BOSTON –Senator Sal DiDomenico and his colleagues in the Massachusetts State Senate recently passed legislation to remove existing barriers for students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders or other developmental disabilities so they can attend public institutions of higher education. The bill, which passed with bipartisan support, honors the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was signed into law 30 years ago by President George H.W. Bush. 

Under An Act Creating Higher Education Opportunities for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, students would not be required to pass the MCAS, have a high school diploma, meet minimum requirements for academic courses, or take college entrance exams in order to access inclusive academic, social, and career development opportunities on college campuses with their peers. In addition, the bill also makes clear that strengthening access to higher education for students with disabilities is a goal of the Commonwealth's higher education system.

“I am very pleased that we were that we were able to pass this crucial piece of legislation to remove barriers to higher education and open doors to greater opportunity for individuals with disabilities,” said Senator DiDomenico. “As the husband of a special education teacher, I intimately understand that importance of creating a more inclusive education system and creating additional pathways to success for our students with physical and developmental disabilities. I am grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senator Joan Lovely for their leadership on this issue. It is my sincere hope this bill continues making its way through the legislative process to the Governor’s desk for his signature.” 

Building on the success of the Massachusetts Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) grant program, the bill codifies that program, which enables school districts and public institutions of higher education to partner together to offer inclusive concurrent enrollment initiative options for students with disabilities ages 18 to 22. Since 2007, over 1,200 students with disabilities have taken advantage of the opportunity to participate academically and socially in the life of participating colleges in Massachusetts through the MAICEI program. 

In response to the challenges facing school districts and public higher education institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senate bill ensures no additional costs are placed on a school district beyond the existing obligations already required under state and federal special education law.

Furthermore, the bill also ensures that colleges are not required to bear any additional costs of providing individual supports and services for students with severe intellectual disabilities, severe autism spectrum disorders, or other severe developmental disabilities who attend the college through the MACEI initiative. 

Finally, the bill delays the implementation of the requirements placed on our school districts and higher education institutions within the bill until the 2021–2022 school year.

The bill now heads to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.

###

BOSTON – Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico successfully secured $10 Million for COVID-19 Preparedness and Stabilization Grants to provide much needed support to Massachusetts afterschool and out-of-school time programs. These grants will provide funding to form community partnerships, workforce training and health and safety expenses necessary to adequately prepare for the 2020-2021 school year amidst COVID-19.  

DiDomenico's amendment was included in An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth, which was passed by the Massachusetts Senate. This legislation will provide for programs related to economic development and job creation throughout the Commonwealth, with a special consideration for the diverse needs related to the 2019 novel coronavirus. Senator DiDomenico focused in on several specific community priorities in addition to educational equity related to after and out-of-school programming.

“In a workforce where one-third of individuals rely on childcare to successfully work, it’s a no-brainer that organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs and many of our local afterschool programs are integral to the smooth functioning of our society. These organizations’ capacity to allow parents more flexibility in fulltime work schedules, all the while ensuring their children are safely cared for outside supervised school hours, is extremely important to maintain. I am was proud to secure this funding that will allow our community afterschool partners to effectively prepare their facilities and staff for the fall, and I am so grateful for all that they do for our Commonwealth’s children and families.”

In consideration of upcoming budget constraints, school districts throughout the Commonwealth have been forced to reallocate funding for afterschool programming, making the system particularly vulnerable in light of increased costs related to COVID preparedness. Already, afterschool and out-of-school community partners face cumulative challenges from expenses related to additional cleaning requirements, PPE, protocols (like reduced group sizes), and consequent need for increased staffing that are necessary for the safe maintenance of these programs during coronavirus.

“I want to thank Senator DiDomenico for his leadership and support during a critical time for afterschool programs across the Commonwealth,” said Ardith Wieworka, CEO Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership. “Afterschool Programs, big and small, have helped support communities through the COVID-19 crisis. School reopening is imminent, and with these new resources, afterschool programs can meet the challenge and continue to provide much needed support to districts, students, and families over the coming months.”

“We are truly grateful to Senator DiDomenico and the Massachusetts State Senate for championing afterschool and out-of-school time programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs. Now more than ever, state support like this is critical to ensure that we can continue supporting the kids and families in the communities we serve,” said Jennifer Aldworth, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs.

"The YMCAs are thankful to have a champion and partner in Senator Sal DiDomenico who understands the importance of directing critical state funding towards out of school time programs,” said Peter Doliber, CEO of the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs. As we enter into an unprecedented fall, YMCAs are striving to serve all children equitably and this funding will help us towards that goal. This funding will provide much needed support for staffing and cleaning which will allow us to serve more children and families. " 

Specifically, these resources will serve to ensure the over 700,000 youth enrolled in public schools throughout the Commonwealth will have an equitable opportunity for safe afterschool and out-of-school care, in the midst of an otherwise unpredictable schoolyear. In efforts to alleviate challenges faced by organizations who provide these programs, the grants offered through this funding seek to assist in supporting increased costs related to:  

• PPE and cleaning 

• Additional supplies due to the need for single/solitary usage

• Programming to address academic achievement loss caused by long distance/remote/uncertain learning environment

• Services for low wage-earning communities 

• Services including, but not limited to, the provision of meals and transportation

The differences between the Senate and House versions of the bill will now be reconciled before heading to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

### 

BOSTON – Last week, Senator Sal DiDomenico joined with Environmental Justice (EJ) advocates from across the Commonwealth at a virtual legislative briefing in support of the Environmental Justice Act, a bill he sponsored in partnership with Senator Jamie Eldridge, Representatives Liz Miranda, Adrian Madaro, and Michelle DuBois. The event was hosted by the EJ Legislation Table, an organization made up of local advocacy groups, including GreenRoots; Neighbor to Neighbor; Alternatives for Community & Environment; Coalition for Social Justice; Conservation Law Foundation; Clean Water Action; Community Action Works; MA Climate Action Network, Environmental League of MA; Green Energy Consumers; Better Future Project; Sierra Club, North American Indian Center of Boston, and 350 Mass.

The briefing sought to shed light on the Environmental Justice Act and identify its clear connection to the COVID-19 outbreak in Massachusetts. For decades, low-income communities & communities of color in the Commonwealth have borne the brunt of the state’s energy choices and have been left out of key decision-making processes. Consequences of these realities have resulted in a disproportionately high rate of COVID infections throughout EJ communities, as represented by data from the MA Dept. of Public health, and related CRESSH study. 

The CRESSH study, which has modeled COVID infection rates in towns throughout the Commonwealth, indicated during the height of summer infections that EJ communities like Chelsea and Everett faced 2955 and 1770 COVID cases, respectfully, while more affluent communities faced nearly a quarter of these outbreaks.  

“Time and again, cities like Chelsea and Everett have been disproportionately impacted by our long history of short-sighted environmental policies and have taken on this toxic burden for our entire region. It should come as no surprise then that this history has had severe consequences for our health and that EJ cities like those in my district are now the communities most impacted by the COVID-19 virus,” said Senator DiDomenico during the briefing. “It has never been clearer that we need to pass the Environmental Justice Act this legislative session. Our EJ communities cannot wait for us to take action any longer.” 

The Environmental Justice Act seeks to address the unfair share of environmental pollution faced by a handful of communities by defining disproportionate environmental burdens as injustices and the individuals affected by them as Environmental Justice populations. It further aims to facilitate a more equitable distribution of energy and environmental benefits and burdens throughout the Commonwealth via the expansion of environmental impact reviews, including evaluations by the Massachusetts Environmental Justice Advisory Council, which will have direct representation from EJ populations.

“Given what we know about the connection between environmental and public health, it is imperative that we get these bills passed immediately to protect our most vulnerable communities from any additional environmental burdens that could impact their health during these already challenging times,” summarized Senator DiDomenico. “Our EJ populations must be involved in the decision making related to their own environmental well-being into the future.” 

The Environmental Justice Act received a favorable report out of the Joint Committee on Environmental, Natural Resources and Agriculture in December of 2019, and is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Ways & Means.

###