Memorial Day remembrance. More than 36,000 flags, which represent Massachusetts soldiers

who died during war, line the Boston Common.

May 2023


In This Issue:


1- National Treatment Court Month

2- Probation Updates:

  • Probation Officer exam results
  • End of Fiscal Year reminder
  • CJSC staff are newly certified to enroll clients into MassHealth

3- Barnstable Fatherhood Program celebrates 25th Anniversary

4- Court Administrator addresses Chief Probation Officers Association and retired Probation Commissioner is honored at the Association's 2023 Spring Conference

5-MPS Historic Moment: The Massachusetts Probation Service celebrates 145th Anniversary of being a part of the court system

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and Haitian Heritage Month

6- Moves and Accomplishments

  • Matthew Murphy, Statewide Manager of Digital Forensics Services
  • Patricia Wheeler, new MPS investigator
  • Brad McNichols, Region 5 Regional Supervisor

7- UPCOMING


May is National Treatment Court Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also National Treatment Court Month. Massachusetts’ Treatment Courts are among the more than 4,000 Specialty Court programs nationwide. National Treatment Court Month, an observance set by the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NDCP), is a celebration of the lives restored by Specialty Courts.

Read more:


Probation Updates:



Sixty-seven Percent of Candidates Pass Probation Officer Exam


The Probation Officer exam was administered from January 17-February 10—with make-up dates: February 13-17. During the exam periods, 583 individuals took the exam. A total of 389 or 67 percent passed the exam. Of the 583 who took the exam, 378 were external candidates or not previously employed by the Massachusetts Probation Service. Approximately 205 were internal candidates or employees of MPS or the Trial Court.


End of Fiscal Year reminder


The Fiscal Year will end on June 30/July 1 and all travel vouchers must be submitted to the Fiscal Department by July 7th, according to Paul Bombara, MPS Manager of Business Operations.

CJSC staff are newly certified to enroll clients into MassHealth


Six Community Justice Support Center (CJSC) Program Managers are newly-certified to enroll clients in MassHealth. The Certified Application Counselors (CAC)'s are Meghan McBride, Hampden County CJCS; Kyle Schadler, Berkshire County; Debbie Truong, Greenfield; Kim Albin, Boston; Sean Walsh, Woburn; and Filomena DaVeiga, Taunton. The CJSC is joining with the Pretrial Division in becoming certified to provide “broader access to treatment and service,” said Pamerson Ifill, Deputy Commissioner of Pretrial Services. The pilot courts in this effort are Greenfield, Pittsfield District, BMC-Dorchester and Roxbury Divisions, Middlesex Superior, and Worcester District Court.


Barnstable Fatherhood Program celebrates 25th Anniversary


The Barnstable County Fatherhood Program is the longest running Fatherhood Program in the state and will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on June 13th at a special graduation dinner, several days before Father’s Day. The Barnstable Fatherhood Program is one of four statewide.

Read more:


Court Administrator addresses Chief Probation Officers Association and retired Probation Commissioner is honored at the Association's 2023 Spring Conference

Chief Probation Officers Association Officers, left to right:Vincent Piro, Woburn District Court; Sheila Moriarty, Franklin Superior; Diane Massouh, Gardner District; John Turner, BMC-Central; Kelly Hamilton-Welzel, Taunton District; Brian Weber, newly-retired Probation Commissioner Dolan, Trial Court Court Administrator Ambrosino, Sandra McNabb, Westborough District; Teresa Plante, Norfolk Probate & Family; Kevin McClerklin, Suffolk Juvenile; Mike Dube, BMC-Brighton; and Mike Branch, Brockton District. Photos below: CPOA President Barnstable Superior Chief Brian Weber and newly-retired Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan. On the right, Trial Court CA Ambrosino.

The Massachusetts Chief Probation Officers Association (CPOA) held its Annual Spring Conference at the Lakeview Pavilion in Foxboro recently where Massachusetts Trial Court Administrator Tom Ambrosino revealed his top priorities for the court system and the CPOA presented newly-retired Probation Commissioner Edward Dolan with the State Service Excellence Award.

Read more:


MPS Historic Moment: The Massachusetts Probation Service celebrates

145th Anniversary of being a part of the court system.


May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage &

Haitian Heritage Month!



One hundred and forty-five years ago, on April 26, 1878, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed the first probation law in the country. The law provided for the “appointment and prescribed duties of a salaried probation officer for the courts of Suffolk County.”

The US Congress established May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to coincide with two key milestones: the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843 and Chinese workers’ pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad. Pacific Islanders and native Hawaiians were later added to this recognition.


Haitian Heritage Month is celebrated in May to recognize and honor the contributions of Haitian Americans. The City of Boston, which is home to one of the largest Haitian populations in the US, was the first major city to observe Haitian Heritage Month in 1998. Haitian Flag Day is celebrated on May 18.


Moves & Accomplishments



Matthew Murphy, Statewide Manager of Digital Forensics Services, and Patricia Wheeler, MPS investigator, are two of the newest managers at the Massachusetts Probation Service. Mr. Murphy joins MPS after more than 25 years of experience in Digital Forensics Investigation with the Massachusetts State Police. Ms. Wheeler, who has nearly a decade of experience in employee investigations, comes to MPS after working in the Executive Branch. Brad McNichols was recently appointed Region 5 Regional Supervisor after serving in the role of Chief Probation Officer at the Dorchester Division of the Boston Municipal Court.

Read More:


UPCOMING


MPS Senior Manager Conference, June 9, at MTOC.


Barnstable County Fatherhood Programs 25th Anniversary Dinner, June 13th.


Celebrating Pride: An MPS Special Event, MPS first Pride Day event,

June 23, 10 am-3 pm, at MTOC.


Cultural Appreciation Week 2023, October 16-20.


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or by text: 617-429-5629

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