堡壘村推動數位平等 波市府獎助35,000

LOCAL ORGANIZATION RECEIVES $35,000 TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT ADVANCE DIGITAL EQUITY

BOSTON - Thursday, February 8, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced The Castle Square Tenants Organization (CSTO) as the recipient of a $35,000 grant from the City of Boston Digital Equity Fund. The Digital Equity Fund, created in October, aims to provide support to community-based organizations that help Boston residents fully connect and participate in today's media and information landscape. "A more connected Boston is a more equitable City, a more innovative City and a more prosperous City," said Mayor Walsh. "We're pleased to award this grant to a program that will help our residents grow their digital skills while increasing access to information for all." The CSTO's mission is to promote the economic, educational and social empowerment of low income individuals by providing access to safe, quality affordable housing and supportive direct service programs. The organization offers paid internships through which low-income Boston high school students learn valuable digital skills. The organization also offers a computer repair program that helps make technology accessible to all. The project will serve various Boston neighborhoods, including Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, Mattapan, Mission Hill, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End. Participants in the CSTO programs gain valuable technology related skills, and often use those skills to help their families and communities. "Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston have been very supportive of CSTO over the years," said Deborah Backus, Executive Director of CSTO. "We are thrilled to partner with the Department of Innovation and Technology on this new project and play a part in bridging the digital divide for all Boston residents." By providing seed funding to The Castle Square Tenants Organization, the City hopes to identify promising strategies that can attract outside funding and further create a City where everyone has the tools and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. The goal of the Digital Equity Fund is to explore ways to build individual and community capacity to: Use the Internet, digital skills, and digital tools to pursue professional, educational, and civic endeavors; Engage with the Internet safely and securely; Develop needs-responsive, community driven digital skills building opportunities; Increase broadband adoption among the roughly 1 in 5 Bostonians who do not subscribe to this service in the home. The Digital Equity Fund is overseen by the City of Boston Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and an external Fund Council consisting of five members. Advisory board members are appointed by Mayor Walsh and serve three year terms. To qualify for a grant, nonprofit organizations must be Boston-based and serve Boston residents. The grant received eight applications between October and November 2017. About the Department of Innovation and Technology The Department of Innovation and Technology makes sure the networks, computers and systems that support the City are secure and effective. They also manage the City's websites and technologies focused on service delivery. Contact the Castle Square Tenants Organization The CSTO has a waitlist of students for the spring 2018 semester. For more information about applying for summer or fall 2018 sessions, please contact Deborah Backus at dbackus@cstoboston.org. Individuals and nonprofits seeking refurbished computers or IT support, or who wish to donate used equipment, can contact Irene Chan at ichan@cstoboston.org.

海外僑胞賑助花蓮震災捐款方式

海外僑胞賑助花蓮震災捐款方式

                                         2018年2月8日

臺灣花蓮於2月6日發生芮氏規模6.0級地震，造成民眾傷亡及財產重大損失，海外僑胞咸表震驚與關懷，紛紛表達捐款救災之意願；為使各界捐款有效協助傷者後續醫療及災民災後重建，波士頓僑教中心(以下簡稱「本中心」)將以代收代轉方式，將各界善款送經僑務委員會轉致「衛生福利部賑災專戶」(謹註：衛生福利部係公益勸募之中央主管機關)，俾發揮最大效益。

一、請開立「支票」，抬頭為「衛生福利部賬災專戶」 (MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE DONATION A/C)，並註記： 0206 Hualien Earthquake，直接送交或郵寄至本中心(90 Lincoln St. Newton Highlands, MA. 02461)。

二、以「現金」捐款，或開立本中心抬頭(C.C. in Boston)之支票，並請註記「0206花蓮震災專案」。本中心收到上述款項或支票後，將開立「臨時收據」，衛生福利部於收到捐款後會另外開立「正式收據」，該正式捐款收據可依法令規定在臺灣作為抵稅證明之用。

此外，僑胞鄉親亦可自行匯款至「衛生福利部賑災專戶」(惟金融機構將另收取匯款手續費)，該專戶資訊如下：
（一）金融機構名稱：兆豐國際商業銀行國外部(MEGA INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK CO., LTD.)（二）戶名：衛生福利部賑災專戶 (MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE DONATION A/C )（三）地址：臺北市中山區吉林路100號(No. 100,CHI-LIN RD. TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN)（四）帳號：007-09-11868-0（五）通匯代號(SWIFT CODE)：ICBCTWTP007（六）用途別註記：0206花蓮震災專案(0206 Hualien Earthquake)。

無論僑團（胞）係以「支票」、「現金」或「匯款」等方式捐款，請務必提供本中心有關捐款者中(英)文姓名或單位名稱，連絡電話及通訊地址(倘以匯款方式捐助，請併附銀行匯款單影本)等資料，俾利寄送衛生福利部開立之正式捐款收據。

感謝各位僑胞鄉親對故鄉的關心與協助！

波士頓僑教中心 敬上

中華民國107年2月8日

聯絡電話：617-965-8801

地址：90 Lincoln St. Newton Highlands, MA. 02461

Senator Elizabeth Warren to Host Town Hall in Franklin 2/10

Senator Elizabeth Warren to Host Town Hall in Franklin, MA on Saturday, February 10

Boston, MA - On Saturday, February 10, Senator Elizabeth Warren will host a town hall in Franklin, MA. Warren will take questions from the audience and discuss her work standing up for working families of Massachusetts against powerful corporate interests. Over the past year, Warren hosted 18 town halls across the Commonwealth. The event is free and open to the public. We ask the public to please RSVP at our website: http://elizabethwarren.com/2018franklintownhall.

WHAT:     Senator Elizabeth Warren Hosts Town Hall in Franklin, MA

WHEN:   Saturday, February 10

   12:30 p.m. (doors open), 1:30 p.m. (event begins)

WHERE:  Franklin High School Auditorium

     218 Oak Street, Franklin, MA

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION (BPHC) RELEASE HEALTH OF BOSTON REPORT

MAYOR WALSH, BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION (BPHC) RELEASE HEALTH OF BOSTON REPORT

BOSTON - Thursday, February 8, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the release of the latest Health of Boston report that presents the overall health of Boston residents, providing a foundation for the City's further planning and implementation of health-related services and policies, and supports the Boston Public Health Commission's (BPHC) critical role in furthering health equity in Boston.  "This report serves as a roadmap to drive and prioritize our efforts by not only describing the health successes and challenges we face as a city, but also offering real world perspectives," said Mayor Walsh. "We celebrate the progress made in the last decade, and look forward to continuing to build a thriving City with health for all residents at its foundation." "I'm encouraged by the progress Boston has already made toward creating opportunities for all residents to live healthy, fulfilling lives," said Chief of Health and Human Services Marty Martinez. "With this data, we are prepared to look toward the future, to work with partners, providers, and residents on tackling health issues collectively and with a broader lens. We will look beyond individual programs and services to build out a system of compassionate care that encompasses all of the needs of Boston's residents." The  2016-2017 Health of Boston report presents data on environmental health, access to health care, maternal and child health, health-related behaviors, chronic disease, cancer, infectious disease, sexual health, injury and exposure to violence, mental health, substance use disorders, and causes of death. The report focuses on the various social, economic, and environmental factors that impact health, such as education, employment, income and poverty, and housing. Data sources for the report include the U.S. census, birth and death registries, hospital emergency department and inpatient discharge databases, sexually transmitted and infectious disease surveillance data, surveys that describe individual behaviors or community demographics and assets, geographical data, and environmental monitoring data from local and state agencies. Data was collected and analyzed by BPHC, the City's health department. "The data and points of view included within the report serve to guide our work, inform our strategic priorities, and increase our capacity to address these challenges through targeted partnerships and collaboration," said BPHC Executive Director Monica Valdes Lupi, JD, MPH. "This report gives us the foundation to tailor our services to the most urgent needs of Boston residents, specifically the most vulnerable." "The Health of Boston report is a valuable tool in measuring the progress we are making to improve the overall health in Boston," stated Wanda McClain, vice president of Community Health and Health Equity, Brigham and Women's Hospital. "We still have work to do to close the gaps that  exist for racial and ethnic populations who have poorer birth outcomes and higher rates of chronic disease. We are committed to working collaboratively with community partners to ensure health equity for all Bostonians." The data identifies advances in reducing in infant mortality and consistently low prevalence of elevated blood lead levels among children under age 6. It also shows declines in adolescent pregnancy, cigarette smoking and binge drinking among youth, chlamydia incidence, hepatitis C incidence, homicide and cancer mortality. Among the report's findings, some include: From 2006 to 2015, deaths among black infants decreased by 36 percent From 2011 to 2015, the birth rate for Boston females ages 15-17 decreased 57 percent From 2007 to 2015, the percentage of high school students who reported smoking decreased from 7.5 percent to 4.8 percent From 2011 to 2015, the cancer mortality rate decreased by 12 percent for Boston residents overall. "As a community health center on the frontline of care, we're thrilled to see outcomes improving for the people of Boston. The City's health initiatives are gaining meaningful traction, indicating that we're on the right path," said Manny Lopes, president and CEO of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC). "Seeing such positive data for East Boston, specifically, is deeply affirming the 1,200 EBNHC team members who work to meet our mission every day. We will build on our positive momentum, improving the health and well-being of the Boston community-and continually redefining what's possible." The report also highlights new and continued challenges such as the local impact of the national opioid epidemic, which is claiming lives at a historically high rate, and chronic disease prevalence rates remaining high. Differences in health experience across racial and ethnic groups, men and women, residents of public housing and homeowners, low income and higher income residents, and several other groups who may be at increased risk for poor health are also addressed. The Boston Public Health Commission, the country's oldest health department, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston. The full report can be found online.  About the Boston Public Health Commission Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission -- to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Child, Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; Recovery Services; and Emergency Medical Services.

Commonwealth Achieves Solar Milestone

Commonwealth Achieves Solar Milestone

State Surpasses 2,000 Megawatts of Installed Solar Capacity

BOSTON – Continuing its commitment to building a robust solar industry in the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced that Massachusetts has now installed more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of solar electricity through 78,646 projects across the state. This announcement builds on the administration’s efforts to diversify the Commonwealth’s energy portfolio to reduce energy costs for ratepayers and meet the Global Warming Solutions Act’s greenhouse gas reduction requirements.

“With over 2,000 megawatts of solar now installed, Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in solar deployment and clean energy innovation,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “Through our next solar incentive program, SMART, and our forward-thinking solar grant programs, we look forward to doubling that amount of solar and building a sustainable and affordable clean energy future for the Commonwealth.”

Massachusetts has ranked second in the United States for total solar jobs for the last two years, and ranks sixth in the nation for new installed solar capacity. Under the Baker-Polito Administration, 56,031 solar projects have been installed with 1,239MW, and almost 50 percent of the solar capacity in Massachusetts has been installed in the last two years. Additionally, all 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts now have at least one solar installation.

“Through the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to increase access to solar technology for all ratepayers – from residents of low-to moderate income, to commercial and industrial users – the Commonwealth is now home to a robust solar industry employing thousands of Massachusetts workers,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Matthew Beaton. “Building on this significant amount of solar installation is a crucial component of the Administration’s commitment to diversify our energy portfolio, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen our vibrant and growing clean energy industry.”

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center’s 2017 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report found that the state’s clean energy sector grew by 4 percent between 2016 and 2017, employing a total of 109,226 clean energy workers. Since 2010, the Commonwealth’s clean energy industry has grown by 81 percent, adding over 49,000 workers.

DOER’s new solar incentive program, Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target (SMART), will support an additional 1,600 MW of solar in Massachusetts, nearly doubling the amount installed as of today at half the estimated pricing of existing programs. The Baker-Polito Administration also offers a menu of solar programs for residents, businesses and public facilities including Solarize Mass, Mass Solar Connect, Mass Solar Loan, and programs to improve low-and moderate-income residents’ access to clean energy through the Affordable Access to Clean and Efficient Energy Initiative (AACEE).

Building on this significant clean energy deployment, in 2016 Governor Baker signedbipartisan energy legislation authorizing the largest procurement of clean energy generation in Massachusetts’ history, approximately 9,450,000MWh of clean energy and approximately 1,600MW of offshore wind energy, to help lower Massachusetts’ energy costs and achieve our greenhouse gas reduction requirements while encouraging economic growth and activity.

DATA DISAGGREGATION MOVES FORWARD, A MAJOR STEP TOWARD EQUITY BY IMPROVING STATEWIDE DATA COLLECTION

APIs CAN! 與華人前進會(Chinese Progressive Association)新聞稿

数据分类向平等和公义迈进重要一步. 改善全州数据分类收集 州议员们承认数据分类不仅是只对亚裔社区重要，而是对所有种族和族裔群体都很重要的问题。联合委员会已设立一个包容性委员会，将数据分类扩大到所有族裔群体。 波士顿 - 经过上星期二，1 月 30 日，冗长的聆听会后，州务行政和监管联合委员会已投票推动 H3361这个法案，会设立一个包容性的委员会，负责更新法案，并把数据分类扩大到麻州所有种族和族裔群体。 这是对提倡改善数据收集分类一个非常重大的胜利，州府的官员终于听到提倡者的声音。在过去数十年来，数据分类一直在亚裔社区是一个关键性的民权问题，亚裔人士并不是全部一样的种族群体，不认清亚裔各族裔不同的需要只会阻碍社区人士得到应有的服务和代表。 这个原来的提案，H3361，包括收集亚裔主要族裔细分的数据，总共得到超过 50 个本地亚太社区团体和各大联盟的支持。由于得到非裔和拉丁裔团体的大力支持，非裔和拉丁裔核心立法小组也全力支持改善数据收集，并扩大到所有种族及领导今次的委员会成立特别小组草议更全面性的法案。 社区提倡者和社会服务团体很高兴能见到这个运动的实现，并会继续在麻州与新成立的委员会一起为被忽略的社区争取平等和能得到重视。 越裔发展协会的主任，黎丽莎解释说：“越裔比其他人更容易患乙型肝炎这些数据可以指引我们准确地提供服务和我们所建立的伙伴关系，以帮助缓解我们社区所需要的心理健康，住房，经济发展和教育/青年服务方面的问题。对于我们服务的许多家庭来说，我们了解影响他们的条件才有能力挽救他们。” H.3361 法案的发起人，昆市的州议员代表陈德基说：“我很高兴 Timilty 主席和 Benson 主席已经同意推动我们的法案。我也感谢非裔和拉丁裔社区的支持和包容。意识到，数据分类对于我们所有的社区都将是非常有利，我期待着与委员会成员合作，制定一个广泛而包容的方式，将数据分类在麻州通过。” 特别委员会名单将会由下列部门任命：包括众议院议长，参议院院长，参议院少数族裔党领导人，众议院议员，参议院议员，非裔咨询委员会，拉丁裔顾问委员会，卫生与公共服务行政办公室，总检察长的民权部，州务卿等。新的草案和任命人仕必须于 2018 年 12 月 31 日之前提交。

DATA DISAGGREGATION MOVES FORWARD, A MAJOR STEP TOWARD EQUITY BY IMPROVING STATEWIDE DATA COLLECTION

State legislators recognize data disaggregation as an important issue, not only in the Asian American communities, but across ALL race and ethnicities. Joint Committee establishes an inclusive commission to expand disaggregated data to all groups.

BOSTON – Following a long hearing last Tuesday, the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight has voted to move House Bill 3361 forward by establishing an inclusive commission tasked with updating the initial placeholder bill, to expand statewide racial and ethnic data collection through disaggregation to all racial and ethnic groups.

This is a significant victory for advocates of  improved data collection, who have been critical voices in moving the issue forward at the State House. For decades, data disaggregation has been an important civil rights issue for Asian American advocates, who view a monolithic racial identity as an impediment to recognizing the underserved and underrepresented.

The initial placeholder bill, H.3361, included data collection for major subgroups in the Asian American communities and was supported by broad coalition of over fifty community-based organizations in the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. As support from Latino and Black organizations poured in, the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus offered its full support to expand and improve data collection for all races and will lead the Committee to establish a commission to craft a more comprehensive bill.

Community advocates and social service agencies are thrilled to see this movement and will work constructively with the newly established commission to fight for recognition of marginalized communities and equity in our Commonwealth.

Lisette Le, Director of Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, explained, “Vietnamese Americans are more likely to have Hepatitis B than other populations. These data points, along with others, are what guide us to determine the services we provide and partnerships we make in order to help mitigate issues around mental health, housing, economic development and education/youth services that our community needs. For many of the families that we serve, our ability to know the conditions that affect them saves their lives.”

“I’m thrilled that Chairman Timilty and Chairwoman Benson have agreed to move our legislation forward,” stated State Representative Tackey Chan (D-Quincy), the sponsor of H.3361. “I’m also grateful for the support and inclusion of the Black and Latino communities in our endeavor. They realize that data disaggregation will be an immensely beneficial tool for all our communities, and I look forward to working with Commission members as we craft a broad and inclusive way to bring data disaggregation to Massachusetts.”

The Special Commission will include House and Senate Members appointed by the Speaker of the House, Senate President and House and Senate Minority Leaders; appointees of the Black Advisory Commission and the Latino Advisory Commission; an appointee of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services; an appointee of the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division; and an appointee of the Secretary of the Commonwealth.  Recommendations and proposed legislation to the clerks of the House of Representatives and the Senate have to be submitted by December 31, 2018.

Massachusetts Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Call for Expansion of Gaming Commission Probe

Massachusetts Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Call for Expansion of Gaming Commission Probe

Cite Cover-Up of Wynn’s Political Contributions to Support Governor Baker

Evidence that Wynn used the RGA to funnel campaign contributions to Baker, in direct violation of Massachusetts gaming law

BOSTON – In a letter (attached) to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission today, all three Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates called for the Gaming Commission to investigate Steve Wynn and Wynn Resorts’ financial support of Charlie Baker in his 2014 gubernatorial election, as part of their ongoing review of Wynn Resorts’ suitability to hold a casino license.

“Steve Wynn’s resignation as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts does not lessen the need for the Commission’s investigation into the company. The need for a thorough investigation is even greater today. Wynn retains his 12% ownership stake in the company, and the same staff and officers who may have abetted this ongoing coverup remain in charge,” reads the letter, signed by Democratic gubernatorial candidates Jay Gonzalez, Bob Massie, and Setti Warren.

“Given the undeniable evidence that Wynn Resorts successfully concealed information from the MGC in the past, we respectfully request that the Commission fully investigate another likely violation of Massachusetts gaming laws by Wynn Resorts and Steve Wynn: their $2 million campaign contribution to then-gubernatorial-candidate Charles D. Baker, which Wynn funneled through the Republican Governors Association (RGA).” 

This past December, the Wall Street Journal reported that in summer 2014, top RGA staff discussed “helping Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker using money committed by casino magnate Steve Wynn, according to a person in the room at the time.” In October 2014, when Wynn Resorts was an applicant for a gaming license, the company gave $2 million to the Republican Governors Association (RGA), its largest-ever donation to the group. The same day, the RGA made a $1.1 million donation to support Baker. Eight days later, it gave $1.1 million more.

When asked by the Journal about Wynn Resorts’ $2 million donation, Phil Cox, who was executive director of the RGA at the time, said of Steve Wynn that he was “sure his interest in the casino was a factor” in the donation to the RGA.

The Massachusetts gaming law states that “No applicant for a gaming license…shall directly or indirectly, pay or contribute any money or thing of value to…any candidate for nomination or election to any public office in the commonwealth, including a municipal office; or any group, political party, committee or association organized in support of any such candidate or political party.”*

The letter also notes that “Governor Charles D. Baker and his political team have a history of concealing the source of political donations to his campaigns. In 2017, the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) found two different political groups aligned with Baker guilty of illegally and intentionally concealing the true source of donations meant to influence two ballot questions in the 2016 election.”

“Both Wynn Resorts and Governor Charles D. Baker have a history of concealing financial information from the public and state authorities. There is also strong evidence that Steve Wynn used the RGA to funnel campaign contributions to Baker’s campaign, in direct violation of Massachusetts gaming law,” reads the letter. “Given these facts, we respectfully ask that the Massachusetts Gaming Commission begin an investigation into Wynn’s financial support of Baker, as part of your thorough look at Wynn Resorts’ suitability to hold a casino license.”

Eastern Bank Recognized Among the Best for Middle Market Businesses for Second Year in a Row

Eastern Bank Recognized Among the Best for Middle Market Businesses for Second Year in a Row

BOSTON, February 7, 2018 – Financial research firm Greenwich Associates recently named Eastern Bank one of the top banks for businesses regionally, bestowing Eastern with three Greenwich Excellence Awards in the categories “Cash Management, Overall Satisfaction,” “Likelihood to Recommend / Net Promoter Score” and “Proactively Provides Advice,” in the Northeast’s Middle Market segment.

Among the 600 banks evaluated nationally, Eastern was one of only two Northeast banks to earn recognition in the “Proactively Provides Advice” category. Greenwich Associates is a leading global financial services research firm that interviewed over 15,000 businesses to determine its results.

“These awards are a direct reflection of the talent and dedication of our team, and their commitment to providing sound advice and innovative solutions that go above and beyond for our customers,” said Bob Rivers, Chairman and CEO of Eastern. “I’m grateful for the overall recognition but particularly happy about the ‘Proactively Provides Advice’ award because only two banks were even mentioned in that category – Eastern and Fulton Bank.”

In 2017, Eastern’s Commercial Banking Group experienced 8 percent growth across the division, originating approximately $1.6 billion in new commercial loans, and generating over $600 million in deposit growth. Eastern was also named the # 1 SBA (Small Business Administration) Lender in New England for the eighth consecutive year, placing it among the top 12 SBA lenders nationally. 

花蓮大地震 波士頓僑胞關懷祈福

【波士頓僑胞關心花蓮震災   為臺灣祈福】

花蓮在2月6日深夜發生規模6有感地震，導致多棟大樓倒塌，民眾傷亡嚴重，波士頓地區許多僑胞對災情十分關心，紛紛主動詢問僑教中心，也表達欲捐款賑災；據悉，目前已有一位旅居東南亞的僑領在第一時間即捐助10萬美金（約新台幣300萬元），充分展現人飢己飢、人溺己溺的大愛精神。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪偕僑教中心主任歐宏偉於6日晚間出席佛蒙特州臺灣同鄉會活動時，特別向鄉親報告最新災情消息，與會人士共同為臺灣祈福，並在關心之餘，主動表達想捐款賑災或提供相關協助。

賴銘琪說，兩年前同一天發生南台強震時，新英格蘭地區許多僑團和個別僑胞立即發動募款活動，就是希望能盡己之力幫助故鄉，他對於僑胞鄉親關切災情出錢出力，表達由衷的感佩。

歐宏偉表示，當花蓮地震的嚴重災情迅速傳到海外僑社後，僑務委員會便接獲各地僑胞許多關心的訊息，全球各地僑團及僑胞以各種方式主動表達捐款捐助。他說，為方便海外僑胞捐款賑災，僑務委員會已迅速提供衛生福利部賑災專戶供海外僑胞運用，他很感謝僑胞鄉親對國人和故鄉的關心與協助。

海外捐款專戶資訊如下：

金融機構名稱：兆豐國際商業銀行國外部（MEGA
INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANK CO.,LTD.）

戶名：衛生福利部賑災專戶（MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND WELFARE
DONATION A/C）

帳號：007-09-11868-0

地址：台北市中山區吉林路100號 [1]（NO.100, CHI-LIN RD.
TAIPEI CITY, TAIWAN）

通匯代號（SWIFT CODE）：ICBCTWTP007

用途別註記：「0206花蓮震災專案」（0206 Hualien
Earthquake）

(波士頓僑教中心提供)

中華頤養院CEO人選出爐 William Grave訂 3/1 上任

South Cove Manor Appoints William Graves as President and C.E.O.

South Cove Manor at Quincy Point, a non-profit rehabilitation and skilled nursing care community focused on serving Asian elders and their families, has announced the appointment of William Graves as President and C.E.O. effective March 1, 2018.  

Mr. Graves is an experienced nursing home administrator and a nationally recognized leader in resident-centered care.  Since 1999 he has served as the Administrator and President of St. Camillus Health Center in Whitinsville, MA, a 123-bed skilled nursing facility.  Highlights of Mr. Grave’s tenure at St. Camillus include accreditation by the Joint Commission, or JCAHO, and development of both a designated memory care neighborhood within the facility and an off-site Adult Day Health Program.

Mr. Graves serves as Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Nursing Home Administrators, and as an elected member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association.

South Cove Manor Board Chair, Richard Lui, said “Bill is a good fit for our mission-driven approach and our community and we are excited to have him coming on board to lead our organization.  His strategic approach coupled with his financial acumen and strong leadership experience make him an excellent choice for South Cove.”

Founded in Boston in 1985, South Cove Manor moved in 2014 to a new state-of-the-art campus at 288 Washington Street in Quincy, significantly expanding its rehabilitation capacity, and creating a series of small resident communities for elders.  Bill Graves commented, “South Cove Manor is highly regarded for its excellent care and committed staff, and I am honored to join this exceptional organization.”

AG HEALEY’S FISCAL YEAR 2017 RECOVERIES AND SAVINGS EXCEED $800 MILLION FOR STATE, TAXPAYERS

AG HEALEY’S FISCAL YEAR 2017 RECOVERIES AND SAVINGS EXCEED $800 MILLION FOR STATE, TAXPAYERS

AG’s Office Recovered More Than $17 for Every Dollar Invested in the Office

BOSTON – Attorney General Maura Healey today announced that her office brought back more than $800 million in recoveries and savings for the state and taxpayers in fiscal year 2017, including more than $79 million to the General Fund. The AG’s Office recovered more than $17 for every dollar invested in its work in fiscal year 2017. 

“My office saves hundreds of millions of dollars each year for state agencies, cities and towns, businesses and residents,” said AG Healey. “We are deeply committed to putting money back in the pockets of Massachusetts families through our work. In the last year, we also recovered more than $79 million for the General Fund to support the state and our taxpayers.”

The AG’s Office is organized into various bureaus and divisions, each committed to advocating for the interests of Massachusetts and its residents. The following highlights some notable recoveries and savings from certain bureaus and divisions within the AG’s Office.

            Government

The AG’s Government Bureau represents the state, its agencies and officials in a broad range of civil litigation. Cases include employment disputes, eminent domain and land cases, constitutional challenges to state action and laws, and litigation involving key state policies and millions of dollars in taxpayer funds. For example, in fiscal year 2017 the Administrative Law Division successfully represented the Department of Mental Health in a health care case that resulted in an estimated $7 million in savings for the first year. The AG’s Trial Division saved Massachusetts $260 million in nationwide arbitration proceedings after tobacco manufacturers decided to drop their challenge to the state’s enforcement of its escrow statutes against non-settling tobacco companies.

Ratepayer Advocacy

Through the Energy and Telecommunications Division, the AG’s Office serves as the statutory Ratepayer Advocate in proceedings on behalf of consumers. In fiscal year 2017, the Division’s work yielded approximately $227 million in savings to ratepayers and customers.

Insurance & Financial Services

AG Healey’s Insurance & Financial Services Division represents consumers and the state in civil matters involving the insurance, securities and lending industries. In fiscal year 2017, the Division brought back more than $136 million in recoveries and savings to the state. The Division reached a first-in-the-nation settlement with Santander for $22 million, including relief for more than 2,000 affectedMassachusetts car buyers who were set up with unfair, high-rate auto loans. The Division houses the AG’s Student Loan Assistance Unit, which fielded more than 4,000 hotline calls, handled more than 1,000 requests for assistance, held 14 student loan workshops, and generated $2.4 million in savings and recoveries for student loan borrowers.

False Claims

Created in 2015 by AG Healey to expand upon the office’s existing false claims initiative, the False Claims Division investigates alleged false statements used to obtain government contracts or funds. In fiscal year 2017, the Division recovered more than $46 million for the state, its agencies and political subdivisions, including $5.5 million from CDM Smith Inc. to resolve allegations it failed in its obligations to adequately oversee construction of Plum Island’s water and sewer systems.

Consumer Advocacy

In fiscal year 2017, the AG’s Consumer Protection Division recovered more than $41 million, including $27 million in student loan debt relief for students taken advantage of by for-profit college America Career Institute as well as $3 million in refunds to students. The AG’s Consumer Advocacy and Response Division provided more than 8,000 consumers with mediation, consumer assistance services, or loan modification assistance.

Environment

In its work to enforce state environmental laws, the AG’s Environmental Protection Division recovered more than $21 million in civil penalties and other payments in fiscal year 2017. Volkswagen and related entities paid $20 million to Massachusetts, which is the largest civil penalty ever obtained in an environmental enforcement case brought by the state, for implementing engineering cheats designed to conceal the illegally high nitrogen oxide emissions of its passenger diesel vehicles. 

Medicaid Fraud

AG Healey’s Medicaid Fraud Division is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of fraud against the state’s Medicaid program, known as MassHealth. In their efforts to root out fraud and recover taxpayer dollars, the Division recovered more than $8 million to MassHealth in fiscal year 2017 as well as $700,000 towards the office’s Youth Opioid Prevention grant program from settlements with Walgreens and CVS over their opioid dispensing practices. Last week, AG Healey announced that the Division recovered more than $45 million for MassHealth in calendar year 2017.

Health Care

The AG’s Health Care Division recovered $4.6 million in its efforts to promote the interests of Massachusetts health care consumers in fiscal year 2017, including $930,000 from Johnson & Johnsonover its marketing of certain drugs and $400,000 from Bristol-Myers Squib for its unlawful marketing of Abilify, an anti-psychotic, to children and the elderly. The Division secured $2.8 million for Massachusetts policyholders of United Life Insurance who were unlawfully sold inadequate health insurance.

Fair Labor

The AG’s Fair Labor Division works to create a level playing field in Massachusetts by educating employers about our laws and protecting vulnerable workers from wage theft. In fiscal year 2017, the Division recovered nearly $3.5 million in restitution and penalties for violations of our state labor laws. In March 2017, for example, a Lowell reusable bag factory paid nearly $1.2 million to resolve numerous wage and hour law violations and for retaliating against employees. Since October 2016, the AG’s Office has also held free, monthly Wage Theft Clinics to provide legal assistance to workers in need. More than 230 workers have received assistance through those clinics and more than $65,000 in wages were recovered last fiscal year. 

            Criminal Enforcement

AG Healey’s Criminal Bureau recovered more than $4 million as a result of criminal forfeitures in fiscal year 2017. The Enterprise, Major and Cyber Crimes Division, which targets criminal enterprises using sophisticated investigative techniques, seized more than $1 million in cash and the Gaming Enforcement Division seized approximately $3 million in laundered proceeds. An additional nearly $250,000 was recovered by the Insurance and Unemployment Fraud Unit, which investigates and prosecutes cases of fraud against insurers and against the state unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation system.