Governor Baker Signs Bipartisan Contraceptive Coverage Legislation

Governor Baker Signs Bipartisan Contraceptive Coverage Legislation

 An Act Relative to Advancing Contraceptive Coverage and Economic Security in Massachusetts protects important coverage for many Massachusetts women.

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BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation, An Act Relative to Advancing Contraceptive Coverage and Economic Security in our State (ACCESS), at the State House to protect access to contraception coverage without co-pays for many women across the Commonwealth.

The new law requires health insurers to cover at least one form of each type of FDA-approved birth control and will protect Massachusetts’ residents from any changes to this specific provision of the federal Affordable Care Act. The Governor was joined by House Speaker Robert DeLeo, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, Attorney General Maura Healey, members of the Legislature, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts President and CEO Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, Blue Cross Blue Shield President and CEO Andrew Dreyfus, as well as additional stakeholders and state officials.  

“We are proud to join our colleagues in the legislature to protect women’s health care and access to family planning services,” said Governor Baker.  “Massachusetts leads the country in health care with nearly universal coverage, and signing this important, bipartisan bill into law ensures critical access to contraceptive coverage for women across the Commonwealth.

“All women deserve the right to affordable, reliable and safe contraceptive care,” said House Speaker Robert A. DeLeo (D-Winthrop). “This is not only a health issue, but one of equity as well. Being able to make decisions about contraception is one of the most influential factors in whether women complete their education and achieve their career goals. I’m proud that Massachusetts did the right thing in the face of shameful decisions on the federal level.”

“Without assurances from the Federal government to protect women's healthcare and access to contraception, Massachusetts is re-asserting our values by standing up for our mothers, daughters, friends and neighbors by ensuring access to no-pay contraception,” said Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst).

“Every woman should have affordable and reliable access to the birth control option that is best for her. It is basic health care. We must do everything we can to protect the rights of women and families here in Massachusetts. I thank the House and Senate for their leadership on this legislation and Governor Baker for signing this critical bill into law,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey.

“Blue Cross has a long history of working collaboratively to develop innovative, cost-effective solutions to challenges in health care delivery,” said Andrew Dreyfus, president and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. “We’re proud to support this legislation that once again establishes Massachusetts as a model for the rest of the country.”

ILF 2018公共事務實習計畫 12/15 截止報名

(Boston Orange)國際領袖基金(International_Leadership_Foundation，簡稱ILF)2018年度「暑期公共事務實習計劃」12月15日前接受報名，預定錄取30名傑出亞太裔大學生，送往華府，進美國白宮，國會山莊等聯邦政府機構實習10週。

該計畫為亞太裔大學生提供進入聯邦機構實習，親自了解美國政府系統最有價值知識的機會，週末還安排有在國會山莊的領袖才能研討會，以及發展人際關係等重要人生技能的課程。

獲選加入2018年暑期公共事務實習計畫的學生，只需自行負擔旅費及食宿費用，國際領袖基金會將承擔實習費用，並發給每名入選學生2000元資助。

凡具有美國公民身分，GPA成績3.0以上的亞太裔大學生，都可申請。查詢詳情或提交申請，可上網www.ILFnational.org。

國際領袖基金會創辦人董繼玲表示，該會致力培育年輕亞裔成為各領域中的成功領袖，進而提升整體亞太裔社區在美國社會的能見度與發言份量。暑期公共事務實習計畫是為達成這目標的活動之一。

國際領袖基金會承辦這暑期公共事務實習計畫已有多年，成績卓越，入選學生不但可進入十數個不同的聯邦政府機構實習，甚至有機會獲得位置極為有限的白宮實習機會。

2017年，國際領袖基金會的暑期公共事務實習生，獲安排進入了美國聯邦政府的10個部門，16個辦公室實習8週，其中包括國務院，國防部，商務部。該會迄今已為逾千名美國亞太裔，尤其是華裔大學生提供了獎學金及領袖訓練。2017年內就有200多名傑出大學生參加了國際領袖基金會舉辦的各項活動，另有150多名傑出的美國亞太裔學生參加了該會與「美國亞裔領袖訓練會」合辦的「美國華府領導人才研討會」培訓項目。

國際領袖基金會理事會董事長徐紹欽博士表示，該會以輔導亞裔未來領袖順利進入美國主流社會，促進美國亞裔參與公共服務為宗旨，更期許接受培訓的學生們能藉以了解如何為亞裔社區爭取最大權益。

國際領袖基金會創辦人兼執行長董繼玲表示，亞裔是美國近十數年間增長最快的移民族裔，最重視教育，經濟實力也最強，一向被視為模範少數族裔，但亞裔從政，參政的比率太低，亞裔權益也因乏人代言，一直未受美國主流社會重視。該會因此致力培訓年輕一代亞裔，鼓勵他們深入了解美國政府運作，以及聯邦政府公共政策對亞裔社區發展的重要性，學會善用各種資源，擴大亞裔在國際社會間的影響力。

該會每年一度的頒發「全球傑出人士楷模獎」，也是為了要給年輕亞裔提供政治，經濟，科學，文化或藝術方面的楷模，歷年獲獎者包括美國聯邦交通運輸部部長，曾任勞工部部長的趙小蘭，美國聯邦商務部暨交通運輸部前部長峰田，美國參議院多數黨領袖Mitch McConnel，國會參議員Hirono，國會外交委員會主席 Ed_Royce，以及華裔國會議員趙美心，孟昭文，劉雲平，國際名探李昌鈺博士等。

國際領袖基金會在全美及亞太地區，共有15個分會，成員悉數為傑出企業家，社會領袖，僑界翹楚，或是在各自專業領域有傑出成就，服務績效卓著者，各地分會會長包括舊金山林美蓮，紐約黃亞村，洛杉磯劉馨儀，底特律孔慶超，芝加哥傅惠芬，華府黃國清，奧蘭多嚴培達，邁阿密鄭漢城，新英格蘭葉超及吳子平，西雅圖吳小燕，橙縣安妮拉安利，亞特蘭大簡衛等。其他的榮譽會長和委員會主委有孫陳小鳴，吳來蘇，董殿會，陳鈞亞，沈郭逸媛等。貝秀慶為執行主任。

波士頓正體漢字文化節 展現正體中文之美

僑教中心主任歐宏偉(左一)、新英格蘭中文學校協會會長陳燕貞

(右一)與中年級組朗頌比賽得獎學生合影。

中文學校協會11月18日在波士頓僑教中心舉辦「正體漢字文化節」學藝競賽活動，內容包括硬筆字抄寫、朗誦比賽及童玩園遊會等，共計8所中文學校120多位學生參加。

為擴大海外正體字運用範疇，及推廣具臺灣特色之中華文化，僑委會每年都鼓勵並贊助海外僑教組織舉辦「正體漢字文化節」活動。新英格蘭中文學校協會響應此一理念，今年的學藝競賽特舉辦「硬筆字抄寫比賽」項目，鼓勵本地華裔子弟體驗正體漢字結構之美；朗誦比賽也以指定題目的方式進行，低年級組「月之故鄉」，中年級組「水調歌頭」及高年組「再會康橋」，每位參賽的學生聲情並茂、娓娓動聽。比賽結束後，由璞石中華文化工作室文化教師們準備剪紙、成語猜迷及識字比賽活動，透過園遊會方式讓學生們加強漢字學習的興趣。

波士頓僑教中心主任歐宏偉感謝主辦單位會長陳燕貞及各中文學校長期推展正體中文，強調所有的參賽者都是優勝者。(圖與文:波士頓僑教中心提供)

iGEM大賽 台灣團隊抱六金二銀

台北美國學校隊與波士頓教育組長陳幗珍(前左三)合影。
(台中一中老師黃俊奇與經文處教育組提供)

(Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)台灣在2017年的國際基因合成生物工程競賽(International Genetically Engineered Machine Competition, iGEM)中表現亮眼，10隊參賽，抱回6金2銀獎牌。

其中台北美國學校隊，以Nanotrap這從廢水系統中去除納米顆粒的項目，奪得高中組大獎。

成大隊與波士頓教育組長陳幗珍(前左三)合影。
(台中一中老師黃俊奇與經文處教育組提供)

今年的國際基因合成生物工程競賽(iGEM)，於11 月9 日到13日在波士頓的海恩斯(Hynes)會展中心舉行，共有來自全球的300多個優秀隊伍參加。

台灣共有10隊參賽，包括中山醫學大學與中興大學聯隊，中正大學，長庚大學，成功大學，交通大學，清華大學，陽明大學等8個大學組成的7隊，以及臺中一中，明道中學，臺北美國學校等三個高中生隊伍。其中臺中一中第一次參賽，只派出七名學生。其餘隊伍各有十名以上學生。

明道中學隊與波士頓教育組長陳幗珍(前左三)合影。
(台中一中老師黃俊奇與經文處教育組提供)

iGEM 競賽辦法是由各參賽團隊先發現環境中存在的問題，透過訪問企業，政府機構，非營利組織，學術單位，以及團隊成員的腦力激盪，再設計可解決問題的基因合成生物。研究成果上傳到wiki後，於11 月9 日到13 日到iGEM 2017 大會中，以全英文海報展示，並做20 分鐘的英語口頭簡報。

除了台北美國學校隊的智能藻能源(Smart Alga Energy)項目之外，明道中學的基礎零件(basic part)贏得最佳應用設計獎(applied design)；成功大學隊的硝酸鹽感應和調節的生物方法(No problem A Biological approach to nitrate sensing and regulation)，贏得最佳環保項目獎。

中山醫學大學與中興大學聯隊的aflatoxout，交通大學的簡單易用，可藉人工智能驗證的肽預測系統(parabase A simple and applicable peptide prediction system with validation of artificial intelligence)，陽明大學的智能藻能源(Smart Alga Energy)等項目也都獲得金牌獎。

中正大學及清華大學的項目獲銀牌獎。

交通大學教授陳文亮曾多次帶隊參加iGEM競賽。他指出，iGEM是國際上少數為大學生舉辦的生物科技競賽，近年並向下扎根的延伸到高中。這比賽鼓勵團隊透過跨領域合作的腦力激盪，為更美好的世界做努力，也藉以燃起年輕學子心中的學術研究火苗。他們期許台灣團隊能夠因為參與世界競賽，和來自世界各國的優秀人才交友，開拓視野，建立真正的國際觀，將來能為台灣，世界做更多貢獻。

              第一次參加比賽的臺中一中學生吳柏慶表示，參加iGEM比賽，要設計出從來不曾出現過的基因合成生物，實在很不容易。他們的團隊成員從彼此意見不合到形成共識，實驗做到半夜三四點，最後結果不滿意，再重頭來過，真的很累，壓力很大，但最後做出成果，能與世界各國學生交流，一切的辛苦又都值得了！

世界傳統武術錦標賽 波士頓陳笑儀奪兩金

陳笑儀代表美國國家武術隊，奪2金牌。

       (Boston Orange)來自波士頓的陳笑儀，代表美國國家武術隊，日前在有武術界奧運會之稱的世界傳統武術錦標賽中奪得”少林拳”，”少林棍”兩枚金牌。

       世界傳統武術錦標賽( The World Traditional Wushu Championships)是兩年一屆，由中國武術協會主辦，被譽為武術界奧運會的武術界盛事，今年踏入第七屆，以”慧定峨嵋，武動世界”為主題，於11月9日至11日在中國峨嵋山市四川國際旅遊交易博展中舉行，共有來自57國的350多代表隊，3800多名武林高手參賽。

              這次的大賽，出席嘉賓包括國際武術聯合會執行副主席吳廷貴，中國武術協會會長張秋萍，國家體育總局武術管理中心副主任陳國榮，武術大師吳斌，四川省體育局副局長楊利民等人。比賽全程現場直播。

              三天的比賽項目，分個人，對練，集體等三大類，各國代表隊為隊友加油打氣的現場吶喊聲，持續不斷，震耳欲聾，氣氛熱絡非常。比賽現場的各種武術器械，各種拳腿派別，讓人目不暇給，對中國武術之精深博大，感受極深。

美國市長頒證書聘陳笑儀為中美友好使者。

       國際武術聯合會執行副主席吳廷貴，陳氏太極拳傳人陳正雷，太極皇后高佳敏，加拿大武術聯合會主席鄧華，世界咏春拳聯會主席冼國林，美國武術聯合會執行副主席王宗平，美國武術聯合會副主席呂曉林，峨嵋拳名家溫左惠等武術大師應邀在現場做教學示範，吸引了無數觀眾圍觀。

       陳笑儀表示，美國國家武術隊今年派出200多名隊員參賽，隊伍之龐大，為武術界比賽活動創下一項新記錄，也讓他們成為比賽中備受觀眾矚目的焦點。她個人認為，由此雖可見中國武術在美國的發展蓬勃，但仍需更多人來推廣，傳承，以期中國武術可以深入世界各個角落，在國際上鋪出更寬廣道路。

美國國家武術隊。

              陳笑儀畢業於北京體育大學武術學院，赴美攻讀碩士學位前，已是國家一級武術裁判員，國家一級運動員，國家一級健身指導員，也獲得過世界武術錦標賽冠軍，美國國際武術冠捐，當過美國國家太極拳裁判員，迄今共得過40多枚中國，美國及世界武術大賽金牌。

            陳笑儀個人並不熱衷於參加比賽。她表示自己更希望傳播武術文化，培養優秀學生，所以在2017年和衛斯理學院武術教練，目前在哈佛大學修讀碩士的王健豪(Calvin Wang)合作，創辦了新英格蘭武術冠軍公司(New England Wushu Championship, newwushu.com)，為傳承武術盡心力。她透露，該機構學員參加美國國際武術大賽，第七屆新英格蘭武術大賽，第四屆美國武術功夫大賽等三大比賽，共奪得幾十枚金牌，成績很讓人欣慰。她希望將來能帶動更多人習武修身。(所有圖片，陳笑儀提供)

比賽頒獎典禮。

美國國家武術隊獲獎人員。

陳笑儀(左一)與俄羅斯國家代表隊。

中國隊進場。

陳笑儀和得金牌的學生們。

大賽特邀嘉賓。

State and Local Officials Celebrate Start of Winter Farmers’ Market Season

State and Local Officials Celebrate Start of Winter Farmers’ Market Season

NEW BEDFORD – Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux and Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Commissioner Jeff McCue along with local officials today celebrated the start of the winter farmers’ market season during a visit to the New Bedford Winter Farmers’ Market. With over 50 winter farmers’ markets to choose from across the Commonwealth, the agriculture experiences serve as a way for residents to continue to have access to fresh and locally grown products over the winter and provide opportunities for Massachusetts farmers to extend their season and sell their products year-round. The event was part of a series of events members of the Baker-Polito Cabinet attended throughout the South Coast showcasing initiatives and announcing grants. The cabinet also hosted their weekly cabinet meeting earlier in the morning at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology.

“Winter farmers’ markets are an excellent opportunity for residents of the Commonwealth to continue to buy local and support farmers and producers year-round,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Through opportunities like the Healthy Incentives Program, the Baker-Polito Administration continues to work with consumers and producers to ensure that all residents, regardless of income, have access to fresh, healthy, locally-sourced food provided by hardworking individuals committed to the Commonwealth’s agricultural future.”

The visit to the New Bedford Winter Farmers’ Market highlighted Massachusetts’ new Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) matching program- the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP). The new program, launched by the Baker-Polito Administration on April 1, 2016, provides a dollar for dollar match to SNAP participants when they buy fruits and vegetables from participating farmers at farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets and Community Supported Agriculture farms. The maximum monthly incentive is based on household size: 1-2 member households can earn up to $40, 3-5 member households, can earn up to  $60, and households with 6 or more members can earn up to $80 month in incentives. The incentive dollars are immediately available on shoppers’ EBT cards for any future SNAP purchase. Already in 2017, over 2.4 million dollars have been spent on Massachusetts grown produce due to the HIP Program – more than quadrupling the value of SNAP benefits redeemed at the same agricultural retailers in 2016

“The demand for farmers’ markets is high, and they account for a significant amount of direct marketing sales which farmers rely on for farm viability,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “The collaboration between DAR and DTA on the HIP program has been a true success story for farmers’ markets and the communities they serve.”

“DTA is committed to helping underserved communities overcome barriers to accessing local and affordable foods,” said DTA Commissioner Jeff McCue. “HIP is helping our SNAP clients to eat better and live healthier by giving them a greater opportunity to purchase nutritious fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets, farm stands, mobile markets, and through Community Supported Agriculture farm shares.”

“Residents of Massachusetts have become increasingly interested in local food production and farmers’ markets pose an incredible opportunity to support local farmers and agriculture, especially in the winter months,” said State Representative Paul Schmid (D-New Bedford). “Through collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Transitional Assistance, Massachusetts is ensuring that all residents have access to healthy, local food regardless of income.”

“The Baker-Polito Administration, particularly Commissioner Lebeaux and his team at MDAR, continues to demonstrate their leadership when it comes to food security and making fresh, healthy foods more accessible to the citizens of the Commonwealth,”said State Representative Chris Markey (D-Dartmouth). “Collaborations like this typify what kind of government our taxpayers expect and deserve; one that identifies problems and offers concrete solutions that draw from multiple agencies and stakeholders with shared goals. Residents of cities like New Bedford, with greater ability to purchase healthy foods, and our farmers, able to move more product and reinvest in their own businesses, are the true beneficiaries of this collaboration, and I look forward to seeing programs like these continue to thrive under this Administration.”

“Fresh and healthy food should be accessible to New Bedford residents year-round,”said State Representative Antonio Cabral (D-New Bedford). “The New Bedford Winter Famers’ Market is a fantastic option for those seeking locally grown and nutritious food for their families.”

“The Healthy Incentives Program is a win-win for local growers and those in need, who will benefit greatly from the abundance of produce that is still available at farmer’s markets during the winter months,” said State Representative William Straus (D-Mattapoisett). 

“A winter farmer’s market is immensely beneficial for New Bedford families seeking access to fresh foods within our thriving downtown arts and cultural district,” said Senator Mark Montigny (D-New Bedford). “Fresh, healthy options help prevent costly chronic disease while also providing an economic boost to hardworking area farmers.”

“We were all told how important it is to eat your fruits and vegetables. Farmers’ Markets have a unique capacity to bring a community together by giving local residents the opportunity to support local farmers, while also supporting their own overall health,” said State Representative Robert Koczera (D-New Bedford). “Access to quality food should never be determined by your socioeconomic status alone, so I will continue to support programs, like the ones modeled here at the New Bedford Winter’s Farmers’ Market, which help make that a reality.”

“We are more than excited to kick off the Indoor Winter Farmers Market season in New Bedford. Our winter market will now be open on a weekly basis, providing residents with a one-stop location to buy all their locally grown and made goods, and providing farmers and other retailers with an outlet to directly sell to the public,” said Stephanie Perks, Co-Founder of Coastal Foodshed. “Our downtown winter market will also provide SNAP recipients with access to the extremely beneficial HIP program all year long, which was hugely successful during our summer and fall market season, so we are happy to be able to offer it throughout the winter and spring as well.”

To find a winter farmers market near you, visit the Mass Grown and Fresher interactive map.

Boston Public Schools Launches Summer Programming Application Process

Boston Public Schools Launches Summer Programming Application Process

Research Shows Students Make Significant Gains in College, Career Readiness Skills

BOSTON — Thursday, November 16, 2017 — Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the City of Boston today launched a competitive process for community partners to provide programming for city youth in the 5th Quarter summer learning initiative, a nationally-recognized, research-based effort to re-envision traditional summer education for city youth.   “Boston is leading the nation with this innovative 5th Quarter approach,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Summer learning shows what’s possible when the Boston Public Schools and a robust network of community partners come together to set ambitious goals and invest in the future of Boston students and families.”   Superintendent Tommy Chang addressed nearly 200 education and community leaders involved in the summer learning initiative during a yearly meeting Thursday at the Bolling Municipal Building, the headquarters of Boston Public Schools.    “Summer provides us with great flexibility around time, place, and activities for students to have fun and learn new skills in engaging ways,” Dr. Chang said. “The 5th Quarter has brought learning alive for our young people, and is building relevancy between academic skills and how they relate to the world around them.”   More than 13,000 students were served in 2017 through BPS- or City-affiliated summer learning programs. In a report released today by Boston After School & Beyond, which highlights 132 programs serving 10,300 students, it showed that those students had an average daily attendance rate of 83 percent. A recent national report from RAND shows that students with a daily average attendance rate higher than 80 percent in voluntary summer programs see significant advantages in math, English language arts, and social and emotional skills, and that academic benefits persist through the school year.   “The 5th Quarter is a model for how schools and community partners can redesign the learning experience and address college, career, and life readiness throughout the year,” said Boston’s Chief of Education Rahn Dorsey.   “A robust and diverse network of programs coming together around the same measures helps reach a greater variety of students in more targeted ways,” said Chris Smith, executive director of Boston After School & Beyond.    BPS and the City are investing approximately $2.25 million for the 5th Quarter for 2018.   For the first time, 15 programs that are part of the 5th Quarter awarded badges to recognize proficiency and growth in key readiness skills. Sixty percent of eligible students earned at least one badge in communication, teamwork, perseverance, or critical thinking, amounting to 1,379 total badges awarded in summer 2017. Teamwork was the most frequently earned badge.    Of the 132 programs in the 5th Quarter network, 32 received funding last year from BPS to run Summer Learning Academies for high-need students, including English learners. These programs will have to re-apply for funding this year. “We are looking forward to a competitive application process that is based not only on promising ideas, but a track record of results,” said Jan Manfredi, director of expanded learning for the Boston Public Schools.  The summer network extends the classroom to the community, featuring a wide array of enrichment activities, from boat building to entrepreneurship, and a focus on social-emotional skills, like perseverance and critical thinking.   Boston is one of five cities that participated in the National Summer Learning Project, funded by The Wallace Foundation and evaluated by the RAND Corporation. The latest evaluation report, Learning from Summer: Effects of Voluntary Summer Learning Programs on Low-Income Urban Youth, explains the impact of programs in summers 2013 and 2014. The other cities include Dallas, Duval County (FL), Pittsburgh, and Rochester (NY).   Legislation filed by Representative Alice Peisch calls for an expansion of this research-based summer learning approach across the Commonwealth. The Joint Committee on Education reported favorably on House bill 2868, “An Act to increase access to high quality summer learning opportunities,” sending it to the House Committee on Ways and Means last spring.