Podcasts about massachusetts office

Join us for our conversation with Kevin Kuros, Central Massachusetts Regional Director for the Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) and Interim Director of the Massachusetts Center For Employee Ownership (MassCEO). Kevin talks about his passion for business and economic development and dives into the resources that Massachusetts has for new and existing businesses He also talks about positive changes brought on by the Mass Leads Act and the state's exciting new Business Front Door and how it streamlines access to state economic development programs. He also talks about the MassCEO and their upcoming Central MA Regional Symposium on April 29th. Learn more about the event and register here: https://www.mass.gov/event/mass-center-for-employee-ownership-central-ma-regional-symposium-04-29-2025 The Inside North Central Massachusetts Podcast is sponsored by Franklin Professional Associates. #podcast #podcaster #podcastshow #podcastlove #businesspodcast #newpodcast #podcastnetwork #podcastcommunity #applepodcasts #spotifypodcast #podernfamily #podbean #newepisode #insidenorthcentralma #insidenorthcentralmassachusettspodcast #mylocalma #visitma #massachusettspodcast #massachusetts #teammassachusetts #economicdevelopment #workforcedevelopment #MOBD #MassCEO

Welcome to HRP's new Massachusetts office! Located in the bustling heart of Plymouth, MA. We're here to talk to Bryan Massa, HRP's regional manager for Massachusetts, about the office, the staff, and what's cool in Plymouth! Careers at HRP: https://hrpassociates.com/careers A reminder that our Play Hard segment is also available in video form! Watch that on our YouTube Channel. Make sure you subscribe, give us a review & check us out on social media!YouTubeLinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebookWebsite

Hear from Kate Fox, Executive Director at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, on participating in the Media Marketplace at IPW, working with other destinations, and optimism in travel and tourism.

Join colleagues with expertise in health, non-profit and corporate law for a discussion about these intersecting areas of law in health care transactions. Bring your questions about the distinctions between charitable and non-charitable activities, use of transaction proceeds, entity conversion, board governance and more to explore in an open conversation with our speakers Emily Gabrault (Deputy Chief of the Non-Profit Organization/Public Charities Division of the Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General), Sheryl Howard (Partner at Krokidas & Bluestein LLP) and Michael McGrath (Partner at Ropes & Gray).    Questions? Inquiries about program materials? Contact Trenon Browne at tbrowne@bostonbar.org

Join Katie and Liz for another installment of this week's case profile mini-episode series. Today, Katie starts us off by telling of the horrible case of the Chelsea Jane Doe, who was a beheaded young woman found in 2000 in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Then, Liz ends the episode by giving the details of the murder of Christopher Barros, who was shot and killed in front of several witnesses in a New Bedford, Massachusetts neighborhood in 2005. Anyone with any information about the identity of the Chelsea Jane Doe is asked to please call Massachusetts State Police at (978) 745-8908, the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit at (617) 727-8817 or the Massachusetts Office of the Medical Examiner at (617) 267-6767. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/truecrimene/support

Mikaela Spruill studies juries and the legal system's role in sustaining social inequalities. She's a postdoctoral fellow in criminal justice with SPARQ at Stanford University. In our conversation, Mikaela shares the benefits and drawbacks of juries in the courtroom, how scientists study jury decision-making, and how jurors apply very specific legal standards to interpreting the facts of a case. Things that come up in this episodeA very brief history of juries (Alschuler & Deiss, 1994; Carey, 1994; Massachusetts Office of Jury Commissioner)A summary of early research in jury decision-making (Devine et al., 2001) and the University of Chicago Jury Project (Broeder, 1959; Cornwell, 2010)The quick clip in the intro (“I'm just saying a coincidence is possible”) is from the 1957 film, 12 Angry Men.A summary of research on jury decision-making (Spruill & Hans, in press)How jurors apply the “objectively reasonable” standard to interpreting the facts of a case (Spruill & Lewis, 2022; 2023)For a transcript of this episode, visit this episode's page at: http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/episodes/Learn more about Opinion Science at http://opinionsciencepodcast.com/ and follow @OpinionSciPod on Twitter.

Dan kicked off the show with an examination and exploration of today's top stories with various experts and reporters. Joining the program was Sports Commentator Bob Lobel, President and CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center Eva Velasquez, WBZ Radio Anchor Nichole Davis, and Kate Fox, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism.

Ceylan is a dedicated social changemaker who has worked for the past 20 years to remove barriers for women, girls, and marginalized communities.  In her latest venture, Ceylan founded Fihri - a social enterprise aimed at eliminating period poverty worldwide sustainably with specially customized initiatives. 500 million menstruators across the globe lack access to menstrual products each month and 1 out of 5 students in the US face similar obstacles. Fihri's Student Sponsorship Program offers individuals the opportunity to directly support students who can't purchase their menstrual products. Additionally, Fihri offers "Period Paloozas" - a sustainable and socially good team bonding experience that allows attendees to assemble period kits for those in need.  Ceylan started her career at the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants. She later became a social entrepreneur, was appointed to be a Commissioner for the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women, and ran for State Representative.  Ceylan's vast experience in gender equality issues, combined with her BA in political science from Northeastern University and MBA from Babson College, allows her to use her knowledge and power for good - reaching ever closer towards a world free from gender-based inequity. Why is period poverty happening in Massachusetts? (1:40) How she became interested in helping women and girls. (3:39) The magnitude of the earthquake. (6:17) Giving back to our communities. (8:36) Why is it so important to ask the right questions? (10:24) The Ii bill. (12:27) How is it seen on a bigger scale? (14:09) Raising awareness and raising money. (16:30) How to support students in need. (18:28) Key Takeaway: "Taking action and sharing stories are powerful catalysts for personal growth and positive change in both individuals and communities. By taking action, we actively engage with the world around us, turning our intentions into tangible outcomes. Whether it's pursuing a goal, solving a problem, or making a difference, action propels us forward and brings us closer to our desired results." Resources: Website LinkedIn Facebook Instagram

In this episode, we talk to Susan Park, PhD, CAE, executive director of the Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation. Join us for a conversation about her career journey, leadership advice, inspiring the next generation of leaders, the future of DEI in the association space, why we should all focus on our well-being, and how VSAE helped advance her career. Show notes Dr. Susan Park (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF), a scientific society dedicated to advancing the understanding and wise stewardship of estuarine and coastal ecosystems worldwide. She oversees all CERF activities, including a biennial conference and the scholarly journal Estuaries and Coasts. She has spent her career supporting organizations that connect science and management of coastal and marine resources. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Park was the Associate Director of Virginia Sea Grant. She also served as a Senior Program Officer with the Ocean Studies Board of The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine; Adjunct Professor at Trinity Washington University; and NOAA Coastal Management Fellow with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Dr. Park received her Ph.D. in Oceanography from the University of Delaware, and her M.A. and B.A. in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and four furbabies. This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.

Even as the Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that municipalities and private businesses, faith-based institutions and organizations that no barriers keep people with disabilities out, the fact is that across cities, sidewalks are not cut so that people with wheelchairs -- and baby strollers -- can navigate from their vehicle or to an entrance, and Holyoke is not an exception. In this episode, Ask producer Linda Pratt asks Lyn Horan about what the city's Commission on Disabilities does. There are many examples of how people with disabilities keep people from carrying out their activities. Holyoke has a mayoral-appointed Commission on Disabilities that advises the city on how to make the city accessible, Linda Pratt interviews Lyn Horan, vice chair of the Commission on Disabilities. For more information, visit the commission's website here: https://www.holyoke.org/departments/c... and the ADA government website here:https://www.ada.gov/topics/intro-to-ada/ Members of the Commission of Disabilities are Mayoral appointed with City Council confirmation. They have the following responsibilities: Research local problems affecting people with disabilities; Advice and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with disabilities; Coordinate and/or implement programs designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities in compliance with programs of the Massachusetts Office on Disability; Review and make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities, and facilities of departments, boards, and agencies of Holyoke as they affect people with disabilities; Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all matters pertaining to disability; and Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar purposes. This is a wonderful opportunity for residents to serve our community. If you are interested in applying to sit on this Commission, please submit a letter of interest and a resume to the Mayor's Office or by e-mail at mayorsoffice@holyoke.org

In the studio, today is David D'Arcangelo, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. David has focused on making MCB the best it can be. Learn about the concept of disability as a qualification, the Accessibility Technology Survey, the entrepreneurial program developed with NIB, and dig into the 32 reallotment projects MCB has done over the past few years.   David is the Idea Guy and shares a lot of information in this brief 30-minute conversation.   Find out more about what is happening at MCB:     MCB Home Page 2020 Reallotment Project Summary 2021 Reallotment Project Summary   Listen Here   Full Transcript {Music} Speaker1: Manager Minute brought to you by the VRTAC for Quality Management, Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time. Here is your host Carol Pankow.   Carol: Well welcome to the Manager Minute. Joining me in the studio today is David D'Arcangelo, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind. Thanks for joining me today, David. How are things going in Massachusetts?   David: Going very well. Looking forward to a great 2023. And thanks for having me again.   Carol: You bet. Me too. I love this 2023. I have my little resolutions for this year. You know, I really want to be intentional. That's one of my things. So I know I had you on the show over a year ago and we were talking about some of your great employment strategies during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. And you have had so many cool initiatives going on in your state that I think of you as the Idea Guy. I put you and Joe Xavier from California up there as two bold leaders in VR that we can all learn something from. Now, I know you've been keeping your head down and really looking forward focused on making your agency the very best it can be. And it also seemed like you were having some just really amazing employment successes for customers during COVID. So now more than ever, we need to take some serious steps to address the problem of spending VR dollars and improving outcomes. And you started looking at the problem when you first started at MCB and you hit the ground running. So let's dig in. I know we have lots to talk about. So David, can you remind our listeners about yourself? Where did you come from and how long have you been at MCB?   David: Sure. Well, I'm a consumer of MCB also, and being legally blind from a young age. I remember getting VR services back when I was in junior high school and high school. So that's really my first impression with MCB was as a consumer, as a young man. But since joining MCB in 2018, I came over from the Office on Disability, where I was the director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability. So when the MCB position opened up and got an opportunity to serve. And, making great strides for these past five years and looking forward to hopefully more time to be able to get our people employed and help lead our people to more independence and self determination.   Carol: That's awesome. So can you tell us a little bit about MCB? Like, how many staff do you guys have and how many customers are you serving currently?   David: Sure. So we're one of the first blindness agencies in the country. We often argue with Connecticut, if they were first, we were first, but we were established in 1906 with one of our first commissioners being Helen Keller. So we have a long history and track record of providing services for people with blindness throughout Massachusetts. We currently serve approximately 24,000 people in Massachusetts with all types of services. Massachusetts is a little bit different than many of the other states. We don't provide just for VR services, and that's not to diminish VR services, but we also provide what we call our services or social rehabilitation services and deafblind extended support services. So we serve people who are blind and deafblind and people with blindness and then additional significant disabilities. So that adds up. Our 24,000 people and our range of blindness really is the whole spectrum. So everybody from hi partial and legally blind like me all the way to somebody who has no light perception at all. And we know from the data that we've collected that actually there's probably more people at MCB as consumers who have visions closer to me than vision, closer to somebody who has no light perception at all. So we've got some data that's going to be coming out that I would encourage everybody to look at. We did an assistive technology survey recently with all of our consumers that really reveals information that I think people will take notice of because many times people were thinking that, oh, well, your consumers, they can't see, so they're not on the Internet or they're not taking part with this technology. And our survey really sheds new light on that. So stay tuned for that. You can check that out on our website, Mass.gov/MCB. It's really going to be an important survey when we reveal these results. It's going to be eye opening for people.   Carol: Well, cool. Yeah. Shoot me a note when that comes out. I'm really interested in seeing that. Do you also serve individuals like starting as babies? Like because some programs I know do that. We did not in Minnesota but I know some start very young with kids.   David: Yeah in Massachusetts we serve people from birth to death. So cradle to grave with all of our services and the social rehabilitation services that we provide are really geared around independence and self determination. So we will start providing services as soon as somebody gets that mandatory report of legal blindness and they're declared, which we are the keeper of, that we register somebody as legally blind after their doctor, their eye care provider, has provided us with that record. And then we get the services flowing, whether it's teaching Braille or providing assistive technology, orientation and mobility, training, all of these core services, we really believe getting those in place first.   Carol: Yeah   David: That's really going to help in terms of VR. It's setting the bedrock so people are already independent and self determined and then can focus on their career goals.   Carol: Yes. So smart. You've got the foundational pieces in place and early, you know, you're getting at the students early, which is incredible. That is great. That is great. So I really liked your getting grounded in that three part framework. You talk about it and I was reading it again on your website about the Path to Prosperity is Paved with Perseverance. Can you tell me more about that?   David: Sure. Carol, thanks. Really. I first said that publicly during the commencement address that I gave for Lesley University's Threshold Program. Lesley University has a great program for people with intellectual disabilities where they provide a college like experience. And back in 2017, when I was director of the state's Office on Disability, I had the great opportunity to be able to provide the commencement address there. And that's really where I first laid out that I believe the path to prosperity is paved by perseverance. Or what does that mean? I think that becoming employed is not a one step thing. There are many steps on that path on your career journey. So we really try to instill in to our consumers here at MCB that there is no get rich quick scheme. This is not a one click approach like so many of us are conditioned today through these devices and through technology. Just one click in your in. Getting a career, getting employed, getting your job, getting on that path to prosperity takes many steps. You got to hang in there because it's not easy. If it was easy, it would be done easily and everybody would do it. Everybody would be a multimillionaire. It takes many steps and depending upon your disability or in mass commission for the blind on your blindness, there's such a spectrum. And really we have to work with everybody individually because everybody is in a different stage in life. And some people are aging into blindness. Some people, it comes upon them quickly. Some people have it from a young age, some people come to it at mid age. It's so different for everybody. And we really just want to make sure that people are clear what the expectations that we're going to be with them through their journey along this path and that it does take time. All good things come in time. So that's really what the path to prosperity is paved with. Perseverance is about that you've got to persevere. These are challenging things. The very essence of being a person with a disability. Disability comes with challenge, It does. And so we try to get people to accept their disability, accept that challenge and then help them work through it. And so I believe in people and I believe anybody can become employed. I think work matters. I think it goes to the identity of a person. If I were to see you in the grocery store and we would have strike up a conversation, invariably one of the first questions that you or I would ask each other is, Well, so what do you do? And if you're employed, you're going to tell me about your job because it goes to the identity, it goes to who you are and what you're accomplishing. So work matters. Our consumers matter, and that's why we want to try to get them employed, because there's so many contributions in our community that we're trying to bring out for the benefit of our consumers, but also for the benefit of society. I really believe that our people have a lot to give and you've got to hang in there. That's part of being on the path to prosperity.   Carol: I think that is one of the cool things with blind services. It's very foundational. All the things that you have to learn. And I remember being at Minnesota blind and just seeing that, especially with people that came in that were new to their vision loss and it happened abruptly. Something happened, an illness or something overnight almost, and you wake up and you can't see and everything changes. How you read, how you get around in the world, how you get around in your home and your clothes and like how you do everything and having to learn all those foundational pieces first and getting that acceptance and then working on work skills because you can't just launch right into that when somebody goes, I don't even know if I'm wearing the orange socks with the black suit. I don't know what I have on.   David: One of the initiatives we've been working on and we keep advancing is something that I came up with about ten years ago that I've been trying to encourage people in VR to embrace, and that is the concept of disability as a qualification. I really believe that the lived experience that our people have to learn to problem solve around is a qualification in and of itself. Let me give you an example. If I were to take somebody with good vision and ask them to cross a busy intersection, they probably wouldn't think twice of it. Right?   Carol: Right.   David:  But to take one of our consumers who can't see and ask them to cross an intersection, the skills involved and the intestinal fortitude involved with crossing that intersection. You know what? I want that person on my team, if they're going to be able to go out and have the intestinal fortitude to be able to do that and then the demonstrated skill to be able to do it, because that takes sophistication, if that life experience does not qualify you for some type of role that deals with problem solving. How many employment opportunities are there out there for people who are good problem solvers, for people that have a solid backbone and won't just roll over? Right?   Carol: Right. I love that you say that.   David: Those are qualifications, those matter.   Carol: They do matter. So I'm just going to say a little thing about me. When we were in Minnesota at the blind agency, all of the leadership team and the VR counselors, the staff, you had to go through six weeks of sleep shade training, so you were under sleep shades for six weeks. And so doing that as a new director myself, having that experience, it's just a taste, but we did go to one of our Adjustment to Blindness Training Centers. We had the experience of the classes all day under sleep shades. I still remember at the end of the day, walking out. I had my cane. I was still had my sleep shades on. I'd taken them off and I got in my car. I scared a lady that was across the street. She's like, That blind lady is driving now, but getting that very firsthand experience about that problem solving that goes into everything you do during the day that is so interesting and very applicable to the world of work, for sure.   David: Yeah. So that's why we're pushing disability as a qualification. We believe that those lived experiences are going to help employers and a really good qualifications for employees.   Carol: Yeah, that's very cool. Very interesting thought. So I want to take you back to 2020. You asked for reallotment dollars, but you had some very specific initiatives you wanted to accomplish and in fact, you were dealing with the pandemic and you wanted to figure out your role in pioneering a path forward in a post-COVID recovery. So talk to me about what went into that 2020 that ask for reallotment dollars and kind of how you framed up all of those initiatives.   David: Sure. Well, we wanted to make the best use of our time knowing that we were not going to have the community interactions and be able to travel freely like we had been doing. So we said, let's study this and let's come up with some things now, some of the things we had put in motion, some of the plans that we had put in motion were prior to COVID. So it seemed that we were prescient on some of them, like our ad campaign we did, What's Your Vision? So now we've been on Massachusetts television with our announcements, not just public service announcements, but paid ads to be able to get the message out to employers, Hey, we've got candidates for you and get the message out to our consumers that, hey, we'll work with you to get on this path to employment. So there's campaigns like that. But then we followed it up. Once we knew COVID was in there and we did our Quest for Independence, which is a graphic novel which is aimed at not only the consumer, but people in the consumer's sphere of influence, their brothers, their sisters, their fathers and mothers and guidance counselors and people there so that those people can understand the path to employment that we lay out in the process that we do. So it starts at pre training and goes through all of the steps along the way and we make it like a questing journey. We made it like kind of cool and try to put it in a format that people of Pre-ETS age would be more apt to buy into. So many of the VR documents are black and white text only small print, like who's reading that? Who's consuming that? Certainly not a 15 or 18 year old person that we're trying to get interested in the workforce. So whether it's things like that or whether it's studying Disability as a Qualification that we just talked about or trying to do some of the other surveys that we put together, we really tried to make the best use of our time. I think in all total now we're up to 32 or 34 reallotment projects that we've done over the past three or four years.   Carol: Oh my gosh!   David: Yeah. We've really tried to make good use of our time and build the catalog of information. And all of this is available to VR people if they want to visit our website again, Mass.gov/MCB. All of the re allotment projects are out there. We have studies on the Built Environment in the Workplace. We have studies on Disability as a Qualification on Assistive Technology. So many different topics we have data on as well as these ad campaigns. We did one with Sleep Machine recently. We worked up 16 different types of consumers and interactions that it's not a one size fits all approach. We really got it into 16 different approaches, so it tries to suit all of the different demographic areas, and that's a VR approach that we took so many different projects that we encourage people to find out more on our website.   Carol: I know you did a lot of data analysis. There were a lot of projects around different data analysis, so maybe talk about one or two of those and how you used that data to now kind of inform your programming or whatever you're doing now at the agency.   David: Well, the assistive technology one is a perfect example like. When I came to MCB and I said, I want to do a survey, they kind of like chuckled and I'm like, Why do you want to do? And I said, Well, how many of our people have email or how many of them use the Internet? I remember distinctly without naming names, but some really veteran VR people saying, none of our people use the Internet Commissioner or they don't do this. Well, come to find out that 70% use it daily. That right there was like informing our programming because no longer was I going to allow this myth to be put forward that our people don't use the Internet. That's just not so. Now we've got to make sure that we're making these sites accessible. So a recent proposal that I've been working on is a registered apprenticeship program for our consumers who are blind. Who better to make these websites accessible than people who are already using screen reader technology? So we're trying to get two registered apprenticeships, one in making web pages accessible, and then the other for making other online things accessible apps and forms and documents online and things like in the electronic space. So we're working right now with the Department of Labor, but we're also seeking other states. You need five states to be able to make a cohort to do it. So if people are interested in joining our cohort, please contact us and let us know if you want to join in this registered apprenticeship program that we're going to be launching soon.   Carol: That's super cool and very smart and needed. I mean, there's a lot of sites, a lot of websites in a lot of trouble because they are not accessible. I love that you did the Assistive Technology survey. I've thought for years, like the invention of Apple and the iPhone and all of that single handedly changed just information for people who are blind, visually impaired because that device is accessible and it was built-in. There's so many cool apps now and things out there that our folks are using now. I know you also contracted out for your comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment and that that isn't necessarily new. A lot of states do that because it's much easier to contract with someone than do it yourself. But what was different about that particular assessment and how do you use the information that you got from that?   David: Yeah, again, I think that was the one where we put it out there and the awarded bidder I think was the public consulting group. So they're a pretty big firm. They had worked in other states before. I think one of the things that they had worked in was like Indiana. And so we work with them. Obviously our sister agency, MRC, we wanted to make sure that we were kind of on the same page as well. So I think that helped and really it helped strengthen the things that we already knew we were doing well. They really came in and were able to look at that and say, Yeah, you know what, you should probably keep doing that. Did identify some areas and we've made some adjustments as well. And I think now in this post COVID world, we were prescient that we were trying to already get our people to be able to work remotely, whether it be our staff, who a significant amount of our staff are actually our consumers also, which were very prideful in that they'd been remote prior to COVID. And so now the trends in employment with less and less people in an office environment, we really were again, a little bit ahead of the curve in trying to predict that We think that's where the workforce is going. There's going to be more and more opportunities that are away from an office environment. So if you can work online effectively, that's just going to increase opportunities for our consumers.   Carol: Oh, I agree 100%. So how has all of this helped your numbers? Like where are you at today? Do you feel like have things moved up or are you getting customers back? How about people getting into employment, all these different initiatives? Has it led to some success and outcomes?   David: Yes, it has led to success and outcomes. Our numbers are up generally across the board. There's a couple of exceptions, but things we really like to talk about is the nature of the jobs that we're able to help our people navigate into. And just to be clear, we are very up front with our people. People like, get me a job, get me a job. We're very upfront with them and say, we can't get you a job. We can help you get you a job. We don't get anybody jobs. Our consumers get themselves jobs. We're there to help and build value and work within whether it be any of the networks that we develop with stakeholders or using the existing public systems or education, whatever the case may be. It's consumer driven, it's consumer informed, and it's consumer driven. We make that clear that really we're just a partner in this, and it's up to the consumer to be able to make the final decision. One of the things that I think is very successful is that there's more choice than ever before. I think our consumers were faced with maybe one opportunity, and if they didn't take it, it was like, all right, let's start all over again. Or, you know, now let's go on another six month search. Now our consumers are being presented with multiple offers, multiple opportunities. That's a really good sign. Another really good sign is the nature of the jobs that they're getting. We're now going past just the entry level job or the base job, and we're into more management. Some of our placements are six figure placements. These are consumers that many of them have been with us for a while, but some are fairly new. So like before, this is where I think our ad campaign is really helped us because consumers who maybe hadn't approach MCB before are now approaching MCB. So we're doing our best to reduce the stigma of what it means to join MCB. So many people before who were low vision, high, partial, legally blind...   Carol: Yes...   David: ...didn't really feel that they were. Well, I can see I'm not really blind. Well, if you're legally blind, then you're entitled to the services. And so people with existing track records of employment that they've been in the workforce for 20 years and now they've lost their vision. Before, many of them were just leaving. And then we would find out five years later, well, I left because I was depressed or I left because I couldn't do the job. Now we get to them more quickly and actually work with them and the employer to let them know, Hey, we're there for you. We're there to provide these reasonable accommodations. We're there to emphasize the great skills that you have. So many of these things can be remediated now with technology. So we're seeing six figure placements. We're seeing management level placements. These are all very encouraging signs. But again, they didn't just happen overnight. It's the culmination of all of these programs working together. And most importantly, let me just give a great shout out to our counselors, our VR counselors develop these relationships and work with these consumers. And really, they're part of the secret sauce here, sitting at their kitchen table with them and their families and letting them know that we're going to be there with them. I think that's irreplaceable. And you can create whatever program you want and fund it however you want. At the end of the day, that needs to happen. Without that, I don't think we'd be having the success that we're having.   Carol: I love that. I know your PSA campaign was really clever because I had looked at the ads. Very cool. Are you still continuing to do that? Is that still going on?   David: Yeah. So we're looking at another reallotment project to fund another ad buy. We're going to have a dialogue with RSA about it. I think we can show that we got results from it and if we can, I'm hoping that they'll say that that's a good use of the money. You know, right now we've gone through some change. We've had a significant aging of our MCB workforce. We've had retirements of people that have been at the agency for 40 years, 38 years, 39 years. So I think COVID really helped in a way where it gave people a pause to be able to adjust. And that's not only our consumers and our counselors, but really like the whole workforce. And as a result, many people are saying, you know what, it's now time I've put my time in and it's time to give it up to the next generation, which is good. But it's a challenge because now we spent a significant amount of time trying to backfill these positions and like something with orientation and mobility. I think one of our O & M people we got from California, another one from Michigan. So hunting around trying to find talent can be challenging and we're certainly not trying to raid other agencies or muscle other competition out because Massachusetts is the state where the cost of living is quite high. We want to make sure if we're getting people here, that they're positioned for long term success. So we've definitely been trying to navigate some of that, as I think many of my colleagues can probably resonate with on at their state level.   Carol: Oh yeah, that is the hot topic of the day. The mass retirement and kind of exodus of people out of VR. I know when I was at Minnesota, this is, you know, ten years ago I walked in the door in HR hands me a list saying I think it was over 50% of the staff were eligible to retire in the next three years. I just went, what? And they did, you know, people did because people have been with the agency. They all started together. They'd been there 30, 40 years together. And they all went. And then that just got exacerbated by the pandemic. People going out the door for sure. If people are wanting to find your PSA information, is that also on your website still?   David: It sure is. And it's on our YouTube channel as well. When I came to MCB, we had no social media. Now we've got Instagram and Facebook and Twitter and our own YouTube channel and all of these avenues that we've gotten such great input from our consumers and their families because, yeah, it's about serving the consumer, but it's also about serving their families because that's oftentimes the people that are working with the consumers just as much, if not more than our counselors. So it's about empowering the whole consumer. And what I mean, the whole consumer, I mean, it's their extended family. It's their spouse or their son or their daughter or their niece or their nephew. They're aunt, their uncle or their friend or neighbor. It takes a village. And we've had good success with that approach.   Carol: Great. It absolutely does take a village. Can you give that website address one more time?   David: Yeah, sure. It's. Mass.gov/MCB. So, its Mass dot gov. Forward slash m c b.   Carol: Excellent! Yeah. Because I know you have a lot of really good stuff out on the website, so I know you are always thinking you don't ever stop. You're on to the next thing. So what's up on deck next for MCB?   David: Yeah, I think we just need to continue to now emerge from the pandemic and continue to assimilate so many new staff that we've got. I mean, I think of our 130 staff, about 40 of them are new within the past couple of years. So there's a big assimilation going on, number one, but really making sure that our community feels safe to get back out there and independent and self determined, ready to go. That's job one.  Is getting that adjustment to blindness, that acceptance of blindness, continuing to find new consumers to be able to provide the services to. Then once we do that, then at the tried and true, it's wash, rinse, repeat on what our counselors and what VR has established so well. It's mentoring and then interning and then interviewing and then getting a job and then staying upwardly mobile in that job and trying to move up into management or entrepreneurial. And one of the new things we're working on that we piloted last year successfully with National Industries for the Blind is this entrepreneurial program. We really believe that that is the future for many of our consumers that are interested in a small business opportunity, and that is establishing an e-commerce presence online where you own your own thing and you're really an entrepreneur at that point, selling products and services online through their accessible platform. For years, we tried to get our consumers interested in selling on Amazon or eBay or these other e commerce platforms. But the platform itself, the app, the technology itself was not accessible to screen readers working with the national industries of the blind and tremendous credit to them for investing a significant amount of their time and resources into making an e commerce platform that is accessible for screen reader technology. This is a huge opportunity for people with blindness who are interested in being their own business owner online in the e commerce space. Like I said, we piloted last year. We proved the proof of concept. We have another class now going in. I would encourage anybody who thinks they have a consumer interested in this space to contact national industries of the Blind. Mention the pilot with Massachusetts that we've done. They'll know what you're talking about and get your consumers enrolled because this really is the future and it's a great opportunity.   Carol: Yeah, I thought that was a super smart idea when I was reading because that was one of your re allotment projects was to study it and to look at it and to figure that out so that can actually be a viable option for your customers.   David: That's right. We didn't just rush in horns first. We studied it, we spent time, looked around, conferred with NIB, and NIB has done a great job. Like I said, they've really made a major investment here and using their Ability One shops that they've had, they have such a tremendous network of providers and vendors that many of the products, I think it's about half of the products are actually made by blind people also. So it's almost like a double win when you really get down to it. To be able to sell these products online. We're very optimistic about it. Good things start humbly and that's where we started. We started with the first class. I think we started with 12 people. Then it went to 6 because some people didn't have the screen reader skills necessary that you would need. Then from the 6,, 3 of them dropped out because they didn't want to own the lemonade stand. They just wanted to work the lemonade stand right there from the 3. It went to 2 and then 1 ended up actually seeing it all the way through and becoming profitable. So we've proved the proof of concept. We just now need more consumers. So if you've got consumers in your area, let's get them going.   Carol: Well, it always starts with 1. You need one, you know, and then there's 2 and then there's 3 and it keeps moving up. That's great. At least it gives another opportunity. And it really is the gift that keeps on giving. You know, when you look at using those reeallotment dollars, it doesn't just benefit you. In Massachusetts, the work that you're doing can benefit the whole country.   David: Yeah, I really think that, Carol. And if people again go to Mass.gov/MCB, look at the, again now, I think it's either up to 30 or 32 different real allotment projects that we've done. There's quite a bit of information in there from studies to these campaigns to the Quest for Independence guide that we did, all of these different things. they're there for everybody else to be able to use. If we've had success, you can just kind of repurpose it and have success in your area with it.   Carol: Well, and your quest to  independence. Guide You've been being very modest about it, but that is hilarious because it's a comic book and you're the superhero. In it. It is the coolest thing. I thought that was the most clever thing I had seen in that Pre-ETS space.   David: Well, thanks, Carol. If it leads to one more employment, then we'll be pleased.   Carol: Yeah, that's cool. So, David, I know there's a lot of new directors across the country like you were a few years ago. What kind of advice would you give them as they're wrestling with ways to effectively spend their funds?   David: Yeah, it would really be, Don't just settle for what has been done previously. I've found the people at RSA to be very supportive, to be willing to listen, and just because it hasn't been done doesn't mean it can't be done. Find out what your consumers need and then figure out how to backtrack that to these federal dollars to be able to get them the resources that they need to be successful, whether it's a small business enterprise or Randolph Shepherd or they want to go to kind of a more traditional route of getting employed, whatever the case may be. There's a program that can be crafted to individualize everybody so that they feel like the job they're getting is the job for them, because that's what we want you to spend so much time getting somebody in the workforce. We want to make sure these people are staying in the workforce, staying gainfully employed, because again, we really believe that independence and self determination, that's the thing that you've got to get through so that people can long term stay viable on their own.   Carol: Well, well said. Thanks so much for being on the show today. I've been a big fan of yours for a long time and I just really wanted to get your message out to our listeners and have folks look at your website and the very cool things you can do. I know there's a synopsis of all of your projects so people can get a really good sense of what you did and what you learned. I think it was brilliant, so I wish you the very best of luck in 2023 and thanks for joining me today.   David: Carol, Thanks so much. You do such a great job. I appreciate you. Thanks for everybody for listening. And please contact us if we could be a support in any way.   Carol: Thank you.   {Music} Speaker1: Conversations powered by VR, one manager at a time, one minute at a time, brought to you by the VR TAC for Quality Management. Catch all of our podcast episodes by subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Thanks for listening!

Today on Boston Public Radio: We began the show by talking with listeners about recent criminal charges against members of the Trump Organization, and potential criminal referrals from the Jan. 6 Committee. Michael Curry argued for a statewide strategy in maintaining hospital bed expansions. Curry is the President and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers. He's also a Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors, where he chairs the board's Advocacy & Policy Committee. He also serves on Governor-elect Maura Healey's transition team, and Attorney General-elect Andrea Campbell's transition team. Juliette Kayyem discussed the arrest of multiple people in Germany for planning to overthrow the government, and an attack on a power grid in North Carolina that has left tens of thousands without power for days. Kayyem is former assistant secretary for homeland security under President Barack Obama, and the faculty chair of the homeland-security program at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Her latest book is: “The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters.” Dan Adams talked about the moms seeking out medical marijuana for their children with severe disabilities, and a blight affecting cannabis crops in Mass. Adams is the Boston Globe's cannabis reporter and author of “This Week In Weed.” Corby Kummer explained how Vermont's dairy farms are pivoting to adapt to climate change, and talked about panettone for the holidays. Kummer is executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Ed Dworsky talked about his mission to fight shrinkflation in food products. Dworsky is founder and editor of ConsumerWorld.org and Mouseprint.org. He's a former director of consumer affairs education at the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs. We ended the show by asking listeners whether they've encountered shrinkflation.

After more than a year and a half of calling on the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to do their job and conduct a Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment (CHIA), MCAN took matters into its own hands and conducted a preliminary assessment of the health outcomes of communities that live near the proposed site of the Peabody Peaker.  We talk to the author! The results from the study were deeply concerning and highlight the need for additional analysis on the impact the proposed Peabody Peaker will have on neighboring communities that are already overburdened.

As this dry hot summer continues, a Level 3-Critical Drought has been declared in Central and Northeast Massachusetts, while the Connecticut River Valley Region is in a Level 2-Significant Drought and the western end of the state is experiencing mild drought. Top state officials are urging water conservation and fire vigilance. We speak with Vandana Rao, the Massachusetts Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Director of Water Policy.

We loved talking with Mary Mahon McCauley Director of the Massachusetts Office on Disability about the recent story of Lizzo changing a derogatory lyric in one of her newest songs.

The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate released a new report today where they said Harmony's “needs, wellbeing and safety were not a priority” to the Department of Children and Families or the judge who placed her into the custody of her father. Maria Mossaides, Director of OCA, said the report “describes the ripple effect of miscalculations of risk and an unequal weight placed on parents' rights versus a child's wellbeing.” Dan discusses the latest into the disappearance of Harmony Montgomery.

The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate released a new report today where they said Harmony's “needs, wellbeing and safety were not a priority” to the Department of Children and Families or the judge who placed her into the custody of her father. Maria Mossaides, Director of OCA, said the report “describes the ripple effect of miscalculations of risk and an unequal weight placed on parents' rights versus a child's wellbeing.” Dan discusses the latest into the disappearance of Harmony Montgomery.

The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate released a new report today where they said Harmony's “needs, wellbeing and safety were not a priority” to the Department of Children and Families or the judge who placed her into the custody of her father. Maria Mossaides, Director of OCA, said the report “describes the ripple effect of miscalculations of risk and an unequal weight placed on parents' rights versus a child's wellbeing.” Dan discusses the latest into the disappearance of Harmony Montgomery.

Ep. 113 Guests include James Roy, Manager, and Caitlin Murphy, Director of Outreach and Tangible Property, Unclaimed Property Division of the Massachusetts Office of the State Treasurer (findmassmoney.com). Ed Lucey hosts.

Jamie, Ilyas and Chris review lawyer Nathan Tamulis' Feburary 2016 response to the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General Supplemental Report. The sheer amount of contradictions, half truths and outright falsehoods that exist in this report is depressingly unsurprising.

Today on Boston Public Radio: We begin the show by talking with listeners about President Joe Biden’s first prime-time address on Thursday. Sue O’Connell weighs in on Gov. Charlie Baker’s statement on teachers unions, and the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance’s decision to allow politicians to purchase body armor with campaign funds. O’Connell is the co-publisher of Bay Windows and the South End News, as well as NECN's political commentator and explainer-in-chief. Emily Rooney talks about the sexual harassment and assault allegations against Gov. Andrew Cuomo. She also shares her thoughts on Oprah’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Rooney is host of Beat the Press, which you can watch Friday nights at 7 p.m. Corby Kummer explains how apps are changing the way fast food drive-thrus operate, and discusses a provision within President Biden’s COVID-19 stimulus package that allocates $4 billion in debt relief to farmers of color. Kummer is the executive director of the Food and Society policy program at the Aspen Institute, a senior editor at The Atlantic and a senior lecturer at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. Callie Crossley discusses the anniversary of Breonna Taylor’s murder. She also talks about Piers Morgan’s reaction to Oprah’s interview with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Crossley hosts GBH’s Under the Radar and Basic Black. Shirley Leung talks about Amazon’s proposal to turn Widett Circle into a major distribution hub, and how the catering start-up Alchemista pivoted to apartment vending machines during the pandemic. Leung is a business columnist for the Boston Globe. We wrap up the show by asking listeners whether they’re ready to make daylight saving time permanent.

The Massachusetts Office of the Trial Courts is sending notices to 27,000 people convicted of driving under the influence after breathalyzer tests were found to be unreliable. WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal reports.

Peel back the layers of tourism inside and out in Massachsuetts with Travel Expert Stephanie Abrams as she chats with Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Exeutive Director, Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. Learn about some of the unique tourism offerings in western Massachusetts as well as so many that await travelers from the Atlantic Ocean to the mountains with surprises in between!

Today's guest is Keiko Matsudo Orrall, Excutive Director of MOTT, the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. Travel expert Stephanie Abrams describes her interview with Keiko Orrall as "a very welcomed fresh and salty ocean breeze blowing westward from Boston across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that has been lacking at this arm of Massachusetts government. Keiko's energy, focus and vigor, and awareness of need to connect travelers with the treasures that Massachusetts holds providing a massive range of outdoor experiences from beaches to mountains and lakes, from historic to incredibly beautiful scenic sites, and to the massive value of the creative offerings of every cultural genre including the culinary expertise focused on regional food product and seafood, which doesn't stop just west of Boston! It is a delight to hear someone involved in tourism at the state level who actually knows what western Massachusetts has to offer the visitor! Talking with Keiko Matsudo Orrall is a highlight in our coverage Massachusetts travel and tourism features, benefits and value to visitors over the last 18+ years," Stephanie Abrams notes. You'll want to hear this and share it with friends!

Join travel expert Stephanie Abrams as she whisks radio listeners off to meet Adrian McNally, General Manager, at the Belfast Hotel Titanic in Northern Ireland, located within steps of the Titantic Belfast exhibit built on the spot where Titanic was built. Then off to explore the Historic Women Trailblazers in Massachusetts with Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, Keiko Matsudo Orrall and meander around the Commonwealth from Boston to Berkshire County. Today's episode then explores how hotels globally are focused on every angle, approach and detail to assure Covid-free environments for guests by using unique the services Travel Covid Free, a company designed to audit Covid-focused protocols for hotels worldwide.

In episode 124 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks barrier beaches and adaptation with The Trustees of Reservations, a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts!  This is the third episode in a 3-episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents  about Norton Point Beach on Martha’s Vineyard. You’ll hear the unique challenges facing this region and how the local population is taking action in the face of climate change.    Topics covered: Learn about Norton Point Beach, a barrier island on Martha’s Vineyard. Hear how local residents are taking action to ensure the beach adapts to the changes brought by climate change. Listen to what experts think needs to be done. Hear first-hand about an adaptation workshop The Trustees led with local residents and experts from the region and how they will use that information to adapt to climate change. See what steps the Trustees are currently taking to ensure the long term stability of this barrier beach. Find all episodes in this series here. This episode funded by The Trustees of Massachusetts through a grant by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Guests in this episode: Tom O’Shea, Director of Coast and Natural Resources, The Trustees of Reservations Rick Murray, Deputy Director and Vice President for Research at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Elizabeth Durkee, City of Oak Bluffs Bob Mason, Board Member of the Trustees David Foster, Local Resident Subscribe to the America Adapts Newsletter! Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Sign up to be a guest on Cimpatico Studios! Check out what Cimpatico is all about! https://www.cimpatico.com/about https://cimpatico.com/dougparsons Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/timeline www.americaadapts.org https://www.facebook.com/thetrustees @thetrustees https://www.instagram.com/thetrustees/ Links in this episode: https://www.onthecoast.thetrustees.org/a-focus-on-our-most-vulnerable-places http://www.thetrustees.org/ https://www.whoi.edu/who-we-are/about-us/leadership/message-from-the-deputy-director-and-vice-president-for-research/dr-richard-murray/ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-of-coastal-zone-management https://thetrustees.org/place/norton-point-beach/ Lyceum Educational Podcastshttps://www.lyceum.fm/about America Adapts was published in the Federal Reserve! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1 https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/ Article on using podcasts in the Classroom: https://naaee.org/eepro/blog/are-you-using-podcast-your-classroom-you Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Podcast here. Please share on Facebook! Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here! The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisor http://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/ 7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight it https://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813 Directions on how to listen to America Adapts on Amazon Alexa https://youtu.be/949R8CRpUYU America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Podcast on Android and search “America Adapts.” Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible!  For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Producer Dan Ackerstein Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

On today’s show, we focus on going back to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. The beginning of the 2020 school year is nothing like before. The word “difficult” is an understatement—and it’s difficult for all: for teachers, for students, for parents, (especially mothers) and for our colleges and universities too. Meanwhile, economic strains on families are sky-high as many families face eviction, and affordable child care is out of reach. Helping us to sort out questions related to schooling during pandemic and how we should think about these issues and more:Randi Weingarten is the president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO; and creator of AFT Innovation Fund, a groundbreaking initiative to support sustainable, innovative and collaborative education reform projects developed by members and their local unions. Rep. Katherine Clark represents the Fifth District of Massachusetts; her career in public service is driven by her commitment to helping children and families succeed; in Congress, she brings her experience as a former state senator, state representative and general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, and policy chief for the state attorney general. Fatima Goss Graves is the CEO of the National Women’s Law Center; co-founder of the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund; author of many articles and reports, including We Must Deal with K-12 Sexual Assault, and Unlocking Opportunity for African American Girls: A Call to Action for Educational Equity. Rate and review “On the Issues with Michele Goodwin" to let us know what you think of the show! Let’s show the power of independent feminist media. Check out this episode’s landing page at MsMagazine.com for a full transcript, links to articles referenced in this episode, further reading and ways to take action.Support the show (http://msmagazine.com)

In episode 120 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks adaptation and publicly accessible shorelines with The Trustees of Reservations, the nation’s first and the Massachusetts’ largest preservation and conservation nonprofit! This is the second episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents  about Crane Beach on the Crane Estate near in Ipswich, Massachusetts.  We discuss the challenges they are currently facing and what it means to adapt to climate change at this beach.  Hear from local residents and shoreline experts on what steps are needed to ensure future access to Crane Beach from the impacts of climate change. Topics covered: What it takes to maintain publicly accessible shorelines in the face of climate change. What makes Crane Beach unique and the specific challenges it faces. Learn why Crane Beach is so beloved by local residents. Hear first-hand about an adaptation workshop The Trustees led with local residents and experts from the region and how they will use that information to adapt to climate change. See what steps the Trustees are currently taking to ensure public access coastal impacts. Find all episodes in this series here. This episode funded by The Trustees of Reservations through a grant by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Guests in this episode: Tom O’Shea, Director of Coast and Natural Resources, The Trustees of Reservations Peter Pinciaro, Director of the Crane Estate Sandy Tilton, Photographer and Local Resident Jim Engel, Local Resident Frank Ventimiglia, Director of Operations, Town of Ipswich Department of Public Works Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Sign up to be a guest on Cimpatico Studios! Check out what Cimpatico is all about! https://www.cimpatico.com/about https://cimpatico.com/dougparsons Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/timeline www.americaadapts.org https://www.facebook.com/thetrustees @thetrustees https://www.instagram.com/thetrustees/ Links in this episode: https://www.onthecoast.thetrustees.org/a-focus-on-our-most-vulnerable-places http://www.thetrustees.org/ https://thetrustees.org/nature-ecology/crane-beach-through-the-decades-directors-talk/ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-of-coastal-zone-management Lyceum Educational Podcastshttps://www.lyceum.fm/about America Adapts was published in the Federal Reserve! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1 https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/ Article on using podcasts in the Classroom: https://naaee.org/eepro/blog/are-you-using-podcast-your-classroom-you Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Podcast here. Please share on Facebook! Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here! The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisor http://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/ 7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight it https://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813 Directions on how to listen to America Adapts on Amazon Alexa https://youtu.be/949R8CRpUYU America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Podcast on Android and search “America Adapts.” Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Producer Dan Ackerstein Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

In episode 117 of America Adapts, Doug Parsons talks coastal banks with The Trustees of Reservations, a coastal conservation group in Massachusetts!  This is the first episode in a 3 episode arc, focusing on coastal issues and climate adaptation. We talk with experts and local residents of Wasque Beach on Martha’s Vineyard and discuss the challenges they are currently facing and what it means to adapt to climate change on the island.  We cover such topics as coastal erosion, shoreline change and property loss. Come join us on the Vineyard! Topics covered: What’s happening to the coastal banks on Wasque Beach and what can be done about it. Hear from residents of Martha’s Vineyard about the challenges of sea level rise and coastal erosion and some of the steps they are willing to take to adapt to these changing conditions. Learn what makes Wasque Beach so special to local residents. Hear first hand about an adaptation workshop The Trustees led with local residents and experts from the region and how  they will use that information to adapt to climate change. See what role the famed research group the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution plays in managing the island. See what steps the Trustees are currently taking to manage for these coastal impacts. This episode funded by The Trustees of Massachusetts through a grant by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management. Guests in this episode: Tom O’Shea, Director of Coast and Natural Resources, The Trustees of Reservations Rick Schifter, Martha’s Vineyard resident Tara Marden, Senior Coastal Geologist at Woods Hole Group, Inc. Chris Kennedy, Stewardship Manager, The Trustees of Reservations Donate to America Adapts Listen to America Adapts on your favorite app here! Sign up to be a guest on Cimpatico Studios! Check out what Cimpatico is all about! https://www.cimpatico.com/about https://cimpatico.com/dougparsons Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Subscribe/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! Facebook and Twitter: @usaadapts https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/timeline www.americaadapts.org https://www.facebook.com/thetrustees @thetrustees https://www.instagram.com/thetrustees/ Links in this episode: https://www.onthecoast.thetrustees.org/a-focus-on-our-most-vulnerable-places http://www.thetrustees.org/ https://www.whoi.edu/ https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-of-coastal-zone-management Lyceum Educational Podcastshttps://www.lyceum.fm/about America Adapts was published in the Federal Reserve! Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Strategies to Address Climate Change Risk in Low- and Moderate-income Communities - Volume 14, Issue 1 https://www.frbsf.org/community-development/publications/community-development-investment-review/2019/october/strategies-to-address-climate-change-low-moderate-income-communities/ Article on using podcasts in the Classroom: https://naaee.org/eepro/blog/are-you-using-podcast-your-classroom-you Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/america-adapts-climate-change/id1133023095?mt=2 Listen here. On Google Podcast here. Please share on Facebook! Podcasts in the Classroom – Discussion guides now available for the latest episode of America Adapts. These guides can be used by educators at all levels. Check them out here! The best climate change podcasts on The Climate Advisor http://theclimateadvisor.com/the-best-climate-change-podcasts/ 7 podcasts to learn more about climate change and how to fight it https://kinder.world/articles/you/7-podcasts-to-learn-more-about-climate-change-and-how-to-fight-it-19813 Directions on how to listen to America Adapts on Amazon Alexa https://youtu.be/949R8CRpUYU America Adapts also has its own app for your listening pleasure!  Just visit the App store on Apple or Google Podcast on Android and search “America Adapts.” Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts!  Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible!  For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts.   Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts! America Adapts on Facebook!   Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we’re also on YouTube! Producer Dan Ackerstein Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com

Fifty years ago this week, 20 million Americans came together to march for the planet, demanding action to clean up America’s waterways and air and protect public health. Their efforts launched the first Earth Day and the modern environmental movement. This week on the Columbia Energy Exchange, we reflect back on the U.S. environmental movement in 1970, examine the movement’s successes in reducing pollution, and find lessons for addressing the existential environmental issue of our time -- climate change. To celebrate this historic milestone, we have a special double episode of Columbia Energy Exchange featuring conversations with two champions of the environmental movement -- one Republican, one Democrat. On Monday, host Jason Bordoff spoke with former Environmental Protection Agency administrator for President George H.W. Bush, Bill Reilly. And today, he speaks with his former Obama Administration colleague, Gina McCarthy.  Gina served as the 13th administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in President Obama’s second term, after serving as assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation in the first term. Earlier this year, she became president and chief executive officer of the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of America’s most important environmental organizations, founded the same year as the first Earth Day -- 1970. Earlier in her career, she held senior environmental policy roles in the state governments in Massachusetts and Connecticut, serving as commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, deputy secretary of the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development, and undersecretary of policy for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs. She also spent time after the Obama Administration at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, serving as a professor of the practice of public health in the Department of Environmental Health, and is currently chair of the board of advisors at the Harvard Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment (C-CHANGE). They discuss the current state of the environmental movement, progress made to cut pollution and expand clean energy in the U.S., and the challenges that remain to address the threat of climate change. They also discuss the implications of the Covid-19 pandemic, and how the spread of the virus has highlighted the importance of science and preparedness, and the inequitable burdens of environmental pollution on public health.

ABOUT THE EPISODEJoin me as I speak with Tucker Pforzheimer and Truman French founders of Martha’s Vineyard Mycological, a boutique producer of “wild harvest shiitake mushrooms.” Tucker and Truman met in a mycological program at Harvard University. Not just scholarly, but also men of action, they have established a mushroom farm that produces arguable the best shiitake mushroom I have ever tasted. Not only is their product delicious but their farming practices are remarkably low impact. We talk about mushrooms, mycelium, Island history, and the ongoing struggle to build more efficiencies into their production process. “We didn’t want to have a huge carbon footprint and just be this complete superficial participant in agriculture, its not a meaningful thing” — Truman French Read My article about MVM More Episodes Send me feedback This podcast is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. Stay up to date with the podcast Sign up with your email address to receive updates on new episodes and listener features. Email Address Sign Up I respect your privacy. Thank you!

ABOUT THE EPISODEOn this episode I meet with Jenny DeVivo, head chef and cafeteria director for the up-Island regional school district (West Tisbury School and Chilmark School). Jenny is not your average “lunch lady,” and has made it her mission to source local food for the schools’ daily lunches. Join me as I learn more about Jenny’s innovative and inspiring approach. Jenny has instituted systems with local farmers, fishermen, restaurants, and charities to bring real local food to our Islands school children. She produces over 500 locally sourced scratch meals every day out of a very small kitchen. We talk about food insecurity, farming, education, and much more. “Educational based food service is a doable option which I truly believe people should embark on across the nation.” — Jenny DeVivo Photo by Randi Baird Learn more about Jenny More Episodes Send me feedback This podcast is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. Stay up to date with the podcast Sign up with your email address to receive updates on new episodes and listener features. Email Address Sign Up I respect your privacy. Thank you!

ABOUT THE EPISODEOn this episode I meet with Mathew Dix, Farm Director of Island Grown Initiative (IGI). Mathew is a lifelong farmer with vast experience working with nonprofits and agriculture. Join me as I learn more about regenerative farming practices, carbon sequestration, and the amazing programs that IGI runs here on Martha’s Vineyard. From “rescuing” food waste from the community, to building farming practice for a better future, IGI covers a lot of ground. “Sustainable was the buzzword for so many years... sustainability is no longer an option… if we sustain where we are right now we’re not going to survive, so we need to regenerate. We need to actually create a better future in the farmlands that we have and by doing so we’re sequestering carbon from the air. ” — Matthew Dix Photo by Randi Baird Learn more about IGI More Episodes Send me feedback This podcast is funded, in part, by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. Stay up to date with the podcast Sign up with your email address to receive updates on new episodes and listener features. Email Address Sign Up I respect your privacy. Thank you!

What are employees entitled to under the law? In this episode of Workers’ Comp Matters, host Alan Pierce talks to Karla Zarbo, an assistant attorney general in the fair labor division of the Massachusetts office of Attorney General Maura Healey. They discuss wage theft and its related issues and talk about the processes involved in investigating the many types of wage complaints. They also discuss the challenges immigrants face in receiving fair wages and what protections are in place for this particularly vulnerable group of workers. Karla Zarbo is an assistant attorney general in the fair labor division with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Attorney General Maura Healey. Special thanks to our sponsors, Casepacer and PInow.

In any competitive landscape, keeping a legacy cultural institution relevant is a challenge. Keeping it relevant while retaining the original vision is an even greater challenge. For many in the travel and tourism industry, we’re always looking to strike a balance between differentiation and collaboration. We really need both to thrive. In New England, where you can’t walk ten feet without bumping into a place with historical significance, Old Sturbridge Village is striking this balance. In this episode, we hear from Jim Donahue. Jim is highly regarded in the nonprofit sector as a collaborative visionary. He is recognized as one of the top nonprofit executives in New England, with an impressive background in leadership, education, and fundraising. Prior to taking the position as president and CEO for Old Sturbridge Village, Jim was the CEO of the Bradford Dunn Institute for Learning Differences in Providence, Rhode Island. In that time, he managed the merger between the Bradford Dunn Institute and CVS Highlander Charter School in 2004. During his seven-year tenure as the director of the charter school, he led the renovation of two campuses for the school and the establishment of several key capacity-building partnerships. Since taking over as Old Sturbridge Village president in 2007, Jim has led the institution through a renaissance by increasing attendance, fundraising, and revenue from special programs. Highlights of his tenure include the reopening of the museum’s restaurant division, the renovation, and reopening of the lodging complex, the creation of the Ken Burns Lifetime Achievement Award, establishing an immersive theater program, including The Sleepy Hollow Experience, and the expansion of popular events like Christmas by Candlelight and Fourth of July. In 2017, he launched Old Sturbridge Academy, the first public charter school located in a museum in Massachusetts. A revolutionary model of experiential learning, and a partnership between a school and museum, the academy is already changing the lives of its students, many of whom come from underperforming school districts. In 2010, he was named Nonprofit Leader of the Year by the Worcester Business Journal, and in 2013, received the Larry Meehan Award for the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. He is a member of the American Antiquarian Society, a Fellow of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and has served on the boards of a number of Rhode Island nonprofits. Full show notes available here: https://breaktheicemedia.com/podcasts/jim-donahue/

Show Notes: During today's show, we discuss what some Kansas education policy makers are planning on doing with their public schools (hint: it's probably not a good idea). From the Lawrence Journal-World, we discuss the idea of no longer adhering to age-level grading, the impacts it may have, and why it actually might be a decent idea (to some degree). In our second segment, we have a very special guest on from our friends over at Education Excellence - Ardith Wieworka is our guest tonight.  Resources Mentioned/Referenced: Kansas schools may no longer group students by grade level as part of plan to remake education system Massachusetts Afterschool Partnerships EdWeek: Ed. Dept. Sweets Away Old Special Education Guidance and Regulations (List of regulations lifted) Tami Jimenez (Twitter) , elementary teacher and education enthusiast! Check out her podcast, "Time to Teach" on Libsyn! Guest Information: Ardith is the Chief Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, a non-profit agency dedicated to ensuring that all children and youth have equal access to high quality afterschool and summer programming, before school, after school, and during the summer months. She also serves on the senior management team of Child Development and Education, an early education and school age care program serving 4000 children in Massachusetts. Prior to her work in the private for-profit and non-profit education sectors, Ardith served in state government as the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Office for Children and the Office of Child Care Services, overseeing the field of early education and expanded learning opportunities.

This week on Viewfinder, the podcast that keeps Winchester in focus, we bring you part 2 of our conversation with Gregory White, the Chief of Staff and General Council for the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation. We are then joined for our Winchester Headlines segment by Melissa and Bram of The Winchester Star. Topics this week include more 40B news (of course), shopping at online vs brick and mortar bookstores, and the profitability of dog related businesses.

We're back with another edition of Viewfinder, the podcast that keeps Winchester in focus. This week is part 1 of our conversation with Gregory White, the Chief of Staff and General Council for the Massachusetts Office of Consumer and Business Regulation. Then we're joined for our usual Winchester Headlines segment by Melissa and Bram of the Winchester Star. Topics include old Winchester themed postcards found, an update on the Winchester Wine and Spirits liquor license story, and more on the 40b saga.

Chris welcomes Undersecretary John Chapman of Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation back to Something More. They discuss helpful consumer protection efforts by the state. In the second hour, Chris talks the Brexit fallout with Slade Mortgage Group and what to make of it for your portfolio.      

In Massachusetts there are certain licensing requirements that Home Improvement Contractors must meet and rules governing the contracts between homeowners and contractors.   In this episode of Grolman LLPs audio law school, Attorney David Owens discusses what it means to be a Home Improvement Contractor, what the requirements are for licensing, how the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation provides resources to review Contractors history and license status, and what a contract to work on your home is required to contain and should contain.   http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/consumer-rights-and-resources/home-improvement-contract/

In the third episode of Wish You Were Here: The Place Branding Podcast, we travel to the historic U.S. city of Boston, home of the American Revolution, the Red Sox, and a wicked clam “chow-dah.” As Boston also is home to the Inbound Marketing, we explore how inbound can help with place branding and destination marketing. Guests: Richard Doucette, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism & Shari Monnes, Head of Inbound at UP THERE, EVERYWHERE. Hosts: Julian Stubbs & Maura Gaughan

In part one of this two-part series on IOLTA Accounting on the Legal ToolKit, , brought to you by Catuogno Court Reporting, host Jared Correia, Law Practice Management Advisor with Mass. LOMAP, explored IOLTA accounting and its purposes. In part two, Jared welcomes Beverly Michaelis, Practice Management Advisor with the Professional Liability Fund of the Oregon State Bar and Lindsay Vosburgh, Financial Investigator at the Massachusetts Office of Bar Counsel, to talk about the latest in trust accounting software and to offer tips on trust accounting software for lawyers and firms.