Massachusetts Public Health Association
 
Action for Equity in Health   
 
August 2016
In This Issue:

 

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I am thrilled to share with you that the final FY17 budget was passed with $100K in funding for the Massachusetts Food Trust! This is a great accomplishment, especially considering this year's severe budget challenges. Thank you to all of our supporters and partners who helped secure this victory, which will pave the way to  bringing healthy food access and good jobs to communities across the Commonwealth. Our next step is to get dedicated Capital Funding. Find out more here

Read below for more exciting news on legislative victories to advance health equity in Massachusetts as well as opportunities to advocate for important programs, including the  Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, an innovative first-in-the-nation program that supports community based partnerships to prevent chronic disease. 

View MPHA Events below for details on our upcoming forum on the public health and criminal justice implications of the ballot initiative to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts and for information on  MPHA's 2016 Annual Meeting and ExpoWe are pleased to announce that both Dr. Camara Jones and Dean Sandro Galea will be speakers at this year's Annual Meeting!

I would like to bring your attention to an issue of crucial importance before I close. While our state is making significant strides in advancing health equity and equality for all its citizens, we can't let up on the critical issue of gun violence prevention. Please read our  Crucial Issue Spotlight below, to learn why MPHA stands with Attorney General Maura Healey in her enforcement of the Massachusetts assault weapons ban. 

All the best wishes for the remainder of the summer,

 
 

Rebekah Gewirtz
Executive Director
MPHA Events
AMTGSave the Date! Camara Jones and Sandro Galea will Speak at MPHA's 2016 Annual Meeting and Expo 
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 | DCU Center, 50 Foster Street, Worcester, MA 8:30 am - 3:30 pm 
Camara Jones is President of the American Public Health Association, and a Senior Fellow at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Jones is a family physician and epidemiologist whose work focuses on the impacts of racism on the health and well-being of the nation.  She seeks to broaden the national health debate to include not only universal access to high quality health care, but also attention to the social determinants of health and the social determinants of equity.
Dean Sandro Galea is the Robert A. Knox Professor and Dean at the Boston University School of Public Health.  Dean Galea was named one of TIME magazine's epidemiology innovators and listed by Thomson Reuters as one of the "World's Most Influential Scientific Minds" for the Social Sciences. He currently serves on the  National Advisory Council on Minority Health and Health Disparities .
Stay tuned for more details to be announced soon. Visit our event page, here
ForumDigging Deeper: the Public Health and Criminal Justice Implications of Marijuana Legalization
Friday, September 16, 2016 | Framingham Town Hall | 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Click image above to view flyer
Following the success of MPHA's May forum on marijuana legalization, MPHA is hosting a second forum on the issue in Framingham in collaboration with the MetroWest Health Foundation

We are thrilled to have Martha Bebinger, WBUR award winning health reporter, as the moderator for this event as well as a diverse panel of experts to help us gain a deeper understanding of the impact the marijuana ballot initiative could have on public health and criminal justice in Massachusetts.
 
This is a free event but RSVP is required to attend. Light breakfast will be provided.
September Soiree in Western Mass to Support MPHA
This September, MPHA Board members will be hosting a friendraiser and fundraiser in Western Massachusetts. Space is limited so if you would like to attend this warm and festive gathering, please contact Akosua Ampofo Siever, MPHA Development Director at:  aampofosiever@mapublichealth.org by August 12th to be included on the guest list.
Policy NotesPolicyNotes
We did it! $100K in the State Budget for the Massachusetts Food Trust - Now Let's Get Capital Funding!
Last month we were thrilled to let you know that the Conference Committee budget included $100,000 in dedicated funding for the operating expenses of the Massachusetts Food Trust Program, an incredible feat considering the Commonwealth's significant budget challenges.  This month, we have even greater news to share: Governor Charlie Baker finalized the FY17 Budget, maintaining the $100,000 for the  Massachusetts Food Trust ! This means that after nearly four years of intensive advocacy and organizing by MPHA, and our partners the Massachusetts Food Trust finally has the funds to get up and running.

In addition, this past weekend, the legislature sent a final economic development bill to the Governor that includes an authorization of $6m in capital funds for the Massachusetts Food Trust. 
These actions bring us very close to the legislative victories needed to launch the Food Trust from concept to reality. Please take a minute to contact the Governor today to ensure we achieve this hard-fought victory to improve healthy food access.   Read on
PWTFSign-On Letter: Support the Future of the Prevention & Wellness Trust Fund
What do Berkshire Health Systems, the Hudson Board of Health, the YMCA of Central MA, and Boston Senior Home Care have in common?  They've all signed on to a letter supporting the Prevention & Wellness Trust Fund (PWTF)...and  we hope your organization will as well!

We invite all of our local, regional, and statewide allies to sign on to  this letter calling for re-authorization of  the PWTF-- the first-in-the-nation effort launched in 2012 after a hard fought effort by MPHA and many allies. Funding for PWTF sunsets in June 2017 unless there is further legislative action. Read on
Senate Passes Paid Family and Medical Leave! 
On July 30th, the Massachusetts Senate passed the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act (PFML). PFML would  make employees eligible for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to recover from or take care of a family member suffering from a serious illness or injury or to care for a new baby or child. 

There is more to do before PFML becomes law, however. Please show your support and take a moment to thank your state senator for supporting this important bill. 
Historic Moment - Governor Baker Signs Pay Equity Bill into Law
In a historic moment this week, Governor Baker signed the Act to Establish Pay Equity into law. This bill is the result of years of advocacy to address the gender based "wage gap" and to place Massachusetts once again as a leader in advancing equality. 

At the bill signing Senate President Stan Rosenberg counted the pay equity bill alongside an increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit as part of a platform to help low- and middle-class families. Increasing family economic stability has been shown to improve family health. 

Click here to read bill text. 
MPHA-Priority Legislation to Strengthen Local Health Passes in the House
On Thursday, July 28th, the House passed MPHA-priority legislation aimed at strengthening our system of local and regional public health services. The push in the House was led by Representative Denise Garlick, with important support from Representative Steve Kulik and Public Health Committee Chairwoman Kate Hogan. 

The bill was passed in the Senate in May through the leadership of Senator Jason Lewis, and has just a few minor procedural steps remaining before being sent to the Governor's desk.  We are optimistic that this will happen in the near future. Read on
MPHA UpdatesUpcomingMPHAEvents
MPHA Coalition and Field Director Kristina St. Cyr Engages Youth Leaders 
Coalition and Field Organizer Kristina St. Cyr recently visited with The Food Project's Root Crew , a group of youth leaders who are given opportunities to lead community dialogue around food system change and social justice.

Kristina engaged the Root Crew members in discussion about the Massachusetts Food Trust and the importance of state and local advocacy. The youth leaders will put what they learned to practice when they visit legislators at the State House this month to advocate for the implementation of a robust Food Trust program in their communities.
Volunteer Update: Welcome Kate Harrell!
MPHA is pleased to welcome Kathleen (Kate) Harrell to the MPHA Development Committee!
Kate is an Associate Attorney with Donoghue Barrett & Singal 's Health Law practice, where she advises healthcare providers on a variety of state and federal regulatory matters including contractual and bid submissions. Over the past 12 years Kate also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Salient Health Solutions, a grant writing and research firm. Read on
CICrucial Issue Spotlight
MPHA Stands with Attorney General Maura Healey on Assault Weapons Loophole Closure
Following weeks of devastating tragedies across the nation involving assault weapons, including the largest mass murder in the history of our country,  Attorney General Maura Healey announced on July 20, that the Commonwealth will crackdown on illegal sales of assault weapons in Massachusetts. The Attorney General put gun manufacturers on notice that the State of Massachusetts determines what qualifies as an assault weapon, not gun manufacturers. 

For many years, the gun industry has sold copycat assault weapons in an effort to get around our state's ban. Without approval from government or law enforcement, manufacturers have marketed these weapons as "Massachusetts compliant" when they are not. The Attorney General's Enforcement Notice simply announces that her office will be enforcing our existing assault weapons ban. A copycat AR-15 is virtually indistinguishable from the original and just as deadly. We need strong leaders like Attorney General Healey who will stand up to the gun industry and enforce our laws to protect the citizens of our Commonwealth.

Following the recent mass shootings, sales of weapons similar to those used by the shooters have risen sharply. Following the Pulse shooting in Orlando, sales of an assault weapon similar to that used by the shooter rose as much as 450% in Massachusetts. These hugely destructive weapons do not belong in the hands of civilians. As the state's leading voice for public health, MPHA stands with Attorney General Maura Healey and applauds her courage in taking a stand on this issue. Let's stand up together against the baseless attacks on the Attorney General by the gun lobby and get illegal assault weapons out of the hands of civilians, as intended by the Massachusetts assault weapons ban.
Public Health NewsPubHealthNews
Deadline August 15, 2016
APHA is accepting applications for the 2017 APHA Public Health Fellowship in Government. The Fellowship in Government provides a unique public policy learning experience, demonstrates the value of science-government interaction and enhances public health science and practical knowledge in government. Learn more and apply, here
Worcester Regional Food Hub's Kitchen Incubator is Open
Dave Johnson, Worcester Regional Food Hub, and the Kitchen Incubator's first tenant, the YouthGROW program
Worcester Regional Food Hub's incubator kitchen opened earlier this summer.
 The Commercial Kitchen Incubator provides licensed commercial kitchen facilities, culinary training, and planning assistance to support the development of food businesses by farmers, caterers, and other food entrepreneurs looking to start or grow an existing business. 

This is exactly the type of program that in the future could be funded by the Massachusetts Food Trust!  (See fact sheet on Massachusetts Food Trust here)


The Department of Agricultural Resources Releases new Food Ventures Program to Promote Locally Grown Foods
The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources recently released its new Massachusetts Food Ventures Program for the 2017 fiscal year. The grants will support the implementation of projects that increase access to Massachusetts grown, caught, or harvested healthy food and to improve economic opportunities for low to moderate income communities. Click here to read the Massachusetts Food Ventures Program Request for Response
Upcoming Public Health Events 
8.9.16 Web Forum: HI-5: Exploring Community-Wide Interventions That Have Health Impact in 5 Years.  Learn more here .


10.20.16: 2016 Summit - Eastern Massachusetts: Vision and Learning - Making the Connection.  Children's Vision Massachusetts. More info and registration, here.

10.24.16: 2016 Summit - Western Massachusetts: Vision and Learning - Making the Connection. Children's Vision Massachusetts. More info and registration, here.
The Massachusetts Public Health Association (MPHA) is the champion for public health in the Commonwealth. We are the catalyst for change, eliminating health inequities and creating healthy communities for all. For more information, visit us at  mapublichealth.org or call 857.263.7072.