Forever Paws Fundraiser

http://www.heraldnews.com/features/x267283705/Forever-Paws-in-Fall-River-to-host-Spring-Fling-fundraiserIn Fall River, Forever Paws, a non-profit animal shelter holds their annual fundraiser in which helps the company financially. Because Forever Paws is a non-profit organiztion, they do not recieve any funding from the government and heavily rely on donations and fundraisers. They also look forward to obtaining help from volunteers to play with the animals as well as helping company in other ways.



On March 21st at the Fall River Country Club, the fundraiser will be held with a Madi Gras theme. The funds raised from the event will pay for food, supplies, and other expenses. At this point, Forever Paws are in care for nearly 100 cats and up to 40 dogs. During thr event, there will be vendors selling thinds as well as providing other well-being services such as mini-manicures or massages. Forever Paws is a good organiztion because its ability to offer services to animals without gaining any help from the government. In today's society, it is hard for many companies especially for non-profit organizations. Because Forever Paws provide locals with a place to go to if interested in buying animals who are in need of homes, many feel the need to contribute to such event.

Staples donates school supplies to youth in need

Staples, which is based in Framingham, recently donated $220,000 worth of school supplies to Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization that assists children who don't have access to basic tangible items necessary for learning. What struck me as most interesting about this scenario was that executives and businesspeople from Staples, The Boys and Girls Club, and Cradles to Crayons had an active role in putting together the backpacks that would be distributed to the children. To me, this shows an interest and compassion from people higher up on the socioeconomic ladder, as well as a business' social responsibility to give back.

Brief writeup from the MetroWest Daily News here

Springfield Library Budget Cuts

This article on masslive.com describes the numerous budget cuts facing the Library Department in Springfield, MA. The library is not a department we typically think of when discussing the funding issues that face so many public programs, but it is certainly an essential part of a community. As discussed in class, the library is an important resource for parents struggling to take care of their children on a tight budget. Cuts in library funding mean more limited offerings, which take a toll on parents and children. Something many people don't know that that certain library programs are often funded by grants from private sources. An unfortunate consequence of funding cuts in the library is that the library may no longer be able to meet the minimum requirements to qualify for the grants, therefore also losing grant funding.

Haitian refugee welcomed at Apponequet

This article focuses on Jonathan Jean-Baptiste, a fifteen year old student at Apponequet High School. He is new to Massachusetts due to the devastating earth quake in Haiti. He left his mother, father and brother in chaos to live with his aunt in Apponequet. He is having trouble adjusting but the hospitality and support from his peers and the town have make easier everyday. His aunt is proud of him stating that "He is adjusting and having gone through the trauma. It is amazing how resilient he is”.

Mass. sued over immigrant health care

A law in Massachusetts excludes over 26,000 LEGAL immigrants from their rightful healthcare benefits, and so the immigrants are fighting back by suing the state legislature. The state's Connector Authority violated the equal protection rights of these immigrants last year when their healthcare benefits were cut just because of their immigrant status. After fighting for a long time, the immigrants were able to gain back a stripped-down version of the benefits they once had. This is an unfair and unfortunate turn of events, especially since Governor Deval Patrick fought to get coverage.

US Investigation in Canton School

This article relates to the previous post about the schools using shock therapy. 

http://mobile.boston.com/art/30/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/25/us_opens_canton_school_inquiry/?single=1

A Canton special needs school is under investigation by the US  Department of justice to determine whether the school violates federal disability laws by disciplining students with electric shocks. In September 2009, disability rights groups said the facility used "painful and dehumanizing techniques that violate all principles of human rights". Many of the students at the Rotenberg Educational Center have developmental disabilities, autism, emotional trouble and some even have criminal records. Many parents who have children at the Rotenberg Center have supported the school because it accepted their children when others turned them away. Some even said the shocks were a better alternative to heavy sedation. Some critics of the school say that the punishment is unheard of and that students are often punished for minor behaviors such as whispering. A member of the Coalition of the Legal Rights of People with Disabilities in Boston is hoping the investigation by the Department of Justice will stop the practices of the school

Feds Probe Mass. Special Needs School

In this article, The US Justice department is investigating whether or not Massachusetts schools are violating disablity laws regarding Children. In the schools, teachers have been known to use what is known as "shock therapy." Shock therapy is under investigation because many think that it violates "humans rights" due to its techniques. For more information: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/feds-probe-massachusetts-special-needs-school-25-apx

Opening Hearts: Foster Children the Focus of Library Exhibit

This article is about a photography exhibit by volunteers showcasing foster children from Massachusetts. It is designed by the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange to "increase awareness about adoption from foster care." It is on display in the Worcester Public Library.

"Ms. Yanover volunteered last year to take photos for “the Heart Gallery” exhibit, designed by the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange to increase awareness about adoption from foster care. Twelve photos of foster children and teens, each taken by different photographers, are on display in the main foyer of the library, and will remain there through March.

According to Ms. Halpern, there are as many as 10,000 children in foster care throughout the state. About 75 percent of these children are in foster care temporarily. For the other 25 percent, “it becomes clear the problem that brought them into foster care is not going to be fixed,” she said.

MARE advocates for these children, and currently has 518 in its caseload, including 60 from Central Massachusetts. Last year, MARE helped find permanent homes for 157 children, with each of these children being placed an average of 1.3 years after registering with MARE. The average age of the children placed last fiscal year was eight."

No crackdown on assaults at colleges

"Newly obtained Justice Department data show that reports of sexual assaults on college campuses rarely lead to serious sanctions."

In this article many sexual assaults are ignored and people are not receiving the help they need individually, nor are they experiencing the safety and authority that is needed to run a college campus.

ANTI BULLYING TASK FORCE MEETS IN SOUTH HADLEY

After the suicide death of the South Hadley High School student, Phoebe Prince, the new anti bullying task force finally met. This task force was something many parents and members of both the school and the community thought were necessary to face the issues of bullying that were present in their school system. Members of the community felt that the school was not doing enough to punish the students who were doing the bullying in efforts to prevent future bullying and show that it will not be tolerated. The superintendent did say that the students who were involved in bullying Phoebe are now no longer enrolled in the high school, but he did not comment on whether or not they were expelled.
Since both parents, students and other members of the community felt the school was not doing enough to discipline those who were involved in bullying, they are asking that the superintendant resign because they do not believe he will follow through with his plan. But in the meantime the anti bullying task force will meet weekly and divided into different groups will tackle issues such as school policies, discipline policies, online behavior, community programs, and staff behaviors. This task force is something that will benefit the whole community by coming together and seeing what needs to be done in order to prevent the issue of bullying that has become more serious over the past year.

In motels, families cook, wash dishes, put kids to bed

This article tells about how, in Danvers, families are living in motel in a small space with all the material that they have, some even have younger children who are growing up in these conditions. They do not have a choice now, they have to organize and find what can make it easier. They are in motel waiting for the official decision to move them to a shelter. Thousands of families are now in the same situation and have to be patient until they will be moved. The full article is on: www.salemnews.com/punews/local_story_011200745.html/resources_etp_mobile_story

"A place for unused drugs"

This article discusses a resource Gardner, Massachusetts has put into place as a reaction to the increase of youth prescription drugs abuse and the water contamination they also cause. The mayor of Gardner has declared that in mid-May there will be a day where all residents can safely discard their unused or expired medications. This way, teens and young adults will be less likely to get their hands on them and also their water will be cleaner due to less people flushing medications down the toilet.

Massachusetts Groups for Obama's Health Plan

Massachusetts "labor, consumer, business, and health care groups" want Congress to approve of Obama's latest health care proposal but the insurence companies are not in aggreement. This article from the Boston Globe shows the many mixed feelings on the presidents new proposal and the reasons why each group either likes the plan or dislikes the plan.

Students disciplined in the bullying of the late Phoebe Prince will not return to South Hadley High School, officials say

Massachusetts Local News recently published an article following up on the bullying case that led to the unfortunate suicide of teenager Pheobe Prince. Superintendent Gus A. Sayer has come out saying those those invovled in the harassment of this young girl have been expelled from the school and are their return is not welcome. The school superintendent and principal have had little to say of the case, in fear of violiating the involved students confidentiality. This has caused the citizens of the town to protest, petitioning for the resignation of these two school officials. To hear more about this topic, visit http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/students_disciplined_in_the_bu.html

Sex Offender Cuts Off GPS Bracelet

This story that was featured on The Boston Channel, "Sex Offender Dumps GPS, Repeatedly Rapes Woman" is about a 29 year old William French of Framingham. He had just been released from jail, and had just been put on the gps monitoring bracelet for violating his probation. This story brings to light a couple different issues - first it addresses the seriousness of sex offenders, and the use of the gps monitoring devices. In this case, the gps device did not help the victim in this case. She was raped twice by William French in one night, the same night he cut off his monitoring device. The device did not help the victim in this case because the assaults happened at 9:30 pm, and he was not to be back in his home until 11:30 pm.


To read the full article, click here »

State Mulls Right-to-die bill

According to a recent article in the Boston Herald, Massachusetts lawmakers are currently debating over a bill that would make euthanasia an option for terminally ill patients over 18. The joint committee on the Judiciary will begin their discussions on whether or not Massachusetts should join Oregon, Washington, and Montana as the fourth state in the union to offer terminally ill patients the option of euthanasia. If this legislation were passed, it would only be possible for the patient and the patient only to decide that euthanasia is the proper course of action.

Transgender Patron Takes Complaint Against Capone's to Peabody Licensing Board

In this article a man by the name of Robert Knowles, who is from Saugus, speaks out against a bar named Capone's in Peabody that allegedly refused the group (which also included a woman) entry into the bar. The man states "The door staff told me we would not be allowed entrance because of how we were dressed and that men in skirts would not be allowed inside". The group holds frequent meetings in bars and just wants to be respected the same as any other group of people. It is not known what actions will be taken against the bar just yet, though there are laws that prevent this kind of discrimination in public areas such as this. " The whole object of the group is to help others feel confident so they can embrace who they are and they can go out".

As wars are waged and natural disasters emerge around the world, thousands of children are left without parents. Since the 1980's, the US has accepted refugee orphans and placed them in foster homes. This is a very relevant concept to consider when thinking about social work in Massachusetts because children are joining Massachusetts communities. In the article, World's Refugee Orphans Seeking Homes in the US, Russell Contreras outlines the implications of the situation. Read More

Mother of Kidnapped Girl Speaks Out

In this article, a little girl was taken away from her house and was taken to Connecticut. The parents beleive that the suspect could be the mother's half sister, who has battled with mental health issues. The half sister has many other outstanding warrants, but has not been caught yet. See: http://www3.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO136025/ for more information

9-year-old raises more than $25k for charity event

When nine year old Jack Dolan and family heard that Boston Bruins legend Cam Neely was holding a cancer fundraising skate-a-thon, they were immediately interested but weren't sure if they would definitely be participating or not. They ultimately made their decision to participate when they found out right around Christmas that their mother had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

An email sent out by Dolan originally informing people that he hoped to raise $2,500 has now resulted in over 400 donors donating more than $25,000.

From gang member to a true student athlete

In today's Boston Globe, the front page has a long story that focuses on Alex DoSouto, an 18-year old Dorchester resident who said his life was changed for the better when he was shot in the leg during a fight between "Boston's most violent Cape Verdean factions." The shooting served as a reality check; one of his brothers was killed a few years ago, and Alex, who has been in and out of jail, realized that his life was quickly headed in that direction. This article exemplifies the real urban problem of gang violence in Boston, our home city. However, social programs are being put in place to assist these disadvantaged youths. Many non-profits are popping up to focus on just this problem, and there's a special effort called the Boston Scholar Athlete (BSA)program that DoSouto was able to participate in. After being out of school, he re-enrolled at English High and is now "an example of how education and sports can help divert at-risk youths from the streets." As part of the BSA program, students are assigned an academic coach that motivates and helps them succeed. Alex has become a strong student, not to mention an excellent basketball player, and the probability of him going to a Division 1 university next year is very high. He still lives in Dorchester, and sees people around him revert back to street life all the time, but he is in a different place thanks to this excellent program that helped him get on his feet and move forward in his life.

Read the detailed story here.

Youth rally for jobs at Statehouse

Community leaders and 80 youth from Worcester traveled to the Statehouse to protest the budget cut of Youthworks program that helps teenagers find jobs and is funded by the state. Youth and many other members of different communities rallied together with lobbyists to protest the widely popular program. The Youthworks program provides summer jobs for low income youth in about 25 cities in Massachusettes. After marching around Boston with signs the youth then met in the statehouse to speak with different organizations and goverment officials who had restored about $4million to the program last year that is now at risk of losing about $4.3million.
The program has supplied jobs for these teenagers and has been able to keep them off the street, away from violence and busy, providing them with positive experiences. The youth and city officials are lobbying together to prevent this budget cut that would put about 2,000 youth out of a job. This is a program that should be fought for due to positive impact it has had on the lives of the youth in these inner city communities and supplied them with a outlet that will only continue to help them towards their futures.

Police Release Pictures From Hingham Robbery

This article is a follow-up to a robbery that occurred at a jewelry store in Hingham, Mass. on Wednesday evening of this past week. "Police Release Pictures from Hingham Robbery" was posted on Friday, February 19th, displaying four photographs that may help in catching the two men responsible for the robbery. The car that was stolen during the robbery was found in Stoughton, but the men have yet to be found. Discriptions of the men include ski masks, one was equipped with a shotgun, the other with a hand gun, and one of the suspects was wearing a very identifiable M&M candies jacket. No one was injured during the robbery and the amount of jewelry that was stolen is still unclear. For the full article please visit http://wbztv.com/local/hingam.jewelers.robbed.2.1507153.html

Husband Turns Wife in for Faking Stolen Car

In this article Matilda Gabin of Lawrence, MA was trying to get rid of her old car. However, the way she planned about doing so was just pitiful. The woman allegedy told her husband to "make the car disappear so she could file a stolen car report and use the money from the insurance claim to buy a new Nissan Murano". Righfully so, her husband refused to participate in the scheme as long as they were in a relationship. He was also worried that he would end up in trouble with the law, so he eventually told police about the fraud. Matilda eventually found someone to "steal" the car for her but was found guilty on counts on fraud and identity theft and forgery.

Worcester Teach Guilty of Student Assault

After talking in class about ethics, a story in the Worcester Telegram reported a former teacher at a Worcester charter school is sentenced to jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting an 8 year old student in 2002. I was surprised that this incident happened 8 years ago, and I wonder if the children did not speak up right away or if it just took the court system a long time to place this case in front of a judge. As conditions of the teachers probation he was ordered to have no contact with the victim or her family and no unsupervised contact with children under 16. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender, to obtain sex offender counseling and to submit to GPS monitoring. The teacher still has other cases pending on three additional counts of indecent assault and battery on a child involving three other alleged victims who were students of his at the school. It's scary to think of teachers and other professions surrounded by young children, who are suppose to be Mandated Reporters looking out for signs and speaking up about any known or suspected child abuse being the ones who are taking advantage of this vulnerable population.

Ex-teacher jailed for sexual assault

An article today in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette tells of an ex-teacher at the Abby Kelley Foster Charter Public School who has been sentenced for sexual assault on an 8-year-old student in 2002. The court found him guilty of indecent assault and battery. There are also three other pending counts of indecent assault and battery on three other alleged victims who were his students. This article is especially relevant as we discuss ethical issues in the social work profession; obviously these must be upheld and enforced, especially in a school setting. What is sad is that the victims of this crime had to wait so long for this man to be convicted, and he is only sentenced to serve ONE year of a 2 and a half year sentence.

Mayor Menino's Anit-bully Hotline

Mayor Manino created an "anti-bully hot line" after the suicide of 15year old Phoebe Prince. He currently has a campaign going in which he is trying to prevent not only bullying in school but also bullying online, this hot line is a branch off of this campaign taking place. The only problem with this hot line is the fact that it is open between the hours of 9a.m. and 5p.m. Monday through Friday, unfortunately majority of those hours are when children are actually in school and any MECO students who have an hour to two hour ride home will not get a chance to take advantage of this new resource.

Mass. man gets 23 years for child rape

This areticle is about a man named Kevin Quinn who is 44 years old, that has been convicted to 23 years in prison for raping a girl in 1997. The young lady is now 19 years old and just came forward with her accusations in 2007. She said that he raped her in two occassions. Kevin Quinn had a previous history of another rape in 1986 and was registered as a level 3 sex offender, meaning that he was most likely going to do it again, and he certainly did. I find this article interesting because it demonstrates that sometimes there may be a sex offender around us and we mey not know about it. Kevin did have a history of rape in the past, but imagine if he didn't and he happened to rape the young girl in 1997, but she didn't speak until 2007? I wondered if he would have recieved the same conviction. It also makes me question my safety because after he was registered as a level 3 sex offender he was still raoming the streets and once again raped another young lady. I feel like more action needs to be taken place with sex offenders and preventing them from committing the same crime again. Even though they are registered as level 3 sex offenders, there are still many people who do not pay attention to these factors of who is registered and who isn't. Our closest neighbor can be dangerous, but we may not know until something actually occurs.

This article can be found at: http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_14425227

Happiness may help keep heart healthy

Depression has long been noted as a risk factor for heart problems.

“If you aren’t naturally a happy person, just try acting like one,’’ said Dr. Karina Davidson of Columbia University “It could help your heart."

Deadly Consequences of Teen Drug Use

On Sunday, a sixteen year old Gloucester teen was found dead, washed up on the beach shore, after ingesting a deadly mix of marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms. In this article from The Boston Herald, it describes few details about the teens death and what action the town is going to take as a result. Mayor Carolyn Kirk was quoted having said "What our teenagers are up to, and the steps we can take as a community will be the focus of the forum." I think more focus needs to be put on why teens are using drugs rather than if they are doing them.

South Hadley students suspended

Today at the South Hadley school where Phoebe Prince, 15, killed herself on January 14th after allegedly being continuously bullied by students at her school has made a decision regarding the possible students who had bullied her. The superintendent of schools in South Hadley said that students have been suspended in connection with the bullying, and there is a possibility that some students may even get expelled. This incident has brought much controversy over the idea of anti-bullying legislation.

Link to WHDH article »

Breaking patterns that derail their lives

This article is about a group of people who are helping how young single mothers to move out of poverty. The example of Jessica McLeod, a former drug user who had lost everything, and who sat with a group of counselors in a South Boston meeting room recently, huddling over a pile of papers can help us understand. Together, the group made up a plan of her out of poverty. They made a list of what she should do: Get a job, pay off old debts, enroll in nursing classes. they set a deadlines. The other strategy was to give her a reward in case she she did because this will encourage other youbg wonmen who have the same situation to jo the group.
Click the link to read the storyhttp://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/16/cash_rewards_help_south_boston_single_parents_break_the_cycle_of_poverty/

Car Trouble

In this article from The Eagle-Tribune we see a husband who turns his wife in to authorities for faking that her car was stolen. The women wanted to report that her car was missing in order to collect the insurance money to buy a new car. It turned out that the women had a whole bunch of fraud related accounts against her. I thought this article was a good example of the risks people are taking as the economy struggles.

Adoptees offer clues on skills of language

This article is about adopted children learning new langages. Harvard psychologists are studying pre-school age children from different countries who are learning english. The article states, " The research is helping scientists and families understand what to expect when a child who may already know one language is plunged into a new one." I find this article interesing because my two cousins were adopted from China at very young ages. I learned a lot about the process of learning a new langage and the different stages it takes to fully understand a new langage.

Boston Globe
submitted by : Dannielle Ferrone

Lowell hopes to put ‘Little Cambodia’ on the map

City officials in Lowell, MA have began to draw up plans in order to make the Lower Highlands neighborhood, a neighborhood with a dense Cambodian population, an official "Cambodia Town". With the city's Cambodian population now numbering near 20,000, making it the 2nd most Cambodian city in the United States behind Long Beach, CA. If these changes are put into place, the entire neighborhood would have a bit of a face lift, potentially making it look more authentically Cambodian. The city would put an archway much like the one in Chinatown at the entrance of the neighborhood, and there would be signs directing tourists there off the highway. Lowell is hoping to capitalize off of this large population who has played such a large roll in the recent development of the city into a thriving post-industrial city.

More information can be found at http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/02/15/lowell_hopes_to_put_little_cambodia_on_the_map/

No to sex: The best way to keep kids from having sex may be (surprise): just tell them not to do it.

Stephen Smith's article "No to sex" regarding sex education in school systems, explores the pros and cons of teaching abstinence. The article begins with a quote from a girl who attends Worcester Academy in Massachusetts "When you preach abstinence, you sound like a parent...I feel like my mom's talking to me when adults come to me and say, 'abstinence is the only way. You shouldn't have sex.' That's so unrealistic...people are going to do it." But the article then transfers into a dicussion of whether or not abstinence is potentinally the best way to teach students about keeping safe.

A study by University of Pennsylvania appeared in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. This study showed that sixth and seventh graders (in Philadelphia) were less likely to become sexually active if they took abstinence-only classes as opposed to classes that emphasized condom-use and/or condom-use and abstinence. The article then goes into a brief history of teen pregnancy rates, the age of AIDS, the Clinton and Bush administrations that both "championed abstinence until marriage." "No to sex" then transitions into a conversation about John and Loretta Jemmott who conducted a study with 662 African-American adolescents, averaged at age twelve. The students were assigned to four different kinds of sex education classes as well as a fifth class that "addressed health issues more broadly and did not specifically cover sex education." Thirty-three percent of those who were in the abstinence-only class reported having become sexually active in the two years following the classes compared to the 42% and 52% in two of the other classes that advocated safe sex.
Please use the following link to find the full article from the Boston Globe. http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2010/02/15/study_suggests_abstinence_education_works_for_teens_but_the_debate_still_rages/

Somerville takes a modern approach to food charity

Two social workers in Somerville, MA have taken the healthy food initiative that many try to follow these days and applied it to serving meals to the underpriveleged. Hearty Meals For All is based in the Somerville Community Baptist Church, and serves healthy meals with organic and unprocessed ingredients. You might be wondering- where do they get these typically expensive ingredients? Food For Free, a nonprofit organization in Cambridge, organizes these items from surpluses that privately-owned markets and farms have left over- nothing is wasted! Besides just the meals, which are served twice a month, the program aims to provide a sense of dignity and respect to the recipients. They provide table service and volunteers actually eat with them. I think this scenario is unique and interesting because when you think of food pantries and soup kitchens, you think of boring, basic meals served in a systematic line. Hearty Meals For All takes into account the nutritional quality of the food as well as the spiritual and emotional health and satisfaction that can arise from a sense of community. I would imagine their approach would attract a bit of criticism, but we have to remember that people who can't afford meals are still people just like you and me ! They deserve health and happiness as much as the next person.

Read the full article here!

Mayor Menino to kick off anti-bullying campaign

Boston's mayor Thomas Menino will start off an anti-bullying campaign for schools all around the bay state area. At James Fitzgerald Elementary School in Waltham, Mass, administrators took questions from concerned adults. Cyber-bullying has taken on a horrific meaning and has affected children all over the state. for more information: http://www3.whdh.com:80/news/articles/local/BO135420/

Heartfelt Help for the Homeless

Members of the Cape Cod community have been actively trying to come up with funding in order to help the homeless and provide them with a roof over their heads. A group has been organized and their goal is to raise $200,000 annually in order to help Cape Cod's homeless community. Unfortunately, $500,000 worth of funds has been lost in the department of helping the homeless in order to help residents keep their houses and pay their rent, so most of this money was not seen by the homeless. This is a great project and one that will change lives.

Dorchester Youth Wanted a Way Out

Deyquan Gomez was only fourteen years old when he was fatally shot February 10th while walking with his friend on the highway. He was a high school freshman attending Jeremiah E. Burke High School. Recently he had been making visits to the Dorchester Youth Collaborative and they could not help but he heartbroken for he was interested in joining an after school program to prevent non violence that was to start up next month. Community activist Emmett Folgert states his sadness by saying “You can never say it would have saved him, but it sure makes you wish it [the program] was rolling’’. Hopefully this will help speed up the process of creating a program for youths in Dorchester.

see article here

Mortgage Meltdown Continues

This article from the Boston Globe is particularly relevant to our class as we began to discuss the home foreclosure crisis yesterday afternoon. This article, however, highlights the foreclosures in suburban parts of the state which had previously not been hit as hard by the economic downturn. As the unemployment rate climbs, Massachusetts residents who were previously high-income earners now struggle to pay their mortgage bills. It is important to consider the impact of foreclosed homes on individuals and neighborhoods. For individuals, the possibility of foreclosure is daunting and even embarrassing; as we learned in class, it is essential for these people to know their rights. At the neighborhood level, foreclosure breaks down communities and leaves many individuals without a proper support system close to home.

Fall River students start family food bank

This article is about a few middle students who have collaborated with UMass Dartmouth in a program called LEADS in hopes of fighting hunger and homelessness. These students have created a food pantry. In order to get food, they have been doing such things as requiriing students to bring canned foods in order to enter the school's dances, or by having their parents involved in supplying food during open house events at school. The students are from Morton and Talbot middle schools. Toiletry items have also been collected for the homeless and people in need. I found this article interesting because it shows that anyone can help make a change in a person's life. There are many people out there who need assistance in many ways and even the most minimal effort can help them have a meal to eat. This article also relates to our latest discussions in class about the different types of community organizations. In this case, the type of service the students are doing is being done in a Macro level. It involves people trying to help a whole community. Many people in their community are benefitting from their generous work. It is great to see the leaders of tomorrow be so concerned about poverty issues. I found this article at: http://www.heraldnews.com/topstories/x655690684/Fall-River-students-start-family-food-bank

Antiabortion demonstrators picket Brookline clinic opening

An abortion clinic, one of only twelve clinics left in Massachusetts that openly advertises that it performs abortions, has moved to Brookline after being located on Chestnut Hill for seventeen years.

This may seem like just another story of anti-abortion demonstrators picketing outside of a clinic but their anger goes beyond the fact that the clinic performs abortions and is also focused towards its new location. Two schools, a preschool and elementary, are located very close to the clinic and this is not sitting well with many residents.

Seeing More Red

After watching a video on the Dorchester community gathering together to combat foreclosures and evictions that plagued the town the Boston Globe highlighted that "mortgage meltdown" is still continuing and is spreading to more suburban towns, which before was spared the hit of the housing crisis. All Massachusetts residents are feeling the impact of the economy, and the article noted that more foreclosures are coming from vacation spots and in white collar suburban areas. The large unemployment rate is impacting more homeowners making more at risk for foreclosures. The article pointed out that the city of Lynn has reached out to homeowners at risk of losing their homes. The Lawrence-Methuen labor market had a 13.7% unemployment rate in December, while the Lowell-Billerica-Chelmsford market had a 9.7% unemployment rate in December, proving that more cities and towns need to follow the help Lynn and Dorchester community organizers are giving to their citizens to help better prepare them before it's too late.

Domestic violence in Haverhill

A Haverhill man, Craig Mulgrave was found in the hallway of his apartment building, bloodied and in his pajamas, with a knife by his side, calmly stating that he had killed his wife. The victim, Christina Mulgrave, was able to call 911 and tell the dispatcher that she was being stabbed. People in the neighboring apartments heard her screaming, and attempted to knock on the door to interrupt.

"The killing was at least the sixth connected to domestic violence in just over a month, and the second in just over a week in which a victim had tried to call 911. In other cases, victims have been seriously injured but survived the attacks."

Dance for Haiti!

Brookline Massachusetts will be hosting a special non-profit dance to support the Haiti survivors. There will be a visual presentation given to show the support that has already been sent to Haiti. All net proceeds will be donated to AMURT (Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team) which provides disaster relief and long-term sustainable development work & progressive education work in Haiti. For more details click here

Explotation's Epidemic

After going to a powerful lecture titled "The End of Human Trafficking, the Modern-Day Slave Trade: A Chapter Call of Sisters of Notre Dame" I thought it would be an interesting topic to research. Luckily, while surfing the Boston Herald, I came across an article titles "Exploitation's Epidemic." This article stresses the fact that human trafficking is not jus a global issue. It is a major issue right here on our soil. Teenage girls are primarily at risk however, the article points out that our most "marginalized" girls are at the higest risk. This group would include those in social services programs and those who come from homes with neglect and abuse. The article suggests that these girls are at high risk as they most likely do not have a strong support system in place. In Suffolk County over 300 teens have fallen victim of the sex trade and that number is expected to rise. How many more of our women will become victims? We need to fight this war against human trafficking. It may not be your mom, sister, or daughter, but just know that its someone elses loved one. In Suffolk County, the My Life My Choice Program works to provide teens with knowledge and skills to fight against the statistics as well as the people who prey on them. The program is part of a larger effort through the Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. Other efforts include prevention groups held in schools, state agency offices, and group homes. These programs have proven to be successful as the girls are beter able to recognize recruitment tactics by pimps nd know where and how to get help. We need more programs like this. This is a major issue that needs our attention.

If you want to check out this article follow the link:
http://bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view.bg?articledid=1230965

Title: "Exploitation's Epidemic"
Authors: Carolina Avellaneda & Lisa Goldblatt Grace

Teen suspects in Revere, Boston stabbing caught

A 16yr old male suspect of three stabbings was caught Tuesday after after an hour long manhunt. Darius Young, of Dorchester is suspected of stabbing three women, two in Boston and one in Revere. He also has warrants out for his arrest on charges of armed assault with intent to murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
This type of incident shows to me that there needs to be more programs to help teens especially those that are involved in violence. Sixteen years old is a very young age for someone to be involved in stabbings of three different women. There needs to be programs that can keep teenagers especially those that are at a high risk to be involved in violence occupied, either through different sports or recreation programs and even jobs. Also, for those that are already involved in youth violence and may be a part of the juvenile justice system, they need to learn about the risks of getting involved in violence and learn another way of dealing with their aggression. This incident shows why there is a need for more social service programs that are aimed at youth violence.

Mother convicted of second-degree murder in daughter's drug death

In Brockton, a 35-year old mother of 3 is sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 15 years because of 2nd degree murder of her 4 year old child. It was found that Carolyn Riley, the mother overdosed her little daughter on psychotropic drugs. Carolyn has been scheming to get welfare checks, as well as meds by faking that her three children have mental disorders. The father is also being tried, but at a later date, for first degree murder because he was supposedly the reason for the overdose. The little girl was found dead next to the parent's bed at 6 in the morning by the mother.

Springfield Liquor Stores Selling to Minors

Springfield police department conducted a sting on several liquor stores in the area. They sent teens ages 16-18 to see if the stores would sell to minors. To their surprise, five did; one didn't even check for identification. According to the article, "The number of violations varies from community to community, according to Kenny, and there is some indication that more frequent checks helps keep license holders on their toes". Liquor stores charged with selling to minors can face license suspension or revocation or serious fines.

Homeland’s crisis strains Haitian families in region

This article struck me because it focuses on the Haitian families in and around Boston and their stuggles to support Haiti while trying to make ends meet here. It is inspiring to know the Haitian families who don't make a good living here are still giving out whatever they can to support their native land. According to the Boston Globe, "Still, immigrants and others are digging into their savings and wiring what they can to Haiti from money-transfer kiosks set up in bakeries, minimarts, and storefronts across Massachusetts". It is eye opening to know these people live below the poverty line yet are sending money each week to help their relatives and friends survive from the devasting earth quake.

Boston Globe 2/8/10
submitted by :Dannielle Ferrone

Local group thrilled to be helping in Haiti

Yesterday, eight local doctors and nurses from Andover traveled to Haiti, beginning a week-long effort to administer aid to victims of the quake. They plan to concentrate their efforts within the mountain regions, where (a month later) people are still in need of medical care. The article details the efforts these local people had to go through in order to make it to Haiti, and it serves as a reminder to us all that Haiti still needs our help.

A Rise in Violence in Brockton

In this Boston Globe article the author discusses the rise in violence in Brockton and the anger it's causing within the Cape Verdean community in particularly. Many of the recent murder victims have been of Cape Verdean decent and community members believe they are "racially motivated" crimes. The police believe these crimes to be random but are taking new measures to insure Brockton's safety.

Trauma increases health emergency

Haiti had very limited resources and their is a focus on providing the most essential, but "as many as 1 in 5 Haiti earthquake victims have suffered trauma so great with the multiple shock of lost homes, jobs, and loved ones that they won’t be able to cope without professional help, doctors say."

Boost in Homelessness strins families tax payers

Administrators and city officials of the City of Danvers didn't understand at the begining why schools were crowded with students. They didn't realize that more than 100 families from Beverly, Roxbury and Noth Boston moved in three Danver's motels. Parents decided to enroll their children in Danvers's scholls then let them going back and forth from the new location to their districts schools.
This article shows us how the economic crisis and the loss of job is impacting not only parents but even younger children. The article can be found on :
http://salemnews.com/punews/local_story_010225417.html

Dedham Social Worker Fired for Ethical Misstep

The Chairman of the Council on Aging in Dedham, Ma was fired because she hired her son to teach an elderly aerobics class. This was seen as a ethical violation. The Chairman who is also a social worker claims she didn't know she was doing anything wrong. Read More

Aaron Fatato

GED program at Central YMCA

In the article New GED Program opens At Central Branch YMCAhttp://www.baystatebanner.com/local12-2010-02-04, discusses how on Feburary 3, 2010 a new location of The Pathway Technology Compass opened at the Central YMCA. The program which was originally placed at in the South End, help youths ages 16-24 to get their GED as well as provide them with resources they need when enrolling in college. The programs also offers other resources to student such as handling personal issues at home or what is going on socially. Because the location of the the program is at the Central YMCA, it is believe that many more students would enroll. I believe more programs like such or even better one, shoul be acessible to young adults within urban communities because it is programs like these that helps them get through in life as well as provide them a safe haven. Instead of crime increasing, this is one program out of many that can reach out to the younger generation as well as the generation at hand to stay off the streets and offer than an alternative way of living than what they already know.

Legislation Lags Behind Technology

I read a very interesting article entitled, "SJC says lewd IMS to minors not illegal" in the Boston Globe. It discusses how there is a loop in legislation that makes sexual explicit instant messages to a minor not a crime. A Beverly man has had his convictions overturned because there is nothing in the law that makes explicit messages through the internet or text messages a crime. The current legislation bans the dissemination of "any matter harmful to minors - including photographs, magazines, movies, and handwritten or printed material". This leaves a loop hole in legislation. Governor Deval Patrick is planning on filing a bill that would hope to close this loop hole and bring the language of the legislation up to date with modern technology.

Ex-Medford Coaches Are Indicted on Child Rape Charges

The Boston Globe reports in this article that two men from Medford were indicted on child rape charges on Friday. The two men were coaches of a U-14 girls soccer team and had this sexual encounter with the same underage female. The assaults lasted for over a year, Roger Lau who is 26, coaxed the girl to his house to watch a movie but this eventually led to an long sexual relationship with her. The lawyers for Lau and Thomas Heinz, the other offender who is also 26, stated "We believe that once the all the investigating is done, these complaints will be unmerited". Both men have been restrained from all contact with children and are denied access to any coaching opportunities.

MA food pantry use on the rise

This article, from the Boston Globe, describes how food pantry use in Massachusetts has increased 23 % since 2006. This makes sense because of the recession and drastic increase in unemployment in the recent years. The article also interviews people dependent on food pantries; one of them said that if it weren't for these food banks, they wouldn't have the means to eat at all. This paints a heartbreaking picture of how hunger really affects people in our home state. A study performed in Massachusetts determined that a whopping 80% of families do not have "consistent access to food." The last part of the article was particularly interesting to me- Jessie, a mother from Boxborough (which is next to my hometown Acton) told the interviewer that she feels there is a negative stigma attached to people who need to resort to food pantries and outside assistance. She was traveling to towns a few miles away, Sudbury and Stowe, but came back to Acton because she felt she wasn't treated with dignity in the outside towns. It's horrifying to think that she felt uncomfortable trying to feed her family due to feeling like she was part of a lower status, human-wise, than those providing the help. I am glad she found a food pantry in my hometown that treated her with the respect she deserves. We all need to keep in mind that no one is invincible from our country's economic woes; you could be lining up at your nearest food pantry next week. You never know what's going to happen.

Read the full article here

Beacon Hill Institute says the state is not "stingy" with safety net programs

Suffolk University's Beacon Hill Institute released a report tihs week to debunk two myths: that the state is stingy towards safety net programs and that the state has an ongoing structural deficit that cannot be eliminated. The Institute says new taxes are not needed.

Group Rallies to Keep After School Programs

An article printed in the Lowel Sun drew attention to budget cuts in after-school programs and the annual Afterschool and Expanding Learning Opportunities Advocacy Day at the Statehouse. Yesterday, at the Statehouse the message to legislators was the impact of last years 60% cut in funding it had on the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership, an umbrella organization for different summer and after-school programs around the state. While the recession is making everyone cut back, I feel certain programs and organizations shouldn't be hit this hard when these programs are benefiting kids and others in the community. But, the reality is when people need this programs the most, when they'll really benefit from them is when funding is going to be cut back. Many of these programs do work for and effect the children by doing better in school and not getting into trouble.
The article quoted that about 600,000 school aged children are involved in after-school programs, about half the youths in Massachusetts. Many programs under the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership are funded by a $5.5 million grant from the state in fiscal 2009. Last year the budget was cut to $2 million and Governor Patrick proposed the same level of funding this year. These impacts in funding ultimately affect the children participating in these programs. Hopefully the children and other participants made a powerful impact on legislators when visiting legislators at the statehouse on advocacy day!

Food Stamps Exist for a Reason

This is not a news article, but an Op.Ed on the sporadic use of food-stamps by some families. This editorial encourages people who are eligible for food stamps to use them. According to the Greater Boston Food Bank and the Boston Foundation, "the number of people using food pantries is up 46 percent nationally since 2006, according to the anti-hunger charity Feeding America, and up 23 percent in Massachusetts since 2005". Many people who are eligible don't know that they are eligible or don't know how to apply for food-stamps. The editorial also give some advice to the Patrick administration on how they should help food banks display information better and get assure people that "it is better to eat than worry about the social stigma of food stamps."

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/02/05/hunger_food_stamps_exist_for_a_reason/

SIDS babies have low serotonin levels, study finds

An article on CNN's website (February 4th) discusses a relationship found between low seratonin levels and babies who have died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association. The findings showed that the low level of serotonin found in the brainstems of babies who died from SIDS was 26 percent lower (than that found in "normal" babies). Serotonin is involved in sleep, heartrate and breathing. Babies who died from SIDS also had low levels of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, an enzyme used in the making of serotonin. The study's author is Dr. Hannah Kinney who is affiliated with Children's Hospital Boston in Massachusetts. The next phase of the study (according to Kinney) will focus on the WHY- why do these babies not have enough tryptophan hydroxylase to produce serotonin?

Read full story @ http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/03/sids.serotonin/index.html?iref=allsearch

Minority Workers vs. MTBA

Today, The Boston Globe had a story by Noah Bierman discussing a racial discrimination lawsuit against the MBTA by the MBTA Latino Alliance. According to the MBTA Latino Alliance, a three year old group of minority MBTA workers, discrimination among issues of "minority hiring, discipline, pay, and promotions". They have chosen Phillip J. Gordon as their attorney and are planning a lawsuit against the MBTA. According to this article, minorities make up "more than one-third of the 6,000 MBTA employees". There are also statistics that Craig Dias, the Alliances' leader, points to which show minorities making up 62.9% of all fired employees in 2008. Although we do not know how many minorities were employed by the MBTA that year, there may be some truth to those shocking statistics.

Budget cuts for Boston Public

The age-old story continues... Boston Public Schools plan to cut funding for the upcoming school year. The department plans to cut funding by $57.7 million. Although there are no plans for teacher layoffs, this is a HUGE amount of money that is being taken away from arguably one of the most important state institutions. Of course, it's important for us to remember that funding alone won't solve the issues facing public schools today. There are many other factors at work, such as teacher quality and expectations and the involvement of parents and families, among other things. In the midst of the economic crisis, the schools will obviously not be spared; this article is a clear indication of the struggles to maintain high academic standards on a serious budget.

Philly social workers on trial after girl's death

MultiEthnic Behavioral Health Inc. is a company where social workers are paid $1 million per year to oversea a few of the highest-risk families but they are now on trial for fraud and conspiracy after a girl that was under their care died under horrible conditions, weighing a mere 42 pounds and confined to her severely maggot-infested bed. This poor girl, Danieal had cerebral palsy and was living fine with her father until she moved in with her mother and 6 siblings in a 2 bedroom apartment. Social workers were assigned to her case but nobody did their part. A few weeks before her death, some caseworkers came by but did not blow the whistle on the wretched conditions. MultiEthnic Behavioral Health Inc. forged a few documents saying that they completed their bi-weekly visits to the girl's house, and so forth. The mother of Danieal was found guilty of 3rd degree murder and will be serving 20-40 years in prison, while her father is currently on trial for neglect, along with several social workers from the company for fraud and conspiracy. This is a horrid tragedy.....poor girl.

Man gets 12-15 years in prison for scalding Fitchburg Boy

Eric Martin, age 21 of Fitchburg MA, has recently been sentenced to twelve to fifteen years in prison for intentionally scalding his girlfriends two year old son in a bathtub. The child, Jacob, suffered first and second degree burns and was hospitalized for ten days. Martin eventually confessed that he put the son into this 150 degreet water because he was in a fight with the childs mother.
An important role in the social work vocation is to deal with the issue of child abuse, as well as speaking with both the victim and the prosecutor. This case is a perfect example of what a social worker may have to deal with.

To read more about this story visit the Worcester's Telegram,
at http://www.telegram.com/article/20100204/NEWS/100209889/1116

Parents seek balance as screens’ allure grows

Media (I believe) has greatly impacted the lifestyles of today's youth, this article not only supports that but brings up the question of; how much media is too much. When is it time to step in and take action, if media is highly having an impact on kids and their development???


"A new Kaiser Family Foundation report finds that young Americans between ages 8 and 18 spend more than 7 1/2 hours a day using a computer, smartphone, television, game console, and other electronic devices, a dramatic jump since 2004 of nearly an hour and a half."

Fiesta to Benefit Children in Dominican Republic, Los Niños de Leonardo y Meredith, Nov. 5

This article is about a non-profit organization, Los Ninos de Leonardo y Meredith, which has been working hard in fund raising money in order to help children in poverty in the Dominican Republic with educational needs. The program is having an event this Thursday in order to raise money to help these children. I was very interested in this article for two reasons. One, I am Dominican and everything that affects the country is always important to me and two, last Spring Break I volunteered to be part of an alternative Spring Break service trip to the Dominican Republic. Throughout this trip I was able to see the social inequalities of the country and how this affected the educational opportunites of many children and young adults in the Dominican Republic. It makes me happy to know that there is a program out there that is willing to help these children get the materials that will help them become successful and even provide food that they may not recieve at home. As the article states, a quality of education may be the best tool to break the poverty in the country. It is sad that the program is only able to help a few children, but I believe it still makes a big difference. I found this article at:
http://www.ethnicnewz.org/en/fiesta-benefit-children-dominican-republic-los-ni%C3%B1os-de-leonardo-y-meredith-nov-5

Mass. middle school student brings gun to school

This article is about a middle school student bringing a gun to school in Newbury MA. No one was hurt. The police were called to the school and removed the child and gun from school propery. The student was charged with unlicensed firearms and bringing a gun on school propery. This story interested me because of recent stories of bullying in the media, thankfully no one was hurt in this situation.


From: The Daily News of Newburyport
Dannielle Ferrone

Harwich Rescues Households

A recent article in the Cape Cod Times describes how programs are being created in Harwich, to help families pay their mortgage or rent. These programs were established in response to the rising number of struggling families during this economic recession. They will give money to the Housing Assistance Corp., the Homeless Prevention Program, and town-run rental assistance program. Harwich is one of the few local communities taking such large steps towards assisting those struggling financially, and it is clear in the article that they will continue to make an effort to help all residents in need.

Economic Stress and Domestic Abuse

In this article from The Boston Globe the writers discuss the murder suicide that took place on January 16th in Westford, MA. The article looks at the "unforgiving economy" as a factor in this case along with many other domestic violence cases that have taken place recently. It closes with mentioning that the Boston area police forces are taking steps to indentify domestic violence before in leads to events like that in Westford.

Domestic Violence Case leads to death of daughter, injured mother, and father who took his own life

In Westford, Ma a domestic violence case ended in the death of a daughter, an injured mother and a father who took his own life. After having a heated arguement 59 year old father, took the life of his own 17 year old daughter, then shot his 50 year old wife, and finally shot himself taking his own life. His daughter had tried to call 911 twice but then the phone hung up. When dispatchers called back she told them everything was ok, but they heard yelling and then the gunshots in the background so they sent police over to the house. Apparently, the family had been having some issues over money and the father had previously battled cancer, but their family issues never seemed apparent to neighbors or friends. The father was the owner of several guns, some of which were not liscensed. The teenage daughter was an honor roll student and had been accepted into the University of Vermont.

This type of case is sad and disturbing but sheds light on the severity of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a subject that is usually overshadowed by what seems to be "more important" issues. I think there needs to be more of an outlet for families or anyone who is involved in any type of domestic where they can go if they feel they are not safe. Many times people are afraid or think the violence may not be that serious and it will eventually go away, but in cases like these it is apparent that it may turn very violent and deadly. I think more work needs to be done to provide a safe haven for people who are involved in these types of situations before things turn for the worst.

Mass Board of Higher Ed Ok's public law school

With an overwhelming vote, Southern New England School of Law will now donate its campus to the University of Massachussetts-Dartmouth. It will be effective as of September of next year. Some academic aid will be provided, including 50 percent off to 25 students each year who agree to practice public interest law. Find out more information about this and more at: http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/education/massachusetts-board-of-higher-ed-plans-vote-on-umass-law-school-25-apx

Obama seeks $192B as war steps up in Afghanistan By Anne Flaherty

Days after his State of the Union address, President Obama has requested an amount of $192 billion dollars for war spending through the rest of this year and next. If approved, these funds would go toward escalating efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, in order to begin pulling out troops by the summer of 2011. A recent article in the Boston Globe explains that $33 billion will go towards building up the troops this year, and the remaining $159 billion would go toward overseas military operations through 2011. The hopes for this money is that it will be the beginning of the end of the two wars the United States have been fighting for nearly a decade now.

Rebecca Riley

This is an article following the ongoing murder case of four year old Rebecca Riley. Her autopsy concluded that she had two to three times the amount of a powerful prescription sedative in her blood. Her parents are accused of feeding her the medicine in order to receive disability checks from the government. They are also accused of beating their eleven year old son. When social workers visited the Riley’s home they were very resistant in answering questions about their other children's well being. Right now the court has not settled the case, but neighbors have testified that they urged Rebecca's parents to bring her to the hospital weeks before her death.


Source

Mass. Immigrant Tuition Bill Likely Dead

This article, entitled "Deleo: Mass. immigrant tuition bill likely dead" brings up how changes or lack of change is likely because Scott Brown, a republican, was elected. Many lawmakers in Massachusetts are nervous in this election year and will likely shy away from targeting highly controversial legislation.

The issue surrounding whether or not undocumented Massachusetts immigrants should be able to go to Mass state schools for free is very interesting. Scott Brown has a very tough stance on this issue. As I looked at Scott Browns election website before the special election, it was very clear that Scott Brown was against any legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to have their tuition waived. As a college student with large student loans, I can see the pro's and con's of this legislation.

Lots of jobs created in MA from stimulus funds

Just over 9,000 jobs were created in Massachusetts in the latter part of 2009 thanks to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. However, it had previously been reported that only 4,700 jobs were created with these funds, which would cause an unassuming citizen to think that the act was not incredibly effective. The larger number reflects jobs in state agencies as well as schools and hospitals, which were not in the previous count. This raised lots of questions about how to report the use of the billions of dollars the federal stimulus funds have provided.

Read the full article from the Boston Globe here

Probation reform should extend to juvenile division

This is actually an Op.Ed. piece that came from the Boston Globe in response to an article regarding the Patrick Administration's decision to move the Office of the Commissioner of Probation. Currently, the Office of the Commissioner of Probation is under the supervision of the state court system. Governor Patrick wants to move the Probation department to the executive level where a watchful eye can ensure that everything is running smoothly.
Unfortunately, many of the probation officers are not even equired to take Civil Service examinations, unlike other public safety personnel, including parole and corrections officers. The only requirements to become a probation officer in Massachusetts are a Bachelor's Degree and one years experience in Human Services. With the new oversight of this department, we may definitely see a positive change in the Probation Department.
In this article, the author mentions the Juvenile Probation Department which is a separate component of the Adult Probation Dept. It is important that all of the components of the Probation Department be moved. Currently, the model of juvenile probation is one of law enforcement. The juvenile justice system is based on the rehabilitation and treatment of children, as opposed to punishment. This could result in the training of juvenile probation officers in social work.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/letters/articles/2010/01/30/probation_reform_should_extend_to_juvenile_division/

NOTE: The link to the original piece is at the beginning of the article.