中華語文學校慶農曆新春辦中華文化日

中華語文學校校長王華旦(左)與波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉合影

波士頓中華語文學校2月5日下午在校內舉辦「中華文化日」，全校師生、家長200多人，見面互道恭喜，穿梭在擺得滿滿的美食及年節文化攤位中，欣賞學生們的歌唱、舞蹈表演，年節喜慶氣氛濃厚。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉當天應邀出席，向與會人士拜年，並轉達僑務委員會吳新興委員長對海外僑胞鄉親的問候與祝福。他也稱許中華語文學校校長王華旦，帶領師生，為堅守中華文化，推展華語文教育，傳揚我國多元優質文化做出不小貢獻。

波士頓中華語文學校設置美食攤位，讓師生家長一起享用，共度新春佳節

羅德島華人協會慶丁酉金雞年

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉(中)及羅州克蘭斯頓市(Cranston, RI.)市長

馮偉傑(Allan Fung()左)向僑胞鄉親賀歲拜年。旁為司儀胡少娟。

(Boston Orange) 羅德島州華人協會2月4日在查爾斯喜 (Charles E Shea) 高中慶祝丁酉金雞年到來，500多僑胞和當地居民絡繹抵達，欣賞節目，歡喜拜年，小孩子們領紅包，熱鬧開心。

羅州功夫團在春節聯歡會表演舞獅及功夫

“把酒當歌歌盛事，聞雞起舞舞新春” 。 羅島華協今年的春節慶祝會在各方共襄盛舉中，格外精彩，其中邵鹿邑師傅創辦的羅州功夫團演出祥獅獻瑞，張昆、黃美晴夫婦創辦的中華民俗藝術工作坊，穿著剛從台灣訂做回來的全新舞服，表演「繁花似錦」、「圓燈踏月」等年節應景節目，尤其受歡迎。胡少娟中英粵語俱佳的揮灑自如主持功力，更為慶祝會添色不少。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉，羅州克蘭斯頓市(Cranston)市長馮偉杰(Allan Fung)伉儷等貴賓，都應邀到會，向僑胞鄉親拜年賀歲。

歐宏偉在致詞時，特別感謝華人協會會長吳子平、主席葉超及副主席陳和棟等人在羅德島州協助推展外交工作，每年舉辦羅德島州龍舟賽及臺灣日，促進當地僑胞對臺灣多元優質文化的認識。歐宏偉還代表中華民國政府及僑務委員會向與會僑胞拜年，轉達駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪的問候。

歐宏偉和克蘭斯頓市市長馮偉杰，以及葉超、陳和棟等人分送賴銘琪處長提供的紅包，更是讓出席小朋友體會了一把中國人的傳統過年習俗。發紅包的大人，領紅包的小朋友，都一樣開心。(圖與內容僑教中心提供)

中華民俗藝術工作坊安排「圓燈踏月」等年節應景的舞蹈節目

紐英崙中華民俗藝術工作坊表演的舞蹈曲目，深獲現場觀眾喜愛

波士頓慈濟人文學校 修福持慧迎新春

波士頓慈濟人文學校校長齊君明主持「竹筒回娘家」，鼓勵學生

積沙成丘，累積小善成就大事。

波士頓慈濟人文學校於2月5日上午舉行新春聯歡會，安排舞獅、歌唱、朗誦、相聲、舞蹈及樂器表演等節目，由校長齊君明主持竹筒回娘家活動，並和波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人吳建發師兄一起致送「福慧紅包」，師姐們也致送每戶「福慧袋」一個，讓200餘位參加活動的師生及家長接收到證嚴上人的祝福。

波士頓慈濟人文學校新春聯歡，幼稚園學生表演歌唱節目

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉及駐波士頓臺北經文處教育組秘書黃瑋婷應邀出席，向與會人士賀歲拜年。歐宏偉轉達僑務委員會吳新興委員長對海外僑胞鄉親的問候與祝福，並肯定慈濟人文學校積極推展華語文及傳揚我國多元優質文化的貢獻，尤其是慈濟的靜思語教學，更能在學生心中埋下一顆良善的種子，將來更能修福持慧，力行「心存好念、口說好話、身行好事」的三好運動；黃瑋婷則感謝慈濟人文學校協助舉辦波士頓地區華語文能力測驗，希望慈濟持續在主流社會推展各項文化交流活動。(圖與文，僑教中心司君凱)

波士頓慈濟人文學校新春聯歡，幼稚園學生表演歌唱節目

波士頓慈濟聯絡處師姐致送與會師生每戶一個「福慧袋」。

波士頓慈濟聯絡處負責人吳建發師兄致送家長及學生「福慧紅包」。

麻州長宣佈非緊急人員遲2小時上班

Governor Baker Announces Two Hour Delay for Non-Emergency State Employees

BOSTON – This morning, Governor Charlie Baker announced a two-hour delay for all non-emergency state employees due to icy road conditions and highway closures. 

"The administration is implementing a two hour delay to allow road crews to treat dangerously icy roadways and to respond to several, multi-vehicle crashes,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “We urge all drivers to exercise extreme caution as driving is very difficult due to icy conditions and to be patient as public safety officials respond to multiple incidents impacting our highways."

Governor Baker Nominates Justice Elspeth Cypher to Supreme Judicial Court

Governor Baker Nominates Justice Elspeth Cypher to Supreme Judicial Court

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced the nomination of Massachusetts Appeals Court Senior Associate Justice Elspeth “Ellie” B. Cypher to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC). The nomination is Governor Baker’s fourth to the Commonwealth’s highest court. If confirmed by the Governor’s Council, Justice Cypher will replace retiring Justice Margo Botsford.

“Justice Cypher will bring nearly three decades of broad civil and criminal, trial and appellate experience, including the last sixteen years on the Appeals Court, to the Supreme Judicial Court,” said Governor Baker. “We thank Justice Botsford for her service, wish her well in her retirement and also appreciate the work of the Supreme Judicial Court Nominating Commission, my Chief Legal Counsel Lon Povich and Judicial Nominating Commission Executive Director Sharon Casey, in recommending diverse and experienced candidates. I am confident that, if confirmed, Justice Cypher’s temperament and understanding of the law will continue to advance the strong tradition of the Commonwealth’s highest court.”

Justice Cypher was joined by family, friends and colleagues for the formal announcement today at the State House with the Governor and Lt. Governor. 

“The Supreme Judicial Court and the citizens of the Commonwealth will be well served with the addition of Justice Cypher’s sense of justice and civil and knowledge of the law,” said Lt. Governor Polito. “We are, on behalf of the Commonwealth, grateful for the service of Justice Botsford, and look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of Justice Cypher who has demonstrated her ability to work closely with her colleagues and consider matters fairly and impartially in service to the court and all those who appear before it.”

"Justice Cypher is one of the Appeals Court’s finest judges,” said Chief Justice Scott Kafker. “She is fair, experienced and wise and would be an admirable addition to the Supreme Judicial Court."

The Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the Commonwealth's highest appellate court, consisting of the Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven Justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May and issue written opinions that are posted online.

For more information about the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, visithttp://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/sjc/. 

In February of 2016, Governor Baker named a statewide 12-member Supreme Judicial Nominating Commission (SJC-NC) to recruit, screen and recommend applicants to fill an unprecedented number of upcoming vacancies on the Commonwealth’s highest court.

Associate Justices Kimberly Budd, Frank Gaziano and David Lowy joined the SJC last summer following their nomination by Governor Baker and unanimous approvals by the Governor’s Council. The process was re-opened last October with the expected retirements of Justice Botsford and Justice Geraldine Hines later this year. All judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council.

About Justice Elspeth “Ellie” B. Cypher:

The Honorable Elspeth “Ellie” B. Cypher was appointed to the Massachusetts Appeals Court in 2000 by Governor Paul Cellucci and now serves as the Senior Associate Justice. In addition to fulfilling the courts role of hearing and deciding criminal and civil appellate cases, Justice Cypher’s role includes chairing the personnel committee and assisting the Chief Justice, Scott L. Kafker, with management of cases and court staff, and fulfilling the duties of the Chief Justice in the event of illness or absence.

Prior to her appointment to the Appeals Court, Justice Cypher served for twelve years with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney (1988-1993), and later, Chief of Appeals (1993-2000). There she supervised attorneys and support staff in the District Attorney’s Office and wrote and edited appellate briefs and argued cases before the Appeals and Supreme Judicial Courts. From 1994-2006, Justice Cypher also served as a Senior Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Massachusetts School of Law, formerly the Southern New England School of Law. Before joining public service and upon obtaining her law degree, Justice Cypher represented clients in employment law, personal injury, consumer protection and criminal matters for Grayer, Brown and Dilday, a small general practice law firm in Boston.

Justice Cypher earned her Bachelor of Arts from Emerson College in 1980 and obtained her juris doctorate degree from Suffolk University Law School in 1986 where she was also a Literary Editor of the Law Review. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Justice Cypher and her wife, Sharon Levesque, reside in Assonet and have one son.

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.”