Providers' Council

The Utility of Trouble documents human services cost savings for state

byelenak — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 17:45:40 +0000

The Massachusetts Taxpayer Foundation and The Boston Foundation released a “white paper” report that would promote human services efficiencies. An executive summary of the report, entitled The Utility of Trouble, was released at a forum conducted at The Boston Foundation.

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Advocates rally for FMAP funding

byelenak — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:14:18 +0000

On June 28th, the Providers' Council participated in a rally in front of Senator Scott Brown's office on New Sudbury Street in Boston. The rally drew a large crowd that filled the sidewalk in front of the federal building, and it was sponsored by a coalition of labor groups and human services organizations.

Participants asked the senator to restore funding for critical services in Massachusetts after he and other Senate Republicans blocked the FMAP legislation with a series of procedural maneuvers. The loss of funding will cost Massachusetts more than $600 million.

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FMLA Update: DOL Clarifies that FMLA Definition of "Son or Daughter" Includes Children of Same-Sex Domestic Partners

kgilnack — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 20:48:14 +0000

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an Administrative Interpretation clarifying its opinion on eligibility regarding employee qualifications to take Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

A recent advisory provided to the Council via our Endorsed Business Partner, TD Insurance from Ford & Harrison LLP outlines the changes clarified by the DOL.

According to Ford & Harrison, the DOL is, for the first time, defining eligibility to include "birth, bonding or to care for the child of a domestic partner or same-sex domestic partner, as well as other children for whom an employee has responsibility for day-to-day care or financial responsibility, even though the employee has no biological or legal relationship with the child."

This expansion of eligiblity stems from clarification over the definition of whether an employee stands "in loco parentis" and may now include examples such as:

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Rep. McCollum introduces Nonprofit Sector & Community Solutions Act in D.C.

byelenak — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:51:07 +0000

U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04) recently introduced the Nonprofit Sector & Community Solutions Act in D.C., a bill designed to improve the relationship between the federal government and nonprofit organizations. The bill is available on our site for your review or download.

Providers' Council staff members Carly Burton, Kevin Gilnack and Michael Weekes met with U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum and National Council of Nonprofits CEO Tim Delaney on a recent trip to Washington to discuss the legislation.

The bill will do the following:

Create a U.S. Council on Nonprofit Organizations and Community Solutions to consider the relationship between government and nonprofits, and make recommendations on efficiencies, contracting issues, research needs, and improving community-based impact.
Create an Interagency Working Group on Nonprofit Organizations and the Federal Government to create a coordinated process between nonprofits and the government in regard to policymaking.
Put a single, federal agency in charge of coordinating data collection about nonprofits.

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Members: Make the Most of Your Year-End Purchases

kgilnack — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 17:53:51 +0000

Human service agencies want to make every dollar count, especially as you think about your year-end purchases. That's why the Council wants to make sure members know about how our Endorsed Business Partners are helping members you do that right now.

Here are some year specials that help your purchasing dollars go even farther...

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FMAP Extension in Play in Senate - Your Action Still Needed

kgilnack — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:15:04 +0000

We are closer than ever to ensuring Massachusetts and state governments across the country receive needed budgetary relief to continue funding critical services to the people they serve thanks to a new Substitute Amendment to H.R. 4213, The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010.

However, as you can see from Secretary JudyAnn Bigby's message below, the Commonwealth is bracing for the worst and our community safety net still hangs in peril.

Please take a moment to email Senators Scott Brown and John Kerry to urge them to pass the Senate Substitute Amendment which restores language extending FMAP rates in H.R. 4213.

Also, be sure to call the Senators in support of H.R. 4213 please call and make sure they will support the Senate Substitute Amendment:

Senator Scott Brown - 202.224.4543
Senator John Kerry - 202.224.2742

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SEA holds Western Mass. launch event

byelenak — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:00:00 +0000

On June 10, Providers' Council members and social innovators in Western Massachusetts gathered at Shriner's Hospital in Springfield to hold a second launch event for the Massachusetts Chapter of the Social Enterprise Alliance. More than 65 people attended the event.

Providers' Council board member Joseph Leavey (right) also presented Hampden County Sheriff Michael J. Ashe (left) with the Chapter’s first Innovator Award for his tremendous work in creating and supporting social enterprises in Hampden County. They are pictured above with Pine Street Inn's Anne Wunderli.

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Recognize Your Staff With an Awards of Excellence Nomination

byelenak — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:16:02 +0000

There are many individuals and organizations who deserve to be honored for their creativity, contributions and accomplishments within the private provider industry. These individuals and organizations set standards of excellence.

We invite you to nominate individuals within your agency and community organizations that you work with for this important honor. Help us recognize outstanding contributions within our sector with an Award of Excellence nomination.

Council sends letters to Sens. Kerry and Brown on FMAP

byelenak — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 07:00:00 +0000

The Providers' Council on Thursday sent Sens. John Kerry and Scott Brown letters asking them to vote in favor of the FMAP extension. The letter, which was sent from Providers' Council President & CEO Michael Weekes, is available here.

Please sign our pre-written letter to Kerry and Brown and help advocate for the FMAP extension.

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House & Senate add Salary Reserve study language to FY '11 budget

byelenak — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:00:00 +0000

The Senate and House have both amended their FY '11 state budget proposals to include language mandating that the Executive Office of Health and Human Services write a report on the implementation of Chapter 257 -- our landmark, rate-setting legislation -- and present it to the legislature by the end of the year.

The Senate language is here and the House language is here ("scroll down to Balser further to amendment #447").

The Providers' Council is pleased that this language has made it into the FY '11 budget, and we will be in touch with members on next steps. If you have questions in the meantime, please e-mail Michael Ripple at the Council.

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