2024-11-15T18:19:41-05:00 2023-12-31 204532732 WEISS & ASSOCIATES INC 3 ALLIED DR STE 303 DEDHAM MA 020266148 990 2023-01-01 043235179 MASSACHUSETTS APPLESEED CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE INC MASS 6174828686 101 FEDERAL STREET SUITE 1900 BOSTON MA 02110 RYAN LARUE TREASURER 6174828686 2024-11-15 true false ROBERT A WEISS CPA P00380016 7814444820 2024-11-15 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z DEBORAH SILVA 101 FEDERAL ST SUITE 1900 BOSTON MA 02110 523909 false X WWW.MASSAPPLESEED.ORG X TO PROMOTE EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS BY DEVELOPING AND ADVOCATING FOR SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES. 18 18 6 15 0 267022 523909 0 0 0 267022 523909 0 0 276802 324179 0 105915 78748 142943 355550 467122 -88528 56787 484188 538765 2506 296 481682 538469 X TO PROMOTE EQUAL RIGHTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS BY DEVELOPING AND ADVOCATING FOR SYSTEMIC SOLUTIONS TO SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES. false false 51572 ACCESS TO JUSTICE: CLAWG: MA APPLESEED STAFF REINVIGORATED A RESEARCH PROJECT REGARDING LANGUAGE ACCESS IN THE MA TRIAL COURTS. WE RESTARTED REGULAR COURTS LANGUAGE ACCESS WORKING GROUP (CLAWG) MEETINGS (AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE ACCESS COALITION (LAC). WE CREATED A WORKPLAN TO SET A TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING HOLDING LISTENING SESSIONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) AND DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (D/HH) COURT USERS, DISSEMINATING A SURVEY TO ADVOCATES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LAWYERS WHO WORK WITH THESE COURT USERS, AND ANALYZING THE DATA WE COLLECT. STAFF ENGAGED PRO BONO PARTNER NELSON MULLINS LAW FIRM IN THIS PROJECT BY PRESENTING POTENTIAL AREAS FOR COLLABORATION. THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT IS TO WRITE AND PRESENT A REPORT TO THE MA COURTS, WITH THE HOPES OF COLLABORATING WITH THE SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT TANGIBLE AND MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO THE WAYS LEP AND D/HH COURT USERS INTERACT WITH THE COURTS. DCF MEMO: STAFF BEGAN CREATING A SURVEY FOR ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH LEP FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH THE MA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE SURVEY, ANALYZE THE DATA, AND COMPILE A MEMO TO DCF BASED ON OUR FINDINGS. THIS PROJECT ORIGINATED FROM MA APPLESEEDS 2021 FAMILIES TORN APART REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINT TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). STAFF CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD THE MASS SPEAKS COALITION WHICH WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES AT FRONT-FACING STATE AGENCIES BY HELPING TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DEVELOP MESSAGING TO RAISE FURTHER AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE, AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE. 50955 ACCESS TO JUSTICE: CLAWG: MA APPLESEED STAFF REINVIGORATED A RESEARCH PROJECT REGARDING LANGUAGE ACCESS IN THE MA TRIAL COURTS. WE RESTARTED REGULAR COURTS LANGUAGE ACCESS WORKING GROUP (CLAWG) MEETINGS (AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE ACCESS COALITION (LAC). WE CREATED A WORKPLAN TO SET A TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING HOLDING LISTENING SESSIONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) AND DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (D/HH) COURT USERS, DISSEMINATING A SURVEY TO ADVOCATES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LAWYERS WHO WORK WITH THESE COURT USERS, AND ANALYZING THE DATA WE COLLECT. STAFF ENGAGED PRO BONO PARTNER NELSON MULLINS LAW FIRM IN THIS PROJECT BY PRESENTING POTENTIAL AREAS FOR COLLABORATION. THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT IS TO WRITE AND PRESENT A REPORT TO THE MA COURTS, WITH THE HOPES OF COLLABORATING WITH THE SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT TANGIBLE AND MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO THE WAYS LEP AND D/HH COURT USERS INTERACT WITH THE COURTS. DCF MEMO: STAFF BEGAN CREATING A SURVEY FOR ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH LEP FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH THE MA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE SURVEY, ANALYZE THE DATA, AND COMPILE A MEMO TO DCF BASED ON OUR FINDINGS. THIS PROJECT ORIGINATED FROM MA APPLESEEDS 2021 FAMILIES TORN APART REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINT TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). STAFF CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD THE MASS SPEAKS COALITION WHICH WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES AT FRONT-FACING STATE AGENCIES BY HELPING TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DEVELOP MESSAGING TO RAISE FURTHER AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE, AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE. 104998 EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE: COMMUNITY OUTREACH: MA APPLESEED STAFF CONTINUED TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT AN INTERACTIVE DATA DASHBOARD THAT BREAKS DOWN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE DISPARITIES ACROSS THE STATE THROUGH AN INTERSECTIONAL LENS AT VARIOUS COMMUNITY EVENTS. 101294 YOUTH HOMELESSNESS: HYH EDITS: STAFF LED THE FIRST FULL EDIT OF THE HOMELESS YOUTH HANDBOOK, A FREE ONLINE KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS RESOURCE FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, ALONG WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, THAT COVERS LEGAL ISSUES THEY MAY NEED HELP WITH. THIS RESOURCE IS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR MA RESIDENTS WHO NEED IT. STAFF CONTACTED EXPERTS IN VARIOUS LEGAL AREAS TO HELP UPDATE THE CHAPTERS FOR ACCURACY AND THE CURRENT LAW. STAFF THEN IMPLEMENTED THOSE CHANGES, MADE PLAIN LANGUAGE EDITS, AND FORMATTED THE CHAPTERS, BEFORE SENDING THEM TO OUR PRO BONO PARTNER, BAKER MCKENZIE LAW FIRM, TO PUT ON THE WEBSITE FOR IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY TO USERS. MHLYN: STAFF LEAD THE MA HOMELESS YOUTH LEGAL NETWORK (MHYLN), AS PART OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATIONS (ABA) COMMISSION ON POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS. STAFF CALL AND LEAD QUARTERLY MEETINGS TO CONVENE ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE STATE TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE STATE OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS LEGAL AND ADVOCACY WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED. STAFF ARE WORKING TO RECRUIT MORE MEMBERS, PRESENT MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, BRING IN SPEAKERS, AND FURTHER ENGAGE THE NETWORK. TRAININGS: STAFF BUILT OUT MATERIALS FOR KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS ON SPECIFIC CHAPTERS OF THE HOMELESS YOUTH HANDBOOK AND COORDINATED WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO HOST THESE PRESENTATIONS FOR THEIR STAFF OR YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. STAFF ALSO CONTACTED EXPERTS IN VARIOUS LEGAL AREAS TO CO-PRESENT. 101294 308819 true true false true false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 0 6 true false false false false false false false false X 18 18 false false false false false false false true true false false false true true true true true false false false MA X RYAN LARUE 6174828686 75 STATE STREET 1710 BOSTON MA 02109 DEBORAH SILVA OFFICER 40.00 X 132881 0 0 CAROLYN E CROWLEY DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 ALISON V DOUGLASS DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 JESSICA LEE ELLIS DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 SAMUEL R GATES DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 WESLEY T GEE DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 CAROLIN HETZNER DIIRECTOR X 0 0 0 CHRISTOPHER HOYLE DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 AMY M KARP DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 RYAN LARUE TREASURER X X 0 0 0 LAURA E MARTIN DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 MARTHA MAZZONE DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 DAVID A MICHEL DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 MICAH W MILLER DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 MICHELLE R PASCUCCI DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 JOHN A SHUTKIN VICE CHAIR X X 0 0 0 JENNIFER A SUNDERLAND CLERK & SECR X X 0 0 0 KERRY L TIMBERS DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 PETER P TOBANI DIRECTOR X 0 0 0 MELANIE TODMAN CHAIR X X 0 0 0 132881 1 false false false 523909 523909 523909 132881 132881 166447 76273 35998 54176 24851 17364 2989 4498 28851 20159 3470 5222 44254 30922 5322 8010 1134 782 113 239 13939 9740 1676 2523 EVENT RELATED 25788 25788 PROFESSIONAL FEES 10988 7678 1321 1989 PROGRAM SPECIFIC 4309 4309 WEBSITE & IT 4286 2995 515 776 9394 5716 984 2694 467122 308819 52388 105915 473620 520762 1212 1091 2756 7958 4931 2268 2302 2663 4298 6291 484188 538765 2300 296 206 2506 296 X 426515 481696 55167 56773 481682 538469 484188 538765 X 56787 X false false false X 355201 392295 475682 267022 523909 2014109 355201 392295 475682 267022 523909 2014109 2014109 789 69 858 2014967 1739 0.99960 0.99950 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED true true false false false false false false false false SCHEDULE C, PART II-B, LINE 1 "MAILINGS TO LEGISLATORS (I.E., TESTIMONY) AN ACT TO CREATE ACCESS TO JUSTICE (H.1677/S.953) "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD CREATE STATE LAW BANNING STATE AGENCIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN MASSACHUSETTS FROM ENGAGING IN METHODS, POLICIES, OR PRACTICES THAT HAVE A HARMFUL DISPARATE IMPACT ON MEMBERS OF A PROTECTED CLASS. BECAUSE DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF LANGUAGE IS CONSIDERED DISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF NATIONAL ORIGINS, A LEGALLY PROTECTED CLASS, THESE BILLS WOULD PROTECT INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY (LEP). THESE BILLS WOULD CREATE A PRIVATE CIVIL RIGHT OF ACTION THAT EMPOWERS VICTIMS OF DISPARATE IMPACT DISCRIMINATION TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION IN DEFENSE OF THEIR CIVIL RIGHTS. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR POPULATION WILL BE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOME AND AVOID THE DESTABILIZING EFFECTS OF EVICTIONS- INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS, POOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, UNEMPLOYMENT, AND FAMILY INSTABILITY-BY AN INCREDIBLE MARGIN. THIS WOULD BE A WAY TO BEGIN REPAIRING THE HARMS IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LIKE ROXBURY, THAT WERE SUBJECTED TO RED LINING THROUGH EQUITY. AN ACT RELATIVE TO LANGUAGE ACCESS AND INCLUSION (H.3084/S.1990)"THIS BILL WOULD MANDATE UNIFORM LANGUAGE ACCESS STANDARDS ACROSS ALL PUBLIC-FACING STATE AGENCIES AND ESTABLISH MULTIPLE ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS FOR HOLDING STATE AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE WHEN THEY FAIL TO MEET THESE STANDARDS. KEY PROVISIONS INCLUDE: ACCESSIBLE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC, ROBUST LANGUAGE ACCESS PLANS, INCREASE LANGUAGE ACCESS COORDINATORS, CREATION OF A LANGUAGE ACCESS ADVISORY BOARD, AND MECHANISMS FOR IMPLEMENTATION, ENFORCEMENT, AND RELIEF. APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. THIS BILL WOULD ALSO REQUIRE SUPERINTENDENTS WHO CONTINUE TO REQUEST SROS FOR THEIR DISTRICT TO PROVIDE THE DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (DESE) WITH DATA ON SCHOOL-BASED ARRESTS AND REFERRALS TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS DATA COLLECTION IS CRITICAL BECAUSE IT WOULD PROVIDE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT WOULD FORCE SCHOOLS TO DISCLOSE WHAT EXACTLY SROS IN THEIR SCHOOLS ARE DOING AND ALLOW DESE TO BETTER IDENTIFY ANY DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD LEGALLY OBLIGATE DESE TO PUBLISH COMPREHENSIVE DATA FOR SPECIFIC SUBGROUPS OF STUDENTS IN A FORMAT THAT WOULD HELP PRIVATE CITIZENS, THE PRESS, ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER INDEPENDENT GROUPS DETERMINE WHETHER OUR SCHOOLS ARE DISCRIMINATING AGAINST GROUPS OF STUDENTS IN THEIR PRACTICES OR POLICIES. THIS BILL WOULD THEREFORE ALLOW FOR GREATER INDEPENDENT MONITORING AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF DISCIPLINE PRACTICES ACROSS ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COMMONWEALTH. "AN ACT TO REDUCE DISPARITIES CREATED BY EXCLUSIONARY SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES AND AN ACT TO REDUCE EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE FOR GROOMING AND DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS WOULD HELP TO DISRUPT THE SCHOOL-TO-PRISON PIPELINE BY BUILDING ON THE PROGRESS MADE LAST SESSION WHEN THE CROWN ACT WAS ENACTED. IT WOULD NOT, HOWEVER, PREVENT SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS FROM IMPOSING LESSER FORMS OF DISCIPLINE ON STUDENTS WHOSE CLOTHING IS VULGAR, PROFANE, CONTAINS HATE SPEECH, OR IS OTHERWISE DISRUPTIVE. IT WOULD ALSO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF STUDENTS DURING THE DISCIPLINARY PROCESS AND PREVENT THEM FROM LOSING VALUABLE CLASSROOM TIME BECAUSE OF ALLEGED DRESS CODE VIOLATIONS. H.478/S.290 WOULD COMPLEMENT THE CROWN ACT LAW BY FURTHER PROHIBITING DISPARATE SCHOOL DRESS CODE OUTCOMES BASED ON RELIGION, ETHNICITY, AND GENDER. APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD ESTABLISH A CLEAR SYSTEM TO TRAIN, ASSESS, AND ASSIGN INTERPRETERS IN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS. THE SYSTEM WOULD ALLOW SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES TO LEP PARENTS IN VARIOUS CONTEXTS AND PREVENT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS FROM BEING MISUSED, ALLOWING EDUCATORS TO DO THEIR JOBS AND CHILDREN TO FOCUS ON SCHOOL. CLEAR INTERPRETATION, PROVIDED BY QUALIFIED INTERPRETERS, WOULD ALSO ALLOW PARENTS TO UNDERSTAND SCHOOL EXPECTATIONS AND CREATE A BETTER LINE OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND PARENTS. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE IMPEDIMENTS THAT PREVENT CHILDREN FROM ACCESSING SCHOOL MEALS, ENSURE THAT SCHOOL MEALS ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL PUBLIC-SCHOOL STUDENTS, AND EFFECTIVELY MAXIMIZE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO SUPPORT FAMILY NUTRITION. SPECIFICALLY, IT WOULD: "REQUIRE MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOLS TO ADOPT UNIVERSAL SCHOOL MEALS UNDER USDA GUIDELINES;"PROVIDE FOR THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO COVER THE COSTS OF THIS PROGRAM THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND "REQUIRE SCHOOLS TO SUPPORT SNAP (SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM) OUTREACH EFFORTS. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD BAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM SUSPENDING OR EXPELLING STUDENTS IN GRADES PRE- KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE FOR DISCIPLINARY INFRACTIONS, OTHER THAN THOSE RELATING TO FELONY CHARGES, WEAPON OR DRUG POSSESSION, OR ASSAULT OF SCHOOL FACULTY. THE BILL WOULD ALSO EXPAND THE BAN ON EXCLUSIONARY DISCIPLINE TO EVENTUALLY COVER STUDENTS IN THE FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADES. THIS EXPANSION TO STUDENTS IN THE FOURTH GRADE WOULD TAKE EFFECT ONE YEAR AFTER THE BILL PASSES, AND THE EXPANSION TO STUDENTS IN THE FIFTH GRADE WOULD TAKE EFFECT TWO YEARS AFTER THE BILL PASSES. "H.192 AIMS TO AID THE HOMELESS YOUTH POPULATION IN THE COMMONWEALTH BY ENSURING THEIR ACCESS TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES. CURRENTLY, MINORS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR IN SIGNIFICANT DANGER OF BECOMING HOMELESS ARE PREVENTED FROM ACCESSING SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF A PARENT OR GUARDIAN. THIS IS PARTICULARLY HARMFUL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE, NEGLECT, OR A FAMILY CONFLICT. THROUGH THIS, UNACCOMPANIED MINORS COULD CONSENT TO SUPPORTIVE SERVICES WITHOUT A PARENT OR GUARDIAN IF THOSE SERVICES ARE NECESSARY FOR THEIR WELLBEING. APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD MODIFY SECTION 8E OF CHAPTER 90 OF THE GENERAL LAWS TO INCLUDE AN EXCEPTION PROCESS BY WHICH HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS AND UNACCOMPANIED YOUTHS COULD RECEIVE A WAIVER OF THE FEE TO OBTAIN A MASSACHUSETTS IDENTIFICATION CARD. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES ON THE PLACEMENT OF SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS. IT WOULD ENSURE THAT INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THESE OFFICERS AND STUDENTS ARE LIMITED TO SCHOOL-BASED EMERGENCY SITUATIONS BY SITUATING THE OFFICER'S EVERYDAY WORKSPACE AT LOCAL POLICE STATIONS RATHER THAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. FURTHER, ANY SPECIAL SERVICE OFFICERS APPOINTED TO DISTRICTS WOULD BE RELOCATED TO THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES. AS MANDATED BY THE BILL, THE MODEL MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WOULD EXPRESSLY STATE THESE CONDITIONS. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THE USE OF ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SCHOOL EXCLUSION CAN BE ATTEMPTED. ADDITIONALLY, IT WOULD REQUIRING CROSS-TABULATION OF SCHOOL DISCIPLINE DATA, AND NARROW THE DEFINITIONS OF "ASSAULT- AND "DEADLY WEAPON" IN THE SCHOOL CONTEXT. "APPLESEED SUBMITTED TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL WHICH WOULD CONSTRUCT A MULTI-FACETED EFFORT TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS. MOST NOTABLY, THIS LEGISLATION WOULD CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE DIVERSE TEACHERS IN THE COMMONWEALTH BY COMPELLING DESE TO DEVELOP AN ALTERNATIVE PATH TO TEACHER CERTIFICATION. THIS BILL WOULD ALSO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF DIVERSITY PLANS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND MANDATE THAT DESE DEVELOPS AND ENFORCES GUIDELINES ENSURING THAT EACH PLAN FOCUSES ON 1) REMOVING HIRING AND LEARNING BARRIERS, 2) REMEDYING PAST DISCRIMINATION, 3) HIRING MORE DIVERSE STAFF, 4) DEVELOPING, PROMOTING, AND RETAINING DIVERSE EDUCATORS, AND 5) ENSURING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL EDUCATORS IN MASSACHUSETTS. THE BILL MAKES CLEAR THAT ETHNIC AND RACIAL DIVERSITY WOULD BE REQUIRED AS A PART OF THESE DISTRICT-LEVEL PLANS, BUT DOES NOT LIMIT DIVERSITY TO THESE IDENTITIES. H.549/S.311 WOULD ALSO ESTABLISH A DATA DIVERSITY DASHBOARD TO PUBLICLY TRACK THE PROGRESS OF EDUCATOR DIVERSITY USING EXISTING MEANS OF DATA COLLECTION. FURTHERMORE, IT WOULD CREATE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICERS OR TEAMS IN EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ESTABLISH EDUCATOR DIVERSITY COUNCILS CONSISTING OF EDUCATORS, ADMINISTRATORS, AND STUDENTS. THESE POSITIONS WOULD GIVE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THE ABILITY TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN SHAPING THE DIVERSITY EFFORTS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT THEM. FINALLY, H.549/S.311 WOULD SET UP THE EDUCATOR DIVERSITY GRANT PROGRAM, MANAGED BY DESE, TO FINANCIALLY AID SCHOOLS AND DISTRICTS IN EFFORTS TO INCREASE EDUCATOR DIVERSITY AS MANDATED. TOGETHER, THESE PROVISIONS EQUIP THOSE AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WITH THE TOOLS TH 5167 5167 false false 4931 2268 2663 2663 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A ACCESS TO JUSTICE: CLAWG: MA APPLESEED STAFF REINVIGORATED A RESEARCH PROJECT REGARDING LANGUAGE ACCESS IN THE MA TRIAL COURTS. WE RESTARTED REGULAR COURTS LANGUAGE ACCESS WORKING GROUP (CLAWG) MEETINGS (AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE ACCESS COALITION (LAC). WE CREATED A WORKPLAN TO SET A TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING HOLDING LISTENING SESSIONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) AND DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (D/HH) COURT USERS, DISSEMINATING A SURVEY TO ADVOCATES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LAWYERS WHO WORK WITH THESE COURT USERS, AND ANALYZING THE DATA WE COLLECT. STAFF ENGAGED PRO BONO PARTNER NELSON MULLINS LAW FIRM IN THIS PROJECT BY PRESENTING POTENTIAL AREAS FOR COLLABORATION. THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT IS TO WRITE AND PRESENT A REPORT TO THE MA COURTS, WITH THE HOPES OF COLLABORATING WITH THE SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT TANGIBLE AND MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO THE WAYS LEP AND D/HH COURT USERS INTERACT WITH THE COURTS. DCF MEMO: STAFF BEGAN CREATING A SURVEY FOR ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH LEP FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH THE MA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE SURVEY, ANALYZE THE DATA, AND COMPILE A MEMO TO DCF BASED ON OUR FINDINGS. THIS PROJECT ORIGINATED FROM MA APPLESEEDS 2021 FAMILIES TORN APART REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINT TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). STAFF CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD THE MASS SPEAKS COALITION WHICH WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES AT FRONT-FACING STATE AGENCIES BY HELPING TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DEVELOP MESSAGING TO RAISE FURTHER AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE, AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B ACCESS TO JUSTICE: CLAWG: MA APPLESEED STAFF REINVIGORATED A RESEARCH PROJECT REGARDING LANGUAGE ACCESS IN THE MA TRIAL COURTS. WE RESTARTED REGULAR COURTS LANGUAGE ACCESS WORKING GROUP (CLAWG) MEETINGS (AS PART OF THE LANGUAGE ACCESS COALITION (LAC). WE CREATED A WORKPLAN TO SET A TIMELINE FOR THE PROJECT, INCLUDING HOLDING LISTENING SESSIONS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT (LEP) AND DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING (D/HH) COURT USERS, DISSEMINATING A SURVEY TO ADVOCATES, SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND LAWYERS WHO WORK WITH THESE COURT USERS, AND ANALYZING THE DATA WE COLLECT. STAFF ENGAGED PRO BONO PARTNER NELSON MULLINS LAW FIRM IN THIS PROJECT BY PRESENTING POTENTIAL AREAS FOR COLLABORATION. THE GOAL OF THIS EFFORT IS TO WRITE AND PRESENT A REPORT TO THE MA COURTS, WITH THE HOPES OF COLLABORATING WITH THE SYSTEM TO IMPLEMENT TANGIBLE AND MEANINGFUL CHANGES TO THE WAYS LEP AND D/HH COURT USERS INTERACT WITH THE COURTS. DCF MEMO: STAFF BEGAN CREATING A SURVEY FOR ATTORNEYS WORKING WITH LEP FAMILIES INVOLVED WITH THE MA DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES (DCF). WE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE SURVEY, ANALYZE THE DATA, AND COMPILE A MEMO TO DCF BASED ON OUR FINDINGS. THIS PROJECT ORIGINATED FROM MA APPLESEEDS 2021 FAMILIES TORN APART REPORT AND SUBSEQUENT COMPLAINT TO THE FEDERAL OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS). STAFF CONTINUED TO CO-LEAD THE MASS SPEAKS COALITION WHICH WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICY CHANGE TO IMPROVE AND EXPAND THE LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICES AT FRONT-FACING STATE AGENCIES BY HELPING TO MOBILIZE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, DEVELOP MESSAGING TO RAISE FURTHER AWARENESS ON THE ISSUE, AND MEET WITH LEGISLATORS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS ISSUE. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D YOUTH HOMELESSNESS: HYH EDITS: STAFF LED THE FIRST FULL EDIT OF THE HOMELESS YOUTH HANDBOOK, A FREE ONLINE KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS RESOURCE FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, ALONG WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, THAT COVERS LEGAL ISSUES THEY MAY NEED HELP WITH. THIS RESOURCE IS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR MA RESIDENTS WHO NEED IT. STAFF CONTACTED EXPERTS IN VARIOUS LEGAL AREAS TO HELP UPDATE THE CHAPTERS FOR ACCURACY AND THE CURRENT LAW. STAFF THEN IMPLEMENTED THOSE CHANGES, MADE PLAIN LANGUAGE EDITS, AND FORMATTED THE CHAPTERS, BEFORE SENDING THEM TO OUR PRO BONO PARTNER, BAKER MCKENZIE LAW FIRM, TO PUT ON THE WEBSITE FOR IMMEDIATE AVAILABILITY TO USERS. MHLYN: STAFF LEAD THE MA HOMELESS YOUTH LEGAL NETWORK (MHYLN), AS PART OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATIONS (ABA) COMMISSION ON POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS. STAFF CALL AND LEAD QUARTERLY MEETINGS TO CONVENE ATTORNEYS ACROSS THE STATE TO EDUCATE THEM ON THE STATE OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS LEGAL AND ADVOCACY WORK AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GET INVOLVED. STAFF ARE WORKING TO RECRUIT MORE MEMBERS, PRESENT MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, BRING IN SPEAKERS, AND FURTHER ENGAGE THE NETWORK. TRAININGS: STAFF BUILT OUT MATERIALS FOR KNOW-YOUR-RIGHTS PRESENTATIONS ON SPECIFIC CHAPTERS OF THE HOMELESS YOUTH HANDBOOK AND COORDINATED WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS ACROSS THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO HOST THESE PRESENTATIONS FOR THEIR STAFF OR YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. STAFF ALSO CONTACTED EXPERTS IN VARIOUS LEGAL AREAS TO CO-PRESENT. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B NO REVIEW WAS OR WILL BE CONDUCTED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C BOARD MEMBERS ARE REMINDED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON A PERIODIC BASIS THAT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST SHOULD BE RAISED TO THEIR ATTENTION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 AT THE PUBLIC'S REQUEST FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 NET ASSETS WITH DONOR RESTRICTIONS 0 ROUNDING 0