Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The month of October is recognized nationally as Disability Employment Awareness Month. This month, we celebrate contributions individuals with disabilities have made to the American economy and workplace, spread awareness, and educate about disability employment issues. In the spirit of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, join me in spreading awareness for a more inclusive workforce as support can range from simply putting up a poster to establishing disability education programs. Here in Massachusetts, we offer a Disability Employment Tax Credit for up to $5,000 for companies that hire employees with disabilities. To learn more about the tax credit, click here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
The temperatures are dropping and many of us are thinking about turning on the furnace. I share your concern about high heating costs this winter and would like to share with you information that may help ease the financial burden of paying heating costs this winter. For more information and resources, click here.
- In Needham, Needham High School will be holding its craft fair and bake sale on Saturday, October 22. The craft fair and bake sale will be from 9 am to 4 pm at the Needham High School A & B gyms. Nearly a hundred vendors will be present to sell their high-quality, handmade items. To learn more about the event, click here.
- In Dover, the Dover-Sherborn Special Education Advisory Council is hosting a coffee meet event on Saturday, October 22 at 10 am. Parents of students on an IEP or 504 are welcome to attend and be a part of the SEPAC. To learn more about SEPAC, click here.
- In Medfield, the Medfield Food Cupboard’s shelves are stocked and are offering help to any Medfield residents who are facing a food shortage, concern, or food insecurity. For questions or more information, call or email the Medfield Food Cupboard at (508)359-4958 or info@MedfieldFoodCupboard.com
Statewide Updates
- The student loan forgiveness and relief plan to provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation rolled out a three-part plan. The three-part plan includes 1) direct debt relief, 2) a pause on loan payments, and 3) a redesign of the current loan system. Borrowers have until December 31, 2023 to submit their applications. To find out if the Department of Education owes your loans, follow the instructions listed here.
- The Center for Disease Control (CDC) expands updated COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 – 11. The updated COVID-19 boosters add Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein components which restore protections from previous vaccinations by targeting more transmissible variants. To find locations offering the vaccine, click here.
- Everyone 6 months and older is encouraged to get vaccinated for the flu. Most influenza activity in Massachusetts occurs from October to March each year. A flu vaccine offers the best defense against the flu and spreading it to others, when more people get vaccinated against the flu, less can spread through the community. To learn more about flu prevention and vaccine information, click here.
- Massachusetts received federal approval and $67.2 billion to expand and extend the Medicaid (Masshealth) section 1115 waiver through December 2027. The newly approved section 1115 waiver goals include investing in primary, behavioral, and pediatric care, addressing health-related social needs and disparities, and integrating food insecurity into health care. To learn more about the MassHealth section 1115, click here.
- The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has a dedicated phone number to serve anyone 75 years of age or older. The phone number is (857)368-8005. Massachusetts law requires drivers who are 75 years of age or older to renew in person. The RMV has dedicated hours on Wednesdays at certain RMV service centers, for assistance, call the number provided. For more information for older drivers, click here.
- The Department of Public Health (DPH) has shared resources for protecting yourself, your family, and your community from COVID-19. The best protection against COVID-19 and getting vaccinated and staying up to date on your vaccine, DPH also recommends six other tools you can use for protection. To view this resource, click here.