GE and MassRobotics Partner to Advance Robotics

GE and MassRobotics Partner to Advance Robotics

Collaboration Supports Advancements in Manufacturing Techniques for the Digital Industrial Economy

Boston (March 30, 2017) – GE and MassRobotics announced today a partnership to accelerate innovation in the robotics industry. MassRobotics will support GE in attracting and assessing more innovative robotics startups, research projects and corporate engagements for investment, partnership, licensing and acquisition opportunities. GE will partner with MassRobotics to host events and discussions in areas such as advanced manufacturing, 3D printing, connected devices, drones and AI.

“As GE expands its presence in Boston and grows its involvement in the robotics space, this partnership helps to connect our world-class experts and business leaders in this area with Boston’s best and brightest, from new startups to industry partners to those in academia,” said John Lizzi, R&D manager, GE Global Research. “MassRobotics will provide GE with new levels of access to this thriving ecosystem while GE will share technical expertise, domain knowledge and the ability to address the world’s toughest problems.”

The partnership with MassRobotics will further GE’s efforts to establish a Digital Institute at its new corporate headquarters in Boston.  GE’s Digital Institute, known as the “GEDI” project, will accelerate the company’s efforts to leverage Boston’s rich digital ecosystem of start-ups, universities, entrepreneurs and others.

“We are thrilled to welcome GE and its team to MassRobotics’ exceptional network of strategic partners and rapidly growing global ecosystem. GE and its unique commitment to MassRobotics is a significant value-add to our startups,” said Fady Saad, MassRobotics cofounder and director of partnerships.

MassRobotics has an extensive network with more than 400 companies, 10 academic institutions and 20 industry-focused associations and organization. The organization drives international outreach and has active engagements with Ireland, UK, China, Singapore, Chile, France, Canada and UAE, and continues to engage with different countries. MassRobotics regular meetups and events attract an average of 150 people affiliated with the robotics industry.

Bill aims to mobilize skilled practitioners trained abroad to help meet Mass. healthcare needs

Bill aims to mobilize skilled practitioners trained abroad to help meet Mass. healthcare needs

More than 20% of foreign-trained doctors, pharmacists, nurses and other health professionals living in the Commonwealth are unemployed or working outside their fields.

Massachusetts has a lot of doctors, but when it comes to meeting basic needs, it falls short. More than 7 percent of state residents lack adequate access to primary care, dental care, or mental health services. This includes more than 500,000 low-income people in 25 cities and towns in Berkshire, Bristol, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Suffolk and Worcester Counties.

A new bill before the Massachusetts Legislature aims to narrow the gap by tapping into a major source of underused talent: the 8,000 foreign-trained health professionals living in the Commonwealth, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists and mental health professionals, among others. More than 20 percent of those practitioners are currently unemployed or working in lower-skilled jobs. They have been unable to reenter their professions due to complex and costly licensing requirements, lack of information, and lack of targeted career services.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jack Lewis (D-Ashland) in the House and Sen. Jason M. Lewis (D-Winchester) in the Senate, and cosponsored by dozens of their colleagues, would create a commission to explore ways to reduce licensing and other barriers to professional integration, enabling these providers to provide health services to state residents in areas of greatest need. The commission’s findings would also benefit U.S. citizens who study medicine abroad.

“We are excited about this opportunity to address an ongoing lack of adequate healthcare access for our residents, particularly in more rural areas – with a common-sense and cost-effective solution,” said Rep. Lewis. “This bill would allow us to leverage the incredible skill and knowledge base of the Commonwealth’s biggest asset: our immigrant population. I am thrilled to be working on such an important bill as I start my State House career.”

Research shows that foreign-trained clinicians are more likely to work in underserved areas, and when they do, they can significantly improve health outcomes. Minority physicians and physicians of color also serve a disproportionate share of underserved populations, including patients with limited English skills. Diversity in healthcare providers is strongly associated with improved access to care for racial and ethnic minority patients.

“Communities do best when they make the most of the talent available to them,” said Eva A. Millona, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition. “This bill is an important first step toward integrating immigrant health care professionals into our workforce and directing their skills to where they are most needed. Many of these practitioners came to our Commonwealth as refugees, and are eager to serve their communities – they want nothing more than to give back to the society that welcomed them.”

Jeff Thielman, President and CEO of the International Institute of New England, echoed that perspective. “This bill improves access to healthcare for underserved communities in Massachusetts, and it leverages the talent of highly skilled, multilingual medical professionals who are eager to use their training to help people in the Commonwealth,” he said. “It’s a win for communities in Massachusetts and a win for new Americans.”

The inter-agency commission created by the legislation would include senior executive branch officials, House and Senate leadership, both Chairs of the Joint Committee on Public Health, and representatives of all boards of registration in health professions. Together, they would identify barriers to practice for foreign-trained medical professionals, with the goal of directing their services to rural and underserved areas with the greatest need.

“This Commission will allow the legislature to look carefully at this issue and to determine what the Commonwealth’s next steps should be,” said Sen. Lewis. “We feel strongly that there are many positive steps that we could take to ensure that talent is not being wasted, and that populations are able to access the quality healthcare that they deserve.”

The commission would explore strategies to integrate foreign-trained medical professionals into rural and underserved areas needing health services; identify state or national licensing regulations that pose unnecessary barriers to practice; recommend possible changes to state licensing requirements; and develop guidelines for full or conditional licensing of foreign-trained health professionals. The commission would file a report containing its recommendations including any legislation and necessary regulations with the Joint Committee on Public Health no later than July 1, 2018.

Note to editors: The bill, titled “An Act to increase access to healthcare in underserved areas of Massachusetts,” was filed as S.1216 and H.3248. Rep. Lewis, Sen. Lewis, Eva Millona of MIRA, and medical professionals who can speak from experience on this issue are available for interviews; please contact Marion Davis (see details at top).

錯過健保登記期？你可能仍擁有健康聯絡者特別登記資格

錯過健保登記期？你可能仍擁有健康聯絡者特別登記資格

 

2017年的健保公開登記已經結束，但是個人和家庭如果符合特別登記期資格，仍然可以通過健康聯絡者來獲得協助，購買一個高質量的健保計劃。

某些生活中的大事件發生可以幫助人們獲得特別登記的資格，包括:

·       結婚或生小孩

·       因丟失工作或從麻州健保失去了健保

·       到了26歲而無法再從家庭計劃中獲得健保

·       搬到麻州

·       成為合法移民

從上述生活事件發生日起，個人將可擁有60天時間來通過健康聯絡者登記健保或更改健保計劃。

例如，如果某對夫婦在3月1日結婚，那麼他們在4月底前都可以聯絡健康聯絡者，完成健保申請、購買和選擇一個新的健保計劃。

所有的健康聯絡者健保計劃覆蓋的範圍包括：就醫、急診服務、住院、預防護理、處方藥、檢測服務、懷孕、精神健康和藥物濫用情況。

符合收入標準的麻州居民可以在任何時候參與麻州健保或聯絡者護理計劃來獲得健保。

想要今天就獲得健保，可登陸網站www.MAhealthconnector.org或致電1-877-623-6765尋求中文服務。

新罕布夏州眾議會通過支持臺灣友好宣言

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處賴處長銘琪偕林副組長美呈3月28日赴新罕布夏州首府康科德(Concord)，會晤州眾議會議長賈思珀(Shawn Jasper)，賈思珀議長首先宣讀由渠代表州眾議會簽發之支持臺灣與新州深化友誼之宣言 (Declaration)，並在其他州眾議員之觀禮下，將該宣言轉交賴處長，氣氛友好。

該項宣言內容闡明臺灣與新州具深厚情誼，在經貿往來、教育合作、文化交流及科技創新等場域上，均具多面向合作，2015年臺灣為新州在亞洲之第六大出口市場，緊密關係可見一斑；宣言內容另敍及新州與臺灣共享民主、自由法治及自由經濟等共同價值，肯定臺灣在2016年透過直接選舉，選出第14屆正副總統，是亞太地區推動自由民主之典範；並肯定臺灣作為維護區域和平，尤其是南海與東海和平之重要行為者等。州眾議會支持新州與臺灣持續經貿及投資合作，並支持臺灣參與重要之國際組織或條約。

本年新州州眾議會通過該項友好宣言，係2008年以來首度提出，對雙邊持續創造多元性、實質性之合作，具重要意義。新州眾議會該項宣言係繼本年2月羅德島州眾議會及佛蒙特州眾議會後，新英格蘭地區第三個通過類似友好決議或宣言之州。

除眾議長Shawn Jasper外，其他到場觀禮之州眾議員包括多數黨領袖Dick Hinch、少數黨領袖Steve Shertleff、少數黨助理領袖Benjamin Baroody、Mary Jane Wallner、資深議員Linda DiSilvestro、Shannon Chandley及George Sykes等。

MAYOR WALSH HONORED WITH NCLR CAPITAL AWARD

MAYOR WALSH HONORED  WITH NCLR CAPITAL AWARD

Honored for work that positively impacts the Latino community

Mayor Walsh and Mayor Garcetti with their awards.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wednesday, March 29, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh was honored tonight at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) 30th Annual Capital Awards Gala. Mayor Walsh was recognized as a leader in a ceremony that highlighted elected officials who promote policies and legislation that positively impacts the Latino community. Mayor Walsh received the 2017 Capital Award for his efforts to promote the safety and unity of all families in the face of anti-immigrant threats. Mayor Eric Garcetti of Los Angeles and strategist Ana Navarro also received awards. NCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía honored the awardees. "I want to thank Chairwoman Renata Soto, President Janet Murguía and the National Council of La Raza for this incredible honor. I am humbled to accept this award," said Mayor Walsh. "Boston would not be the world-class city it is today if it weren't for the generations of immigrants who built and shaped our city. We can never turn our backs on people who come here for a better life, and here in Boston, we recognize that diversity is our greatest strength. We have amazing diversity in our Latino community and beyond, and I am proud to fight for the voices and rights of all people." "This past January, the Department of Homeland Security sent shockwaves through our community when they issued a memo that would allow for the indiscriminate targeting of many in our community," said President Murguía. "Mayor Walsh and Mayor Garcetti were among the bold leaders who took a stand against this cruel and unnecessary policy -- choosing to fight politics of division with understanding and common sense. Their actions served as an example of courageous leadership and a much-needed reminder that our country's values should be the driving force behind governing." In addition to Mayor Walsh's vocal support and protection of the immigrant community, Boston's robust Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) provides daily services to Boston's immigrants, many of whom are part of the Latino community. The Office for Immigrant Advancement works to support English language classes, naturalization services and free immigration consultations with volunteer attorneys. Erika Gonzalez, anchor at NBC4 Washington, served as mistress of ceremonies at the gala, which took place at the National Building Museum. AARP and Wells Fargo served as event Co-Chairs. Vice Chairs for Capital Awards included BP America Inc., Charter Communications, Univision Communications, Inc. and UPS. About NCLR   NCLR-the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States-works to build a stronger America by creating opportunities for Latinos. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Rate Increases For Early Education And Care Programs

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Rate Increases For Early Education And Care Programs

Department of Early Education and Care will also increase access to child care for low-income families

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a 6 percent rate increase for all early education programs that provide care for low-income families, worth $28.6 million, which represents the largest rate hike for subsidized early education and care programs in 10 years.

The Administration also plans to reinvest an additional $9.3 million on an annual basis to provide further rate hikes to some infant and toddler care providers to ensure they are paid the median reimbursement rate.

The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) will also increase access to child care - serving approximately 1,100 more children during FY’18 - by reissuing vouchers from families that no longer need subsidized care during the year, which would have gone unused otherwise.

The significant investment in rate increases will support early educator salaries and benefits at early education and care programs in order to improve hiring and retention issues faced by programs that serve families receiving state subsidies.

Along with the rate increases, EEC plans to ensure income-eligible children receive access to at least 12 months of continuous care, regardless of changes in family status.

“We are pleased to work with the Legislature to provide these rate increases for providers who care and educate our youngest residents,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is vital for these programs to be able to train and retain experienced staff, and these rates increases will help them accomplish that important aspect of any high-quality child care program.”

“This significant investment will ensure our state’s early education and care programs are able to pay good teachers more, and help improve the quality of programs by maintaining continuity of staff,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.

The rate increases depend on legislative approval to move available funding from Fiscal Year ’17 to Fiscal Year ’18.

“These rate increases represent a historic investment in our early education workforce, which in combination with other initiatives and policy reforms, lays a strong foundation for meaningful quality improvements in this crucial sector of our education system,” said Education Secretary James Peyser.

“With today’s announcement, the Commonwealth moves one step closer to universal access to high quality early education services. The Senate has long prioritized funding to expand access to those services, as well as supporting efforts to boost quality and rates," said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).  "There are few items in the state budget where the return on investment is as great as early education and care services.”

"Teachers are at the heart of a high-quality early education and care system,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Tom Weber.  “I am thrilled that the Department is able to make this important progress to help early education programs provide better compensation for our workforce and recognize their important work and valuable contribution to our Commonwealth."

“Promoting children’s healthy development starts with investing in the adults who care for them,” said Board of Early Education and Care Chair Nonie Lesaux. “We know from decades of research that rich, rigorous, and fun learning opportunities are more likely when educators are well-trained and are able to stay and grow in their professional roles. This rate increase is an essential investment in those who are so vital to the Commonwealth’s youngest citizens.”

"The tentative agreement reached by our union SEIU Local 509 and the Baker-Polito administration is a positive step forward in our fight for fair wages and quality training for all individuals in our state,” said President of SEIU Local 509 Peter MacKinnon. “I am proud of the work that our union has done to secure a contract that directly invests and supports our educators and families of the commonwealth while also developing the workforce.  We would like to thank the Department of Early Education and Care in working with us to reach this tentative agreement and are especially grateful to the Commonwealth's leadership -- Governor Baker, Speaker DeLeo, Senate President Rosenberg, and the entire Legislature -- for making early education, and those that provide it, a priority."

“These funds will help programs attract and retain qualified educators, which will help ensure that children receive high-quality early education and care," said William Eddy, Executive Director, Massachusetts Early Care and Education.  "On behalf of the early educators in the Commonwealth, I thank the Baker-Polito Administration and the Department of Early Education and Care for their leadership and critical investment in our educators, families, and future.” 

The new funding will extend the 3.6 percent rate increase to state-subsidized family child care programs, who are represented by the Service International Employees’ Union Local 509 (SEIU 509). Earlier this year, center-based early education and care programs received a 3.6 percent increase in reimbursement rates.

Funding for these initiatives is available due to the full implementation of the state’s Child Care Financial Assistance System (CCFA), a new technology platform for managing $500 million awarded annually in early education and care subsidies

CCFA provides improved accuracy for verifying subsidy eligibility through real-time data validation at each step of the award process and stricter enforcement of financial assistance policies and regulations. All subsidized care providers are required to use CCFA for documenting subsidy eligibility, authorizing awards, reporting child attendance, and submitting billing requests to the Department of Early Education and Care.

Currently the state subsidizes approximately 4,200 early education and care programs to provide high-quality care at minimal - or no-cost for families who are low-income, or in-need of assistance.  Collectively, the subsidies provided to these programs support the enrollment of approximately 56,000 children daily.  The funding for the subsidized child care programs is provided through the state budget and is administered by the Department of Early Education and Care.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $20 Million for Supportive Affordable Housing

Baker-Polito Administration Announces $20 Million for Supportive Affordable Housing

Funding will support the creation of 177 units of housing for vulnerable populations across Massachusetts

BOSTON – Today the Baker-Polito Administration announced a total of $20 million in awards to seven affordable housing projects in Massachusetts, to support the creation and preservation of 177 supportive housing units for homeless families and individuals, veterans, the elderly and individuals with disabilities. The awarded projects will provide affordable rental housing to extremely low-income families and individuals, and provide wraparound services to residents.

Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Chrystal Kornegay announced the funding today, alongside elected officials and officials from The Neighborhood Developers, at an event in Chelsea.

“These awards leverage state and federal funding to serve our most vulnerable communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Our administration strongly believes in the value of affordable housing, and as advocates for every Massachusetts resident we will continue to work with our federal, local and community partners to ensure housing is shared priority.”

“These seven projects will create housing that specifically targets our state’s at-risk populations, including veterans, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and formerly homeless women and families,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “I’m incredibly proud of our commitment to ensuring all of our residents are not only able to access housing, but also the supportive services they need to succeed.”

Funding for these projects includes $3.1 million from the National Housing Trust Fund (HTF), a newly-authorized federal program that supports the development of affordable housing for low-income individuals and families that include supportive services. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is supporting the awarded projects through $14.9 million in state affordable housing subsidies, and 100 project-based Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP) vouchers. DHCD also allocated approximately $2 million in state and federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to the awarded projects.

“Housing with wraparound supportive services gives residents the tools necessary to break the cycle of homelessness,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “Putting our residents on the path towards stability by connecting them to education, job training, transportation assistance, childcare and more services, strengthens communities across Massachusetts.”

“The challenges presented by homelessness and housing instability to families and individuals are significant,” said Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay. “Supportive services allow us to meet families and individuals where they are, providing assistance in a holistic manner to tackle the issues that stand between residents and long-term stability.”

The Baker-Polito Administration has implemented a comprehensive approach to reducing homelessness through early intervention, diversion and wraparound services for homeless and at-risk populations, as well as through the creation of affordable rental housing for homeless and at-risk families and individuals. These efforts have resulted in a significant reduction in the number families residing in shelter across the state, reducing Emergency Assistance caseloads by over 23%. Since 2015, the administration has reduced the number of homeless families living in overflow shelter in hotels and motels from 1,500 families, to less than 70.

Last May, the Baker-Polito Administration unveiled a 5-year capital budget plan that includes a $1.1 billion commitment to increasing housing production, an 18 percent funding increase for mixed-income housing production, and affordable housing preservation. The administration and MassHousing also committed a separate $100 million to support the construction of 1,000 new workforce housing units. Since 2015 the Baker-Polito Administration has provided direct funding to create and preserve over 3,000 units of affordable housing across Massachusetts.

2017 Supportive Housing Awards:

Montello Welcome Home II, Brockton

Montello Welcome Home II, sponsored by Father Bill’s & MainSpring, will create 23 new supportive housing units for homeless veterans and other homeless individuals, and provide a comprehensive package of services to help residents retain their tenancies and prevent relapse into homelessness. DHCD awarded $500,000 in HTF funding, and $2.6 million in state subsidy.

242 Spencer, Chelsea

The Neighborhood Developers will revitalize a vacant building at 242 Spencer Street and create 34 new units of affordable rental housing for families. The project will include 3 units targeted to low income persons with disabilities and 8 units for formerly homeless families who will receive supportive services from Housing Families, Inc. DHCD awarded $500,000 in HTF funding, $1.1 million in state and federal low-income housing tax credits, and $3.125 million in state subsidy.

House of Hope 3, Lowell

House of Hope, Inc. will renovate a former assisted living facility to create 17 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless families, and provide residents with comprehensive supportive services, including education, job training, and child care services. DHCD awarded $500,000 in HTF funding, and $3.7 million in state subsidy.

Under One Roof, New Bedford

Under One Roof, sponsored by the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts, will renovate a building that currently houses the YWCA’s existing office space to create 8 units of permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless or incarcerated women. Under One Roof will include a child-care facility. The project will consolidate and unify the YWCA’s administrative, program, and residential activities at one site in a state-of-the-art facility. DHCD awarded $451,000 in HTF funding, and $550,000 in state subsidy.

Hillside Residence, West Springfield

The non-profit Sisters of Providence will build a new, 36-unit supportive housing residence for elders who are homeless and at risk of institutionalization. The project will be sited on the campus of an existing elder service compound, and on-site services will be available through a federal Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) operated by MERCY Life. DHCD awarded $500,000 in HTF funding, and $2 million in state subsidy.

Abby’s House, Worcester

Abby Kelley Foster House, Inc. will undertake considerable renovations of the existing 53 units at Abby’s House and add two new apartments, for a total of 55 units. The project will provide housing for women who have been homeless due to domestic violence, eviction, economic crisis, or unemployment, and supportive services will be offered on-site to residents. DHCD awarded $500,000 in HTF funding, $989,000 in state and federal low-income housing tax credits, and $2.5 million in state subsidy.

21 Jaques Avenue, Worcester

21 Jaques Avenue is an abandoned property on a prominent corner in Worcester. Worcester Common Ground will substantially rehabilitate the building to create 4 units of affordable rental housing for families with very-low and extremely-low incomes. Two units will be targeted to households with disabilities. DHCD awarded $130,000 in HTF funding, and $422,000 in state subsidy.

The Microsoft Garage Extends Internship Program to Fifteen Bunker Hill Community College Students

The Microsoft Garage Extends Internship Program to Fifteen Bunker Hill Community College Students

BOSTON, March 27, 2017— Opening its doors to community college students for the first time, the Microsoft Garage offered internships to fifteen Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) students this semester.

Working closely with full-time engineers at Microsoft’s New England Research and Development (NERD) Center in the heart of the Kendall Square innovation hub, the students are designing and delivering fresh Garage programs, including a revamped employee maker space and community technology initiatives.

“We couldn’t be more pleased that these motivated students have earned incredibly competitive internships at the Microsoft Garage,” said Pam Eddinger, President of BHCC. “These internships, the contacts they’ll make and the experiences they’ll have, are a great first step towards a high-demand career in the technology industry.”

The Microsoft Garage is a resource to employees that supports and encourages problem solving in new and innovative ways. Garage programs attract the relentlessly curious - those who like to dig in and make something. In addition to the internship and maker spaces, the Garage produces the largest private hackathon on the planet and is the official outlet for experimental projects from teams across the company. The Garage is expanding to more community outreach this year, and BHCC interns are helping build the program.

BHCC’s students were divided into three teams:

(1)  Team 1 is designing the hardware and software for a smart device that will manage equipment in the Garage team’s work space. Students will get hands-on with Microsoft platforms, single-board computers and microcontrollers, and custom hardware sensors, and will look to open source their work in late spring.

(2)  Team 2 is creating hands-on maker workshops that use simple tools like Kodu and the micro:bit. The students are piloting these workshops with underserved youth, minority, and female groups in the greater Boston areas. The workshop content that the students create will become a permanent part of the Garage team’s catalog of community technology programming.

(3)  Team 3 is outfitting the all new maker space with expanded capabilities, including 3D printing, laser cutting, milling, microelectronics, and textile working. These additions will extend the set of technologies that employees can use for experimentation and prototyping. The students are also building introductory programs that demonstrate the use of the new tools. One of the first projects the group is working on is the creation of 3D-printed prosthetic hands that will then be donated to a Microsoft charitable partner.

Modeling this spirit of innovation and push to expand its reach for diverse, qualified talent, Microsoft expanded its internship program this year to include students from two-year colleges.  

“When the team and I came out to BHCC to conduct interviews, we were impressed with the skills and entrepreneurship that the students demonstrated,” said Microsoft Garage Chief Intern Officer Ben Fersenheim. “I’m thrilled that we were able to find as many strong candidates as we did, as this means we have the potential to deliver on so many more fun and impactful projects this spring.”

More than 150 students from BHCC attended an information session last to learn more about the internship program. “We were excited to hear Ben Fersenheim talk about what goes on in the Garage; how curiosity is pursued and how creative freedom is encouraged,” said Computer Science major Mussie Demisse, “But what excited me most was how inquisitive he was about the ideas we are passionate about.”

The interns from BHCC include eight female and seven male students, representing eight different majors: Computer Science (6), Computer Support Specialist (1), Early Childhood Development (1), Engineering (3), Graphic Design Option (1), Health Information Technology (1), Network Technology (1) and Object Oriented Design (1). The students will work 15-20 hours per week through May, with the internship culminating in a showcase of their projects to corporate headquarters in Redmond, WA.