December 2016 Newsletter
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ADVOCACY
The 190 th General Court has officially started. Fifteen new legislators have been sworn in and bill filing will be underway in the next few weeks. As many of you probably have heard by now there was mid-year spending cuts by the Governor last month. Unfortunately, the YMCA's earmark that is used for serving at risk youth was cut from $1.1 Million to $900,000. We will continue to work with our legislative champions to restore this funding.
 
As the 190
th General Court and bill filing gets underway the YMCAs will be supporting some policies that will look familiar as well as some new pieces of legislation. The Ys will be focused on serving low income and homeless youth through the HomeWorks legislation filed by Senator Lovely as well as through additional legislation. We will also be working to maintain funding for the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund as well as looking for the Group Insurance Commission to cover recognized Diabetes Prevention Programs. We will continue our focus on early education and afterschool as well as preventing child sexual abuse. Finally, we will focus not only on the physical and nutritional health of the youth that we serve but their mental health too. To see a full list of our public policy priorities please look at our website under the Advocacy tab.
 
Draft camp regulations were released in October, a big thank you to everyone who helped us review them and make comments to the Department of Public Health. We expect the final regulations back shortly and will let people know of any changes. Draft Christians Law Regulations were released before the holidays, upon review the Ys are very happy with the regulations. Please be on stand by for draft pool regulations to be released.
 
Thank you for all your hard work, we are looking forward to starting a new and exciting legislative session!
 
Massachusetts YMCAs State Advocacy Day

Please register for the YMCA of MA State Advocacy Day on     February 2, 2017 at 10:30am in the Great Hall in the Massachusetts State House

Join us for networking and breakfast to be followed by a guest speakers and an overview of the YMCA public policy priorities. Advocates will meet with their legislators following the event.*

10am: Breakfast & Networking
10:30am-11:15am: Guest Speakers 
11:30-1pm: Legislative Meetings***
1:30pm: Alliance Board Meeting in the House Members Lounge

*  As a reminder the Alliance will be scheduling the Senate meetings for our Advocates. All Advocates must schedule their own State Representative meetings. 

National Advocacy Day 




Y Advocates,
 
Registration for National Advocacy Days is now open!
 
Last year, policymakers had the opportunity to hear from you on the important work the Y is doing to improve the lives of individuals and families in your community. This year, we hope that you return to Washington, D.C. to again advocate for the Y's legislative priorities and help to educate decision-makers on the Y's mission.
  
Please join us again in Washington, D.C. March 6-8, 2017
 
Register Now  to take advantage of the early bird registration rate (Valid until January 15th)!

AYP Chapter 4 Recognition Event
 
Don't miss our annual  AYP Recognition Event 
to celebrate the leadership, passion and commitment 
that has made an impact in our YMCA's this year!  
 
AYP ANNUAL RECOGNITION EVENT:
EVERYDAY HERO
 
January 20th, 2017
Foxborough, MA
11:30am-2:30pm
AYP Members: $40    Non-Members $45
 
-   Join us to celebrate each other!
- Be inspired by Norm Bossio!
- Support our Peers through EAF!
- Fellowship, Food and FUN!
 
Click HERE  to Register Today!

Diabetes Prevention Program Pilot Funding Announcement (January 31st Deadline)


The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking to fund employer-based Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) pilots. The Diabetes Prevention Program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is designed to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. DPP participants who lose 5-7% of their body weight can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 58% (70% for adults over the age of 60).
 

Funding Award
The awarded amount of $4,280 is meant to cover the majority, but not all, of the costs of delivering a full, year-long Diabetes Prevention Program pilot for employees. The funding can be granted to the employer or to a DPP provider with whom the employer has an MOU.
Specifications
WHO :  
All Massachusetts employers are eligible to apply for this award. Employers with an established worksite wellness infrastructure and plans for sustaining DPP at their worksite will receive higher consideration.

WHAT: 
The employer must identify and recruit eligible employees to participate in a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program. The employer must also partner with an existing DPP provider to offer the program.

WHERE: 
The Diabetes Prevention Program may take place at the worksite, at an off-site location convenient for employees, or be delivered virtually.

WHEN: 
The Diabetes Prevention Program pilot must begin before May 31st, 2017 .
Role of DPH

In addition to funding, DPH will provide technical assistance to the employer with regard to:
  •    Identifying and partnering with a CDC-recognized Diabetes Prevention Program provider
  •    Identifying and recruiting eligible employees for the Diabetes Prevention Program
  •    Communications materials for promoting the Diabetes Prevention Program amongst employees
  •    Facilitatin g conversations with employer's healthcare provider regarding sustainability
     
    Interested employers should contact Max no later than January 31st, 2017 to be considered:
    Max Alderman
    Diabetes Program Coordinator Massachusetts Department of Public Health 617-624-5482 max.alderman@state.ma.us

Consultant Sought: Alliance for Community Health Integration


MPHA seeks a consultant to support the development, coordination, and action of the Alliance for Community Health Integration, an emerging coalition that seeks to impact the way the Massachusetts health care system addresses social determinants of health.

The consultant will be responsible for leading or supporting the following activities:
Policy and research
  • Follow and summarize relevant policy developments and action opportunities at MassHealth, the Health Policy Commission, and other key policymaking bodies.
  • Act as point person to develop Alliance positions and actions.
  • Attend public meetings and hearings.
  • Develop fact sheets and other advocacy materials as needed.
  • Research and summarize national best practices, recommendations, and case studies.
Capacity building
  • Collaborate with Alliance members and partners to develop educational materials and trainings for a variety of audiences to build knowledge of health system transformation and opportunities to impact social determinants.
Coalition development
  • Provide strategic guidance on Alliance activities and strategy.
  • Support and coordinate Alliance meetings and sub-committees.
  • Support the development of effective governance and engagement structures and strategies for Alliance members.
  • Support the meaningful engagement of a diverse array of Alliance members, including state policy organizations, grassroots community-based organizations, social service agencies, and others.
  • Support fundraising efforts.
Recommended Format
Please include the following information in your response:
  • Resume
  • 1-2 writing samples demonstrating facility in translating complex policy concepts into understandable and actionable text
  • A cover letter summarizing:
    • Your knowledge of Massachusetts health system transformation
    • Your experience in advocacy or organizing to address social determinants of health, health equity, and racial justice
    • Your experience managing diverse coalitions or collaboratives
  • Hourly rate or other compensation requirements
Hours and Expected Timeline
Initial contract of 8-12 hours/week for six months, with potential for expanded scope of work and/or contract extension.
Submit
Please submit responses to Rebekah Gewirtz, MPHA Executive Director ( rgewirtz@mapublichealth.org )  and Maddie Ribble, MPHA Director of Public Policy & Campaign Strategy  ( mribble@mapublichealth.org ). Submissions will be accepted until the consultancy is filled. 
Preference will be given to applications received before January 20th
Click HERE for the complete job listing

Apply for the 2017 EdTalks!

Call for Presenters 
  for the 
6th Annual Boston EdTalks 
 
Are you a talented Massachusetts educator with a big idea, creative solution, or innovative classroom practice that you think is worth sharing?
 
The Boston Foundation is seeking to offer up to five 
outstanding educators the opportunity 
to share their ideas with a large audience of local education 
and civic leaders at the Boston EdTalks event on May 4, 2017 
 
Learn more, apply, or nominate an educator today at:
 
 Application Deadline:  Tuesday, January 17th at 8:00 am
 
The Boston EdTalks is the not-to-be missed event of the spring!  RSVP now and mark down the details on your calendar. 
 
 
2017 Boston EdTalks
Thursday, May 4th 2017
5:30-8:00pm
(Program begins at 6:00 pm)
The Boston Foundation
75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
 
Please join us for a celebratory cocktail reception from 5:30-6:00pm and 7:30-8:00pm
 
@BostonEdTalks #BostonEdTalks 

SAVE THE DATE: Ounce of Prevention Conference (March 28, 2017)

Please save-the-date for the upcoming Ounce of Prevention Conference 2017

Greenfield YMCA Awarded Grant for National Fitness Study

The YMCA in Greenfield has received a grant from Y-USA to do an elders fitness study based on the group exercise class called Enhance Fitness. The study will run eight weeks from Jan. 9 through March 3.
Enhance Fitness classes are one hour long and meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday at noon. Each class will consist of equal components of aerobics, strength training, flexibility and balance to enhance the participant's daily lives. It has been proven that seniors who do not exercise three or more days per week get in a downward spiral of energy, strength and health. This can be turned around.

They are looking for 25 seniors to be part of the study. Study participants will fill out pre- and post- surveys as well as completing some simple fitness assessments pre- and post- program. All Greenfield Y data will be sent to Y-USA as part of their national fitness study. There is no fee to be part of the study.

The participants must agree to attend at least two out of three classes offered each week for eight weeks. Study participants can register by calling 
Jayne Trosin at 413-773-3646, ext. 448.



ALSO:
From Jan. 9th-13th, the YMCA is offering a free week for people ages 50 and over to try the YMCA between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. People can lap swim, use the Jacuzzi, weight room or cardio center, or try a variety of group 

Alliance Seeking Qualified Interns

We are seeking interns to help us with some projects including healthy living, achievement gap, and advocacy. The positions are unpaid, but make for great opportunities to learn about public policy, advocacy, and serving our Ys. 

These positions are unpaid with flexible hours in our Boston office. It is perfect for undergrads on break, recent graduates, or as capstone projects for undergrads and graduate students. 

Please refer all interested parties to: