UNLICENSED FOR-PROFIT NURSING SCHOOL TO PAY RESTITUTION TO STUDENTS AFTER MISREPRESENTING ITS TRAINING PROGRAMS

UNLICENSED FOR-PROFIT NURSING SCHOOL TO PAY RESTITUTION TO STUDENTS AFTER MISREPRESENTING ITS TRAINING PROGRAMS

Consent Judgment Bars Hosanna College of Health from Holding Classes in Massachusetts

BOSTON – A for-profit nursing school must pay restitution and is permanently barred from holding classes in Massachusetts after operating without a license and misrepresenting its training programs to dozens of local students, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Under the consent judgment, entered in Suffolk Superior Court, the Florida-based school – Hosanna College of Health, Inc. – will pay $190,000 in restitution for eligible students who attended between 2013 and 2015, and cannot collect any outstanding tuition payments from students who took in-person classes in Massachusetts.

            In February 2016, the AG’s Office sued Hosanna, along with its founding executive, Jackson Augustin, and one of its former officers, Michelle Desarmes, for making a series of misrepresentations to students from the Boston area’s Haitian community who were seeking to take nursing classes in Massachusetts. According to the complaint, the classes were held in greater Boston and the students were not properly prepared for their nursing examinations. 

            “Students in Massachusetts with dreams to become nurses were targeted by this school and misled into taking unlicensed and low-quality courses in order to generate a profit,” AG Healey said. “This settlement will bring critical funds back to students from the Haitian community who invested in this program but were never given the education they were promised.”

            In July 2016, the Court entered an order, preventing Hosanna from recruiting students for its nursing program and continuing with classes in Massachusetts. 

Dozens of Hosanna’s former students who attended these classes in Massachusetts are expected to be eligible for settlement payments. The AG’s Office will be reaching out to affected students with more information. Former Hosanna students who are looking for more information or assistance should call AG Healey’s Student Loan Assistance Unit Hotline at 1-888-830-6277.

AG Healey has taken a series of actions against predatory for-profit schools and made securing student loan relief a top priority. AG Healey has brought enforcement actions against student debt relief companies and filed lawsuits against ITT Tech, Corinthian, and American Career Institute alleging unfair and deceptive practices. 

AG Healey’s Office also reached settlements worth more than $8 million withKaplan Career Institute, Lincoln Tech, ACS Education Services, Sullivan & Cogliano, and Salter College. 

This case was handled by the staff of the AG’s Insurance and Financial Services Division, including Tiffany Bartz, Tim Hoitink, Claire Masinton, David Lim, Lilia DuBois, Katherine Hurley, Michael Beaulieu, Erica Harmon and Jasmine Jean-Louis, as well as Anthony Crespi of the Civil Investigations Division.

CAPAC Demands Passage of Clean Dream Act Before the End of the Year

CAPAC Demands Passage of Clean Dream Act Before the End of the Year

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) met with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Dreamers and held a press conference to urge the passage of a clean DREAM Act before Congress adjourns in December. Over 120 AAPI undocumented youth and advocates from all across the country participated in today’s convening, which included the largest number of AAPI Dreamers to ever gather at the U.S. Capitol. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, released the following statement:

“I was so moved to hear from dozens of Asian American and Pacific Islander Dreamers during their historic gathering on Capitol Hill today to urge the passage of a clean DREAM Act. President Trump’s cruel decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has left the lives of nearly 800,000 Dreamers in limbo, including over 130,000 AAPI Dreamers from countries like South Korea, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, and China who were brought to the United States as children through no fault of their own and who call this country their home.  Our nation’s Dreamers are Americans in every single way except on paper, and it is unconscionable to force these young Americans to go back into the shadows and face deportation to countries that they do not even know.

“Since its founding, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus has been at the forefront of ensuring that AAPIs are included in federal legislation and policy discussions, especially when it comes to immigration.  And CAPAC Members are committed to finding a permanent legislative fix to enshrine DACA protections immediately.  Our caucus stands in solidarity with AAPI Dreamers and demands that Congress pass a clean Dream Act before the end of the year.

“We know that if the bipartisan, bicameral DREAM Act were brought to the floor today, it would have the votes to pass. CAPAC urges Republican leadership to allow us to vote on this bill and pass a clean DREAM Act immediately.”

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Seven Communities to Participate in Residential Clean Heating and Cooling Program

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Seven Communities to Participate in Residential Clean Heating and Cooling Program

Program Will Lower Costs of Renewable Thermal Technologies

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced the selection of seven communities to participate in the first round of the HeatSmart Mass initiative, a community-based education and group purchasing program for clean heating and cooling technologies. The Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) selected Bolton, Carlisle, Concord, Great Barrington, Harvard, Lincoln, and Nantucket to participate in the program. HeatSmart Mass uses a group purchasing model to support the installation of air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps, modern wood heating, and solar hot water.

“Massachusetts is a national leader on clean energy, and this program provides another great opportunity for residents to install innovative technologies and save money,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The Commonwealth continues to progress toward our greenhouse gas reduction goals and this program provides the additional benefit of reduced costs for residents while helping minimize carbon emissions from the heating sector.”

“The HeatSmart Mass program leverages partnerships between community volunteers, municipal and state government officials, and installers to deliver cost-saving solutions for Massachusetts residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “We are proud to partner with these communities and private companies to bring clean heating and cooling to residents across the state at affordable rates.”   

“Innovative heating and cooling technologies represent the next generation of clean energy, and can help residents save money on their heating bills,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Reducing greenhouse gas emissions while driving down consumer costs is top priority of the Baker-Polito Administration, and these grants are another important step forward in those efforts.”

Energy used for heating contributes to approximately 30% of the Commonwealth’s greenhouse gas emissions. In the average Massachusetts home, 75% of the energy used is for space and water heating. These costs are a significant burden for the half of the homes in Massachusetts that heat with traditional heating sources such as oil, electricity, and propane.

The program is modeled on the successful Solarize Mass program, which provides participating residents with an average of twenty percent savings compared to average state prices to adopt solar photovoltaic systems. Since its launch in 2011, 63 cities and towns have participated in Solarize Mass, leading to the contracting of more than 3,200 new small-scale installations at homes and businesses resulting in 21.6 megawatts of contracted solar electric capacity.

“The Baker-Polito Administration is committed to lowering the cost of renewable energy for all residents and increasing access and awareness to Massachusetts’ renewable thermal programs,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “Paired with the upcoming launch of the Commonwealth’s amended Alterative Portfolio Standard, the HeatSmart Mass program will contribute to lower energy usage, costs, and emissions statewide.”

“By leveraging a group purchasing model we can help residents access cost-effective heating and cooling technology,” said MassCEC CEO Steve Pike. “The heating and cooling sector represents an enormous opportunity to cut greenhouse gas emissions and costs, and the HeatSmart program can help unlock those savings for our communities.”

The participating communities will offer the following technologies to residents:

• Bolton and Harvard: Air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps
• Carlisle, Concord, and Lincoln: Air-source heat pumps, ground-source heat pumps and modern wood heat
• Great Barrington: Air-source heat pumps
• Nantucket: Air-source heat pumps and solar hot water

“I am thrilled to learn that Great Barrington is participating in this program. Bringing air-source heat pumps to town will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve local air quality, it will help folks save money,” said State Representative William Pignatelli (D-Lenox), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture. “I am proud to represent the people of Great Barrington and to get to work with the Baker-Polito Administration on programs that will make a real difference to constituents and the environment, in the Berkshires and across the Commonwealth.”

“Massachusetts is a national leader in clean energy and this is a way to create cost-effective and energy-efficient heating, cooling and water heating for homes and businesses in Great Barrington,” said State Senator Adam G. Hinds (D- Pittsfield).“Congratulations to Great Barrington for being chosen to partner with MassCEC in this first round of the new HeatSmart program.”

“As the state Representative for Bolton, I’m proud of our town’s longstanding commitment to energy efficiency and the conservation of our environment,” said State Representative Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “By participating in the HeatSmart Mass initiative Bolton will be able to team up with our neighbors in Harvard to encourage the adoption of clean heating technology in our communities, furthering local efforts to improve heating efficiency, lower costs, and support the state’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

“I am thrilled that Lincoln was chosen to participate in the first round of the HeatSmart Mass initiative, which will bring clean heating and cooling to residents at affordable costs,”  said State Representative Thomas Stanley (D-Waltham). “Massachusetts is a leader in greenhouse gas reduction and I am excited that Lincoln residents will be among the first to participate in this important program.”

“Nantucket's unique geography requires a commitment to sustainable living and clean energy production,” said State Representative Dylan Fernandes (D-Falmouth). “I want to thank the Administration for their support of our island community in advancing cost effective renewable energy on island.”

“I am encouraged by the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to bringing clean-energy initiatives to our far-flung corners of the Commonwealth,” said State Senator Julian Cyr (D-Truro). “These cost-saving and innovative technologies will offer residents of Nantucket an opportunity to cut down on energy costs while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Programs like HeatSmart allow communities thirty miles out in the Atlantic Ocean to access the same clean energy technologies as the rest of the state.”

HeatSmart Mass is a partnership between MassCEC DOER, funded by Alternative Compliance Payments from retail electricity suppliers that do not otherwise meet their full Massachusetts Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (APS) obligations.

Residents of the participating communities can visit www.masscec.com/heatsmartfor more information.

MNN Urges House Members to Vote Against Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

MNN Urges House Members to Vote Against Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

MNN: H.R. 1 would have a devastating effect on Massachusetts nonprofits and communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 15, 2017 - The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN), the Commonwealth's nonprofit association representing 800 nonprofit members in every region of the state, today sent letters to the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation urging them to vote against the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1).

"As drafted, this bill will reduce charitable giving, eliminate a long-standing law prohibiting charities from engaging in partisan politics, and will impose new taxes on the sector," said Jim Klocke, CEO of MNN. "This bill will have a devastating impact on the Commonwealth's nonprofit community and the people and causes they serve."

In calling for the Massachusetts congressional delegation to oppose H.R. 1, MNN joins a growing chorus of opposition to the House bill, including the National Council of Nonprofits, Independent Sector, and the Council on Foundations.

Governor Charlie Baker Appoints New State Police Superintendent

Governor Charlie Baker Appoints New State Police Superintendent

Colonel Kerry Gilpin to take command of 2,100 Massachusetts State Police Troopers and 540 civilian staff 

Governor Charlie Baker swears in Colonel Kerry Gilpin with Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

For high-resolution, click here.

BOSTON— Today, Governor Charlie Baker announced the appointment of Colonel Kerry Gilpin to serve as Superintendent and Colonel of the Massachusetts State Police (MSP). A 23-year veteran of the State Police, Colonel Gilpin most recently served as Deputy Division Commander of the Division of Standards and Training. Her appointment is effective today.

“It is the mission of the Massachusetts State Police to keep the Commonwealth safe and I have the utmost confidence that Colonel Gilpin will excel as the leader of our tremendous police force,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Colonel Gilpin brings decades of experience and knowledge to her post, with a deep understanding of the state police force at every level. I thank Colonel Gilpin for her dedication and willingness to serve the Commonwealth in this important position, and look forward to working with her to protect our communities.”

“Colonel Gilpin became a trooper for the right reasons, because she wanted to help victims of crime and has showed leadership in each position she has been asked to take on in the State Police,” said Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett. “I am confident that she will be a great colonel because of the tremendous dedication she has shown over the course of her career.”

“Whether working to protect public safety from internal threats such as the terrible scourge of opioids or from those seeking to attack us from outside our borders, the role of the Massachusetts has never been more important than it is today,” said Colonel Kerry Gilpin. “I am honored to lead this great organization forward and look forward to carrying out this vital mission in close collaboration with our local and federal partners.”

About Colonel Kerry Gilpin:

Colonel Kerry Gilpin joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1994 and most recently served as Deputy Division Commander for the Division of Standards and Training where she was responsible for the coordination of all training for the 83rd Recruit Training Troop, State Police Municipal Association and Special State Police Officers, including training for Massachusetts’ federal, state and local partners.  A 1994 State Police Academy graduate, Gilpin has extensive experience within the Department, having served in the Crime Scene Services Section as a Trooper and Sergeant, and as a Lieutenant in the Division of Field Services, the Staff Inspections Section, and the Harassment Investigation Unit. She was promoted to Captain in the Division of Standards and Training in May 2016 and then promoted to Major within the Division in November 2016. A resident of Hampden, Colonel Gilpin earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Western New England College in Springfield. From December 2016 to June 2017, she attended the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University where her team project was focused on reducing deaths caused by the opioid epidemic.

波士頓台大校友年會 首度頒發獎學金

(Boston Orange) 大波士頓地區臺大校友會將於2018年慶祝母校成立90週年，11月11日在年會中首度頒發獎學金，提前慶祝，共5人得獎。

大波士頓地區臺大校友會11月11日在貝德福市(Bedford)舉行年會，聚餐，玩團體遊戲，猜袁尚賢出的謎題來慶祝校慶，約七十名校友及眷屬參加。會中通過明年由吳杏玫，莊保羅出任正副會長。

現任會長蕭蔚在年會一開始時，先做會務及財務報告。他指出，台大成立於1928年，今年89歲。在校友倡議，陳瑞虹等校友慷愾解囊中，該會今年得以首度頒發獎學金，鼓勵大波士頓地區在學校友，經評審，選出吳正江、陳品如、苗仁愷、蔡雨澄和游淨惠等人得獎。

蕭蔚強調，校友會經費有限，獎學金數目雖然微薄，仍代表學長對學弟妹們的一片關懷心意。

都是台大校友的駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處長賴銘琪及其夫人雲雯蓁，這天雙雙出席大波士頓地區台大校友年會。賴銘琪處長不但妙語如珠，還贊助校友學生出席年會，為年會增添了許多青春氣息。

波城專業小聚 談建築設計與清明上河圖

【波城專業小聚  談建築設計與清明上河圖】

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左一)與王本仁(左二)、王世輝(中)等2名

講者，以及臺灣商會會長歐陽露(右二)、專協會長蔡明機(右一)。

新英格蘭大波士頓臺灣商會與紐英崙中華專業人員協會共同舉辦的「專業小聚」活動，11月12日在麻省理工學院舉行，邀請臺灣商會創會會長王本仁建築師和專業人員協會董事長王世輝醫師，分別以「做設計如烹小鮮」以及「清明上河圖解秘」發表專題演說，並和與會人士進行座談交流，共計僑社各界人士近百人參加，座無虛席，反應熱烈。

王本仁率先分享其從事建築專業設計之過程，與專業廚師的共同點，就是「心中有譜」，建築的設計思維就像食譜，按部就班就不會把菜燒得太離譜，而圓滿的結果則取決於執著的設計態度與周詳的設計過程；他也以自己從參與設計的哈佛大學甘廼迪學院到近期的泰王廟為例，分享建築設計的心路歷程，博得滿堂采。

王世輝則分享近3年來對於研究「清明上河圖」內的意涵與背後代表的意義，從全圖的最右側官員打獵至最左側的算命館，對於其中810餘人，數百隻駱駝與牛等人事時地物，一一剖析背後代表的真相；他最後也和大家就清明上河圖的作者、創作的時間點、「清明」二字代表的意義以及這幅作品想傳達的理念等項交換意見，獲得滿場肯定與好評。

應邀出席的波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉除向王本仁及王世輝等2位講座致意之外，特別感謝主辦活動的臺灣商會會長歐陽露以及專協會長蔡明機，同時也轉達僑委會吳委員長對與會人士的問候與祝福。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

BPDA announces tech upgrades to increase transparency, efficiency

BPDA announces tech upgrades to increase transparency, efficiency

Agency launches development project timelines, streamlined developer portal on website

Boston – Tuesday, November 14, 2017 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency today announced new project timeline pages on the agency’s website, along with the launch of a new Developer Portal which will allow developers to electronically submit all project data and documents. 

“Our new project page timelines tell the story of each project in a clear and concise way and help to educate the public on the Article 80 process,” said BPDA Director, Brian Golden. “This web enhancement fits with Mayor Walsh’s goal of an open and transparent BPDA, and the agency will continue to leverage technology as a resource for the greater public good.”

Over the coming weeks BPDA development project web pages will be updated to include the new project timeline feature. The revamped pages will utilize a timeline feature to display key milestone dates, documents, events, pictures, and public comment forms. The timelines will read from top to bottom, with the most recent events first. The timeline can also be sorted depending on the viewer’s preferences and can be filtered by documents, milestones, events, and more. For example, a quick events filter has the ability to show constituents all the public meetings that occur within the Article 80 process for any given project. Additional data will also provide snapshots of the project as it changes throughout the community process and BPDA recommendations. Pictures of renderings and construction can also be displayed as the project is being developed. 

Project timelines will also feature a comment period milestone. When the comment period is open, this milestone will have a special link that will provide the user with a comment form link so that they can submit an opinion along with a detailed comment. 

After seeing the new timelines, Marc Ebuña, Roxbury resident and co-founder of Transit Matters said, “I've been wanting to see the Article 80 project process visualized like this for years! This a major step in transparency.”

Example timelines can be viewed for the 1000 Boylston and 75-85 Liverpool Streetprojects.  

In tandem with the new timelines, the new Developer Portal will help to streamline processes and create transparency and efficiency for both BPDA staff and developers. 

Developers will be required to submit their materials through the portal and once they do, they will receive automated emails as their projects progress through the Article 80 process. The new online process will decrease data entry for BPDA project managers, creating a smaller margin of error for project data. Upon developer submission, a project manager will review all data and approve or reject all changes in the database. All approved data changes will be published on the project page for the public to view, alerting the public about project updates faster than ever before.

The Developer Portal is the second phase of the BPDA’s efforts to increase the quality and transparency of the agency’s data. In 2016, the BPDA’s Management Information Systems (MIS) division migrated all data to Salesforce in order for the agency to produce and maintain better quality data and create automated workflows. 

Both the new timeline feature and Developer Portal are the results of the BPDA’s efforts to design new systems, processes, tools, and communications to address these four areas of focus, following the agency’s new organizational identity: Engage Communities, Implement New Solutions, Partner for Greater Impact, and Track Progress.