Commonwealth Conversations: Health and Human Services

MassVetsAdvisor.org launches Memorial Day weekend: Services and support for veterans just a click away with new web portal

By U.S. Army Reservist Kyle Toto

I joined the U.S. Army Reserves because I wanted to give back to my country and to carry on a tradition that had been in my family for three generations. After being in the reserves for three years, my civil affairs company was mobilized for a year-long deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan. It wasn’t easy to leave my family and friends, as well as my commitments to work and grad school, but I felt that it would be worth it. After a long year in Afghanistan and countless times outside the wire, I was thrilled to go home and reconnect with family. When I got back I was focused on catching up with friends and enjoying all the comforts of home. My benefits were the last thing on my mind.

That’s why I’m proud this Memorial Day to help the Patrick-Murray Administration’s Department of Veterans’ Services, Massachusetts Broadband Institute and the Home Base Program launch a new website to help veterans and their family members access over 200 state and federal benefits in one location.

MassVetsAdvisor.org is the perfect resource for veterans to easily access their benefits from the comfort of their own homes, on their own time.

As the new Community Manager for Broadband Adoption, I’ll be working with veterans and Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) across the Commonwealth to help them utilize the website and connect to all of the benefits and services they have earned.

MassVetsAdvisor.org is just one more way that the Patrick-Murray Administration has continued to make Massachusetts the the nation's leader in providing services and outreach for our state’s veterans.

If you are a veteran or a family member of a veteran please check out www.massvetsadvisor.org

If you are a service provider and would like training on the new veterans portal, feel free to contact me via email at toto@masstech.org, by telephone at (508) 870-0312 x 604, or through the mail at: Massachusetts Broadband Institute, ATTN: MassVetsAdvisor, 75 North Drive, Westborough, MA 01581.

# # #

MassHealth begins paying incentives to providers who adopt and use Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

By MassHealth Health IT Project Manager Deborah Schiel

Recently, I was referred to a specialist by my primary care physician. Prior to the appointment, the new physician requested my medical records so he could review my health history. It seemed easy enough. Since my physician had an electronic health record (EHR) system I thought I could simply sign the paperwork that would allow him to share my medical information with the new provider and it would be transferred electronically in a timely way.

Although Massachusetts has more providers using EHRs than most other states, many providers still use paper medical records or if they do have electronic medical records, these systems are not set up to “talk to each other.” In my particular case, the two electronic medical record systems did not “communicate” with each other, transfer of my medical information meant that my primary care provider had to print out a copy of my medical record; I had to stop by his practice to pick it up and then drop it off at the specialist’s office a couple of days prior to my appointment. Can you imagine having to take these same steps to transfer money from one bank account to another bank account? Shouldn’t the transfer of health care information be handled electronically much like the banking industry?

Last October, Massachusetts reached a health care milestone with the launch of the Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment Program, working toward the Commonwealth’s goal of ensuring that every provider in the state has access to a federally certified EHR system that communicates with other certified EHR systems by 2015. During the first four months of the program, more than $76 million in Medicaid EHR incentives have been disbursed to over 40 short-term acute care hospitals and nearly 1,700 eligible health care professionals.  Both the Medicaid program and the Medicare EHR Provider Incentive Payment Program were established through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provide 100% of the incentives paid to providers and 90% of the state’s costs to operate the program. In August 2011, CMS announced that MassHealth would receive more than $12 Million in federal reimbursement to support operations and provider outreach activities for the first two years of the Medicaid incentive program. MassHealth estimates that more than 6,000 eligible professionals and most of the acute care hospitals in Massachusetts will be eligible for the program, which means potentially more than $500 million in federal EHR incentives being paid to Massachusetts providers during the 10-year program. 

MassHealth is partnering with its colleagues at the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI), a division of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, which will support key operational and provider outreach components of the incentive program.  MeHI is the state agency dedicated to  health care innovation, technology and competitiveness.  Another crucial participant is the Provider Compliance Unit of The University of Massachusetts Medical School’s Center for Health Care Financing. They will be reviewing providers to make sure they meet all necessary requirements for receiving the incentive payments, and they will also audit the providers after the incentive payments are made.

Launching the Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment Program is just one of many exciting health information technology (HIT) initiatives that MassHealth,  Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), other state agencies and key stakeholders (including MeHI) are collaborating on to promote the widespread adoption and meaningful use of certified EHRs by providers across the Commonwealth. Widespread use of EHRs by Massachusetts health care providers is essential to transforming health care in the Commonwealth, and the move away from a fee-for-service model towards a system that offers fully integrated, coordinated, and patient-focused health care services. 

For more information on the Program, providers can contact the Massachusetts Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment Program staff at 1-855-massEHR or submit questions to massEHR@masstech.org.  In addition, providers can receive information on the Program at www.mass.gov/masshealth/ehrincentives.

# # #

 

May is Older Americans Month

By Elder Affairs Secretary Ann Hartstein

May is Older Americans Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of the nation’s seniors. Since 1963, when President John F. Kennedy first proclaimed May as Senior Citizens Month, political officials, advocacy groups, community organizations and families have highlighted achievements of seniors and the value in acknowledging their importance. Each generation strengthens the foundation for the next generation.

In 1963, there were 17 million Americans over the age of sixty five. Fifty years later there are more than 40 million Americans over sixty-five, and since last year, baby boomers have been aging in at the rate of 10,000 a day.

In Massachusetts nearly 1 million people are sixty-five or older. With Massachusetts life expectancy at 80.2 years – two years longer than the national average – and people who reach sixty-five likely to live another twenty years, seniors are the fastest growing segment of the total population. In fact, the expectation is that if you aren’t a senior yet,  you will  live to be one. And, you are going to be healthier, more active, and more engaged than any previous senior population.

This year, the Older Americans Month theme is: Never Too Old To Play. Many seniors, particularly baby boomers, already keep fit with some form of regular exercise – yoga, Zumba, ballroom dancing, golf, tennis, walking, swimming, bowling, weight-training – all of which promote longer, healthier, more satisfying lives. There are other ways to play as well: hobbies - painting, singing, acting, sewing, gardening, crafts.  The point is that there are endless numbers of ways to enjoy yourself and stay connected.

If you are a senior or a senior’s family member looking for ways to “play,” let me suggest that you begin at your local Council on Aging or senior center. Check out the Key Resources section of the mass.gov/elders homepage to find a center near you.  If you don’t already, start playing, and if you do, bring a friend.

 

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission partners with companies in Massachusetts to place people with disabilities in the workforce

By MRC Director of Statewide Job Placement Services William Allen

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) recently announced that the overall unemployment rate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is 6.9%. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,  however, the unemployment rate for a person with a disability jumps to 14.6 %. 

A person with a disability has to work even harder to compete in a very tight job market. In order to counteract this disparity, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) has forged partnerships with the business community to promote the employment of people with disabilities.  Economists at the University of California and Berkeley indicate that structural unemployment reflects deeper problems such as a mismatch between the skills workers have, and the ones employers need. Structural unemployment, unlike cyclical unemployment, doesn’t disappear when the economy improves. Cyclical refers in this situation to seasonally adjusted unemployment rates.  During certain times of the year people are laid off or hired to increase in productions needs of the business or organization.  Structural unemployment refers to skills that are not sufficient to meet the needs of the company

Over the last several years, the MRC has developed both Employer Boards, such as the Boston Employer Advisory Board, Springfield Business Advisory Board; and local collaboratives -- including the Greater Worcester Employment Resource Collaborative – to identify greater employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities. These groups help job seekers with disabilities by providing them the opportunity to network directly with local Human Resource personnel, in order to get feedback directly from some of the largest employers in the state;  thus, the MRC gains first-hand knowledge of employers’ needs and requirements, and job candidates gain self-confidence and insight to the HR perspective. Companies choose whether or not they want to participate, recognizing that doing so will help bolster their company’s diversity initiatives, and give them direct access to an untapped pool of qualified candidates. This connection also provides employers with a network of resources available within the disability community.  

One of the innovative tools that MRC offers is the On-The-Job (OTJ) evaluation, which offers an employee exposure to a job prior to a permanent hire, giving both the company and the prospective employee with a disability a chance to evaluate whether it is the right fit.   During the past year, 3,061 persons with disabilities have gone to work as a result of vocational rehabilitation services offered by MRC. The OTJ evaluation is extremely valuable; offering a person with a disability that initial ‘foot in the door’ that might otherwise be closed.  The ordinary application process may screen out an individual with a disability, for reasons that include gaps in work history; due to being a brand new graduate with little work experience; and/or a late onset disability -- which caused a major mid-career interruption.  There are many Massachusetts employers, however, who see beyond the disability and hire an individual for the unique set of experiences and talent that he or she brings to the table. 

During the first week of May, MRC will host events geared toward promoting the employment of individuals with disabilities. The events’ keynote speakers will hopefully inspire other employers who may be on the fence about employing individuals with disabilities, and at the same time, recognize the companies in the Commonwealth that have successfully hired individuals with disabilities.

Following are upcoming MRC events:

May 1 – Greater Worcester Employment Resource Collaborative The Greater Worcester Employment Resources Collaborative (GWERC) is hosting an employer recognition breakfast at the Skyline Bistro Conference Center, at the Worcester Vocational High School on May 1. Three Worcester area employers will be recognized for their exemplary leadership in hiring individuals with disabilities.  Harr Dodge, Wegman’s Food Markets, Akuity Technologies, Inc. will all be receiving awards. Keynote speakers are Nancy Jodoin, RN and Susan Dally RN Manager, Long Term Care Solutions, both of whom will share their stories as registered nurses returning to work after significant visual impairments.  A buffet breakfast will be prepared by the culinary students of Worcester Technical High School.   

May 4 – Greater Boston Employment Breakfast - May 4^th marks the 15^th Annual Greater Boston Employer Award Breakfast (GBEAB), at the Boston Marriott Copley. This year the GBEAB is recognizing Suffolk University, Spaulding Rehabilitation, TJ Maxx, and the Museum of Fine Arts as Distinguished Employers; it will also honor state Fish and Wild Life Services and the Psychological Center with Certificates of Appreciation. The keynote speakers are Oswald “Oz” Mondejar, Vice President for Human Resources, Community Relations and Communications at Partners Continuing Care, Inc and Colleen Moran, Project Manager for Human Resources and Community Relations for Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. 

May 7 – MetroWest Work Opportunities Coalition Annual Employer Awards Luncheon The MetroWest Work Opportunities Coalition consists of representatives from several human service agencies, including MRC, that promote the hiring of individuals with disabilities. The ‘Accommodation Award’ recognizes MetroWest employers’ efforts and commitment to employing and retaining people with disabilities. This ceremony is sponsored by the Framingham Rotary and will be held at Ken’s Steak House in Framingham.  The event starts at noon on May 7.

For more information about these events or how your company can work with the MRC in employing people with disabilities, please contact me at William.Allen@state.ma.us.

 # # #

 

 

---

 

 

Department of Transitional Assistance receives special recognition from the Obama Administration for its tornado response

By Assistant Secretary for Children, Youth and Families Marilyn Chase

Following the unusual tornadoes that touched down last June in Central and Western Massachusetts, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) quickly responded to ensure assistance for affected residents. The DTA team exhibited tremendous fortitude, putting in long hours and collaborating with employees of multiple state agencies to deliver support to residents in need. For DTA’s hard work and efficiency, this week the Obama Administration recognized the Department for its achievement delivering disaster SNAP benefits (DSNAP).to residents of the Central and Western regions.

Acknowledging the national recognition of DTA, Governor Patrick said: "I'm proud of the Department of Transitional Assistance for its dedication to helping the residents of the Commonwealth who were devastated by last summer’s tornadoes. Massachusetts leads the nation in ensuring that vulnerable families and individuals have access to the services they need, and this recognition is a testament to the Department’s effectiveness.

DTA’s special recognition came from a recent review by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which looked at swift responses to disaster across the country. USDA noted DTA’s outstanding administration of DSNAP, noting that it was "impressed by the level of coordination and sophisticated systems that were developed in a matter of days to prepare for this operation, as well as the degree of customer service given to disaster victims seeking food assistance.”

DTA’s mission is to assist low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, increase their incomes and improve their quality of life. I’m very proud of the agency for staying committed to this mission, even during an emergency situation, and alleviated some of the strain on displaced families in the Central and Western parts of the state. This is a well-deserved honor.

Read the full press release here.

 

An inspirational visit with lasting effects

By DYS Assistant Commissioner Peter Forbes

Recently, Celtics guard Keyon Dooling met with DYS youth at the Metro Youth Service Center in Dorchester. Keyon spoke to them about his life experiences, from growing up in a rough neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale, to becoming an NBA player. The impact and influence of young role models like Keyon are immeasurable for youth in our custody: it was clear on that Wednesday in February that Keyon‘s easy connection with the young people at Metro Youth Service Center would last well beyond his visit. Connections like these are essential to the work of DYS. Fortunately for the Department, Reverend Bob Gray of Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain is a friend and someone who recognizes the importance of these meaningful connections. 

Reverend Gray is an assistant pastor at Bethel AME and also serves as the chaplain of the Boston Celtics. His career as a juvenile probation officer, combined with his ministry, make him a unique supporter and friend to DYS. Reverend Gray has done an incredible job of selecting athletes who can effectively deliver the message to DYS kids that education and hard work is the pathway out of tough situations. Through Reverend Gray, Keyon is just one of a dozen local professional athletes who have visited DYS programs during the past five years. We are extremely grateful to Reverend Gray for his support.

During his visit, Keyon shared stories of his life, his family, his career and his faith. He talked about growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and connected the importance of education to achieving success in life. He explained how he committed himself to studying in high school so he could get into college and have a chance at success in the future. Ultimately, Keyon attended the University of Missouri and was a part of the Mizzou Tigers Men’s Basketball team. He was drafted into the NBA following his sophomore season. This is Keyon’s 12^th season in the NBA; he has been married for 10 years and has four children. Keyon spoke about the importance of family and the hard work of being a husband and a father. He also talked about motivation, decision making and peer association -- and how all of these influences are integrated into reaching one’s goals and fulfilling one’s dreams. 

"This process [commitment to DYS] can be the best thing that ever happened to you.. you [can] use the time to reflect and set positive goals," Keyon informed the DYS audience. This was a particularly compelling message that the youth seemed willing to receive from Keyon more than from DYS staff or other adults who are part of  their daily lives.

The visit concluded with Keyon taking questions from the Metro Youth residents, autographing program basketballs and taking pictures with the youth. For youth committed to the Department, having someone like Keyon willing to take the time to talk to them about their own experiences reminds DYS youth that they matter and that everyone, regardless of circumstances, has the potential to succeed if they put in the work. Role models like Keyon Dooling are also living proof of how good decision making -- including choices about who to associate with -- is critical to achieving one’s goals.

We are indebted to Keyon, the other athletes and role models who have spoken to DYS youth about their experiences, and to Reverend Gray for bridging these important connections to our youth.  

 # # #

 

 

Increasing the dialogue on sexual assault awareness and prevention

By DPH’s Director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Unit
Marci Diamond

Sexual violence is everyone’s issue: in fact, a new national study found that one in three women and one in five men in Massachusetts have experienced sexual violence, typically starting at a young age.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and as the DPH Director of Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services Unit, I am honored to serve this year as Advisory Council Chair for the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). NSVRC serves as a coordinating and resource organization for SAAM, and has designated this year’s SAAM theme as "Healthy Sexuality".

This theme connects with conversations we’ve long had at DPH about healthy sexuality, and its connection to preventing sexual violence and other health concerns. Several years ago, staff from DPH programs such as violence prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, and HIV prevention came together with the understanding that that our work would be more effective in all of these areas if we could find common ground and coordinate efforts in what we were all trying to promote as a vision of wellness. DPH now has a cross-Department Healthy Sexuality/Healthy Relationships workgroup to coordinate the promotion of positive sexual development across the lifespan, in order to improve the health, safety, and well-being of MA residents. The MA Sexual Violence Prevention Plan further reinforces these connections, and supports our community partners who work across MA to prevent and respond to sexual violence.

Gov. Patrick said: "Massachusetts has a plan…to keep children from developing problem sexual behaviors, help parents and educators teach children that sexual respect is expected, and assist adults in changing the climates in our diverse communities and institutions so that healthy relationships between all people can be the state norm…not only to improve our response to incidents…but also toward shaping a safer, healthier future".

We invite you to join the dialogue not just this April, but throughout the year. You can find lots of resources at NSVRC  and at your local DPH-supported Rape Crisis Center  or Child Advocacy Center. It may be challenging to start, but we CAN talk about --and practice -- appropriate boundaries, sexual respect, and healthy, nurturing, equitable relationships.  By starting the conversation early and often, we can all help to build safe, healthy relationships and communities.

 

 

DTA assists low-income households affected by the Back Bay blackout: Replacement SNAP benefits can be requested until close of business April 5

By DTA Commissioner Dan Curley

Few of us will forget the sight of the darkened Prudential Tower and surrounding buildings on the evening of March 13, especially those who live in the immediate area and were forced to evacuate their homes. A fire at an NSTAR substation in Boston’s Copley Square resulted in widespread power outages that affected more than 20,000 people – some for as long as six days. 

Many of the residents cast into the dark that night are elderly and disabled individuals who live in senior, public, and privately-managed low-income housing. The City of Boston and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) acted quickly on behalf of these individuals to ensure they would not go hungry. Households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can request replacement benefits if food is lost due to a disaster or household misfortune such as fire, flood, loss of electricity, equipment (refrigerator/freezer) failure or other disaster.

Additionally, DTA asked for, and recently received, a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to give residents an additional ten days to request replacement SNAP benefits. Requests can be made until close of business on Thursday, April 5. Getting this extension is especially critical because many evacuated residents were unable to contact a DTA office until recently, and others were unaware they could request additional help.

Since the blackout, the Department has received and processed hundreds of requests for replacement SNAP benefits, primarily through the DTA office on Massachusetts Avenue in Newmarket Square.   

As always, I am proud of my team for their work assisting people during challenging times. I am also very pleased with our collaboration with the City of Boston, and I appreciate the Mayor’s concern for affected Boston residents and willingness to partner with the Department to administer replacement SNAP benefits. Working together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of people in need. If you know someone who receives SNAP benefits and lost food during the power outage, please encourage him or her to call us at 1-800-445-6604 by close of business on April 5.        

# # #

 

National Brain Injury Awareness Month: Reaching Out to Veterans

By Nicky Osborne, Director of Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) - Brain Injury & Statewide Specialized Community Services (BI&SSCS)

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, when the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) redoubles its efforts to promote awareness that a brain injury can happen anytime, anywhere, to anyone – a brain injury does not discriminate. In fact, every year 1.7 million Americans sustain a brain injury. The estimated cost of traumatic brain injury (TBI) nationally, including treatment and lost productivity, is $76.3 billion per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Massachusetts alone, 51,000 residents —indeed our loved ones, friends, acquaintances, neighbors, and coworkers -- sustain a TBI every year. 

Lately, TBI has been in the news as the public is riveted by the remarkable story of former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her recovery, as well as by recent research on the effects of repeated concussion among both high school football players and professional athletes such as Marc Savard of the Bruins hockey team. There is another group of Americans for whom TBI has become a distinguishing and invisible wound: returning veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In general, TBI is a disruption of brain function typically due to a blow or jolt to the head, from incidents such as car crashes, falls, physical assaults and gunshots. No two brain injuries are alike: lasting effects can include a combination of memory problems; issues concerning judgment and socially acceptable behavior; high levels of frustration; fatigue; barriers to physical ability (including speech, vision, hearing, sensation) and chronic pain. Soldiers serving in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are particularly vulnerable to TBI from warfare and the impact of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). 

MRC’s Brain Injury & Statewide Specialized Community Services (BI&SSCS) department is proud to have been awarded a federal grant for $530,000 that focuses on identifying women and minority OEF/OIF veterans in the state who may have sustained TBI and are traditionally underserved.  Perceptions about the military culture may make soldiers feel they have to “tough it out” if they are experiencing any problems after an injury.  Women and minority service members especially seem reluctant to self-identify and seek help.  BI&SSCS is working on reaching out to these service members and to better understand their unique needs as well as the cultural and other barriers that may delay serving them.

Three upcoming MRC events are geared toward promoting brain injury awareness:

• Weekend Retreat for Veterans with TBI in Groton (March 16-18) – this 3-day event offers education about brain injury, workshops, resources, holistic methods for stress management, accommodations and meals for returning veterans with TBI, including but not limited to women and service members from culturally diverse groups, and their families.  Small group sessions will be facilitated by clinicians in a safe, supportive environment.  This event is offered in collaboration with Project New Hope, an organization offering retreats as a way to improve quality of life for combat veterans by helping them heal, cope, reintegrate and reconnect with their families.  More information is available at their website (www.projectnewhopema.org).
   
• Screening Clinics will be held throughout the month of March at the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans, the Soldiers' Home in Chelsea, the Veterans Center in Hyannis, the Worcester Veterans Center, and the Springfield Veterans Clinic. Confidential diagnostic interviews and screening by neuropsychologists will be offered to OIF/OEF veterans who may have sustained a brain injury in combat or from other causes during military service.  In addition, staff from the BI&SSCS-Statewide Head Injury program (SHIP) will be onsite to assist with filling out applications for services from SHIP.  SHIP coordinators will also provide information and resources at these regional screening clinics.  For exact dates of these clinics, please contact Felisha Bennett at 617-204-3852 or Felisha.Bennett@ state.ma.us.

• Symposium for Women and Minority Veterans – recognizing that the military experience of women veterans and service members of diverse cultures often differs from that of the mainstream armed forces, this conference will explore the unique needs and challenges related to gender and cultural roles, particularly within the family structure.  Participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and receive support from their peers, as well as learn more about TBI and available services and supports.  This symposium will be held on June 16 at UMass-Boston and on June 23 at Springfield College.  Secretary of Veterans’ Services Coleman Nee, is expected to deliver the opening remarks at both events.   

Promoting awareness of brain injury as what is sometimes a lifelong condition is the first step toward MRC’s goal of early and equal access to services, supports and compassion. BI&SSCS hopes that grant opportunities such as this one will help Veterans with TBI overcome stigma and find the strength and courage to seek help and choose healing.                    

For more information about any MRC BI&SSCS or SHIP activities for Veterans, please contact Felisha Bennett at 617-204-3852.

 

# # #

 

Hire a Veteran ‘On Demand’

By Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Coleman F. Nee

Despite recent positive news on declining unemployment, veterans as a whole remain unemployed at a much higher rate than national and state averages. Unemployment rates are even higher among young veterans and women veterans. (For the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics visit: http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t05.htm )

As part of the state’s many initiatives to help our returning veterans become employed, Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray and the Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) reached out to major trade associations to encourage them to hire veterans and circulate information about veterans’ benefits.  Among the growing list of major trade associations committed to working with the Administration and the Massachusetts veteran community are: The Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE), the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Massachusetts Business Roundtable, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, the Mass High Tech Council, the Defense Technology Initiative, and the Retailers Association of Massachusetts.

DVS has also partnered with Comcast Corporation to launch “Hire A Veteran On Demand,” which aims to connect returning soldiers to jobs to help ease their transition back into civilian life. The pilot program, which posts video profiles of returning soldiers who are looking for work, started in late January and will be available for the next 90 days for prospective hiring managers and recruiters to review for their employment needs. Check out one Veteran profile here:  http://tinyb.it/2E4C614C578 .The veterans featured were chosen by DVS and the profiles were produced by Comcast’s Video Production and Services team. Interested hiring managers or recruiters can contact individual candidates by getting in touch with the Department via the email address included at the end of each video profile.

Initiatives like these are a testament to Massachusetts’ leadership in providing services and supports to the Commonwealth’s Veterans and their families.

If you are a veteran or know of a veteran seeking employment or wish to hire a veteran, please email veteransvoice@massmail.state.ma.us or call 617-210-5970