’s early education data, and I look forward to hearing their recommendations on how to continue increasing affordable access to care.”

 

"We are committed to providing accessible, affordable child care,” said State Representative Ken Gordon, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. "This Data Advisory Commission will provide critical insights to help us advance our EEC goals and continue removing barriers for families."

Learn more about EEC’s Data Advisory Commission here.

 

The Data Advisory Commission on Early Education and Care members include*:

• Amy Kershaw, Early Education and Care Commissioner (Chair)
• Mark Reilly, Undersecretary & Chief Operating Officer, Executive Office of Education
• Laura Perille, President and CEO, Nurtury Early Education
• Elizabeth Leiwant, Chief of Policy, Neighborhood Villages
• Emmalie Dropkin, Director of Data, Planning, and Evaluation, Head Start & Early Learning Programs Community Action Pioneer Valley
• Patrick Stanton, Executive Director, Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership
• Adam Jones, Senior Policy Analyst, MassBudget
• Ellen Dickenson, Senior Vice President for Research, Analytics and Planning, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley
• JD Chesloff, President and CEO, Massachusetts Business Roundtable
• Tom Weber, Executive Director, Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education
• Kate Warren Barnes, Head of MA Strategy & Partnerships, Jumpstart for Young Children
• Kate Marie Roycroft, CEO, Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs
• Andrea Howard, Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
• Victoria Bergeron, Policy Researcher, Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

 

*Please note there are five additional members still going through the appointment process.

波士頓急難救助協會請姚英倫、丁心格傳授急救基礎知識

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富(右起)和波士頓急難救助協會
會長林麗珠合作，請姚英倫、丁心格這2位急救專家
分享基礎急救知識。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會和波士頓僑教中心，北一女、政大、台大等校友會，以及台灣媽媽親子會合作，4月19日在僑教中心舉辦「基礎急救知識講座」，同時舉辦會員大會，50多名出席者都說收穫豐富。

波士頓急難救助協會出席者與嘉賓合影。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑教中心主高家富肯定林麗珠會長辦活動用心，指急救知識實用，心理健康講座也很有意義，表示僑教中心將於6月份和波士頓急難救助協會繼續合作，再次舉辦心理健康諮詢講座，為大波士頓社區服務。

高家富主任在會中還特地介紹僑委會的 " i 僑卡" ，僑胞們登記申請之後，無論是在僑居地，或是在台灣，不但可在許多商店享有折扣，報名參加僑委會所舉辦活動，也會方便很多。

僑教中心主任高家富(右)介紹" i 僑卡"。(僑教中心提供)

波士頓地區僑界急難救助協會會長林麗珠表示，該會自2017年3月成立以來，經由王志維、歐陽露、翁逸虹等歷任會長努力，波士頓僑教中心協助，始得以為大波士頓社區僑胞服務，她很感恩有機會承接重任，貢獻心力，更感謝各界的支持與樂捐。

僑界人士參加「基礎急救知識」講座。(周菊子攝)

該會去年辦過急救與心理諮商講座，今年甫於4月9日請張越麒博士以他藉中英文歌曲編排的「快活的Zumba」，在網路上示範教學，鼓勵人簡單、輕鬆的運動健身。4月19日這天，該會邀請已取得美國國家級專業急救證照，依序在波士頓市緊急救護局 (Boston EMS)，以及中華耆英會工作的姚英倫、丁心格，講解並示範急救方法。

姚英倫和丁心格搭檔，4月19日這天在現場詳細解說了頸部出血的緊急止血，包紮技巧，肩膀脫臼吊帶固定、簡單燒傷應急處理、銳器傷緊急救治以及中暑之急救技巧。

姚英倫(右)和丁心格(左)示範肩膀脫臼的包紮法。 (周菊子攝)

姚英倫指出，頸脖是呼吸道所在位置，要避免直接纏繞會導致呼吸困難，所以包紮方法比較特別，要用非受傷側的手臂作為緩衝，避免繃帶直接纏繞在脖子上。

遇到手臂脫臼或骨折時，一般會用三角繃帶來固定受傷手臂。姚英倫說明，如果身邊沒有三角繃帶，可以把床單或圍巾，折成三角狀，臨時替代，但要記住材質不宜富彈性。在繃帶中，以色列繃帶是目前最高級的多功能繃帶，其最大特色是自帶固定支架，不需要額外打結或使用醫療膠帶就可以固定。

波士頓急難救助協會前會長歐陽露(右)和現任會長林麗珠(左)。(周菊子攝)

波士頓僑務委員郭競儒，波士頓北一女校友會會長林遊嵐，輔仁校友會會長吳萍萍，紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長盧彥君，劍橋合唱團副團長林泓安，世衛協進會財務陳玉瑛等人，這天都特地撥冗出席，認真學習。他們笑說這種急救竅門，沒人指點，還真不知道，一旦學會，遇到情況，救人一命，可就勝造七級浮屠了。

東北大學理科學生羅家甄申請到學校獎學金，做了一項耆英心理健康研究，
這天趕在畢業將回科羅拉多州之前，來到波士頓急難救助協會講座現場，
分享研究心得。(周菊子攝)

波士頓急難救助協會的下一場活動，已定6月21日(週六) 早上10點半至中午12點，假波士頓僑教中心舉辦「身心靈檢查站」講座，邀專業心理諮詢師吳欣純主講長期壓力會導致的身體狀況，以及平衡身心的小妙招。

張越麒博士配合中英樂曲，示範自創Zumba舞步。(周菊子攝)

波士頓慶祝250週年愛國者日遊行 (圖片)

 

第129屆波士頓馬拉松賽 中港台依序有502、214、257人參賽

一部分來自台灣的波士頓馬拉松賽跑者，19日下午在波士頓華埠牌樓前合影。
波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏特地前往加油，打氣。(圖由經文處提供)

             (Boston Orange 綜合報導)第129屆波士頓馬拉松賽今日開跑，有31778人報名參賽，預計有3萬人出賽，其中18062為男性，13640為女性，分別來自128國，其中4598人為麻州居民。

今年的波士頓馬拉松賽有257人來自中華民國台灣，502人來自中國大陸，214人來自香港。

志願者超過 9,500 人，其中 1,600 人為醫療志願者。美國銀行波士頓馬拉松官方慈善計畫的募款目標為 5,000萬美元，共有 176 家非營利組織參與美國銀行波士頓馬拉松官方慈善計畫。

這一比賽，全長 26 英里 385 碼，途經 8 個城市及鄉鎮。公開組、輪椅組及帕拉田徑組的總獎金高達 1,214,500 美元（包括公開組及輪椅組運動員的 50,000 美元賽道紀錄獎金）。

知名跑者及號碼布：

• 保拉·拉德克利夫（Paula Radcliffe）， 前女子馬拉松世界紀錄保持者 – 號碼布 215（以其2小時15分的世界紀錄時間命名；目標是贏得她的雅培世界馬拉松大滿貫六星獎牌）。
• 安比·伯福特（Amby Burfoot）， 1968年波士頓馬拉松冠軍 – 號碼布 1968（以紀念他1968年的勝利）。
• 布萊恩·迪默（Brian Diemer）， 1984年奧運3000米障礙賽銅牌得主 – 號碼布 1984（以紀念他1984年的賽事；將與他的女兒麥肯齊·普盧默特（McKenzie Pluymert）一同參賽）。
• 史考特·史達林斯（Scott Stallings）， PGA巡迴賽三屆冠軍 – 號碼布 29668。
• 愛麗絲·庫克（Alice Cook）， 奧運花式滑冰選手 – 號碼布 29737。
• 德魯·卡特（Drew Carter）， 波士頓塞爾提克隊賽事轉播員 – 號碼布 32008。
• 麥特·詹姆斯（Matt James）， 電視節目《單身漢》明星 – 號碼布 32541。

今年的波士頓馬拉松將在新英格蘭地區的WCVB全程直播（轉播時間為凌晨4:00至晚上8:00），並在美國全國的ESPN2從上午9:00至下午12:30進行轉播。國際轉播將透過多家電視台進行。

麻州長選舉日雖遠已升溫 民主黨連發2聲明厲批Mike Kennealy

             (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 麻州民主黨（MassDem）在4月19及20的一連2日，發表2份措辭嚴厲聲明，批評共和黨候選人Mike Kennealy ，讓2026年麻州州長選舉霎時升溫

麻州現任州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在今年 (2025) 2月宣佈將競選連任時，儘管不少人覺得宣佈得有點早，但還都抱持著在位者有優勢，2026的州長選舉，不會有些甚麼火花。沒想到，麻州民主黨這2天竟突然密集攻擊州長選舉的敵對黨候選人。

奚莉州長在當選州長前是麻州總檢察長，以政策激進，在氣候變化、社會正義等議題上立場強硬而聞名。上任以來，積極推動麻州團隊精神。

共和黨籍的Mike Kennealy，曾是查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)州長任內的房屋及經濟發展廳廳長，後來在私人企業當高管，今年4月7日宣佈參選麻州州長。他形容自己是一名專注於財政責任和解決州內住房負擔危機的候選人。

麻州民主黨（MassDem）主席Steve Kerrigan這2天，一連發表2份聲明，強烈批評Mike Kennealy。

• 4月19日，強調肯Kennealy承認自己在過去三次總統選舉（2016年、2020年以及隱含的2024年）中均未投票。Kerrigan聲稱，在總統這種重大國家選舉中的投票缺席，顯示Kennealy的領導資質存在根本缺陷。
• 4月20日，抨擊Kennealy不願意公開反對前總統政府的政策，不支持麻州總檢察長Andrea Campbell為挑戰那些政策而提訟的努力。在關稅問題和聯邦政府削減研究經費對經濟影響的發言上，民主黨人認為他提到“外部性”，是不關心麻州居民所關切議題的證據。

麻州民主黨頻頻使用”MAGA Mike”這稱號，努力地要讓人把Mike Kennealy 和川普總統強調的”MAGA”連載一起，藉以削弱Kennealy對麻州選民的吸引力，同時積極把奚莉州長的形象塑造為麻州利益的捍衛者，藉以形成強烈對比。

              2026年才是麻州州長選舉年，但州長席位選戰從Mennealy宣佈參選後，就逐漸加溫。目前在共和黨籍的Mike Kennealy和民主黨籍的在位州長Maura Healey之外，根據”選票百科 (Ballotpedia)”，民主黨籍，創辦了「作為療癒支持正義家庭(Families for Justice as Healing)和「全國被監禁和曾被監禁婦女和女孩委員會 ( The National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls)」的Andrea James也宣佈參選了。共和黨籍，則有麻州參議員 Peter Durant，伍斯特郡(Worcester)治安官Lewis Evangelidis，以及麻州眾議員Michael Soter都是人們口中的潛在參選者。

Massachusetts Gubernatorial Race Intensified with MassDem Strongly Criticizing Kennealy

The 2026 Massachusetts gubernatorial election has seen a significant escalation in political activity, with the Massachusetts Democratic Party (MassDem) releasing two consecutive, strongly worded critical statements against Republican candidate Mike Kennealy on April 19th and 20th. This concentrated attack has introduced a new level of intensity into the campaign, signaling a potentially more contentious race than previously anticipated.

Prior to these statements, the election was largely perceived as a standard re-election cycle for incumbent Governor Maura Healey. Now, however, the sudden barrage of criticisms against Kennealy has clearly altered the campaign dynamics.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Maura Healey, who announced her intent to seek re-election in February 2025, faces challenges from multiple candidates. Healey, a former Attorney General of Massachusetts, is known for her progressive policies and strong stances on issues like climate change and social justice.

Mike Kennealy, a Republican who entered the race on April 7, 2025, has emerged as a key target for the Democratic Party. Kennealy, a businessman and former state official with experience in economic development, is positioning himself as a candidate focused on fiscal responsibility and addressing the state's affordability crisis.

Additionally, Democrat Andrea James has also declared her candidacy, indicating a contested primary within the Democratic party itself. James, a social justice advocate and former corrections reform activist, is campaigning on a platform focused on criminal justice reform and addressing systemic inequities.

While other Republicans, including Peter Durant, Lewis Evangelidis, and Michael Soter, have been mentioned as potential candidates, Kennealy has so far been the most prominent to formally enter the field. Durant is a state senator known for his conservative views. Evangelidis is the Worcester County Sheriff, with a background in law enforcement. Soter is a state representative with a focus on local government issues.

The Massachusetts Democratic Party (MassDem), under Chair Steve Kerrigan, has issued a series of strong statements directly criticizing Kennealy.

• On April 19th, MassDem released a statement highlighting Kennealy's admission that he did not vote in the last three presidential elections (2016, 2020, and implicitly 2024). Kerrigan asserted that this lack of participation in significant national elections demonstrates a fundamental flaw in Kennealy's leadership credentials.
• On April 20th, MassDem further attacked Kennealy's reluctance to publicly oppose the policies of the previous presidential administration. They highlighted his lack of support for Attorney General Andrea Campbell's efforts to legally challenge these policies in Massachusetts. Kennealy's comments regarding the economic impact of tariffs and cuts to federal research funding, where he spoke of "externalities," were cited as evidence of his detachment from the concerns of Massachusetts residents.

The Democratic campaign strategy is evident in its consistent effort to link Kennealy to the previous administration, frequently using the moniker "MAGA Mike." This tactic aims to leverage the generally less favorable view of that administration within Massachusetts to undermine Kennealy's appeal to voters. The Democrats are also actively contrasting Kennealy's approach with Governor Healey's vocal criticisms and legal challenges to those same federal policies, positioning Healey as the clear defender of the state's interests.

While the Democratic Party intensifies its attacks, Mike Kennealy's campaign is focused on issues such as affordability, housing costs, and government efficiency, aiming to present himself as a candidate focused on the specific needs of Massachusetts. As the gubernatorial race progresses, it remains to be seen how Kennealy and any other emerging Republican candidates will counter these well-organized and consistent criticisms from the Democratic Party. The dynamics of the primary races and the candidates' ability to resonate with Massachusetts voters on key state-level issues will ultimately shape the trajectory of this closely watched election.

Celtic 今晚大勝103比86 後續比賽波市府會再暫時封街慶祝

(Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 去年剛贏得隊史上第18座總冠軍的塞爾提克隊 (Celtic) ，今年又再打入決賽，4月20日晚第一仗和奧蘭多魔術隊對陣，以103比86大勝。

波士頓市長吳弭預見塞爾提克隊氣勢，4月18日晚就宣佈了波士頓市TD花園旁的Canal 街，4月20日暫時封閉，好讓球迷們可以在塞爾提克球隊 (Celtic) 打全國籃球聯盟 (NBA) 決賽的第一場比賽時，倘佯在這臨時的行人徒步區同歡、慶祝。

波士頓市長吳弭是在2023年時，第一次把Canal街暫時變成行人徒步區，方便球迷和球隊慶祝。後來這就變成了年度傳統。

NBA的決賽，東西區各有八隊，經七戰四勝後，篩選出東西區冠軍對決。塞爾提克隊之外，東區打入NBA決賽的其他隊伍為克里夫蘭騎士隊，邁阿密熱火隊奧蘭多魔術隊，紐約尼克隊，底特律活塞隊，印第安納溜馬 隊，以及密爾瓦基公鹿隊。

塞爾提克隊今晚贏球後，下一場和哪一隊比賽，還得等其他各場比賽成績出爐，但塞爾提克隊的比賽地點，應仍在TD花園。

波士頓市府為方便市民、球迷慶祝，將在後續比賽時，根據比賽調整時程，都採取同樣的暫時封街措施，從比賽前一小時，到比賽後一小時，把TD花園球場旁的Canal街暫時封閉，讓球迷及球員可以放心的在無車的行人徒步區內歡慶。

相關詳情，都將公佈在市府官網上，boston.gov。

波士頓、麻州慶祝250週年重演歷史 州長、市長強調自由

波士頓市長吳弭(Michelle Wu)。(市政府圖片)

              (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 1775年4月18日晚8點，保羅里維爾 (Paul Revere) 策馬狂奔75英里，4月19日大約清晨5點，勒星頓鎮 (Lexington)爆出第一聲槍響，啟動美國革命戰爭。250年後的2025年，麻州和波士頓特意在這2天，攜手重演歷史，強調美國人的追求自由。

              波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 說，” 我們相信彼此，我們拒絕失敗” 。麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 說，” 我們有集體決心、統一目標，以及對自由這理念的深刻、廣泛認同” 。

麻州州長Maura Healey也強調自由的重要。(市府圖片)

              4月18日晚的歷史重演，由波士頓市和「波士頓250」主導，老北教堂，「老北燈火通明」，保羅里維爾屋，國家公園服務局，”邦克丘(Bunker Hill) 250”，查理士城保護協會，” 現在的波士頓海港” 等組織，攜手合作。

              波士頓市長吳弭先去了位於北端 (North End) 塞冷街(Salem) 193號的老北教堂，在那兒舉行了一場傳統的掛燈儀式，把燈掛在教堂尖塔上，重演當年的”閃一下，從陸地來，閃兩下，從海路來”的暗號。

波士頓250在慶祝歷史中加入無人機燈光表演，帶入現代氣息。
波士頓市長吳弭一家5口同樂。(市府圖片)

              接著，數以成百上千計的人們，來到保羅里維爾廣場，等著”保羅里維爾”的重演者在晚上8點整，策馬進場，向勒星頓鎮狂奔而去。

              吳弭市長致詞時還說，願波士頓永遠是世界，以及美國的燈塔，信念將帶領人們前行，自由永遠值得爭取，而鬥爭已經來到。

老北教堂在4月18日亮燈。(市府圖片)

              麻州州長奚莉也在保羅里維爾廣場上，發表了一篇洋洋灑灑的講話，既緬懷250年前那些背景各異的人們，從四面八方集結地到波士頓，包括組成民兵團的商人、工人，黑人，從現在的新罕布夏州、康州趕過來的軍隊，甚至還有莫希干 (Mohicans)等部落民眾徒步137英里，都只為爭取自由，也特地以康可鎮 (Concord)的Martha Moulton夫人為阻止英軍，焚燒鎮公所的勇敢，來彰顯婦女在美國革命成功上，也有重要地位。

              奚莉州長指出，當年麻州的第一任，以及第四任州長，約翰漢考克 (John Hancock)和山姆亞當斯 (Samuel Adams)，都在勒星頓鎮，參與了美國革命的第一場戰爭，以75人之少數迎戰英軍，然後打到康可鎮時，迎戰人數增至400人，打到波士頓時，竟聚集了2萬人。

              她說，如果約翰漢考克和山姆亞當斯見到麻州第73任州長是一名女性，一定很驚訝，但是他們的智慧與信念，讓自由成為國家的核心，而這自由是一種力量，一旦點燃，就無法否定。

              奚莉州長說，”在麻州，我們必須，也會是，又一次地成為自由衛士”。