What's new at MLS

Not wasting any time, or even waiting for the beginning of the next fiscal year, the Baker Administration has come out with draft regulations at http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/eohhs/eohhs-regs/hsn-613-redline.pdf  which dramatically cutback on  Health Safety Net free-care for the…

WBUR issued a powerful story this AM about the surge in demand on homeless shelters in the state, With Homeless Shelters Already Full, Boston And State Collaborate On Winter Plan  noting: "... across the state, men and women are staying longer in shelters, becoming what’s known…

SNAP Caseload Update - MA continues to improve USDA data shows .6% increase in Massachusetts for July 2015. For the third month in a row, the SNAP household participation has increased. The most recent available data posted in October for July 2015 shows a .6% increase for MA. The…

1. Substance use disorder services  Last year a state law improving substance use disorder services was enacted (c. 258 St. 2014). A provision requiring MassHealth & MassHealth managed care plans to cover detox and up to 14 day crisis stabilization services without prior authorization…

Please see email from Frank Martinez Nocito re second round of FINI grants announced by USDA. If your organization is interested in applying, please contact Frank at DTA directly. And REMINDER -  Statewide Food for Good Conference at UMass Amherst on Friday, October 30th! Central MA…

Please see attached letter from Commissioner McCue regarding changes at the Springfield State St. DTA office.    TODAY, July 31, will be the last day for walk-in services at the State Street location. Starting on Monday, August 3, DTA will move services for walk-in clients to…

Hot off the press for those of you not at the SNAP Elder Working group meeting (which Lauren also attended). Miriam Kaufman is the Assistant SNAP Director, who many of you may know as an excellent worker and supervisor for many years. Lauren will be at the July 28th SNAP Coalition meeting as…