Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Celebrating and supporting the Charles River Center is a family event! On Sunday, My family and I participated in the Charles River Center’s 5K run/1 mile walk held in Needham. The Charles River Center’s mission is to empower and support people with developmental disabilities by offering high-quality, individualized opportunities that foster independence and community inclusion. This fun, family event fundraised for programs benefitting children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To support or learn more about the Charles River Center, click here.
Yours in Service,
Denise
District Updates
The walls in my office are looking a bit bare, so let’s get creative! We’re looking for you to submit a drawing of what you love most about your town. Submissions are open to all residents in the district and will be displayed in my office. To submit your drawing, click here.
- In Needham, Needham Public Schools will be hosting a discussion on gun violence on Wednesday, September 28 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm. The event takes place at the Broadmeadow Elementary School’s Performance Center and will feature an expert panel discussion on gun violence prevention. See flyer above to find more information and to RSVP, click here.
- In Needham, the annual Harvest Fair will be held on Sunday, October 2 from 11 am to 3 pm at Greene’s Field. The event will feature a variety of local businesses and community organizations with fun for the whole family. To find more information, click here.
- In Dover, Powisset Farm is holding family fun autumn activities every Saturday and Sunday. The farm will feature hayrides, apple cider, live music, hiking trails, barnyard animals, and a variety of food options. To find more information, click here.
- In Medfield, the Bellforge Arts Center is hosting the Blackstone Valley String Quartet’s “Celebrate Women” concert on Friday, September 30. The concert will begin at 5:30 pm and end at 9 pm. Enjoy the works of female musicians at this outdoor concert. To find more information, click here.
Statewide Updates
- The Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is hiring a Program Director.
Dear Commissioners and Interested Parties,
We are excited to share that our job posting for a Program Director is now LIVE on MassCareers at the following link: Job Description – Program Director (22000B4W) (taleo.net). Please share this posting far and wide and encourage people who may be a good fit to apply. We are requesting a resume, cover letter, and writing sample be sent to Denise.Garlick@mahouse.gov.
Below is a short blurb you may use as a template to share the posting. Feel free to edit as you see fit:
The Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities is hiring for our very first employee: a Program Director! The Commission was established in 2021 as an independent state agency with a broad charge to advance the cause of all persons with disabilities in the Commonwealth. Our current focus includes state legislative and budget advocacy and encouraging the employment of persons with disabilities – and the workforce who serves them.
The Program Director will the primary program support for the Commission as we continue this important work. The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated, goal-driven, fast learner with exceptional communication and organization skills, a high level of professionalism, and a desire to work in a collaborative and performance driven environment. Primary responsibilities will be staffing full commission and subcommittee meetings, coordinating communications, and drafting minutes and notes.
Persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. Visit Job Description – Program Director (22000B4W) (taleo.net) to view the posting and instructions to apply.
- Prior to, but exacerbated by, the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of individuals in crisis needing inpatient psychiatric care increased. To meet the needs of individuals across the Commonwealth, I served on the conference committee for An Act addressing barriers to care for mental health known as the Mental Health ABC Act. In accordance with the new law, the Division of Insurance has instructed insurance carriers to waive prior authorization for all ongoing monitoring and stabilization services for patients. Removing the need for prior authorization will be a valuable tool to promote equitable access to mental health care for all residents of the Commonwealth.
- The State General Election will be held on November 8, the following are important dates for the upcoming election:
- Voter Registration Deadline: October 29
- Vote by Mail Application Deadline: November 1
- Early Voting: October 22 – November 4
- Election Day Polling Hours: 7 am – 8 pm
For more information and registration, click here.
- The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has a dedicated phone number to serve anyone 65 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 Veterans of Foreign Wars is hosting a student essay contest for middle and high schoolers. This is a local, statewide, and national competition with awards ranging from $200 to $35,000. The deadline for the essay competition is October 31, 2022. For more information and to access the application form, click here.
- Millions of children return to school this fall, for some, returning to school brings feelings of anxiety and feeling unsafe. The Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma lists resources on how educators and organizations can help kids get ready for back to school when they feel unsafe returning. To learn more, click here.
- The Food and Drug Administration has approved updated COVID-19 boosters. 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.
- Children under five years old are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This expands eligibility for vaccination to nearly 20 million additional children and now everyone six months and older can receive the vaccine. To find locations offering the vaccine, 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.
