Latest news with #Healey-Driscoll
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Massachusetts launches public survey on graduation requirements
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration is giving residents a chance to submit ideas on what the state should adopt for graduation requirements going forward. The state is launching a public survey for students, parents, and educators alike to detail how they define a graduate in the Bay State. They're also holding listening sessions around the state, with one coming up in Holyoke on Thursday and a virtual session on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Education Department pausing plan to garnish Social Security checks over defaulted loans 'The listening sessions in Taunton, Worcester and Somerville provided deeply meaningful feedback, and I thank all of the parents, educators and community members who joined. We are working to bring the definition of what it means to graduate from high school to new heights, and additional public feedback is only going to strengthen these efforts. I encourage everyone to fill out the survey and look forward to engaging with more residents at the remaining listening sessions,' said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. For more information on those listening sessions or to complete the survey by June 30th at WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mass. nonprofits receive grant funds to combat opioid crisis
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration awarded $1.5 million in matching grant funds to municipalities and organizations across the state to address areas impacted by the opioid crisis. The grants have been delivered in collaboration with the Mosaic Opioid Recovery Partnership, which began its partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's (DPH) Bureau of Substance Addiction Services and RIZE Massachusetts in 2024. The administration announced on Monday that 30 nonprofits and municipalities received funding. First responders host Public Safety Day in South Hadley 'Our ability to meaningfully reduce the devastating impacts of the overdose crisis is dependent on expanding pathways to accessible services at the grassroots level. These nonprofit organizations are equipped with the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to the unique needs of their communities,' said Department of Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. 'Supporting culturally responsive and evidence-based strategies in our hardest-hit communities has – and will continue to – save lives.' Through this funding, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000, organizations will be able to fund initiatives in their communities to support those impacted by the opioid crisis. These initiatives focus on at least one of these areas: prevention, harm reduction, access to care, recovery, trauma, grief, and family support. This is the second round of grants distributed through the Mosaic partnership. RIZE Massachusetts plans to conduct two more rounds of matching grants through 2027. The grant recipients receiving funds are the following: Adult & Teen Challenge Southern New England Women's Home Behavioral Health Innovators (BHI) Berkshire Regional Planning Commission Choices City of Cambridge City of Fall River City of Fitchburg City of Lawrence City of Lynn City of Medford City of New Bedford City of Revere City of Somerville Community Legal Aid, Inc. Franklin Regional Council of Governments Gloucester, Ipswich, Rockport Opioid Abatement Collaborative Justice Resource Institute d/b/a Program RISE Latin American Health Alliance Metropolitan Area Planning Council, Metro Mayors Coalition Power Forward Inc. Tapestry Health The Brien Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Town of Arlington Town of Brookline Town of Falmouth Town of Holbrook Town of Natick Town of Orange Town of Winthrop Troubled Waters Inc d/b/a The Bridge Club of Greater Lowell WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HCC, Dean Tech team up to teach green tech, construction to jobseekers
SPRINGFIELD — Holyoke Community College and Dean Technical High School are teaming up for a new, free seven-week green tech and construction program that's already getting a diverse, inaugural group of trainees prepped for the workforce. 'We like to call it a three-in-one introductory program. It is an introduction to green construction and electricity, and how those are applied to clean energy systems, such as solar panels and EV chargers,' said Mary Wagner, HCC clean energy training manager. Trainees in 'Introductory Training Green Construction, Electricity and Clean Energy Systems' can earn some Occupational Safety and Health Administration construction safety credentials, while learning green building, hand and power tool use, electrical concepts and circuitry. The free program is paid for with a two-year, $832,000 state grant that HCC received in 2024 for climate-related workforce training initiatives. HCC was the only institution in Western Massachusetts to receive this funding, which was part of a $3.4 million allocation from the Healey-Driscoll administration. Four Dean Tech educators teach the program. On top of having teaching experience, they also have worked in the field and have union knowledge. Wagner said students have conveyed to her that these well-liked instructors have created a helpful, friendly learning environment. Starting July 7 through Aug. 1, there will be two free, four-week programs to train workers for jobs in the clean energy sector and prepare students for careers in one of Massachusetts' fastest-growing industries. The green construction, electricity and clean energy systems program will shift from evenings to Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In addition, the schools will run a weatherization-intensive training program. Those classes will meet at Dean Tech and HCC on Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During this four-week program, trainees will learn proper tool use and techniques for air sealing, weather stripping, insulating, spray foaming, and controlling building moisture and ventilation. All of these measures reduce energy costs by increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. State Rep. Patricia Duffy said this kind of program is exactly what her constituents need, and what the city needs. 'It's what people of all ages are looking for. Holyoke Community College is following high-demand industries,' said Duffy. 'Holyoke is getting a lot of attention for clean energy companies coming to the city, and we want companies to come and hire local people.' Students who complete the program will be eligible for work in construction, can apply for a paid electrician apprenticeship program or enroll in further training as a clean energy technician. Programs like these reflect the state's priorities of closing the skills gap and creating pathways into high-demand industries. HCC works with multiple community and employer partners to ensure their trainees receive assistance to secure employment or further education. Local assistance programs and employers include places like the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, Springfield Works, Green Crest Energy, the Coalition for an Equitable Economy, Trinity Solar, Holyoke Gas & Electric, and the MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board. Kermit Dunkelberg, HCC's assistant vice president of adult education and workforce development, shared that he hopes the dual focus of training people for jobs and helping small businesses grow will result in more locally owned companies doing the work in the area. 'Much of the work to date is done by out-of-state contractors with large companies, but where is the space for a new company? Where's the space for BIPOC-owned companies and women-owned? I hope we are creating some pathways that are more accessible for the communities we're trying to serve,' said Dunkelberg. Last year, the state Division of Apprenticeship Standards approved $465,600 in registered apprenticeship tax credits for employers who hired 97 apprentices, a statement from the Healey-Driscoll Administration said. Because of a 2023 tax cut package, clean energy employers are now eligible for the tax credit of up to $4,800 per apprentice. Clean energy employers hired 26 apprentices using the tax credit last year. 'By expanding eligibility to some of our most in-demand and growing industries, we are reducing the cost of doing business in Massachusetts, encouraging employers to leverage apprenticeship as a strategy to fill their hiring needs, and giving dozens of Massachusetts residents a pathway to a good-paying career,' Healey said in the statement. In the fall, HCC and Dean Tech also will launch a solar associate technical training and certification program that will run from September to December. Wagner said that future programs include EV charger installation and maintenance training and certification, energy auditing training, and home energy rating system training. While this is a two-year funded grant, Duffy said she will advocate for additional funding. 'We have to show the proven results that we are getting students through this program, getting jobs, and companies are attracted to it. We will need to get the companies to advocate on this program, too,' said Duffy. To be eligible, students must be at least 18, authorized to work in the U.S., have a high school diploma or equivalency, be able to start work after the training, and pass a background check. For more information or to enroll, visit or contact career counselor Mike Blasco at mblasco@ or 413-552-2801. Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Western Mass. school districts receive federal grant funding for healthy meal programs
EVERETT, Mass. (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded federal grants to 16 school districts to improve the safety and quality of student meal programs across the Commonwealth. The administration announced on Tuesday that $220,600 will be distributed through the School Nutrition Equipment Assistance for Schools grant program. School districts will be able to use this funding to purchase additional kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators or freezers, to present students with a wider variety of healthy choices, or to acquire specialized cooking equipment like steamers to provide higher-quality options for students. Massachusetts education secretary to discuss local budgets in Northampton 'Massachusetts is committed to supporting school meals and local school districts,' said Governor Maura Healey. 'We all know the importance of providing healthy meals to our young people. This funding will help schools enhance the quality, safety, and appeal of the breakfasts and lunches they offer to students.' Massachusetts has become the eighth state to make universal free school meals permanent, following Governor Healey's signing of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which emphasizes her commitment to supporting students' needs. 'Food security is essential for learning – it's related to a hierarchy of need – students can't focus on learning if they are hungry,' said Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 'But we know that it is more than just access to food. We also want to ensure the meals are healthy and high quality, supporting students' health and wellbeing now and into the future. This grant funding helps promote school environments that enable students to focus on their classes, instead of where their next meal is coming from.' Several western Massachusetts school districts received funding through this year's round of federal grants. The 16 School Nutrition Equipment Assistance for Schools grant recipients are the following: Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter (in Boston): $4,485 Abby Kelley Foster Charter (in Worcester): $18,322 Argosy Collegiate Charter (in Fall River): $6,986 Benjamin Banneker Charter (in Cambridge): $19,579 Brockton Public Schools: $7,174 Fitchburg Public Schools: $20,000 Global Learning Charter (in New Bedford): $14,360 Holyoke Public Schools: $33,345 Hull Public Schools: $6,176 Lowell Public Schools: $5,464 Martha's Vineyard Charter: $20,000 Northampton Public Schools: $10,232 Pioneer Valley Regional School District (in Northfield): $20,000 Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District (in Orange): $6,819 Scituate Public Schools: $19,740 Worcester Public Schools: $7,929 WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. announces new initiative to lower utility bills
BOSTON (WWLP) – The Healey-Driscoll administration announced another initiative to lower the cost of energy in Massachusetts, this one boasting at least $10 billion in savings over the next decade. The plan, dubbed the Energy Affordability, Independence & Innovation Act, looks to lower costs by taking charges off your bills, expanding moderate income discounts, and bringing more energy supply into Massachusetts. Brimfield Antique Flea Market kicks off 2025 season 'I believe that this legislation is going to give us the tools that we need to create more accountability for our utilities and maximize every single ratepayer dollar,' Governor Healey said. This announcement comes after a winter of uniquely high utility bill prices, particularly in western and central Massachusetts, which resulted in $50 rebates to eligible families and calls for utility companies to implement serious changes. 'I think everybody recognized what a difficult winter we had all had and how much people were hurting having to pay their large electric and gas bills,' said Energy Secretary Rebecca Tepper. The new legislation will be building on previously-announced efforts to cut an additional $6 billion from utility bills, but some groups, like the Mass Fiscal Alliance, say issuing further reforms is akin to admitting that prior attempts at driving down prices actually raised them. Also with this legislation, the state will be looking at small-scale nuclear technology to create more energy for the Bay State for the first time. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
