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What's Inside?

• PHIWM news: 2023 Annual Report, New Board Members
• Research and Evaluation: Data to Action Training for Residents
• Policy: Update, Legislative Briefing
• Coalition Building: 413Cares Fact Sheet
• Resources
• Upcoming Events
• Protect Yourself and Others From Getting Sick

Black History Month

As Black History Month draws to an end, let's remember that Black history isn't confined to a single month. It is an integral thread in the fabric of our nation's history. Let's honor the past and build a better future by amplifying Black voices, supporting Black-owned businesses, actively learning about our history, and advocating for policies that promote racial equity. Let's build a future where Black history is celebrated every day and equity for all is a reality.

Springfield Black History Month Event, Feb 1, 2024

PHIWM News

2023: Year-In-Review

Check out our latest annual report to reflect on the impact we made together and learn about our efforts to create a healthier, more equitable Western Massachusetts.

New Board Members

We are pleased to announce the addition of four new members to our Board of Directors: Amanda Lesnick, vice president of support services at the Gándara Center; Geoff Naunheim, executive director of the United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Region; Lizzy Ortiz, senior community health worker and care coordinator at the Community Care Cooperative ACO (C3); and Anni Zhu, chief of staff at Way Finders. Please join us in welcoming them!

Research and Evaluation

Data Training for Residents

On February 3rd, we teamed up with Way Finders to train some amazing Resident Advisors, Advocates, and young leaders from Beat the Odds. Together, they learned about the types of data that show up in our daily lives, how data can be used to help or harm us, and how we can use it to make positive changes in our communities. The training provided an opportunity for intergenerational learning and conversation. Next time you see data, remember that it's not just numbers on a screen, it's a tool you can use to create change! 

Policy

Key Bills Move Forward

In the second year of the MA Legislature’s two-year session, there is an interim deadline for bills to receive: 1) a favorable report out of their initial committees, 2) an extension: or 3) a study order, which means the bill has no chance of advancing this session. This session’s deadline, known as Joint Rule 10 day, was February 7, 2024, and we’re thrilled to report that most of our priority bills survived, allowing us to re-focus our advocacy efforts for the final months of the session. We will continue advocating for housing security, local public health, climate & transportation justice, as well as youth mental health and health equity. Learn about the specific bills.

PHIWM Briefs Western MA Legislators

Western MA has 20 state representatives and seven state senators who each represent specific districts of the four counties. We are proud that 19 of them and/or their staff joined us on February 16 for our annual legislative briefing. PHIWM staff provided data about the types of information sought through 413Cares.org; reviewed findings in the Youth Mental Health Roadmap for Western MA; and updated them on our legislative priorities, including the FY25 state budget. Many thanks to Representatives Blais, Domb, Duffy, Finn, Sabadosa, Saunders, Whipps, and Senator Oliveira for participating and to the staff who joined us from the offices of Representatives Arriaga, Ashe, Carey, Gonzalez, Puppolo, Ramos, Smola, and Senators Comerford, Durant, Fattman, and Velis.  

Coalition Building

413Cares Connects Western MA to Resources

Did you know 413Cares.org has helped connect thousands of people across Western Massachusetts with vital resources? Over 100,000 searches have been conducted on the site! 413Cares recently released a new fact sheet showcasing the platform's impact and growth. Check out the fact sheet.

Resources

Child and Family Tax Credit Increased

You can receive $310 per dependent child, disabled adult, or senior when you file taxes this year. In October, Governor Healy signed into law several changes to tax credits that benefit low-income people. Per Community Action Pioneer Valley, every person in Massachusetts who has young children or other dependent family members, even if they only get SSI/SSDI/TAFDC, should file a tax return because they will get money.

Here are some ways to do that file a Massachusetts tax return for free:

• Make an appointment with a VITA program in the state for Free Tax Prep in Massachusetts (Community Action Pioneer Valley, Springfield Partners for Community Action, or Valley Opportunity Council)
• File online with help from a virtual VITA volunteer
• File online for yourself

Upcoming Events

Check out these upcoming events in our region:

• Ageism and Reframing Aging Workshop, 2/29/24 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at John W. Olver Transit Center, Allen Conference Room, Greenfield, MA: One of the priorities identified by the region’s new Age and Dementia Friendly Action Plan is to reduce the stigma of aging in our region. Join the Mass In Motion towns of Franklin County for an interactive workshop on reducing age bias and changing how we think about growing older! Learn more and register for the Ageism and Reframing Aging Workshop.

• Arts-Focused Approaches to Public Health Communications, 2/29/24 at 12:30 pm: Join the Public Health Communications Collaborative for a free webinar to learn about using art as a tool for public health communications. Vanessa Ford from Community Music School of Springfield/Trust Transfer Project with join Tasha Golden, David Fakunle, and Jill Sonke as a speaker. Learn more and register for the PHCC webinar.

• Positive Community Norms Messaging Trainings (Part 3), 2/29/24 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Join the Quaboag Hills Substance Use Alliance for a free training from the Montana Institute. If you missed the first two sessions, you can watch recordings. Register for Positive Community Norms Messaging Training.

• MA Coalition for the Homeless Legislative Action Day, 3/7/24, MA State House: This year's Legislative Action Day event will be hosted by State Representative Jim O'Day. Look forward to hearing from inspiring speakers, learning how to advocate with legislators, and meeting with your state legislators and legislative staff to talk about issues and policy recommendations to address homelessness in Massachusetts. The Coalition will be offering a training on Zoom to help participants prepare to take part. Learn more and register for the Legislative Action Day and Pre-Training event.

• Fostering Equity and Inclusion for Latinas/os in Child and Family Welfare, 3/13/24: The goal of the conference is to facilitate public discussion and raise awareness about the crises that resilient families must overcome. The conference promotes the participation of all sectors of the broader community and seeks a sense of shared responsibility in the pursuit of better living conditions for all. Fostering inclusion and equity for Latina/o children and their families’ well-being is a call to action. There will be 37 workshops at the conference that will address a variety of topics related to equity and inclusion in the local Latina/o community. Continuing Education Units and Professional Development Points will be offered. Register for Fostering Equity and Inclusion for Latinas/os in Child and Family Welfare Conference.

• Clean Slate Massachusetts’ monthly meeting, virtual, 3/14/23 from 6:00 pm-7:00 pm: Join this growing statewide coalition of people working to pass legislation requiring that an individual’s Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) be automatically sealed when eligible. The current inefficient petition-based system is causing hundreds of thousands of people in MA to lose out on jobs, housing, and more. Learn more about Clean Slate MA and sign up for the virtual meeting.

• Historical Inequities of Cannabis, 3/22/24 from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm: Join the Stop Access Springfield Coalition for a free webinar that will explore the historical trajectory of cannabis and the subsequent racial inequities that emerged in post-legalization Massachusetts, particularly regarding access to wealth and ongoing social implications. Register for Cannabis Inequities webinar.

Do you have events or news that you would like us to share in our newsletter? If so, send us an email!

Protect Yourself and Others From Getting Sick

It's still virus season. Take good care of yourself and your loved ones by following these precautions: