Baker-Polito Administration Signs Contract to Boost Patient Care at Bridgewater State Hospital

Baker-Polito Administration Signs Contract to Boost Patient Care at Bridgewater State Hospital

BOSTON - The Baker-Polito Administration has announced that it has signed a contract with Correct Care Solutions to provide clinical patient care at the Bridgewater State Hospital. Correct Care Solutions (CCS) was selected based on its extensive experience in treating individuals with serious behavioral health needs and for its specific knowledge of the Bridgewater State Hospital facility. The company is recognized as a national leader in the reduction of the use of seclusion and restraint and has significantly reduced rates of seclusion and restraint at other facilities where it oversees patient care. The contract was awarded to Correct Care Solutions last month.

“We are very proud to take this important step to reform how patients are treated at Bridgewater State Hospital,” said Governor Charlie Baker, “Our administration is confident that this new contract will bring about the culture change needed to deliver an entirely new level of care.”

Under changes made by the Baker-Polito Administration, all Bridgewater State Hospital patients identified as state sentenced inmates will be transferred to the facility’s State Sentenced Patient Units at Old Colony Correctional Center, a neighboring facility on the Bridgewater Correctional Complex. Historically, security, transportation, patient de-escalation and patient observation via video monitor were provided by uniformed correctional staff specially trained to work in the hospital.

“In addition to the reforms we have implemented, our administration has proposed a substantial increase in funding which shows our strong commitment to increasing the level of care for these very vulnerable patients,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

Department of Correction uniformed security staff will continue to provide perimeter security, inclusive of vehicle and pedestrian traps at Bridgewater State Hospital and within the Bridgewater State Hospital State Sentenced Patient Units, but day-to-day interaction with patients at BSH will be conducted by Correct Care Solutions employees.

“The Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposal prioritizes $37 million for the clinical services contract at Bridgewater State Hospital to ensure all patients receive appropriate clinical care,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore.

“By contracting with Correct Care Solutions, the DOC is creating an important clinical  culture change at Bridgewater State Hospital centered around meeting patient needs,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders. “The introduction of evidenced-based treatments and increased clinical staff will promote positive outcomes for patients.”

“This contract is configured so that all patient management services will be provided by clinically trained, trauma informed, non-uniformed staff employed by Correct Care Solutions,” said Public Safety Secretary Dan Bennett.

Additional Information:

A New Model of Care at BSH

1) By transferring state sentenced inmates to Old Colony, the clinical staff to patient ratio will improve at Bridgewater State Hospital.

•       The transfer of all state sentenced inmates with mental illness from BSH to the new patient units at Old Colony Correctional Center will reduce the census at BSH and improve clinical staffing ratios.

•       A reduced patient census will allow for more program space.

•       CCS will establish an individualized treatment plan for every patient who enters Bridgewater State Hospital at the time of admission.  The plan will be reviewed by the treatment team within ten days of admission.

•       CCS will provide mental health treatment in a person-centered, trauma-informed recovery/resiliency philosophy and approach to care, with the goals of improving patients’ overall level of functioning and preparing for their successful transition and discharge from the hospital.

2) Correction officers will be no longer be inside the existing BSH facility.

•       Patient care will be configured so that all patient clinical services will be provided by clinically trained, trauma informed, non-uniformed staff employed by CCS under contract with the Department of Correction.

•       Historically, security, transportation, patient de-escalation, and patient observation via video monitor have been provided by correction officers specially trained to work in the hospital. Under the new configuration, all patient clinical services will be provided by clinically-trained, trauma-informed, non-uniformed staff employed by CCS under contract with the Department of Correction.

•       Approximately 36 correction officers will continue to provide perimeter security, including vehicle and pedestrian traps, emergency response to major disturbances, and will have a presence in the BSH courtroom. Overall, correction officers will have very limited contact with patients.

3) State-sentenced inmates will be housed and treated separately from the rest of the BSH population.

•       In the new configuration, all patients identified as state-sentenced inmates will be transferred to the Recovery Unit and Intensive Stabilization and Observation Unit at Old Colony Correctional Center, a neighboring facility on the Bridgewater Correctional Complex, where a new clinical service model will be delivered.

•       Security on the new patient units at Old Colony will be provided by Department of Correction staff.

4) The contract with CCS requires enhanced collaboration with the Department of Mental Health (DMH) to improve the treatment of patients and communication with their families.

•       There will be enhanced/expanded collaboration with DMH in areas such as training content, performance measures, best practices, discharge planning, and family engagement strategies.

•       There will be a continued focus on the reduction in the emergency use of seclusion and restraint. CCS will develop treatment plans with input from patients and families of patients, with the patient’s consent.

•       DOC and DMH will work collaboratively to ensure the timely step-down of patients from BSH to DMH. CCS will expand upon best practices initiated in the past 24 months, increasing patients’ access to additional services (e.g., Club House, quiet rooms, comfort rooms, de-escalation tracks, off unit assessments).

5) Enhanced and ongoing training for clinical and correctional staff.

•       CCS and DOC’s Health Services Division will develop monthly trainings for clinical staff with a focus on a patient-centered, trauma informed recovery/resiliency philosophy and approach to care, treatment, prevention of seclusion and restraint, and patient services.

•       CCS will maintain a database of all training completed by its staff and will provide periodic training reports to the DOC.

•       Additionally, CCS will provide in-service training to correction officers on trauma-informed care and strategies for supporting patients with mental illness, especially patients with suicidal and self-injurious behavior

Massachusetts Health Connector Marks Record Enrollment and Strong Customer Service

Massachusetts Health Connector Marks Record Enrollment and Strong Customer Service

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration announced the results of the Massachusetts Health Connector’s recent Open Enrollment period that ended last week. The Connector successfully managed the highest enrollment totals of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) era, with significant applicant and member activity buttressed by strong customer service performance.

Enrollment for February 1st stands at over 246,000 people, the highest since the ACA was implemented and approaching the 252,000 in Health Connector coverage before 100,000 people became eligible for other coverage through Medicaid expansion in January 2014.

“Fixing the broken Health Connector and restoring a reliable customer service support system for the program were top priorities for our administration after taking office,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Over the last two years, the Connector’s leadership and staff have worked tirelessly to transform the exchange into a functional and reliable service the people of Massachusetts deserve. While there is still work to do, I am proud of the work that has been accomplished to date and feel confident that the restored Health Connector can play a crucial role in the state’s health care structure.”

“The Health Connector plays an important role in ensuring communities across the Commonwealth have access to affordable health care,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are pleased to see such significant and targeted progress toward enrolling new people and look forward to continued progress for years to come.”

“The Health Connector is vitally important to our state’s commitment to making health care accessible to everyone,” said Secretary Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services. “Over the last two years, the Health Connector has gone from an agency hanging on to one that is home for thousands who need health insurance and a powerful advocate for universal coverage.”

The Health Connector started Open Enrollment on November 1, 2016 with 233,000 members, and retained more than 85 percent of those members despite many facing significant premium increases due to rate changes by some carriers. The Health Connector implemented a large member communication plan during Open Enrollment encouraging shopping, and more than 65,000 members switched plans for 2017. The 28 percent switch rate was four times higher than the usual 3-7 percent switch rate during an Open Enrollment.

In addition, 53,000 people who did not have coverage through the Health Connector enrolled in a plan for 2017. That is an increase of nearly 50 percent from the 36,000 new members added during 2016 Open Enrollment. The Health Connector’s new member strategy was fueled by an outreach effort focused on communities with higher rates of uninsured residents and that have been typically slow to sign up for coverage. In those targeted communities, new enrollments were 52 percent higher than 2016, with communities like Mattapan (93 percent) Chelsea (81 percent), Brockton (85 percent) and Everett (77 percent) experiencing the biggest increases. The Health Connector contracted with 16 community organizations through its Navigator program to help educate consumers about options available to them, and help uninsured people complete an application and select a plan.

“A successful Open Enrollment is reliant on support from the entire Commonwealth, including Governor Baker and Secretary Sudders, on through to our hard-working staff, our Navigators and assisters, and our customer service team,” said Louis Gutierrez, the Executive Director of the Health Connector. “I am grateful that we were able to capably handle the significant member activity we saw, which also serves as a reminder that Massachusetts values access to affordable, health coverage, and will continue to do so in the future.”

“After missing open enrollment last year and going  without health insurance, I was always worried. I learned coverage was necessary after breaking my leg a few years ago while playing rugby. If I hadn't been covered, the expenses would've been astronomical, this taught me that in today's world, you have to be sure you're covered in case of an accident,” said Vincent Daley, a Cambridge resident who signed up for coverage through the Health Connector during Open Enrollment with the help of a Navigator. “The staff at the Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee walked me through the process and showed what I needed to do. Applying for health insurance is not something you’re taught. But, after learning the process, I even helped a friend apply for coverage, too.”

When Governor Baker took office in 2015, improving the Health Connector’s customer service was a top priority. Two years later, customer service outlets were able to successfully support a substantially high volume of calls and requests. Calls to the call center increased from 243,619 during 2016 Open Enrollment to 345,621 for 2017 Open Enrollment, an increase of over 40 percent. Visits to the Health Connector’s six walk-in centers increased from 14,710 for 2016 Open Enrollment to 17,711 for 2017 Open Enrollment, an increase of 20 percent. The customer service platforms were able to handle the additional traffic, particularly with the call center remaining within predetermined service levels for hold time and abandonment rates. Additionally, customer satisfaction scores remained near 80 percent satisfaction during this Open Enrollment.

波城在地與訪問學人 齊慶金雞新春促合作

波城在地與訪問學人　齊慶金雞新春促合作

每年許多臺灣優秀的教授及研究人員透過各種不同計畫到學術重鎮的波士頓進行訪問研究，為協助這些優秀的訪問學人建立更多交流連結與合作，駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組組長黃薳玉在雞年伊始邀請這些來自臺灣的訪問學人及眷屬與紐英崙中華專業人員協會董幹事及臺裔旅美學人座談交流，齊慶佳節。

本次與會訪問學人除透過教育部的頂尖大學策略聯盟選送至哈佛大學訪問研究的朱惠足教授及劉昭麟教授，也邀請透過其他計畫到波士頓地區的訪問學人，包括在麻省總醫院研究的林彥宏、蔡宜蓉醫師夫婦與楊智傑、陳勁帆醫師夫婦、臺大電機系的林致廷教授，到哈佛大學燕京學社的許家馨研究員、章友馨夫婦，以及在波士頓Longwood醫學中心院區與波士頓學院研究的陳裕民教授及朱慧娟教授等。而麻州地區的學人除熱心的中華專業人員協會董幹事外，黃組長也邀請在美國主流發展的莫升元與陳繹甯夫婦、鄭榮斌與許棠羚夫婦等優秀人才與會交流。

黃組長在座談會開始先代表教育部及駐波士頓辦事處向與會者拜年，並表示很高興有緣派至波士頓工作，有機會在波士頓認識許多訪問學人，因為在臺灣，教授們忙於研究與教學，很少有機會可以相互認識；同時也很珍惜來到波士頓工作的機緣，認識在波士頓地區定居的優秀熱心學人，如紐英崙中華專業人員協會的董幹事們。稍後即由與會佳賓自我介紹，其中紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長蔡明機特別提及近期該協會舉辦的活動，如2月9日與William James College合辦「太陽的孩子」電影播放與討論，邀請女主角阿洛·卡力亭·巴奇辣(Ado Kaliting Pacidal)共同探討臺灣原住民面對部落土地開發議題，而3月將辦理生涯規劃講座等活動。同時，蔡會長也希望與會的訪問學人可以和專協合作，分享其所學所研究，延續過去這幾年與訪問學人良好的合作模式。

國立成功大學的陳裕民教授及國立臺南大學的朱慧娟教授，在自我介紹時，邀請大家回臺灣時，可到訪臺南，持續聯絡。許家馨博士也分享其最近剛進行臺灣熱烈討論的死刑存廢議題法律研究演講。到波士頓的訪問學人大多去年暑期抵達波士頓，預計進行一年左右的訪問研究。許多訪問學人也攜家帶眷一起來到波士頓，值得一提的是，部分訪問學人眷屬與波士頓地區的優秀學人從事類似領域工作，藉此聚會建立更多連結與交流。座談會現場雙方互相聯絡交流，氣氛非常熱絡，歡笑聊天聲不絕於耳。

Congressional Tri-Caucus Chairs Oppose Efforts to Undermine Public Education

Congressional Tri-Caucus Chairs Oppose Efforts to Undermine Public Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus – released the following joint statement in opposition to H.J. Res. 57, which would undermine the Department of Education’s authority to implement and enforce key provisions of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA):

“H.J. Res. 57, the joint resolution to undermine implementation of the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is another step in the Republican attack on public education and enforcement authority of the Department of Education. First, President Trump nominates a champion of privatization who is unfamiliar and unwilling to enforce key civil rights protections for students. Now, Congressional Republicans are ripping apart regulation to guide implementation of the most important equity provisions of our nation’s new K-12 law.

“As leaders of the Congressional Asian Pacific American, Black, and Hispanic Caucuses we fought to couple ESSA’s unprecedented state and local flexibility over school accountability and improvement with strong federal protections for our most vulnerable students. Without the stability and clarity provided through regulation, plan development stops, systems halt, and students and teachers lose. While this regulation reflects the consensus of the education and civil rights community, it is within the purview of the new Republican administration to reexamine and amend it as they see fit. However, rather than take this responsible approach to implementing the new law, Republicans have chosen to put politics before students.

“H.J. Res. 57 would leave key provisions of the law completely unregulated indefinitely, leaving state systems that serve our nation’s more than 50 million public school students in limbo and important civil rights obligations unfulfilled. Faithful implementation of ESSA must honor both the bipartisan intent of Congress and the longstanding civil rights legacy of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This reckless measure flies in the face of both. For these reasons, we firmly oppose H.J. Res. 57.”

Boston Bruins Forward David Pastrnak and O.R.G. Packaging Chairman Zhou Yunjie visit BCNC

Boston Bruins Forward David Pastrnak and

O.R.G. Packaging Chairman Zhou Yunjie visit BCNC

BOSTON, MA – Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak and O.R.G Packaging Chairman Zhou Yunjie 周云杰visited children and families at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), as a part of the team’s ongoing participation in “Hockey is for Everyone” month, which uses the game of hockey to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities.

Pastrnak and Mr. Zhou engaged in Chinese New Year themed arts & crafts with kids during the visit. They presented gift bags, signed Bruins posters and tickets to the children.

This past summer, Pastrnak visited China with fellow Bruins forward Matt Beleskey, along with Bruins alumni Andrew Raycroft and Bob Sweeney, as a part of "Bruins Global: China 2016" presented by O.R.G Packaging. 

On Feb 12, the Boston Bruins will host the Montreal Canadiens and BCNC will be the beneficiary of the 50/50 raffle from the Boston Bruins Foundation.  

Philanthropic Gift Will Lead to the Renovation of Boston Children’s Museum’s PlaySpace Exhibit

Philanthropic Gift Will Lead to the Renovation

of Boston Children’s Museum’s PlaySpace Exhibit

New Features Will Enhance Iconic Exhibit

BOSTON, MA – February 7, 2017 – Boston Children’s Museum recently announced the lead gift to support the enhancement of the Museum’s seminal PlaySpace exhibit. The gift, from Sonya Kurzweil, will launch the initial development, fabrication, and installation of new exhibit features.

The first stage of the PlaySpace project, concept development, has been completed. This stage involved meetings and interviews with noted child development researchers and experts, development of an overall conceptual framework, and a design charrette bringing together designers, Boston Children’s Museum team members, and architects from the noted Boston firm Howler and Yoon, to work an overall design direction for the space. The result is a dramatic new architectural concept that will provide flexible and engaging activity areas, and more efficient utilization of the available space.

“Sonya Kurzweil’s critical leadership gift provides the foundation for re-envisioning and enhancing this iconic exhibit that is one of the most popular spaces in the Museum,” said Carole Charnow, President & CEO. “Sonya’s lifelong commitment to the healthy development of children has been an inspiration throughout the process, and we look forward to realizing our imaginative joint vision.”

The next phase of work will be design development, where floor plans will be rendered, and specific exhibit modules within the zone will be defined. During this phase, the Museum will also be conducting prototyping and refining plans based on visitor feedback.  Following this phase, the Museum will begin final design, fabrication, and installation.

“I believe that enriching play experiences are fundamental to healthy child development and to reversing the effects of adversity in early childhood,” said Kurzweil.  “I am delighted to support Boston Children’s Museum’s PlaySpace exhibit where all young children are welcome to enjoy the power of play. I sincerely hope others will be so moved.”

Now geared exclusively for ages 0-3, the Museum’s PlaySpace exhibit provides a rich exploratory environment tailored to the unique learning needs of the youngest visitors. The exhibit provides young children with an introduction to the Museum and serves as a place for parents and caregivers to meet, play with their children, and learn from staff and other grown-ups.

The original PlaySpace was developed at Boston Children’s Museum in 1978 by Jeri Robinson and was the first museum exhibit ever developed explicitly for 0 to 5 year olds. Billed as a “family space in a public place” the PlaySpace concept has been copied and adapted by museums internationally, as well as in malls, airports, and other locations. There have been at least four major renovations of PlaySpace in the intervening years, with the most recent in 2001.

“The role of parent engagement was the original philosophy of PlaySpace’s creation. The Museum seeks to engage caregivers in their child’s learning and sees them as the most important first teacher,” said Jeri Robinson, Vice President of Early Childhood Initiatives at the Museum.  “PlaySpace serves as an informal gathering place where families can learn from and with each other and bring that knowledge home to further enhance playful learning experiences.” 

The Museum is wholly positioned to make use of this generous lead gift with the hope of additional, critical investment from like-minded supporters. The construction will move forward with the development of each area to be renovated and enhanced once fully funded. This encompasses developing and prototyping specific exhibit components (modules) to be included in the rejuvenated exhibit. PlaySpace, the pioneer early childhood exhibit, will enter a new chapter of greater impact for future generations.

Sonya Kurzweil, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice, serving women, children, parents and families.  She is a lecturer on Psychology at Harvard Medical School, based at Cambridge Hospital, where she supervises child therapy and presents on child therapy topics in the internship programs.  In addition, she is a recent adjunct faculty at William James College for Graduate Education in Psychology.  Dr. Kurzweil serves as an Overseer at Boston Children's Museum and also is an advisor on the PlaySpace exhibit project.  Her publications include research articles in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Infant Behavior and Development and the American Journal of Psychotherapy, and she has co-authored a book of poetry for children with her daughter entitled:  Forever Poems for Now and Then (2004, BenBella Books). Dr. Kurzweil has been married to Ray Kurzweil for 42 years. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.  She lives and practices in Newton, MA.

For additional information visit BostonChildrensMuseum.org

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTMENT PROGRAM FUNDS TO BENEFIT LAW ENFORCEMENT, DRUG PREVENTION EFFORTS

AG HEALEY ANNOUNCES CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVESTMENT PROGRAM FUNDS TO BENEFIT LAW ENFORCEMENT, DRUG PREVENTION EFFORTS

Criminal Forfeiture Funds Available for Programming to Prevent Crime and Drug Addiction, Provide Drug Education in Massachusetts

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced a program that will provide money seized from criminal cases to local organizations focused on preventing crime, providing drug rehabilitation, and offering drug education in their communities.

Under AG Healey’s Criminal Justice Investment Program, the AG’s Office will annually distribute the proceeds of court-ordered forfeitures in drug and gaming-related criminal cases to community organizations and law enforcement agencies throughout the state.

“With this program, money seized from criminal enterprises will be used to prevent crime and combat addiction in our communities,” AG Healey said. “This funding will help support local organizations working hard to fight the opiate epidemic, reduce gun violence, and educate our young people.”

Under the state forfeiture law, the AG’s Office can provide up to 10 percent of the proceeds seized from narcotics and gaming-related cases to drug rehabilitation, education, or other crime prevention programs in Massachusetts. Under federal law, the AG’s Office can provide up to $25,000 annually from forfeitures ordered in joint federal-state prosecutions to fund criminal prevention and education programs around the state. The amount of funds available in the program fluctuates on a fluid basis depending on what is seized from the ongoing cases in AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau.

Funding awards made through the Criminal Justice Investment Program will supplement or expand current efforts of community groups and law enforcement agencies.

Organizations that could receive funding from the AG’s Criminal Justice Investment Program could include police departments or other law enforcement agencies, criminal diversion programs, social services agencies, drug treatment or rehabilitation facilities, community youth groups, or a drug education/substance use prevention program.

The AG’s Office will be accepting applications for funding from the Criminal Justice Reinvestment Program until April 30. Interested applicants can visit the AG’s website for information. Funding awarded will be provided to the selected recipients in four installments from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

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Bunker Hill Community College’s Learn and Earn Internship Program Selected as a Bellwether Award Finalist

Bunker Hill Community College’s Learn and Earn Internship Program Selected as a Bellwether Award Finalist

BOSTON, February 7—Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) was named one of ten Bellwether Award Finalists in the Workforce Development Category by the Community College Futures Assembly (CCFA). BHCC was selected out of more than 200 applicants.

The Bellwether Awards honor organizations that have identified critical issues facing community colleges and have developed solutions that can be replicated nationally. The Workforce Development category recognizes public and/or private strategic alliances and partnerships that promote community and economic development.

Finalists were honored at the Community College Futures Assembly on January 30, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. Clea Andreadis, Associate Provost at BHCC; Sharon Schaff, Director of Career Advancement and Internships at BHCC; and Richard Curtis, Vice President of Workforce Development and Talent Acquisition at State Street Corporation presented at the event.

“We are honored to be recognized for the important steps our College has taken to address workforce needs through our Learn and Earn program,” said BHCC President Pam Eddinger. “The program is a true partnership with some of Boston’s top corporations, combining curricular alignment and real-world experience to prepare our students for fulfilling careers in high-demand fields.”

The Learn and Earn internship program prepares BHCC students for the workplace by providing the opportunity to work in a corporate setting at a major company. Learn and Earn launched in 2011 with the support of Governor Deval Patrick and members of the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership. In the spring of 2012 the College placed 20 interns at five firms, where they worked one or two days per week. Since then, the program has evolved to serve more than 100 students per semester working 16 to 40 hours per week at one of 18 company partners. Students earn $15/hour and are given a transportation stipend. Find out more about the Learn and Earn program at bhcc.edu/learnandearn.

The CCFA is a “think tank” that identifies critical issues facing the future of community colleges. It recognizes Bellwether Finalist colleges as trend-setting institutions. For more information, visit the website, futures.education.ufl.edu or email futures@coe.ufl.edu.