Fall 2024

From the CEO

Center for Living & Working is extremely happy to inform you that advocates and providers were successful over the summer in preserving the integrity of the PCM Program. The FY 25 budget included language that the PCM Program had to remain at the same level in FY 25 as FY 24, preventing the cuts Governor Healey proposed in her budget. The budget also calls for a committee to be formed made up of consumers and providers to study the PCM Program and make recommendations before any structural changes can be made.

At the same time after many meetings with EOHHS, Mike Levine announced that MassHealth will no longer seek a single entity to perform the clinical eligibility assessments for those 8 LTSS programs, that those assessments will remain with the community-based providers. Mike also said that they are using the comments and suggestions submitted in response to the Request for Information to rethink the RFR. Leslie Darcy said that MassHealth would work with the IAE Implementation Advisory Council to amend the RFR and address the concerns with access to LTSS. According to the most recent amendment and communication for the RFR, MassHealth will release an amended RFR sometime in October. While this is a success, EOHHS still plans to release a RFR looking for a Single Assessment Agency. Advocates will continue to work with EOHHS to ensure any changes made are not detrimental to the Long-Term Services and supports that keep over 150,000 disabled and elderly individuals living safely in the community.

There were other legislative successes this last sessions. The housing bond bill that was passed was a huge victory for housing advocates across the state. One piece of it that is especially helpful is the mandate that a Disability Committee be formed to look specifically at accessible housing issues.

The Affordable Housing Voucher Program was also increased in the FY 25 budget.

After the official session ended the Long-Term Care Omnibus Bill was passed. This piece of legislation has Estate Recovery protection embedded in it. This will limit the amount of an estate the Commonwealth can recover after a MassHealth recipient passes away. Currently Massachusetts recoups more than the Federal Government requires.

CLW will continue to advocate with our consumers to ensure that Massachusetts remains a beacon in the supports and services offered that keep individuals out of institutions and living in their home and in the community. 

Ballot Question 2

I am Amy Thomas and here is why I am voting Yes on ballot question 2 to stop the MCAS from being a graduation requirement.

I have spent the past 15 years working in the Massachusetts’ school system. I have worked in 4 different schools and with students in different grades across elementary, middle, and high school.

I have worked with students who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, have learning disabilities, Bi-Polar, ADD, ADHD, struggle with anxiety and/or depression, and much more.

Each of my students were unique individuals, yet they all had something in common. They each had to take the MCAS.

Most of my behavioral students were not at grade level, as they each struggled with multiple learning issues. Yet, every March, April, and May, they would have to do their absolute best to take the MCAS exam. Sometimes it would take them up to 2 hours to complete, some would not complete it at all, and some would rip it up in front of me. That was when the MCAS was a paper version, when computerized, the whole chrome book would be tossed across the room. The added stress of these tests changed the students' personalities in the blink of an eye.

I watched as my own children studied and prepared for the MCAS. I watched them lose sleep, not eat, and worry about how this test could make it impossible for them to graduate on time. I saw them begin in September in class preparing every day for an exam they would not have until the spring. It is inconceivable to base so much of a child's education on one exam.

Forcing students to take an exam like the MCAS is setting them up failure. Yes, some students rise to the occasion and do extremely well on this test. But not everyone can take tests well. Not everyone learns the same.

If we teach the students the way they learn the best, we should test them that way too.

Yet having a test like the MCAS is not really testing what a student has learned but what a student has memorized. How many of these students have really learned anything? Can they walk away from graduation and be ready for the world around them?

Let’s pursue a better education system that nurtures and prepares students for the future, by voting Yes on question 2 to stop the MCAS from being a graduation requirement. 

Amy Thomas

15 year educator/ Mom of 2 number of Children

Advocacy Efforts

Center for Living and Working partnered with the Accessible Advisory Commission (formerly the Disability Commission) to require that 10% of the units in each project created by the Worcester Affordable Housing Trust Fund be accessible along with incentives for creating more accessible units.

So far it has resulted in over 70 accessible units being developed in Worcester including home ownership opportunities.

The CLW housing committee wants to take this win and make it apply to the state level.

We have been talking with organizations around the state and the MA state government to make this vision a reality.

The Advocacy Committee is helping the Worcester Regional Transit Authority develop a survey to bring stats about the demand for same day accessible transportation similar to Lyft and Uber in Worcester.

Email Benji Kemper and get involved in advocacy and make a difference!

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

• Crip Camp Screening with Panel Discussion
• October 10th
• WCAC Community Clinic
• October 7th
• November 4th
• December 2nd
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• Community Giveback Day
• October 12th

TAP and Pre-ETS have a monthly calendar that is added to the CLW website and social media platforms at the beginning of every month.

CLW Calendars

DHILS provides a "What's Up Newsletter" every month that can also be found here: What's Up Newsletter

The CLW Calendar is consistently being updated as we add more events. Check out the CLW Calendar on our web page here: CLW Calendar

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Center For Living & Working

Voice: 508-798-0350   Toll Free:1-800-570-4020    TTY: 508-755-1003  Video Phone: 508-762-1164  FAX: 508-797-4015