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From YouTube: Ways & Means FY24 Budget: LCA, MOIA, Disabilities Commission, Veterans Services on May 4, 2023
Description
Ways & Means Hearing- Dockets #0760-0768 FY24 Budget: Language and Communication Access, Immigration Advancement, Disabilities Commission, Veterans Services
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
Good
morning,
everyone
please
accept
my
good
morning
as
I
guess
my
gavel
to
open
this
hearing.
My
name
is
Tanya
credunch
Anderson
for
the
record.
My
name
is
Connie
Francis
Anderson,
the
district
7
City
councilor
I
am
the
chair
of
the
Boston
city
council
committee
on
ways
and
means
this
hearing
is
being
recorded.
It
is
being
live
streamed
at
boston.gov
for
slash
City,
Dash,
Council,
Dash,
TV
and
broadcast
on
Xfinity
channel
8,
RCN
channel
82
and
files
Channel
964..
B
The
council's
budget
review
process
will
Encompass
a
series
of
public
hearings
that
begin
in
April
and
will
run
through
June.
We
strongly
encourage
residents
to
take
a
moment
to
engage
in
this
process
by
giving
to
testimony
for
the
record.
You
can
do
this
in
several
ways
attend
one
of
the
hearings
in
public
testimony.
We
will
take
public
testimony
at
the
end
of
each
departmental
hearing
and
or
in
the
middle,
depending
on
the
format
of
each
hearing
dedicated
to
public
testimony.
The
full
hearing
schedule
is
on
our
website
at
boston.gov
for
slash
Council
Dash
TV.
B
Our
scheduled
hearings,
dedicated
to
public
testimony,
are
Tuesday
May,
9th
at
6
pm
and
Thursday
May
18th
at
2
pm
for
virtual
testimony.
You
can
sign
up
using
our
online
form
on
our
Council
budget
review
website
or
by
emailing
the
committee
at
cccwmboston.gov,
when
you
are
called
to
testify.
Please
state
your
name
and
affiliation
or
residence
and
limit
your
comments
to
a
few
minutes
to
ensure
that
the
comments
are
being
all
comments
are
being
heard.
Email.
B
Your
written
testimony
to
the
committee
at
ccc.wm
boston.gov,
submit
a
two-minute
video
of
your
testimony
through
the
Forum
on
our
website
for
more
information
on
the
city
budget
process
and
how
to
testify.
Please
visit
the
city
council's
budget
website
at
boston.gov
or
slash
Council
Dash
budget.
Today's
hearing
is
on
dockets
zero,
seven,
six,
zero,
zero,
seven
six,
two
orders
for
the
fy24
operating
budget,
including
annual
Appropriations,
for
departmental
operations
for
the
school
department
and
for
other
post-employment
benefits
open.
B
Dockets07630765-20766
orders
for
the
capital
fund
transfer,
Appropriations,
dockets,
zero,
seven,
six,
four,
zero,
seven,
six,
seven,
zero,
seven,
six,
eight
orders
for
the
capital
budget,
including
long
orders
and
lease
purchase
agreements.
Our
Focus
area
for
this
hearing
will
be
the
FY
24
budget
for
the
office
of
language
and
communication
access,
the
office
of
immigrant
immigration
advancement,
the
disabilities
commission
and
the
office
of
veteran
services.
B
I
do
not
have
a
list
of
the
panelists,
nor
do
I
see
anyone
here
with
us
other
than
chief
Wong
I
see
now
I
now
see
Monique,
okay,.
B
Give
me
a
moment
here:
I
apologize,
I
was
not
sent
the
updated
panel
list
so
I'm
just
gonna.
Look
it
up
for
proper
Idol.
C
B
Unfortunately,
I
don't
have
the
list,
so
if
you
can
bump
it
up
to
me,
Chantal
that'd
be
great.
B
All
right,
I'm
here
now
so
panelists
for
today's
hearing.
B
For
office
of
language
access,
communication
access
is
Jennifer
revar
Wong
office
of
immigrant
advancement,
Monique
new
Yang,
a
director.
B
B
I'm
joined
here
today
by
my
Council
colleagues
council
president
Ed
Flynn
counselor
Flaherty
counselor
Braden,
Council,
Lujan,
counselor,
mikia.
B
For
our
format,
because
we
have
about
four
different
departments,
we
hope
to
get
out
of
here
by
two
o'clock,
hopefully
spending
an
hour
or
less
on
each
department.
I
will
allow
my
Council
colleagues
to
just
give
an
opening
statement
if
they
have
it
by
show
of
hands.
If
you
raise
your
hand,
I
will
call
on
to
you
for
a
30
second
opening
statement.
B
If
you
don't
have
one,
that's
okay,
we'll
move
on
to
Administration
presentation,
then,
if
we
have,
if
my
consequilities
have
any
questions
we'll
go
to
our
first
round,
if
there
are
any
public
testimonies
we'll
take
that
second
and
then,
if
there's
time
we'll
take
we'll
do
a
second
round
of
questions.
Thereafter,
first
Mr,
president
council,
at
Flynn
you
have
the
floor.
D
D
I
represent
a
large
immigrant
Community
as
well,
and
the
the
importance
of
the
office
of
immigrant
advancement
plays
a
critical
role
in
Boston
making
sure
our
immigrant
neighbors
are
treated
with
respect
disability,
commission,
another
important
department,
it's
in
critical,
it's
critical
that
we
ensure
every
person
with
disability
has
equal
access,
full
access
to
buildings
and
spaces
and
disability
person
with
disabilities
also
fully
engage
and
participate
in
our
community
deserving
deserving
of
respect
and
dignity.
D
Finally,
Veterans
Services
I'm,
a
disabled,
veteran
I,
also
work
closely
with
this
department
making
sure
there
are
services
and
programs
for
veterans
in
in
their
families.
I
know
all
four
department
heads
they're
doing
a
tremendous
job.
Their
team
is
also
doing
a
tremendous
job
and
I'm
here
to
listen.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
F
I
did
counselor
Anderson,
but
in
the
interest
of
time
I
think
I
always
wear
my
comments
under
my
questions.
Thank
you.
No
problem.
B
All
right
without
further
Ado
Miss
Miss
Wong.
You
have
the
floor
for
your
presentation.
If
Ethan,
if
we
can
get,
did
you
submit
a
presentation
missile
I
did
Madam
chair
good
morning.
B
Ethan,
if
you're,
if
you're
ready
for
with
the
office
of
language,
acts,
communication
access.
B
Good
morning,
sorry,
just
for
a
moment,
I
wanted
to
acknowledge
my
Council
colleague,
Erin
Murphy.
For
some
reason,
I
don't
see
her
screen.
Oh
there,
it
is
it's
just
a
longer
title.
Sorry,
your
name
sort
of
disappears:
councilor
Murphy.
G
Thank
you
so
much
so
thank
you.
Everyone
and
thank
you
for
the
time.
It's
it's
an
honor
to
be
here
with
you
all.
So
we
are
the
office
of
language
and
Communications
access.
G
Thank
you.
So
our
mission
is
up
on
the
screen,
but
our
office
prioritizing
ensuring
that
speakers
of
all
languages
and
Communications
backgrounds
are
able
to
access
all
city
services
and
that
they
also
are
seen
as
a
critical
role
in
the
decision-making
of
the
city.
G
We
are
a
little
bit
different
from
most
language
access
offices
across
the
city,
as
we
are
a
combination
of
language
access
and
Communications
access,
which
is
a
priorities,
a
person
to
speak
languages
other
than
English
and
persons
with
Communications
access
related
disability,
so
that
can
include
persons
who
identify
as
deaf
person
to
identify
as
having
low
vision,
persons
who
identify
as
hard
of
hearing
and
persons
who
are
identified
as
blind
next
slide.
Please
and
so
another
difference
that
we
have
compared
to
other
language
access
offices.
G
We
view
that,
in
order
to
ensure
language
and
Communications
access
is
successful,
that
it
needs
to
be
a
systemic
change
within
the
city,
and
that
is
why
we
make
language
and
Communications
acts
as
a
priority
for
all
departments
and
it
to
be
a
Forefront
before
planning
before
information
is
being
created,
as
well
as
events
and
so
I'm
going
to
go
over
a
little
bit
of
how
we
are
broken
down
to
accomplish
this
vision
for
our
decentralized
model.
G
So
we
have
administrative
and
compliance.
Piece
of
our
work
is
setting
standards,
policies
and
procedures,
for
which
departments
will
execute
their
work
and
in
order
to
support
those
departments,
we
also
have
a
team
that
focuses
on
trainings,
which
is
training
departments
on
how
to
provide
accessible
events
because
accessible
content.
How
to
provide
on-demand
interpretation,
which
is
influent
language
in
the
scenario
that
someone
walks
into
the
City
and
needs
an
interpreter
without
any
preparation
or
awareness
from
the
Department
in
advance.
G
We
also
have
from
our
investments
from
fiscal
year
23
we
have
lce
Specialists
and
the
easiest
way
that
I
can
explain
their
role.
Think
of
that
as
kind
of
mini
Consultants
to
departments,
and
so
they
do
more
of
the
one-on-one
supports
to
departments
and
rolling
outs,
implementation
and
compliance
next
slide.
Please.
G
Another
effort
that
we're
aiming
to
achieve
in
our
office
is
also
being
aware
of
language
access
requirements
of
agencies
in
Boston,
as
well
and
other
miscellaneous
research
projects
that
happen
there,
as
well
as
knowing
and
staying
up
to
date
to
the
needs
of
constituents
in
Boston
when
it
comes
to
language
access,
disability
access
and
also
being
aware
of
all
the
intersectional
identities
that
are
being
brought
by
our
constituencies
that
we
serve
in
terms
of
Outreach
and
comms.
We
are
not
a
front-facing
departments,
however.
G
We
do
Elevate
and
support
departments
who
are
doing
that
from
facing
work
and
the
submitting
information
so
uplifting
their
work.
We
also
partner
closely
with
cbo's
for
a
special
translation
projects,
as
well
as
being
able
to
attend
meetings
with
other
folks
on
the
equity
cabinet,
as
well
as
Beyond,
to
hear
concerns
around
language
access
and
disability
access.
G
The
last
piece
of
our
work
is
contracts
and
accommodations,
so
we
do
hold
the
city's
contracts
for
language
interpretation
spoken,
language,
interpretation
and
translation
services.
We
also
hold
the
city
contract
for
over
the
phone
interpretation
and
video
remote
interpretation,
as
well
as
procuring
simultaneous
interpretation,
equipments
and
additional
devices.
That
would
be
helpful
for
implementation
of
this
work
next
slide,
please.
Thank
you.
G
This
is
just
an
overview
of
how
we
are
organized
in
terms
of
our
office
next
slide.
Please-
and
this
is
a
visual
representation,
for
this
is
a
very
big
shift.
From
last
year's
presentation,
we
went
from
a
team
of
three
we're
now:
a
team
of
12
employees
in
this
fiscal
year.
So
there's
two
folks
who
will
be
joining
us
in
the
next
two
months
next
slide.
G
Please
I
also
want
to
elevate
one
of
our
core
priorities
from
the
beginning,
which
is
creating
pipelines
of
internships
to
full-time
employees,
and
so
we
do
partner
with
UMass
Boston,
as
well
as
Roxbury
College,
in
bringing
in
opportunities
for
making
opportunities
for
interns
within
our
office
to
gain
experience,
and
often
this
will
either
lead
to
full-time
employment
or
support
in
finding
employment.
After
graduation
next
slide,
please
and
I
just
wanted
to
highlight
some
folks
that
were
in
a
part
of
our
internships
were
now
full-time
employees
within
our
office.
G
Before
my
time
in
2016,
the
first
reiteration
of
our
ordinance
was
passed,
which
created
this
office
as
a
program,
so
it
wasn't
until
around
and
we
were
housed
under
neighborhood
services,
so
it
wasn't
until
around
2021,
where
the
amended
ordinance
on
language
and
communication
access
established
our
departments
as
an
office,
and
at
that
time
we
were
at
three
full-time
employees.
Last
year
we
became
a
standalone
department
where
we
were
able
to
hire
two
more
employees,
which
is
brought
us
to
five
and
now
in
2023.
Thank
you
to
your
efforts.
G
We
are
on
track
to
release
in
the
upcoming
fiscal
year
departmental
plans
which
will
outline
how
departments
will
be
implementing
language
assets
and
Communications
access
within
their
work,
as
well
as
publicizing
vital
documents,
lists
and
also
translations
of
vital
documents
and
Vital
Information,
as
well
as
releasing
a
formal
complaint
process
which
will
allow
constituents
to
file
complaints
around
language
access
or
Communications
access,
not
only
to
City
departments,
but
also
agencies
across
Boston,
and
we
have
established
large-scale
interpretation
and
translation
contracts.
G
G
There
are
other
exciting
developments
as
well
with
that
partnership,
which
I'm
happy
to
answer
later
on
as
well,
and,
of
course,
the
big
one
is
increasing
our
capacity
from
two
full-time
employees
from
the
Inception
of
the
program
to
now
I
apologize
as
a
typo
Now,
it's
12,
full-time
employees
and,
of
course,
our
increased
partnership
with
Roxbury,
College
and
other
organizations
to
continue
this
pipeline
of
offering
opportunities
to
students
not
only
for
experience
but
ultimately
full-time
employment.
G
Next
slide,
please
thank
you
and
then
our
priorities
for
fiscal
year
24
is
the
continuing
expansion
of
our
contracts,
putting
in
place
a
contract
for
American
sign
language
interpretation
as
well
as
cart,
Services,
increasing
public
awareness
to
the
rights
of
language
access
and
accommodations,
increasing
public
awareness
of
accommodations
being
provided
by
the
city
continuing
to
elevate
all
of
the
great
work
that's
coming
out
of
departments.
G
One
new
investment
in
this
year
is
grants
for
external
language
access
support,
and
these
will
be
focused
on
community-based
organizations
that
have
a
diverse
base
of
community
members
who
come
for
support,
but
may
not
have
all
the
multiple
capacity
or
ability
to
support
everyone
in
their
language
or
communication
style.
So
we're
hoping
that
this
funding
will
allow
for
cbos
to
increase
their
language
access
and
Communications
access
work
and,
of
course,
I
think
this
is
going
to
be
foundationally.
G
B
Thank
you
so
much
Jennifer
great
presentation
by
order
of
arrival
I'm
going
to
ask
my
Council
colleagues.
If
you
have
questions
I
have
council
president
Flynn,
but
if
you
want
to
raise
your
hand,
that's
okay,
too,
or
if
not
I'll,
ask
everyone
in
the
order.
Okay,
council,
president
Flynn,
you
have
the
floor.
D
Thank
you,
madam
chair
I.
I
will
be
brief,
because
I
I
had
the
opportunity
to
meet
with
Jennifer
earlier
this
week.
So
thank
you
Jennifer
for
your
presentation.
It
was,
it
was
very
helpful.
Tell
me
tell
me
going
forward
what
are
what's
your
main
priority,
as
as
it
relates
to
making
sure
our
immigrant
Neighbors
have
access
to
ensure
their
voice
is
heard
in
city
government.
What's
the
most
important
thing
you're
going
to
do
to
try
to
make
sure
every
resident
has
a
voice.
G
Thank
you
for
that
question.
Muslim
I
think
in
order
for
us
to
ensure
that
constituents
have
a
voice
or
feel
comfortable
enough
to
and
I
want
to
be
careful
with
my
have
the
ability
to
play
a
part
in
everything,
that's
being
done
in
the
city,
I
think
the
first
project
that
we're
rolling
out
now
is
really
around.
G
How
do
we
create
a
space
where,
in
line
with
the
mayor's
vision
of
creating
a
city
for
everyone,
creating
a
welcoming
study,
and
so
one
of
the
important
projects
that
we're
working
on
now
and
is
being
led
by
our
chief
of
staff?
Diana
Daniel
is
a
partnership
with
the
second
first
and
third
floor
tellers
in
the
front-facing
departments
on
that
floor.
G
So
this
is
an
exciting
project
where
we
are
partnering
with
and
I'm
gonna
miss
some
departments
but
parking
registry
treasury
collections
who
have
been
trained
on
providing
interpretation
both
over
the
phone
and
on
through
video
interpretation
and
I.
Think
our
vision
for
this
is
ensuring
that
once
you
walk
into
the
city,
you
are
especially
for
to
do
services
that
are
the
most
front-facing.
You
are
going
to
be
seeing
a
change
on
those
floors
where
we
actually
be
equipping
these
departments
with
iPads
that
will
be
loaded
with
video
remote
interpretation
service.
G
So
if
you
walk
up
to
go
pay
your
parking
ticket
or
if
you
use
the
accessible
teller,
which
is
designed
for
persons
to
use
a
wheelchair
you'll,
be
able
to
see
that
they'll
be
signage
posted.
That
will
tell
you
in
language.
Your
rights
to
interpretation
and
translation.
It'll
also
allow
you
to
view
at
the
at
the
front
of
the
teller's
language
identification
card,
which
has
different
languages
and
language.
G
So
you
can
say:
I
speak
Spanish,
you
can
point
to
the
language
and
that
teller
will
be
able
to
contact
and
bring
up
an
interpreter
on
demand,
whether
it
be
spoken,
language
or
ASL.
Who
will
be
able
to
support
you
in
the
language
that
you
need
I?
Think
a
lot
of
our
priorities
and
projects
have
been?
How
do
we
ensure
that
the
most
front-facing
departments
are
and
the
ones
who
are
constantly
working
with
constituents
do
are
prepared
and
trained
on
providing
accommodations,
which
I
think
ultimately
will
lead
to
that
trust?
G
Building
that
we
need
to
make
and
welcoming
of
and
reaching
our
vision
of,
creating
language
Justice
in
the
city,
which
is
the
concept
of
not
only
having
respect
for
all
languages,
but
also
respect
in
the
terms
that
all
languages
can
coexist
together
in
in
this
space.
And
so
that
is
the
priority.
Is
how
do
we
start
with
addressing
the
Departments?
Who
are
the
most
front-facing,
the
most
important
sorry
I
I
want
to
be
careful
with
my
words.
G
Every
department
is
important,
but
the
most
front-facing
departments
so
that
the
constituents
are
going
to
these
departments
feel
welcome,
seen
heard
and,
of
course,
accepted
in
the
sense
of
rear,
prioritizing
language.
Just.
D
Thank
you,
Jennifer
Madam,
chair
I,
have
no
further
questions,
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
Jennifer
and
her
team.
B
H
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
for
the
executive
director
for
her
presentation,
Jennifer.
Obviously,
as
you
know,
prior
to
your
arrival,
the
Boston
city
council
has
always
LED
in
these
efforts,
making
sure
that
we
have
the
ability
to
transliterate
all
of
our
services
that
we
provide
residents
as
well
as
including
ballots
Etc.
So
let
us
know
how
we
can
help
you
do
your
job
most
effectively
it's
important,
particularly
as
a
Citywide
city
council.
H
We
represent
everyone
and-
and
that
means
that
we
need
to
make
sure
that
we're
keeping
up
with
all
of
our
materials
and
brochures
in
our
departments
and
services
that
we
offer
and
provide,
and
then
I
guess.
H
My
question
is
because
we've
had
folks
from
I.T
and
Chief
Information
officer
on
the
other
day
and
just
making
sure
that
maybe
your
department
is
working
with
his
Department
closely,
because
once
that
material
becomes
online
and
once
there's
an
announcement
that
needs
to
be
made
or
once
there's
a
service
that
is
now
accessible
online,
because
we
are
asking
constituents
to
try
to
transact
business
to
the
best
their
ability
online.
Most
folks
prefer
that
than
to
have
to
come
downtown.
H
Try
to
find
a
parking
space
get
a
ticket
have
to
come
into
the
building,
so
making
sure
that
your
department
and
the
IT
department
are
on
the
same
page
with
respect
to
language
access
in
the
services
we
provide.
So
that's
sort
of
my
opinion,
that's
my
question.
I
guess
is
making
sure
that
asking
that
you
do
work
closely
with
it
and
then
continue
to
just
let
us
know,
as
your
department
continues
to
grow,
if
the
demand
for
those
Services
continue
to
grow
as
the
legislative
branch
of
city
government.
H
We
work
for
the
residents
and
the
taxpayers
of
the
city,
and,
and
so
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
an
open
book
on
that
front,
so
thank
you,
executive,
director,
Wong
and,
and
just
if
you
can
share
with
us
the
the
program
that
you
have
right
now
and
how
closely
you
work
with
it.
That'd
be
great.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
G
Thank
you
so
much
counselor,
so
I!
Yes,
so
with
the
going
back
to
the
LCA
Specialists
and
our
model
of
them
kind
of
serving
as
many
consultants
we
do
have
all
lce
specials
assigned
to
departments.
So
the
way
that
we
kind
of
grouped
them
is
that
we've,
let
departments
know
that
they
have
an
LCA
specialist
That's
assigned
on
top
of
their
LC
liaison,
who
supports
their
implementation
work.
G
The
LCA
specialist
is
that
person
that
they
can
go
to
in
case
of
emergencies
or
in
case
they're
planning,
some
kind
of
large
event
or
information.
We
get
tapped
in
to
provide
guidance
and
support,
especially
elevating
what
the
standards
are
in
the
city
and
how
they
should
make
sure
that
accessibility
is
working
through
everything
that
they
do
in
terms
of.
G
Why
not
we're
also
closing
working
closely
with
treasury
who
and
has
a
lot
of
vital
documents
that
go
out
personally
to
households
and
what
we're
working
with
them
is
ensuring
that
they
have
already
babbles
on
the
mailers
that
they
send
out
also
working
on
how
we
can
create
tailored
babbles
that
provide
a
little
bit
more
information
to
constituents
of
the
mailers
that
they're
receiving?
G
That's
just
the
glimpse
of
the
work
that
we're
doing.
There's
so
much
more
that
we're
doing.
But
in
terms
of
keeping
in
touch
with
departments.
We
also
have
monthly
meetings
with
all
the
LC
and
Liaisons
of
the
Departments.
So
we
have
I
guess
the
first
point
of
contact
is
the
trainings,
the
LC
liaison
part
of
those
departments
and
meeting
monthly
with
our
teens,
and
then
the
LCA
Specialists,
who
are
assigned
to
each
department
and
the
LCA
Specialists,
who
are
incredible.
G
H
I
Foreign,
yes,
good
morning,
everyone.
Thank
you.
So
much
for
your
presentation.
I'm,
really
pleased
to
see
that
you've
got
acne
more
more
employees
to
help
you.
C
I
These
very
important
Services
one
question
I
had
was
with
regard
to
just
accessibility
for
visually
impaired
residents.
Do
we
do
we
provide
materials
and
access
and
Braille,
and
also
a
deaf
and
hard
of
hearing
residents?
G
Thank
you
so
much
counselor
for
your
question,
so
I'm
gonna
make
sure
that
I
address
all
the
points
so
for
Braille
we
are
able
to
translate
materials
into
brailles
requested
I
I
can
send
you
a
study
that
we
did,
which
shows
that
the
actual
usage
of
Braille
but
there's
a
whole
real
literacy
awareness
month
is
is
is
not
as
High
as
we
would
expect.
But
we
do
have
the
ability
to
translate
to
create
materials
into
braille,
as
requested
as
in
terms
of
large
prints
for
persons
who
have
low
vision.
G
One
thing
that
we
are
doing
this
year
and
you'll
see
as
we
release
vital
documents.
We
are
ensuring
that
all
English
versions
of
documents
are
also
not
only
English
but
there's
a
large
print
version
of
it
as
well
available
and
this
list
this
will
be
publicized
out
and
then
in
terms
of
working
with
organizations.
G
We
actually
for
the
project
that
I
look
around
in
partnership
with
the
first
second
third
floors,
we're
actually
working
with
commissioner
makash
and
Monique,
who
are
on
this
call
as
well
on
that
project,
and
we
also
partner
with
work
Inc,
who
is
going
to
be
hosting
and
they
hosted
this
last
year
as
well.
G
A
Deaf
culture,
training
and
We've
also
partnered
we're
also
in
Exploration
phases
of
working
with
the
Perkins
School,
who
would
also
be
doing
an
additional
training,
but
that
is
still
in
the
works
of
figuring
out
kind
of
the
content
and
what
will
be
push
forward.
But
those
are
one
of
the
goals
this
year,
as
well
as
not
only
thinking
about
because
we
have
procedural
trainings,
which
you
know
say.
How
do
you
acquire
an
inter?
G
We
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
giving
space
for
the
the
folks
who
are
representing
these
communities
so
we're
also
thinking
of
how
do
we
partner
with
external
community-based
organizations,
to
provide
trainings
for
the
city
as
a
whole,
and
so
last
year
we
did
a
pilot
with
Deaf
culture,
training,
we're
hoping
to
bring
it
back
for
this
project
that
we
mentioned
on
the
first
second
and
third
floor
and
then
continuing
that
into
the
rest
of
the
year
as
a
city-wide
training
available
for
everybody,
as
well
as
our
partnership
with
the
Perkins,
School
I,
hope,
I
answered
any
other
questions.
G
I
Sorry
I
think
you're,
muted,
yes,
you're
right
there
you
go.
This
is
the
problem
that
we
have.
If
you
don't
hear
you
don't
hear,
thank
you.
Yeah
I
think
that's
all
I
have
for
now
Madam
chair.
Thank
you.
Thank.
J
B
J
J
It's
incredibly
important
that
we
are
making
City
Hall
accessible
in
the
language
that
folks
feel
most
comfortable
as
a
city-wide,
City
councilor
and
as
a
Haitian,
American
and
and
know
how
important
it
is
for
our
communities
to
be
able
to
access
City,
Hall
and
we've
had
the
support
of
your
office
for
an
event
we're
doing
tonight
in
Partnership
the
community
preservation
act
office.
J
So
thank
you
along
the
lines
of
increasing
Personnel
on
the
when
I'm
looking
at
the
budget,
it
says
Personnel
Services
is
going
from
748
000
to
just
a
little
bit
over
1
million,
but
it
looks
like
the
ftes
are
only
an
increase
of
one
person
so
like
what's
happening
with
that
whole
287
thousand
dollars.
G
So
for
the
200
thousand
dollars,
I
believe
that
includes
increase
in
salaries
for
our
staff
and
then
there
is
that
additional
full-time
employee
position
for
our
finance
coordinator,
which
goes
back
to
Sydney,
who
was
an
intern
in
our
office
as
our
finance
fellow
for
over
two
years
and
is
now
becoming
a
full-time
employee
within
our
office.
J
Great
so
that
287
000
represents
increases
in
pay
for
members
of
your
staff
and
a
higher
and
one
full-time
higher.
That's
correct,
great
I'm,
great
to
I'm
happy
to
be
seeing
increases
to
individual
salaries.
We
do
not
pay
people
enough
to
do
this
really
really
important
work.
As
counselor
council
president
Flynn
said
your
office
is
one
of
the
most
important
offices
in
the
city
and
and
to
see
it
supported
financially
is
important,
especially
folks,
who
do
the
work
of
translation.
J
Incredibly
important
I
have
a
question
about
what
is
the
one
service
that
your
office
receives
a
lot
of
requests
about,
but
you
feel
like
you're
unable
to
provide
I
know
that
even
with
office
expansion
I
know
that
there's
limited
my
office
has
been
called
on
for
translations,
so
trying
to
figure
out
like
what
is
the
most
unmet
need
of
your
office
and
and
how
are
you
going
about
meeting
that.
G
Thank
you
counselor.
That
is
a
great
question.
I
think
one
need
that
is
is
is
I
wouldn't
say,
is
unmet
yet,
but
we're
seeing
more
of
is
in
the
plus
side.
There's
a
lot
of
constituents
where
trusting
us
and
calling
us
for
complaints
that
are
not
related
to
the
city
as
a
whole,
but
it
probably
it
is
related
to
language
access
or
complaints
or
either
like
for-profit
companies
or
other
agencies
outside
of
our
jurisdiction,
and
so
that
is
something
that
we
are
starting.
G
You
know
to
track
to
see
if
that
will
become
something
that
we
in
the
next
fiscal
year
may
have
to
evaluate
how
we're
able
to
support
those
constituents
right
now.
What
we
do
is
we
do
triage.
We
we
have
our
research
analyst
Erica
Garcia,
who
is
a
knowledge
source
of
information
when
it
comes
to
being
aware
of
the
language,
access
plans
for
different
agencies
and
us
being
aware
of
the
standards
that
are
under
their
plans
and
then
being
able
to
work
in
partnership
with
agencies
and
constituents.
G
To
make
sure
that
we
are
providing
the
services
that
the
constituents
are
calling
about
in
terms
of
getting
support
in
obtaining.
J
Thank
you.
Do
you
work
at
all
with
like
the
Human
Rights
Commission,
or
with
them
at
Mass,
Community
Commission,
on
against
discrimination
to
refer
people
when
they
do
feel
like
they
feel
been
discriminated
against
when
it
comes
to
language
access,
we
are
on
ethnicity
or
anything
of
that
nature.
I'm.
J
G
We
are
we
because
of
those
influx
and
calls
we
have
been
researching
and
creating
Partnerships
right
now.
We've
also
been
looking
into
a
lot
of
pro
bono
organizations
who
give
funding,
but
in
in,
for
you
know,
or
interpreters
at
the
Greater
Boston
Legal
Services.
A
lot
of
the
calls
we
also
get
is
related
to
connecting
constituents
with
an
interpreter,
for
you
know
legal
proceedings
or
even
connecting
them
to
the
the
courts
in
Massachusetts
who
have
their
own
language
access
as
well
and
kind
of
triaging
in
that
sense.
G
But
we,
it
is
a
relatively
new
kind
of
uptake
that
we've
been
realizing
in
this
office
and
we
are
kind
of
looking
to
create
those
Partnerships
and,
and
the
pro
bono
list
is
also
before
this
grant
that
we
received
this
year
in
the
fiscal
budget
that
there
was
limited
capacity
in
kind
of
us
providing
translations
for
outside
entities
beyond
what
the
ordinance
is
allowing
us
to
do
so.
G
These
France
actually
have
will
create
that
opportunity
for
us
to
give
to
community-based
organizations
to
increase
their
language
access,
but
we
also
have
a
list
of
pro
bono
organizations
that
we've
been
kind
of
contacting,
who
would
be
able
to
provide
translations
or
interpretations
free
of
charge
to
consider
trans
Windows
needs
arise
and
we're
finalizing
that.
J
Thank
you
director
and
thank
you
for
responding,
it's
great,
that
people
know
to
call
your
office
even
if
you're
not
able
to
meet
their
need,
and
it's
great
that
you're
still
able
to
answer
them
with
resources,
even
if
we
can't
provide
it
in-house.
So
thank
you
for
all
of
your
work
really
appreciate
it.
Thank
you.
Counselor
finished
Anderson.
F
Everyone
thank
you,
madam
chair
and
Jennifer.
It's
always
great
to
see
you
I'm
really
excited
about
the
growth
within
your
office,
so
it's
really
inspiring
to
see
and
I
just
have
a
few
questions.
You
know
a
few
years
ago,
you
and
I
worked
together
on
establishing
the
be
revised
language
ordinance
to
ensure
that
whatever
gets
put
out
in
English,
the
same
day
gets
put
out
in
the
top
11
languages
and
I'm
just
curious.
F
If
you
can
just
talk
to
us
a
little
bit
about
kind
of
how
that's
coming
along
what
bumps
you
have
come
across,
how
have
you
pivoted,
you
know
just
just
help
us
understand
where
we're
at
with
that
and
then
I'm
also
curious
about.
How
are
you
measuring
the
impact
and
the
effectiveness
of
the
program
and
services?
You
know
what
metrics
does
the
department
use
to
evaluate
its
performances
and
identify
areas
of
improvement?
Like
can
you
just
talk
to
me
about
your
I'm
always
trying
to
figure
out
how
do
we
grow?
F
What
do
we
need
to
do
different?
How
are
we
pivoting?
How
are
we
holding
ourselves
accountable?
So
you
could
just
talk
to
me
for
a
little
bit
about
that.
That
would
be
great
and
then
the
last
question
that
I
love
for
you
to
just
lean
in
just
a
little
bit
during
our
work
together.
You
know
we
discussed
literacy
when
I
think
about
communication
and
access
I.
F
Think
of
those
folks
who
are
unable
to
read
and
write
even
in
their
own
native
language,
so
I
know
we
established
a
literacy
task
force
which
is
about
to
get
off
the
ground
soon,
but
I'm
curious.
What
else
are
you
doing
in
terms
of
making
sure
that
all
residents,
regardless
of
their
ability
to
read
and
write,
are
able
to
get
the
information
that
they
need.
G
Thank
you,
Council
Mejia,
and
it's
always
great
to
see
you
too
I
hope
that
you're
feeling
better
I
know
you
are
under
the
weather.
A
few
hearings
ago,
I
wanna
I'll
start
with
your
most
recent
question
around
the
literacy
task
force.
One
thing
that
we
do
Implement
within
our
trainings
is
this
and
I
know
that
we've
had
conversations
in
the
past
around
the
eighth
grade.
Reading
level
and
I
know
we're
going.
G
There
are
conversations
that
we
had
to
revise,
but
we
have
been
integrating
in
our
trainings,
not
only
practicing
plain
language
when
you're
writing
information
and
as
well
as
reminding
an
eighth
grade
reading
level
when
it
comes
to
the
text
that
are
being
formulated
in
terms
of
the
information
going
out
at
the
same
time
as
English,
specifically
for
it
and
I
believe
incorrectly
wrong
for
Vital
Information,
specifically
I.
Think
also.
This
refers
to
emergencies.
G
Like
the
orange
line
shut
down
the
kobit
19
response,
we
have
been
working
closely
with
the
communications,
the
mayor's
Communications
team,
and
so
we
have.
There
is
a
liaison
in
that
office
who
oversees
language
access
and
disability
access,
but
we
also
are
partnering
with
them
closely,
as
they
are
the
administrators
and
kind
of
overseers
of
all
the
pios
in
the
Departments,
who
are
the
main
source
of
the
information
that
goes
out
of
the
city
I.
A
lot
of
the
work
that
we're
working
with
them
is:
how
do
we
ensure?
G
Because
emergencies
will
happen
right
and
our
team
is
happy
to
step
in
to
support
emergencies,
but
it's
also
creating
systems
of
the
minute.
We
know
an
emergency
is
coming
looping
in
the
appropriate
folks
lining
up
the
appropriate
resources,
language,
Access,
Communications,
access
at
the
Forefront
right
and
creating
that
system
in
place
we've
also
within
the
contract
that
we
have.
G
We
also
have
established
Norms
of
Rapid
translation
as
necessary,
whether
it
be
everything's,
24
hours
or
less
of
translation
requests
and
we're
also
focusing
with
them
of
a
lot
of
the
communications,
usually
that
come
out
of
the
city
in
terms
of
playing
language,
making
sure
that
we
are
thinking
about
Vital,
Information,
vital
documents
and
recreating
them,
because
a
lot
of
the
times
I
think
in
government.
We
have
a
standard
way
of
writing,
and
so
we
always
work
with
Departments
of
recreating
a
vital
document.
G
What
is
the
most
important
information
that
needs
to
be
known
to
constituents
and
what
does
that
need
to
be
put
out?
Of
course,
there's
always
room
to
grow
emergencies.
G
You
know
happen
out
of
the
blue,
but
we
do
have
a
close
relationship
that
if
there
isn't
emergencies
regardless,
they
will
loop
our
department
in
from
the
beginning
and
also
with
support
from
their
own
LCA
Liaisons
in
terms
of
metrics
of
progress.
I
want
to
also
highlight
that
we
are
also
on
track
to
release
a
dashboard.
G
I
I
know
that
councilman
here,
you
and
I
talked
about
this
as
well
in
the
next
fiscal
year,
which
will
show
the
data
of
funding
that
has
been
put
towards
interpretation,
translation
specifically
as
well
as
that
is
a
lot
of
the
metrics
that
we
use
internally.
So
whenever
a
department
is
requesting
interpreters
for
an
events,
translations
and
documents,
we're
actually
able
to
see
all
of
that
in
there.
So
we
use
that
as
a
metric
of
seeing
the
progress
from
the
Departments,
but
we're
also
this
upcoming
fiscal
year
and
I
see
your
hand
counselor
I'm.
G
So
sorry,
this
upcoming
fiscal
year,
okay,
it.
G
We
also
have
worked
with
departments
to
implement
other
data,
metrics
and
I'm
happy
to
talk
more
after
this
about
those
steps
as
well.
Thank.
F
Thank
you,
counselor
Anderson,
okay,.
K
So
definitely
happy
to
see
that
you're
growing
it
may
be
a
modest
growth.
It
looks
like
only
a
little
bit
of
increase
from
last
year's
budget,
but
have
a.
K
Thousand
of
your
dollars
are
contractual
services.
K
G
Thank
you,
Council
Murphy,
so,
in
our
contracted
Services
line,
we
do
have
our
contracts
for
our
language
and
interpretation
Services,
which
that
does
take
a
huge
chunk
of
our
funding.
G
We
also
are
going
to
be
working
on
implementing
an
ASL
and
cart
contract
as
well
we're
working
closely
with
commissioner
makash
on
addressing
the
ASL
needs
of
the
city
and
working
with
agencies
like
the
mass
commission
for
the
deaf
and
hard
of
hearing,
and
in
this
space
there
the
contract
this
year
is
oh,
we
also
have
a
contract
for
our
over
the
phone
interpretation
and
video
remote
interpretation
service
and
those
are
all
city-wide
scale.
So
that
is
a
bulk
of
the
contracted
services
that
are
coming
from
our
office
and
I.
G
Hope
I
am
not
miss
speaking,
but
I
also
believe
that,
under
that
contracted,
Services
there's
also
an
additional
line
which
has
our
our
grants
funding
in
there
as
well.
For
that
Grant
project.
That
I
was
mentioning
a
little
bit
earlier.
K
Foreign,
oh
thank
you
and,
as
many
departments
do,
it
seems
like
yours
is
one,
though
that
definitely
works
closely
with
other
departments
and
that
overlap
in
working
together
is
important.
But
do
you
often
feel
and
I
think
we've
talked
about
this
before
in
a
different
hearing,
but
that
your
department,
your
office
for
the
language
access,
has
to
support
other
departments
and
maybe
we're
not
funding
you
enough
and
kind
of
keeping
track,
open,
I?
Think
of
your
department
on
the
city
level,
I.
K
Think
of
like
that
teacher
at
a
school
who
then,
is
asked
to
translate,
which
you
know
or
the
secretary
who
may
speak
the
language
of
someone
and
is
asked
to
do
something
else,
just
because
we
need
it
at
the
moment.
But
then,
if
we
look
at
how
do
we
make
sure
that
we
can
continue
to
support
your
office?
G
Foreign
I
at
this
at
this
time,
I
think
we
have
received
the
appropriate
amount
of
funding
for
the
way
that
we
are
operating.
I
also
want
to
emphasize
that
we
are
still
you
know
growing
as
a
department.
You
know
we
did
hire
all
those
new
staff
in
this
fiscal
year,
which
was
I'm
sure
you
all
can
relate
when
it
comes
to
not
only
bringing
in
the
staff.
A
G
Say
no
to
any,
you
know
more
funding
that
you
want
to
give,
but
in
terms
of
where
we
are
now
and
the
pace
that
we're
growing
I
believe
that
it
is
appropriate.
I
do
want
to
emphasize
also
that
the
schools
has
their
own
budget
for
language
access
as
well
as
well
as
other
agencies
like
the
bpda
and
so
forth.
That
I
know
that
you
all
are
very
aware
of
that
I'm
just
making
it
for.
M
You
chair
and
thank
you
director
law
and
for
all
the
work
that
you
guys
do
here
in
the
city
of
Boston.
It's
good
to
see
that
that
your
department
is
growing
I
like
the
initiative,
the
adult
literacy
initiative
that
does
fall
under
your
your,
your
your
your
department,
correct.
G
M
Okay,
I'll
save
my
questions
on
that
for
the
equity
cabinet.
My
one
question,
then,
is
around
miscellaneous
equipment.
Can
you
talk
to
me
about?
You
know
what
we're
purchasing
for
miscellaneous
equipment.
G
As
we've
been
approaching,
I
know
I,
believe
the
emergency
is
being
lifted
on
the
11th
and
there
are
more
City
events
that
are
happening
in
person.
What
we've
been
trying
to
do
this
fiscal
year
is,
is
equip
ourselves
with
enough
simultaneous
interpretation
equipment
which
is
not
only
offered
to
departments,
but
if
you
all
need
it,
we
also
partner
with
Michelle
from
the
central
staff,
who
is
also
able
to
leverage
the
equipment
for
your
events
as
well.
G
G
It
was
around
like
fifteen
thousand
dollars
and
one
set
supports
two
interpreters
for
simultaneous
interpretation
as
well
as
up
to
20
constituents
headsets,
so
that
they
are
able
to
listen
in,
and
so,
as
you
know,
I
think
the
the
little
Panic
that
we
had
was
making
sure
that
we
that
that
we
were
equipped
enough
that
it
tomorrow
every.
G
Wanted
to
have-
maybe
maybe
that's
an
overreach,
but
if
there
were
many
departments
you
wanted
to
have
an
interesting
event.
At
the
same
time,
we
would
not
be.
We
would
be
able
to
support
the
influx
of
in-person.
Simultaneous
interpretation
means.
G
However,
we
also
work
with
the
ability
to
if
we
need
more
equipment
contract
that
with
the
vendor
that
we
have.
There
is
also
another
exciting
project
that
we're
working
on
is
a
pilot
program
with
iPads.
G
So,
in
addition
to,
we
did
purchase
a
lot
of
iPads
to
help
provide
over
the
video
interpretation,
specifically
for
ASL
interpretation,
and
so
that
relates
back
to
the
program
that
we're
doing
with
the
second
first
and
third
floor
departments,
but
we're
also
working
closely
with
the
Boston
police
departments,
where
we're
going
to
basically
do
the
same
model
but
for
the
district
offices.
So
our
vision
is
that
when
you
walk
into
a
district
office,
you'll
see
the
same
thing
as
I
described
on
the
second
and
third
floors.
G
You'll
see
your
language,
access
rights
and
iPad
for
video
interpretation,
as
well
as
the
person
who
is
there
will
be
trained
to
be
able
to
provide
you
accommodations
in
your
language,
we'll
also
be
giving
iPads
to
a
couple
other
departments
and
we'll
have
them
on
a
rental.
We
also
have
some
in
our
office
on
the
ability
for
departments
to
use.
G
Departments
might
want
to
use
them,
for
example,
when
they
have
resource
fairs,
where
they
might
have
multilingual
staff
available
to
be
there.
But
you
know
they
want
to
just
have
the
video
remote
interpretation
in
case
there's
somebody
who
comes
up
to
them
in
the
language
that
they
man
I,
have
the
capacity
in-house
to
provide.
So
that
is
the
kind
of
breakdown
simultaneous
interpretation
equipment,
iPads
that
will
be
used
for
special
projects
as
long-term
loaners
to
departments
as
well
as
iPads.
G
That
will
be
in
rotation
for
I,
guess
reserving
and
using
by
other
departments
as
well.
M
I
love
it
I
love
it
technology,
advancing
language
access
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
no
further
questions
chair.
Thank
you.
N
Thank
you
chair
and
thank
you
director,
Wong,
for
your
important
work.
This
is
the
benefit
of
almost
going
last.
My
questioning
had
to
do
with
equipment
only
because
you've
been
extremely
helpful
with
our
office.
N
Just
within
the
past
month,
when
we've
held
our
budget
Town
Halls,
we
we
reached
out
to
you
and
you
provided
us
with
that
simultaneous
language
equipment
and
we're
extremely
grateful
for
that
I'm
happy
to
hear
about
the
iPads
I
think
that
that's
great
I
am
shocked
to
hear
about
the
fact
that
one
set
is
about
fifteen
thousand
dollars
for
for
20
constituencies
did
I
get
that
right.
That
is
correct,
okay,
so
how
many
sets
I
guess
I'm
wondering
just
the
investment
for
all
of
this
right
when
when
did
we
buy
these
sets?
N
How
many
sets
do
you
have?
What's
the
shelf
life?
Are
there
associated
maintenance
costs,
and
when
do
we
anticipate
needing
to
buy
more
of
these.
G
I'm
just
trying
to
pull
them
up
so
it.
Let
me
begin
with
the
question
that
I
want
to
make
sure
you
answer
all
of
it,
so
the
simultaneous
interpretation
equipment
has
a
life
of
around
10
to
15
years.
We
actually
had
I
believe
two
equipments
back
from
when
the
program
began
in
around
2018
when
it
was
fully
staffed
with
the
first
director,
and
we
still
have
that
equipment
working.
G
I
think
the
concerns
that
we
have
seen
is
what
sometimes
might
happen
is
once
people
take
it
to
their
events
and
it's
it's
to
no
fault
of
constituents
or
anyone
at
all,
but
sometimes
they'll
walk
out
with
them.
We
had,
for
example,
at
the
state
of
the
city
we
kind
of
walked
around
the
whole
like
stadium,
and
there
were
folks
who
were
putting
the
equipment
in
their
bags,
and
so
we
had
to
like
grab
all
the
equipment.
I
think
that's
that's
mainly
the
concern
that
sometimes
people
walk
off
with
it.
G
However,
we
did
purchase
nine
more
sets
this
fiscal
year
for
simultaneous
interpretation
equipment.
Another.
We
have
looked
at
other
types
of
equipment
that
is
out
there.
We
did
go
through
the
appropriate
procurement
channels
to
procure
this
equipment,
but
another
I
think
research
that
we're
doing
is
we
have
found
that
the
the
equipment
and
I-
oh,
you,
you've
used
it.
So
you
know
how
it's
very
simple:
to
use
we're
also
looking
at
perhaps
equipment
that
could
be
and
I
don't.
G
N
N
Counselor,
Worrell
and
I
have
put
forth
a
technical
assistance
for
civic
associations,
hearing
order,
and
so
you
know
from
my
goal
or
my
goal
in
my
district-
is
to
be
as
welcoming
and
inclusive
inclusive,
as
we
can
for
our
Civic
associations,
because
we
do
put
a
lot
of
emphasis
on
their
opinions
when
it
comes
to
development
projects
and
and
a
lot
of
that,
so
it
there
are
no
translation
services
that
are
available
for
them
right
now,
I
would
love
in
a
perfect
world,
and
maybe
we
can
build
towards
this
right.
N
This
is
why
I'm
bringing
this
up
now,
but
to
be
able
to
to
help
Civic
associations
and
provide
them
with
the
simultaneous
translation
right
now
that
doesn't
happen
and
I
would
just
like
to
to
see
more
folks
being
welcomed
in
that
way
in
in
some
of
these
rooms
in
my
district,
so
just
pushing
that
out
there.
You
don't
have
to
comment
on
that,
but
that
is
that
is
a
goal
of
mine
and
I
hope
that
we
can
work
towards
that.
But
thank
you
so
much
chair.
Thank
you
director
for
your
work.
B
Thank
you,
Council
Coletta,
director
Wong,
just
a
couple
questions
for
me
and
then
we'll
be
able
to
wrap
up.
If
there
are
any
there
aren't
any
more
questions.
I,
don't
think
we
have
any
more
time
Beyond
this
hour
to
keep
going.
But
let
me
just
check.
B
B
All
right
in
terms
of
your
breakdown
for
interpreter
Services,
can
you
do
you
have
the
information
available
today
or
could
you
provide
a
breakdown
of
exactly
what
services
are
or
what
languages
are
requested
by?
Can
you
break
it
down
by
language.
A
G
So
Spanish
is
definitely
the
first.
G
B
G
Portuguese
simplified
Chinese,
and
this
is
for
translation.
You.
G
Oh,
that
is
just
based
on
the
data
here.
My
apology,
apologies,
but
the
way
that.
B
It
falls
no,
no
I
mean
like
do
you.
Do
you
actually
provide
an
interpret,
an
interpreter?
That's
Brazilian,
it's
just
simple!
So
importanteese,
there's
Brazilian
Portuguese
I'm!
Joking
with
you,
it's
just
okay,
it's
the
same
Portuguese.
So
I
was
like
what
cool
all
right
so
with
an
accent
right,
so
CV,
and
then
you
have
Portuguese
but
specifically
more
from
Brazilians
and
sorry.
What's
the.
G
After
the
Portuguese
and
then
it
would
be
Cantonese
Mandarin
Russian
Somali
in
French.
L
B
French
and
then
can
you
please
break
down
the
demographics
or
language
that
your
interpreters
currently
speak.
G
So
in-house
right
now
we
just
have
Spanish,
which
will
be
joining
us
in
may
actually
in
less
than
11
days
and
for
the
vendors
I
can
get
you
that
information.
But
it
is,
they
can
cover
not
only
the
top
threshold
languages
of
the
city
and
the
aunt
and.
B
So,
for
the
top
four
will
you
are,
do
you
have
positions
open
for
the
interpreters,
a
Vietnamese
interpreter,
a
Haitian
interpreter
and
a
Cape
Verdean
interpreter.
G
So
right
now
we
have
a
position
for
Cape
Verde,
that
is
posted.
B
B
And
then
thank
you
and
so
for
your
upper
management.
Could
you
break
down
the
demographics
in
your
office
in
your
department?
G
Okay
and
specifically,
what
would
you
like
to
hear
for
me?
I
just
want
to
make.
B
Sure
that
again
for
you,
the
org
chart
that
you
sent,
could
you
send
some
sort
of
graph
breakdown
of
the
demographics
for
your
management
team,
for
your
the
org
chart.
B
Okay,
okay,
I
always
start
with
a
bunch
of
questions
and
praise
later
and
I
apologize.
It's
must
be
a
language
thing
on
my
end
and
how
I
speak.
You
know
what
I
mean
the
other
way,
but
I
absolutely
adore.
You
you're
one
of
my
favorites
I,
think
you
are
doing
amazing
job
job,
you've
taken
the
stock
department
and
you
have
spearheaded
you
completely
demonstrated
executive
skills
and
professionalism.
Everyone
loves
you.
Hopefully
they
all
love
you.
B
If
not
just
let
me
know,
I'll
beat
them
up,
but
you
are
absolutely
amazing,
I'm,
just
joking
for
the
record
in
case
anyone
we're
on
recorded
legal
here
and
here,
but
in
case
any,
if
I
just
wanted
to
tell
you
that
I
have
been
following
your
work
and
looking
at
the
growth
and
just
my
interaction
with
you
and
understanding
your
department.
B
You
are,
you
are
very
skilled
and
you
deserve
all
the
best
and
whatever
way
we
can
support
you
we're
going
to
be
looking
at
it
and
we
may
make
some
recommendations.
I,
don't
know
what
my
Council
colleagues
have
in
mind,
but
I
certainly
do
have
a
recommendation
to
open
up
the
position
for
Haitian
and
Cape
Verde,
Creole,
Haitian
and
sorry
Vietnamese
interpreter
as
soon
as
possible.
So
hopefully
we're
successful
with
that
and
if
we're
not
it's
a
conversation
for
the
next
fiscal
year,
I
appreciate
you
and
all
the
work.
B
B
Next
we
have
office
of
immigration
advancement,
executive,
director,
Monique
Nguyen,
and
we
are
happy
to
have
you
here
with
we're
not
going
to
stall
you.
Usually
we
have
a
presentation
from
our
budget.
Analyst
Karishma
and
I'll
be
presenting
them
from
now
on.
But
if
there
are
any
discrepancies,
I
think
that's
where
I'll
show
the
presentation,
but
you
have
the
floor
for
your
presentation.
Welcome.
O
Thank
you
all
thank
you,
chair,
Fernandez,
Anderson
and
counselors
for
opportunity
to
testify.
Today.
My
name
is
Monique
noon.
The
executive
director
of
the
mayor's
office
for
immigrant
advancement,
also
known
as
Moya
for
short
and
I'm
eager
to
tell
you
about
our
work
and
why
passing
the
budget
is
so
critical
for
us
this
year,
I
always
start
off
with
my
story
as
the
reason
why
I
even
came
here
but
I'll.
O
My
story
always
starts
with
my
mother's
and
I
visited
my
mother,
elderly
mother
for
Christmas,
and
she
was
just
catching
up
with
me
about
my
new
job
and
what
we're
doing
especially
she's
been
kept
staying
on
top
of
the
news
with
what's
happening:
United
States,
with
all
the
new
migrants
and
and
even
her
in
her
golden
age.
She
spent
all
her
time
watching
the
news
from
from
Canada
to
see
what's
happening
to
be
closer
to
me.
O
Here
in
Boston,
I
talked
about
how
311
gets
a
call
from
a
concerned:
neighbor
Hospital
worker
police
officer
who
comes
across
a
new
immigrant,
then
our
city
team
is
dispatched
to
greet
them,
assist
them
with
access
to
State
shelter
and
even
hot
meals
dropped
off
with
them,
my
own
s
and
even
being
spoken
to
their
own
language.
Thanks
to
the
work
of
LCA,
my
mother,
she
paused
and
looked
at
me
and
said,
and
looked
in
the
distance
said
when
I
was
arriving.
I
didn't
understand
what
was
happening.
O
People
would
just
point
to
me
to
sit
I
sit
to
go.
There,
I
go
there
and
I
to
live
here.
I
Stay
I
was
proud
to
comfort
her
and
tell
her
that
we
don't
do
that
type
of
thing
to
new
migrants
here
in
Boston,
and
we
treat
we
aim
to
treat
immigrants
here
in
Boston
with
respect
and
dignity
as
we
move
on
from
the
pandemic.
O
Looking
back
and
forward,
I
am
both
in
awe
of
what
the
Immigrant
Community
has
faced
to
hold
the
families
in
our
city
together
about
what
we
will
face
together
as
we
recover
from
the
inequities
further
worsenal.
The
last
three
years
increases
isolation
and,
during
chronic
stress
over
a
period
of
time,
has
compromised
the
mental
health
of
immigrant
communities,
a
major
certain
concern
over
age
and
culture
groups,
tools
for
economic
empowerment
and
Recovery
is
in
high
demand.
O
What
is
possible
for
a
brighter
future
for
Boston
as
we
build
a
city
of
belonging
and
I
just
want
to
call
upon
who's
some
person,
that's
handling
the
slide.
Tech
I
was
hoping
to
have
a
visual
aid.
Sport.
B
Ethan's
gonna
get
it
up
for
you
director.
Thank.
O
O
In
the
meantime,
I'll
speak
to
moya's
roles
in
the
state
and
then
what
my
vision
is
as
I
started
that
when
I
started
as
an
executive
director
in
August,
my
vision
is
to
make
sure
that
immigrants
are
at
minimum
included
in
everything
our
city
has
to
offer,
in
addition
to
their
leadership
of
shaping
and
actualizing
the
future
of
Boston.
O
In
this
critical
year,
through
our
department
undergoing
Community
Driven
strategic
planning
process
for
the
first
time
ever,
I
think
it's
really
important
to
engage
Community,
as
in
the
past,
they
have
been
marginalized
and
haven't
been
centered
in
their
leadership.
So
what
I
am
requesting
in
our
budget
this
year
is
to
build
out
and
Community
organizing
leadership
development
team
to
ensure
that
all
cultural
groups
and
community
community
leaders
are
in
all
the
critical
visioning
and
design
processes
that
are
stewarded
by
our
department
and
all
major
departments.
O
We
will
be
aiming
to
continue
all
of
our
existing
programming
and
advocacy
efforts.
In
addition
to
services
and
programs,
we
slated
to
launch
to
build
out
the
system
that
we
believe
will
bring
Equity
to
our
immigrant
communities
today
and
immigrants
of
tomorrow
on
the
company
air.
We
will
continue
doing
our
new
migrant
arrival
support
through
advocacy
and
assistance
building.
B
L
B
Okay,
director.
O
B
O
B
Actually
sorry
I.
O
Yeah
I
think
a
technology
I
think
there's
something
restricting
yeah.
Okay,
I
can
speak
to
the
the
points
we're
continuing
to
do
our
our
dreamers
Fellowship,
but
this
year
we're
expanding
it
to
all
immigrant
Youth
and
also
focusing
that
focusing
on
the
dreamers
Fellowship
to
build
to
fight
for
tuition
equity,
which
is
exciting
for
us
this
year
on
the
state
level
and
the
big
project
that
that's
reaching
launch
this
year
is
thanks
to
all
of
your
support
and
Leadership
from
last
year's.
O
Investments
is
our
covid-19
economic
relief
initiative
that
is
serving
up
to
200
Boston
immigrant
families,
with
cash
assistance
for
a
year
to
help
people
from
recovering
from
from
the
pandemics,
and
thank
you
again
for
your
support
and
we're
we're
going
to
be
launching
that
in
the
summer
in
the
fall
and
our
major
accomplishments
for
the
past
year
is
securing
the
Opera
funding
and
then
moving
into
major
phases
to
launch
the
arpa
project,
which
is
going
to
be
the
major
focus
of
our
of
our
department
this
year
for
pilots,
and
but
we
will
make
sure
that
this
pilot
is
going
to
be
having
a
lot
of
integration
with
all
of
our
other
programs
and
services.
O
So
it's
it's
a
well-ordered
old
machine
to
serve
serve
the
Immigrant
community.
We
will
be
continuing
our
Mental
Health
Grants
and
working
with
the
community
to
bring
bring
mental
health
and
well-being
to
immigrants
in
Boston,
destigmatizing
mental
health
challenges,
encouraging
non-clinical,
culturally
and
linguistically
sensitive
practices
as
a
form
of
therapy
and
Moya
is
committee
to
160
000
grants
to
Immigrant
serving
groups
that
incorporate
Wellness
practices
in
their
programming
and
we'll
be
working
with
the
Immigrant
committee.
O
Legal
representation
for
immigrant
Community
by
getting
them
Bia
accredited
by
the
Department
of
Justice
and
being
able
to
hire
attorneys
and
paralegals
to
help
with
the
American
community
and
and
another
accomplishment
was
here,
is
that
we
have
the
largest
citizenship
day
that
we've
ever
had
serving
up
to
200
Boston
residents,
this
past
April
and
we're
really
excited
about
where
that's
going
to
go
and
we
expanded
the
dreamers
Fellowship
this
year
as
well.
O
One
of
the
things
that
we've
been
working
on
is
the
increase
of
migrants
in
the
Boston
area,
and
we
want
to
thank
the
counselors
from
here
calling
the
hearing
in
December
inviting
me
to
testify.
As
the
city
council
is
aware,
there's
been
an
increase
in
new
migrants
in
the
United
States
and
and
being
here
in
Boston.
Many
are
fleeing.
Imagine
unimaginable
violence
on
and
all
levels
and
shares
the
challenges
and
responsibility
to
address
the
humanitarian
crisis.
O
We
would
like
to
thank
our
city,
council
partners
and
City
Hall
co-workers
up
from
across
several
departments
for
their
dedication
and
coordination.
We'd
also
like
to
thank
non-profits
and
hospitals
for
their
childless
Frontline
efforts
and
the
state
for
stepping
up,
and
you
counselors
for
all
your
attention
and
advocacy.
O
And
our
proposed
Investments
for
the
coming
year
is
the
largest
focus
of
personnel.
As
we
are
trying
to
build
out
a
team
for
further
Community
engagement
and
leadership
development.
We
are
asking
for
full
four
full-time
employees
that
mostly
through
redistributing
our
grant
lines
and
not
asking
for
addition
that
much
addition
in
our
existing
budget
but
redistributing
our
existing
resources
to
be
able
to
cover
full-time
staff,
so
we
can
bring
it
in-house
instead
of
Contracting
out.
O
D
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you
to
Monique
for
your
presentation
for
your
leadership
in
in
the
work.
Your
team
is
doing
the
important
work
your
team
is
doing.
I
was
with
your
team
for
project
citizenship.
I
believe
it
was
at
the
Reggie
Lewis
Center
several
weeks
ago
and
I
know
that
was
an
outstanding
in
coordinated
events.
D
So
I
want
to
acknowledge
the
important
work
you're
doing
on
different
fronts,
so
Monique
I,
I,
listening
to
the
different
presentations
I
know,
Krista
McCosh
is
going
to
be
speaking
soon
and
and
commissioner
Santiago,
but
but
but
also
with
with
immigration
communication
access.
D
But
it's
isn't
it
important
that
all
all
departments
work
together,
coordinate
with
each
other
be
on
the
same
page,
because
what
impacts
one
department
is
really
impacting
another
department
and
it's
the
coordination
of
services.
That's
also
key,
so
I
I
know
you're
doing
that
Monique.
But
why
don't
you
give
us
an
it?
Give
us
an
example
of
how
that
communication
benefits
residents
of
Boston.
O
Yes,
that's
definitely
one
of
my
biggest
work
work
areas
this
year
is
consolidating
coordination,
so
we
can
best
serve
constituents
because
one
thing
constituents
have
a
hard
time
with
that
they
always
get
steered
around
and
all
these
services
from
the
non-profits
to
City
departments
and
just
kind
of
been
led
to
like
that
ends
a
lot
of
time.
I'm
hoping
through
the
mayor's
priority
of
making
sure
that
we
deliver
great
conceptual
Services.
O
Is
that
we're
building
out
a
case
management
platform
for
that
our
department
can
become
more
efficient
and
effective
in
and
secure
in
the
way
we
handle
and
support
constituents
in
their
needs,
but
also
coordinate
with
other
City
departments,
so
that
there's
this
one
place
where
we
can
all
look
at
how
we
can
collectively
support?
But
right
now
we're
we're
doing
that
really
great
through
all
the
communication
channels
that
we
can
use
from
email
to
making
a
phone
call.
So
we're
hoping
through
technology,
we're
able
to
become
more
effective
efficient.
D
Thank
you,
Monique
I
know
one
Department,
that's
not
here.
That
also
plays
a
critical
role
in
this
city
is
office
of
food
access
as
well
yep,
but
I
I.
Don't
have
any
further
questions
just
want
to.
Thank
you
and
your
team
for
the
important
work
you
are
doing.
Boston's
an
immigrant
City,
we're
proud
of
our
immigrant
Roots
here
and
immigrants
helped
build
our
city
and
helped
build
our
country,
so
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
your
team
Monique
and
thanks
for
the
important
work
you're
doing.
Thank.
H
You,
madam
chair,
and
thanks
to
the
executive
director
Nguyen
for
the
work
that
you
do
and
as
referenced
earlier
on,
the
Boston
city
council
has
always
taken
a
lead
role
with
respect
to
our
new
bostonians
and
immigrant
advancements.
So
thank
you
for
the
work
that
you
do
and
look
forward
to
the
continued
partnership
and
like
I
mentioned
to
executive
director
Wong.
H
If
there's
things
that
you
need
that
to
help
make
your
department
run
more
effectively
and
more
efficiently
than
Now's
the
Time
during
the
budget
process,
it
led
us,
as
the
legislative
branch
of
the
city
government,
know
where
we
can
be
more
helpful
and
whether
that's
in
Personnel
or
it's
taken
advantage
of
a
technology
and
or
other
services.
So
our
hope
is
that
you
know
we
continue
to
do
the
work
ourselves
as
opposed
to
having
to
contract
it
out.
But
some
situations
lend
themselves
to
to
that.
But
we're.
A
H
To
be
supportive,
we
understand
the
importance
to
Echo
the
comments
of
council
president
Flynn,
that
we're
a
city
founded
on
the
backs
of
immigrants
and
that's
important
that
we
make
sure
that
they
know
that
they're
always
welcome
in
that
we're
going
to
do
the
very
best
we
can
to
make
sure
that
they
have
the
resources
to
sustain
themselves
and
their
families
to
make
a
vital
make
a
vital
contribution
to
our
cities.
Thank
you,
executive
director
appreciate
your
work.
If
you
do
thank.
J
Thank
you,
councilman
Jenison,
and
thank
you
director,
Nguyen,
for
your
presentation
and
for
your
advocacy
and
also
for
your
story,
which
really
guides
the
work
that
you
do.
J
Obviously
my
office
as
a
chair
of
civil
rights,
immigrant
advancement
care,
deeply
about
this
work
and
as
the
daughter
of
Haitian
immigrants
Haitians
are
the
biggest
migrant
group
of
new
arrivals
that
we
have
coming
into
the
city
of
Boston
and
so
from
the
beginning,
we've
been
advocating
for
more
funds,
not
just
for
new
arrivals,
but
also
with
project
citizenship.
We
were
happy
to
work
alongside
counciloral
and
so
really
glad
to
hear
and
to
see
how
that
has
been
expanding
and
consider
us
a
partner.
J
If,
if
sorry,
if
you
hear
the
train
in
the
background,
if
we
want
to
continue
to
grow
that
with
our
with
our
great
non-profit
partner,
that
that
really
spearheads
that
effort
I
have
some
questions
about
some
light
items
on
the
budget
on
page
300.
It
says
that,
like
there
are
some
projections
and
I'm
curious
about
how
the
projections
are
made
from
under
the
goal
that
to
support
city
state
and
federal
agencies
to
more
equitably
serve
our
immigrant
residents.
J
O
Yes,
most
of
our
advocacy
efforts,
and
particularly
working
with
the
state
and
federal
to
maximize
what
they
or
their
role
roles
are
or
poised
to
do.
For
example,
with
the
new
migrants
is
that,
on
the
state
level,
the
state
is
responsible
for
family-based
shelter.
O
So
most
of
our
our
response
has
been
also
responding
to
people
on
the
ground,
but
also
doing
advocacy,
work
with
lots
of
meetings
and
lots
of
letters
and
lots
of
mobilizing
the
community
to
be
able
to
to
Advocate
to
the
state
on
the
federal
level
for
the
new
Rivals
that
are
coming
into
the
country.
So
those
are
the
metrics
that
we
use.
We
kind
of
use
it
as
like
actions
that
we
take
as
of
how
much
effort
that
we
put
into
to
to
those
type
of
campaigns.
J
Okay,
and
so
similarly
versus
this
year
and
next
year,
given
like
there's
an
increase
in
the
number
of
new
migrants,
it
it,
the
increase
in
the
number
of
constituents,
assisted,
doesn't
seem
to
go
up
as
much
as
we
see
new
arrivals
coming
right.
It's
like
right,
it's
7512
and
the
projection
is
eight
thousand,
but
given
that
we're
seeing
more
and
more
new
migrants
coming,
why
isn't
that
projection
higher
yeah.
O
But
if
you
have
further
information
that
can
give
us
better
data
about
how
we
can
have
that
number,
how
a
centralized
with
Boston,
then
I
I'm
I'm
open
to
help
helping
that
number
inform
our
decision
to
expand
the
need
of
that.
But
we
just
based
on
it
on
our
existing
data
that
we've
had
in
our
history
yeah.
O
O
I
would
say
the
the
four
full-time
employees
that
I
have
I
I
project
that
would
be
able
to
support
us
if
we
increased
our
capacity
20
to
address
the
need,
but
if
we
think
50
or
above
I
would
need
additional
Personnel
or
Contracting
lines
or
we'll.
We
can
also
work
within
our
existing
budget
to
be
strategic
about.
How
do
we
regret
to
maybe
it's
organizations
to
support
us
and
also
hire
contractors
as
well?
Yeah.
J
I
want
to
Echo
something
counselor
Flaherty
stated
right:
we
want
to
support
the
office
as
much
as
possible
and
to
do
that
via
the
budget.
J
I
get
calls
every
single
day
from
our
migrant
communities
and
I
want
to
make
sure
that
our
budget
reflects
what
you
stated
and
what
our
colleagues
have
stated
is
I
need
to
address
these
issues
and
I
know
that
a
good
chunk
of
it
when
it
comes
to
family
placement
is,
is,
is
in
the
purview
of
the
state,
and
so
the
role
of
Moya
and
the
in
others
is
to
be
in
community
I'm
in
Communications
with
the
state
every
day
you
know
to
make
sure
that
they're
doing
what
they
should
regarding
family
based
placement
of
housing,
housing
being
the
number
one
issue
like:
where
are
we
able
to
you
know
shelter,
folks
new
arrivals,
but
we
also
have
individuals
who
are
arriving
and
other
needs
and
I'm
wondering
how
can
the
office
you
know
where
the
state
doesn't
have
jurisdiction?
O
Especially
the
resources
that
you
stewarded
for
us
to
the
housing,
for
example,
we've
been
making
sure
that
that
is
like
our
very
extreme
fun
that
we
protect
but
making
sure
that
the
federal
government
the
state
are
used
accessing
resources
that
do
happen,
that
they
do
have.
That.
J
J
No,
no
just
saying
like
the
money
that
we
were
able
to
secure
the
Opera
is
like
a
a
penny
compared
to
the
need
that
we
see
so
just
want
it.
If
there's
more
that,
we
can
allocate
via
this
budget
I'm
ready
to
do
that
and
I
know
that
my
colleagues
are
ready
to
stand
with
me
to
do
that.
Yesterday,
we
recognization
heritage
month.
We
know
that
there
are
new
migrants
coming
at
every
day
and
we
can
walk
and
chew
gum.
It's
not
a
zero-sum
game.
J
We
can
care
for
those
who
have
just
arrived
and
those
who
have
been
here
for
decades
and
generations
and
if
we
can
do
so
operationally
through
this
budget
in
ways
where
the
state
doesn't
have
jurisdiction,
I
know
that
we
would
be
thrilled
to
help
you
and
think
about
how
we
can
do
that
as
we
realize
you
know
everyone's
calling
and
talking
about
the
folks
who
are
sleeping
on
Boston
Medical
Center,
which
is
on
the
floor
of
Boston
Medical
Center,
which
is
not
a
new
phenomenon.
J
It's
something
that
we
have
been
elevating
since
last
year,
and
so
if
we
can
use
this
budget
to
do
to
address
some
of
these
issues,
I'd
like
us
to
do
that,
and
so
sorry
that
you
were
talking
no.
O
O
Particularly
in
the
numbers
that
we
we
forecasters
were
based
on
information
that
we
had
at
that
time
when
we
did
the
budget
and
also
the
numbers,
has
increased
a
lot
in
a
few
of
the
last
few
weeks
and
the
budget
was
already
set
so
I
I
do
I
do
Echo
that
we
need
to
meet
the
scale
of
the
of
what's
needed
for
the
future
and
I
would
love
to
continue
connection
with
you
guys
to
think
about
a
number.
That's
more
reflective.
O
J
Yeah.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
for
indulging
me
and
my
time
going
over.
Thank
you
and
thank
you.
Yeah.
F
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
Thank
you.
I
guess.
You
know.
I
wanted
to
just
first
uplift,
the
important
work
of
immigrant
advancement
and
the
role
that
you
have
played
in
advocacy
not
just
during
covet,
but
just
overall
just
making
sure
the
quality
of
life
for
our
recent
arrivals
and
those
who
are
here
so
really
do
appreciate
your
work.
So
thank
you
for
that
curious.
Most
of
my
questions
are
going
to
be
around,
though
how
we
can
support.
F
You
mentioned
the
dreamers
and
the
Workforce
Development
initiatives
and
I'm
curious
in
terms
of
strengthening
that
you
know.
We've
been
working
with
Nikki
the
Boston
foundation
and
other
groups
to
help
support
these
young
people
who
are
going
to
be
aging
out
of
DACA
right
that
are
going
to
find
themselves
in
a
situation
where
they're
not
going
to
be
able
to
qualify
and
and
have
support.
So
can
you
just
talk
to
us
a
little
bit
about
what
you
plan
to
do
to
provide
that
safety
net
for
some
of
these
young
people?
Yes,.
O
I
believe,
like
the
everything
from
our
economic
recovery
project,
from
cash
assistance
to
also
doing
work
across
other
City
departments,
with
their
Workforce
Pathways
that
we
have
through
the
worker
empowerment
cabinet,
there's
a
lot
of
opportunities
for
all
all
immigrants
in
all
constituents
and
Workforce
training
and
Pathways
to
different
careers
that
they
that
they
dream
of,
or
even
think
about,
that
they'll
need
for
stability
for
their
families.
So
I'm,
hoping
with
the
additional
staff
that
I
have.
O
We
can
do
engagement
of
people
to
be
stewarded
into
those
Pathways
that
could
create
a
lot
of
Economic
Opportunity
for
them.
Yeah.
Something
I've
been
thinking.
A
lot
about
is
the
lifespan
of
of
immigrants,
particularly
from
like
the
baby
age,
to
even
being
a
youth
and
also
becoming
adult
an
adult
worker.
So
I'm,
hoping
through
our
Administration
that
we
can
provide
for
everyone,
depend
regardless
of
where
they
are,
with
their
immigration
status
to
their
their
age
group.
So
I'm
going
to
be
doing
an
important
engagement
and
organizing
work.
Thank.
F
You
Monique
just
because
I
know
that
concert
the
chair's
hand
is
going
to
go
up
quickly
and
I
want
to
make
sure
that
I
get
in
a
few
more
questions,
but
I'm
still
unclear
in
terms
of
just
in
terms
of
Dollar
Wise.
How
many
more
dollars
are
we
going
to
invest
support
the
dreamers
in
the
Workforce
Development
initiative,
yeah.
O
So
the
I'm
not
asking
for
additional
funds
this
year
we
have
a
pretty
robust
budget,
but
we
are
moving
things
around
in
within
our
existing
lines
to
be
able
to
invest
in
expanding
the
program.
So
so
yes,
so
two-thirds
of
our
budget
is
re-granting
and
working
with
the
community,
so
we'll
be
expanding.
O
That
line
to
be
for
us
to
be
able
to
serve
more
more
immigrant
youth,
but
then
also
with
other
City
departments,
to
also
step
up
and
support
and
expand
their
work
in
in
pathwaying
their
opportunities
for
immigrant
youth,
regardless
of
their
status,
so
we're
working
with
other
student
departments
make
sure
there's
an
inclusion
of
them
every
everything
from
employment
opportunity
to
the
to
the
y
e
o
the
department.
Yes,.
F
Thank
you
the
last
thing,
because
I
want
to
be
super
mindful
of
time.
You
know
I
always
say
that
the
city
is
resource
rich,
but
coordination
four
have
a
hard
time,
interacting
with
other
departments.
So
can
you
just
talk
to
us
a
little
bit
about
how
Moya
interfaces
with
different
departments,
whether
it's
housing,
whether
it's
and
what
investments
are
being
made
to
streamline
the
process
for
those
who
are
recently
arriving
to
the
city
of
Boston
and
how
we
acclimate
them
to
the
city
and
connect
them
to
the
support
services
that
they
need?
O
Yes,
yeah
I'm,
being
even
a
constituent
for
in
Boston
for
a
long
time,
I've
also
experienced
previously
I
experienced
from
previous
administrations.
How
I
felt
like
there
was
a
lack
of
coordination
in
serving
me,
but
under
during
my
time,
under
this
Administration
I've,
been
seeing
really
great
collaboration
and
coordination
across
City
departments
and
thanks
to
technology
and
also
everyone
being
so
Mission
driven
to
support,
Boston
I
haven't
experienced
it
and
we
were
getting
better
every
day
as
a
new
Administration
and
then
for
how
we're
orienting
new
migrants,
it's
been.
O
We've
been
really
centering
like
a
Humane
and
dignified
response,
Imagining
the
new
Rivals
as
we're
a
family
member,
that's
coming
from
safety,
and
then
how
do
we
even
greet
them?
So
three
on
one
takes
a
call,
for
example,
and
then
it
triggers
this,
a
working
group
that
we
all
have
every
from
cabinet
heads
to
even
Frontline
staff
from
ons,
and
then
everyone
has
their
role
into
how
to
respond
so
ones.
O
Actually,
depending
the
neighborhood
go
greets
or
cultural
heritage,
they
they
go
greet
the
new
rival
and
then
find
out
more
with
whoever
is
their
caseworker
or
whoever
interface
with
them
or
what
their
situation
is.
Move
them
quickly,
with
with
the
office
of
housing,
disability,
to
sort
out
access
to
your
emergency
shelter
and
also
coordinating
with
the
state
to
find
spaces
for
them.
And
then
we
Moya
also
works
in
supporting
the
integration
of
them
after
they
stabilize
the
problem
from
getting
emergency
housing,
so
we're
hoping
that
will
provide
them
from
A
to
Z
support
yeah.
B
You
customer
here,
if
you
have
a
final
question,.
E
K
You
chair
and
thank
you
for
your
advocacy
and
I
appreciate
it
as
I
mean,
as
we
know,
we're
we're
City
immigrants,
it's
what
makes
us
strong,
so
I
am
happy
to
see
that
we're
growing
the
office
a
little,
but
it
does
definitely
seems
like
it's
a
it's
a
modest
increase,
so
just
questions
around
and
I
know.
My
previous
colleagues
asked
them,
but
making
sure
that
you
are
fully
funded
and
are
able
to
do
the
work.
That's
needed.
K
Are
there
any
areas
that
you
feel
that
you
could
use
more
support
in
or
certain
cases
for
our
immigrants
that
you
feel
is
so
you.
L
Know
you
could
yes.
O
Something
you
want
to
name
about
our
our
office
growing
as
as
a
manager,
that's
like
it's
also
I
want
to
grow
to
that
that's
sustainable
for
our
management
structure
as
well,
and
also
reflective
of
how
hard
it's
also
been
being
able
to
hire
at
like
quickly
enough.
So
I
feel
like
the
number
that
we
have
is
a
is
a
modest
but
also
reasonable
number
of
what
what
we
forecasted
during
that
time,
but
I
will
take
and
consider
it
all
consideration
of
all
your
advocacy
of
expanding
it
if
needed.
So.
But
at
this
point.
K
I
appreciate
that,
like
we
had
new
departments
last
year
and
doubling
them,
even
though
we
know
it's
a
great
Department,
it
could
almost
hurt
them
right
in
the
long
run.
So
I
appreciate
that
you
know
that
and
just
make
sure
to
lean
on
us,
because
all
of
us
definitely
want
to
make
sure
this
work
goes
forward
and
kind
of
like
the
language
access.
K
A
lot
of
it.
It
looks
like
1.8
million
is
in
contractual
Services.
56
of
the
Department's
functions
are
being
contracted
out.
If
you
could
just
touch
on
like
which
Services
they
are
and
how
many
vendors
you
know,
is
it
a
few?
Do
we
out
to
a
lot
of
people
that
bulk
of
that
work?
If
you
could
just
speak
to
that
that'd.
O
Be
helpful,
it
ranges
from
very
small
vendors
for
for
food
catering
to
large
vendors
that
are
for
evaluators
for
our
huge
upper
projects.
So
I
can
get
you
the
exact
number
of
how
many
vendors
and
the
breakdown
of
what
they
are.
But
I
can
tell
speak
to
is
not
like
a
high
volume,
but
it's
it's
it's
mostly
from
everything
that
we'll
need
to
pull
off
events
to
even
pulling
off
a
big
project
that
we
could
not
ever
sustain
in-house.
That
are
at
one
time
a
one-time
projects.
O
So
our
biggest
one,
for
example,
is
like
the
evaluator
for
our
Opera
project,
which
is
a
like
a
couple
hundred
like
a
couple
hundred
thousand.
K
There
any
like
Cliff
funding
that
we
talk
about
in
the
school
department
too,
where
it's
Opera,
so
it
won't
be
there
and
that
we're
gonna
like
come
back
next
year
and
want
to
put
it
into
the
regular
budget.
Are
there
any
concerns
there.
O
K
Right
because
you
know
during
these
upper
years
where
we
allocated
a
lot
last
year
and
this
year,
they're
being
spent
out,
but
then
I
just
want
to
make
sure
in
the
you
know
two
three
years
out
that
it's
not
something
that
was
really
needed
in
supporting
our
immigrant
families
and
then
we
didn't
put
it
into
the
regular
budget
so
definitely
reach
out.
If
you
see
that
that's
coming,
so
we
can
be
strong
Advocates.
So
I
can
support
that
yeah.
O
My
hopes
are
with
particularly
with
the
one-time
Opera
project
that
it's
a
pilots
and
it
becomes
a
successful
project.
Turning
the
tide
in
economic
recovery
for
for
immigrants,
so
fingers
crossed
that
it's
it
gets
executed
well
and
it
really.
The
community
is
really
responsive
to
it
that
we
might
be
able
to
think
about
how
we
can
expand
it
for
the
city
for
other
constituent
groups
as
well,
so
we'll
be
in
communication
about
that.
B
The
record
so
that
the
director
can
submit
it
through
my
email.
L
Allocated
money
to
this
department
through
Opera
funds
and
making
sure
that
are
any
of
the
programs
are
going
to
need
to
be
sustained
past
this
year.
So
when
the
Opera
funds
run
out,
where
is
this
money
going
to
come
from
or
is
it
a
program
or
projects?
That's
just
going
to
be
a
one-time
thing
and
I.
K
Think
Monique,
you
were
saying
that
if
it's
successful
we're
going
to
want
to
continue
it
and
grow
it
so
making
sure
that
we
get
it
into
the
budget
for
the
next
year.
If
it's
something
we
want
to
continue
to
support
oftentimes,
you
know.
If
our
residents
have
this
resource
whatever
it
is,
and
then
all
of
a
sudden.
L
M
Thank
you
chair
and
thank
you,
director,
New
Gen
I
appreciate
all
the
work
that
you
are
doing
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
just
to
Echo.
Some
of
my
colleagues
is
just
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
supporting
our
migrants
and
the
investment
and
support
services
out
there
to
support
them
and
I
understand
that
you
are
doing,
but
just
making
sure
that
we
have
the
capacity
and
the
Investments
to
take
on
the
demand.
M
That's
that's
coming
into
the
city
of
Boston
and
then
also
echoing
what
councilman
he
has
said.
I
love
the
fact
that
you're
expanding
the
dreamers
fellowship
program
and
would
love
to
just
continue.
M
As
you
know,
each
year
goes
on
or
every
couple
years
that
we
continue
to
expand
that
program,
but
along
those
lines,
The
Immigrant,
professional
Fellowship
and
one
thing
that
I
realized
that
many
immigrants
who
completed
School
in
in
their
country
of
origin
do
not
receive
credit
for
their
education,
even
when
they
hold
professional
degrees
to
practice
law
of
medicine.
M
And
what
efforts
is
the
department
making
sure
that
new
arrivals
receive
credit
and
acknowledgment
for
their
education
and
do
we
have
resources
to
help
ensure
all
new
immigrants
have
access
to
these
programs,
because
I
saw
on
the
website
under
the
Immigrant
professional
Fellowship
that
you
have
to
have
a
high
school
degree
right
and
I'm,
not
sure
if
that
means
a
U.S,
High,
School
degree
or
any
High
School
degree,
so
just
kind
of
wanted
to
hit
hear
how
we're
supporting
that
and
how
we're
taking
into
consideration
the
work
that
they
have
done
in
the
country
of
origin
and
then
also
the
current
program
focuses
focuses
mostly
on
health
care
and
there's.
M
Is
there
any
ability
or
interest
in
expanding
this
program
to
new
industry
and
which
ones
do
you
think
will
make
a
good
fit.
O
Yes,
so
in
regards
to
Max,
like
the
past
credit
and
education-
yes,
that's
something
that
I
feel
like
such
a
missed
opportunity
for
a
lot
of
municipalities,
municipalities
and
also
the
country
whenever
we
don't
maximize
the
potential
of
immigrants
or
even
just
constituents
here
in
Boston
of
what
they
can
can
offer.
O
So
through
we've
learned
a
lot
through
partnering
with
for
the
Immigrant
professionals
fellowship
program
and
then
I'm
learning
a
lot,
that's
already
offered
through
the
city
of
how
they
can
how
we
can
better
our
efforts
and
making
sure
that
we
have
a
pathway
for
people
to
have
a
full
assessment
of
what
they've
desired
and
achieved
to
do,
but
also
an
audit
of
what
they
have
already
been
done
to
honor.
O
That
adequately
at
the
office
for
worker
empowerment
has
a
great
tool
and
a
Success
Center
and
hoping
that
we
can
maximize
and
work
with
them
closely
to
refine
that
to
better
serve
immigrants
as
well,
and
then
also
other
Industries.
I
guess
help
I.
Think
I.
Believe
Healthcare
is
a
key
industry,
but
also
I
believe
through
the
city.
O
There's
a
lot
of
focus
on
life
sciences
and
also
being
the
new
green
deal
like
infrastructure
building,
so
like
thinking
about
trades,
even
helping
jobs
and
helping
running
the
city
and
even
helping
build
new
ecosystems
for
Life,
Sciences
industry.
So
I
think
there's
a
lot
of
great
opportunity
to
lead
a
lot
of
marginalized
groups
into
sustainable
jobs
for
the
future
and
I'm
really
excited
about
how
we
can
Steward
that
for
for
them,
yeah.
M
Thank
you
for
that
answer,
but
nothing
currently
like
in
place
or
any
pilot
program
or
any
thoughts
around.
How
do
we
acknowledge
I
guess
I
just
need
a
little
bit
more
clarity
on
that
part.
Yeah.
O
Yeah
we
have
the
Immigrant
professionals
fellowship
and
now
we're
integrating
it
in
our
our
integration
program.
So
it
should
through
our
our
typical
work
and
the
African
Bridge
network
is
already
kind
of
is
connected
with
Workforce
Development.
So
I
believe
that
our
role
is
making
sure
that
a
lot
of
things
that
we've
learned
that
are
effective
are
going
to
become
part
of
the
city
infrastructure.
O
So
if
we
can
pilot
as
a
program
in
our
department
like
like
you
saw
through
our
American
professionals,
but
then
how
do
we
integrate
that
in
and
make
it
accessible
for
everybody?
So
there
isn't
like
a
a
program
to
invest
in
it's
already
part
of
like
our
infrastructure.
I
would
say
so.
O
I
I
think
that,
hopefully
that's
helpful,
but
yeah
we're
just
continuing
to
do
that.
Work.
The
Immigrant
professionals
program,
but
the
more
Integrated
Systems
wise
for
it.
N
Circle
back
to
you,
apologies
I.
Can
you
hear
me?
Yes,
thank
you
so
much
and
thank
you
chair
and
thank
you.
Edie
Nguyen.
It's
been
incredible
to
see
your
leadership
and
be
in
D
partnership
with
you
when
providing
a
coordinated
and
dignified
response
in
city
services
for
migrant
families,
many
of
whom
have
come
to
East
Boston
and
police
stations
and
our
our
health
center.
N
So
just
appreciate
you
for
for
that
and
and
working
with
us
to
fill
some
of
the
service
gaps
that
that
we
identified
pretty
early
on
and
you've
spoken
at
length
in
your
opening
remarks
and
then
answering
questions
from
my
colleagues
about
this
and
how
your
office
is
is
truly
being
integrated
in
the
response.
So
I
do
intend
to
bring
up
the
need
for
more
funding
for
housing
during
moh
and
other
hearings,
so
I'll
save
that
for
for
those
hearings,
but
I
do
recognize.
N
My
question
is
centered
around
this
and
it's
my
only
question
for
right
now
chair,
but
are
we
at
the
same
level
of
funding
for
last
year,
I
think
we
were
able
to
expand
it
to
20
additional
folks
and
and
if
not,
why
not?
Thank
you.
Yes.
O
O
That's
so
important
and
I'm
committed
to
language
Justice
too,
and
that
was
something
that
that
I
found
when
I
came
into
the
apartment
that
you
had
such
a
deep
desire
for
this
and
I
also
have
that
deep
desire
as
well,
but
we
didn't
have
the
Staffing
in
place
to
be
able
to
fully
Implement
a
whole
immigrantly
Boston
program
cohort
with
in
in
Spanish,
with
the
the
skills
of
the
language
that
we
needed.
So
I
realized
too.
This
is
not
also
an
opportunity
for
us
to
train
up.
O
Existing
immigrant
leads
Boston
alumni
for
them
to
develop
the
leadership
of
others,
so
we
can
multiply
the
efforts
and
how
many
people
we
can
grow
in
the
future,
so
the
money
that
you
advocated
for
we
actually
applied
it
to
do
it.
Immigrant
lease
Boston
lab,
where
we're
actually
recruiting
people
that
would
be
able
to
facilitate
the
next
cohort,
but
training
them
up
to
be
those
trainers.
So
it's
a
training
of
trainer
models
in
which
you
might
be
familiar
with
in
community,
organizing
and
I'm
hoping.
O
This
could
be
actually
a
pathway
for
us
to
scale
to
the
to
the
need
of
having
immigrancy
Bostons,
like
hundreds
over
the
years
because
of
training
up
other
leaders
that
we
brought
into
the
program
I'm,
hoping
that
distills
it
so
I
just
had
to
take
a
pause
to
think
about.
How
do
we
sustainably
do
this
ongoing,
but
also
for
Spanish
for
Haitian
Creole
for
Chinese
speaking
dialects
as
well,
and
Cape
Verdean,
for
example,
but
I
realized
it's
a
missed
opportunity
for
us
to
not
develop
the
leadership
of
the
people
we
already
invested
in.
N
That's
excellent
I
really
appreciate
that
and
and
I
didn't
know
that
and
you're
definitely
taking
a
page
from
the
community
organizing
book
which
I
know
you
come
from,
and
you
have
deep
roots
in
so
just
appreciate
that
I
think
that's
a
fantastic
idea
again.
Bringing
up
the
Civic
associations
thing
that
that
was
my
goal,
where
there
is
a
lot
of
centralized
power
in
some
of
these
rooms
and
so
training
folks
to
not
only
Lobby
us
and
MB
Advocates
to
their
city
government,
but
with
their
own
neighbors
and
I.
N
E
B
You
Council
Colorado
director,
nuang
I,
wanted
to
ask
you
just
a
couple
of
questions
just
going
back
to
what
council
Mejia
was
asking
you
specifically
or
asking
in
general
in
terms
of
metrics
I,
guess
I
wanted
to
compare
both
your
staff
to
what
the
need
is
in
Boston.
I
know
that
a
few
months
ago,
I
had
asked
the
same
thing
and
looking
for
that
information
to
understand.
If
you
feel
how
you
feel
you
are
properly
addressing
the
needs
of
demographic
of
the
Immigrant
demographics
in
Boston.
Yes,.
O
What
I'm
really
proud
of
is
that
our
department
is
very
diverse,
I
think
one
of
the
most
diverse
departments
in
in
the
city
and
there's
not
no
two
team
members
that
are
that's
that
have
all
the
same
languages
and
from
the
same
country.
So
I'm
really
thinking
that
we're
going
to
continue
growing
to
reflect
the
the
needs
of
the
constituents.
But
one
thing
I
want
to
honor
too
about
our
department.
O
Is
that
we're
not
a
major
front
line
Department
like
a
lot
of
departments
that
that
meet
constituents
on
the
day-to-day
and
I
think
that
those
I
actually,
even
though
I
speak,
Vietnamese
I
really
use
it
myself,
but
thanks
to
the
work
of
Health
language,
Access
Communications,
if
someone
walked
in
the
department,
another
language,
we
can
utilize
those
skills
as
those
tools
to
activate
language
justice.
O
So
I
just
want
to
name
that
and
I
think
just
to
speak
to
some
demographic
that
you
want
to
learn
this
about
demographics
of
our
staff
breakdown.
Or
is
that
something
that
was
presented
in
the
to
the
city
house
already.
B
That
was
on
mute
yeah,
so
it
was
provided
last
year,
but
every
year
we
asked
right
and
every
year
there's
an
update,
so
I
asked
so
I
guess:
I'm,
look!
I'm!
Sorry.
B
No
I
like
to
ask
the
question:
okay,
thank
you.
So
I
guess
I'm
wondering
if
the
demographics
of
your
staff
today
reflects
the
demographic
of
the
Immigrant
population
in
Boston.
O
Yeah
I
was
so
attractive,
I
feel
like
we
need
more
I
mean
if
we
had
to
go
to
the
scale
of
representing
all
communities.
We'll
party
like
like
50
staff.
You
know
if
we
look
the
Boston's
very
diverse
in
that
way,
but
yeah,
but
right
now
it's
it's
reflective
of
of
some
bostonians,
but
not
not
all
so
I'm
hoping
one
day
that
we'll
be
big
enough
to
be
reflective
of
everybody,
but
we're
incredibly
diverse
in
Boston.
B
I
really
appreciated
how
you
started
your
presentation
today
with
the
story
of
your
own
family
and
which
is
very
close
to
an
ear
to
our
hearts,
since
a
lot
of
us
are
either
first
generation
or
second
or
my
colleagues,
some
of
my
colleagues
I
guess,
if
you
could,
please
send
me
the
responses
to
the
rfis
that
I've
submitted
and
I'd
be
looking
to
work
with
the
igr
and
administration
to
there
are
certain
certain
departments
that
did
not
get
the
information
the
RFI
in
time
and
so
I
understand
that
you
may
need
more
time
to
respond
to
those
questions.
B
If
you
can,
please
re
answer
to
your
best
of
your
ability
thoroughly
and
send
it
submit
it
to
me
that'll,
be
it
nice.
Thank
you,
I
guess,
in
terms
of
measurements,
just
overall
monitoring
your
progress
and
understanding
what
exactly
the
needs
are
for
the
Immigrant
population
in
Boston
to
council.
Legion's
point
is
a
growing
demographic
of
the
Haitian
migrants
and
others,
and
so
how
are
you
projecting
the
need?
B
And
how
do
you
know
that
you
have
you
mentioned
that
the
budget
that
you
have
today,
you
feel
is
sufficient
to
addressing
that
need?
Have
you
your
office
in
particularly
done
any
research
or
assessment
in
terms
of
what
that
demographic,
growing
demographic
is
and
what
the
need
will
be.
O
Yes,
we've
been
tracking
and
doing
a
lot
of
research
from
existing
data
sets,
and
also
from
like
just
hearing
from
news
and
doing
some
forecasting
based
on
the
data
that
we
got
from
other
states
and
what
we're
hearing
from
the
internationally
I
think
most
of
like
the
growing
population
that
will
will
get
in
Boston
area
will
be
people
who
have
benefit
beneficiaries
of
the
Cuban
Haitian
Nicaraguan
Venezuelan
Asylum
program,
so
parole,
parole
program.
So
being
that
Boston
is
also
has
the
third
largest
Haitian
community
in
Boston.
O
O
Not
this
time,
but
I
would
love
to
have
additional
team
members,
so
I'm
hoping
with
the
new
hires
the
position.
We
have
one
position
open
right
now:
it's
policy
advisor.
If
you
can
help
us
find
good
folks
for
that,
and
then
we
also
have
the
four
positions
that
we're
asking:
the
city
the
council
for
and
the
mayor.
For
so
hoping
we
will
have
a
Haitian
people,
speaking
representative
in
our
staff
in
the
future.
B
What
are
the
different
positions
that
you're
looking
for
again.
O
So
policy
advisors
open
right
now,
then
we
will
have
three
Community
engagement.
Folks,
one
Community
Communications
associate
and
one
is
a
special
projects
manager
and
this
whole
team
will
be
working
together
to
spend
their
time
on
new
Rivals
planning
and
response,
but
also
doing
General
community
community
engagement
and
organizing
work.
B
Awesome
there
was
a
question
about
I
guess.
Maybe
this
is
already
answered
in
terms
of
your
contract
oral
amounts.
The
there
was
a
58
58.7
of
your
FY
24
budget
under
contractual
services,
not
sure
what
they
are
and
have
15
000
for
current
charges,
but
I'm
not
sure
what
they
are
either.
O
Other
current
charges-
oh
you're,
speaking
to
the
contracted
Services,
yes,
so
our
contract
conservatives
Services
range
from
big
things
like
our
administrator
for
administrator
and
also
evaluated
for
our
Harbor
project,
which
is
from
100K
to
1.2
million
1.2,
not
2.9
Million,
for
our
Opera
project,
where
the
minister
of
the
cash
assistance
from
everything
from
small
things
from
catering
citizenship,
Day
events.
So
it's
a
range
of
what's
in
under
the
contracted
Services
line
events
and
projects,
mostly
events
and
projects.
O
Yes,
yeah
and
photographers
videographers
random
things
like
out
that
we
don't
have
Staffing
capacity
for
or
the
skill
set,
that's
needed
for
ongoing
basis,
so
we
contract
out
and
for
a
other
current
charges
can
be
expected.
O
I
believe
that's
the
other
current
charges,
the
other
unanticipated
costs
that
we
that
we
we
had
for
just
reopening
after
the
pandemic,
practically
from
Staffing
and
being
in
person
again.
So
there
were
things
that
we
just
didn't:
anticipate
that
that
were
rolled
into
that
other
current
charges
from
telecommunications
to
to
materials
for
in
person
or
even
office
supplies
for
growing
staff,
but
also
being
in
person
again.
B
Thank
you,
I
I,
don't
have
any
other
questions
director.
Thank
you
so
very
much
for
your
amazing
work.
We
appreciate
you
and
we'll
look
forward
to
inviting
you
to
work
in
session
if
necessary.
If
we
have
further
questions
just
if
in
case
any
counselors
are
thinking
about
suggesting
amendments.
Thank
you
so
much
and
at
this
time,
if
anyone
has
any
last
questions
for
director
nuyang
it's
this
is
the
your
last
chance
all
right.
B
Thank
you
so
much.
Oh.
F
That's
right
because
I'm
gonna
bring
you
a
little
bit
of
heat,
no
I'm
being
really
generous
and
gracious
with
with
you
all,
because
I
am
an
immigrant
and
I
love
the
work
that
you
do
so
I
really
want
to
be
supportive,
I,
I'm
curious.
You
know,
councilor
Coletta
was
talking
about
the
additional
supports
around
the
Civic
engagement
piece
and
that's
also
something
that's
near
and
dear
with
me,
I'm
curious
about
some
funding,
specifically
not
just
within
civic
association
meetings,
but
I'm.
F
Also
looking
at
the
role
that
you
all
complain
hoping
to
support
some
of
our
BPS
families
who
are
navigating
because
I
want
to
go
back
to
the
coordination,
poor
situation
and
just
kind
of
like
how
are
you
interfacing,
with
BPS
parents
as
they
navigate
on
the
system
and
what
kind
of
supports
are
you
able
to
give
them?
And
then
last
we
get
immigrants
that
call
our
office
day
in
and
day
out
and
oftentimes.
F
We
either
have
to
walk
them
directly
to
your
office
or
you
know,
have
gone
through
a
number
of
different
Hoops
just
to
get
to
you
all,
but
at
least
that's
what
they
reported
to
us.
So
I'm
just
curious
kind
of
like
in
terms
of
ease
with
I'm,
connecting
our
constituents
directly
to
your
office.
What
what
are
some
of
the
things
that
you're
going
to
be
making
Investments
on
so
that
it's
easier
for
folks
to
actually
connect
with
you
all.
So
those
are
two
questions.
O
Yeah
so
I'll
answer
the
connection.
First
yeah
I'm,
hoping
with
more
more
Outreach
that
they
have
a
better
understanding
of
how
to
connect
is
a
professionally
I
mean
I
feel
like
I've.
This
is
good
feedback
from
me
and
I
can
talk
to
the
team
about
this,
but
our
team
make
sure
that
we're
we
always
have
a
team
member
in
the
office
every
day.
So
apologies
to
the
constituents
who
didn't
meet
someone
in
the
office.
O
We
feel
like
we're,
really
responsive,
but
we
have
an
email
that
goes
to
all
our
whole
team,
the
Immigrant
investment
at
boston.gov
and
then
also
our
office.
But
then
we're
also
directing
all
constituents
who
have
questions
or
need
and
connect
with
City
departments
to
3-1-1
and
3-1-1
can
can
connect
to
us
in
follow-up
to
make
sure
that
we
connect
I.
F
Just
want
to
like
put
a
pin
on
that
one,
real,
quick,
because
a
lot
of
our
recent
arrivals
either
don't
know
how
to
read
and
write,
sometimes
have
that
interrupted
education
and
some
may
not
have
access
to
apparatus
like
what
you
just
mentioned
in
terms
of
the
app
or
you
know
all
of
that
sort
of
stuff,
so
out
side
of
this
technology.
What
are
some
of
the
other
ways
we're
able
to
connect
with
recent
arrivals.
O
Yeah
recent
arrivals
right
now
we,
whoever
the
the
first
Frontline
people
who
interact
with
them
oftentimes.
Yes,
that's
something
we're
hoping
to
do
more,
Outreach
of
multilingually
for
people
to
know
how
to
reach
us,
but
right
now
with
you
know,
City
departments
or
any
constituent
in
the
neighborhood
that
knows
of
us
just
reaches
us
through
there,
but
I'm
hoping
to
change
that
in
the
future.
With
our
organizer
set
I'm,
hoping
that
you
will
prove
that
we
can
get
more
awareness
about
how
to
connect
with
us
more
effectively.
O
I
encourage
people
to
leave
a
for
any
reason
they
call
us
and
their.
Then
our
phone
line
is
busy
leave
a
voicemail.
We
always
return
calls
within
24
hours.
If
it's
not,
but
if
it's
urgent,
then
we
definitely
respond
quicker
and
if
it's
emergency,
of
course,
9-1-1
and
then
yeah,
that's
something
that
we
pride
ourselves
with
them.
Thank
you
for
that
feedback.
E
B
So
much
councilman
here,
director
and
yang,
how
are
you
working
with
or
do?
Are
you
able
to
work
with
ons
in
terms
of
I
know
their
responsibility
is
community
outreach
and
engagement,
so
hopefully
looking
forward
to
seeing
some
of
that
collaboration.
Oh.
O
O
So
I
see
you
with
us
as
like
a
hybrid
team
working
across
departments
to
do
Outreach
and
engagement
for
sure,
yeah
and
I
forgot
it
in
and
didn't
answer
the
PPS
question.
We
are
working
with
BPS
to
to
or
like
to
outreach
to
and
connect
with
BPS
parents
directly,
so
I'm
hoping
to
become
more
effective
with
that
in
the
future.
O
B
You
Council
Jen,
did
you
have
a
final
question.
J
Purpose
I,
think
that
would
be
one
job
for
your
household
to
know.
Thank
you.
O
Yes,
yes,
thank
you
so
much
for
your
activities
and
that
foresight
to
get
that
funding
that
we
needed
this
past
year,
because
it
was
really
critical
and
I
realized
that
that
money
was
also
we
had
until
the
end
of
FY
24
27
26
to
uses
Opera
funds
and
I
wanted
to
make
sure
that
we
had
enough
to
to
save
for
this
long
haul,
but
making
sure
we
maximize
all
the
resources.
So
we
already
have
allocated
with
one.
We.
We
move
that
to
moh
from
there
their
infrastructure
has.
J
O
Of
something
I
wanted
to
explain
all
that,
because,
because
you
did
that
work,
so
I
want
to
make
sure
that
what
we
did
with
that
money
to
be
transparent
and
also
courteous
of
what
we've
done
with
that
money.
So
we
moved
it
to
moh
because
they
had
more
of
a
efficient
system
to
have
handle
housing,
housing
Imports,
and
then
we
worked
with
them
closely
to
allocate
that
to
an
organization
that
can
culturally
appropriate
a
culturally
comfortably
work
with
Haitian
new
arrivals.
O
So
we
dedicated
30
330
000
to
EFC,
who
will
be
doing,
who
has
been
doing
and
will
continue
to
do
the
housing
immigrant
immigrant
arrivals,
but
then
we're
saving
and
we're
saving
100K
for
Moya,
so
that
we
can
actually
be
Grant
to
the
community
who
are
front
lines
of
new
Rivals.
For
so
we've
had
to
do
that
in
the
fall
and
the
rest
of
it.
O
That's
still
in
moh
we're
we're
just
saving
that
for
like
emergency
rainy
day
housing
support
if
we're
not
able
to
activate
state
and
federal
resources
and
I
just
want
a
name
that
we've
been
really
pushing
to
use
a
lot
of
battle.
Funding
that
we
are
applying
to
to
get
before
we
extend
that
really
important
money
that
you
hard-earned
got
for
us.
So
that's
where
we
stand
with
that
fun.
J
O
J
O
B
Thank
you
constellation
director
nuang.
Thank
you
so
much
for
responding
the
to
the
questions
for
the
presentation
for
your
work.
You
only
have
two
questions
to
submit
from
Council
Murphy
and
counselor
Lu
Jen.
We
look
forward
to
again
inviting
you
to
our
working
session
if
necessary.
B
If
not,
I
will
see
you
soon
great.
Thank.
B
E
B
All
right:
next,
we
have
the
disabilities
commission
and
we're
joined
by
our
panelists
today.
Is
commissioner
makash
and
is
anyone
else
joining
you
did
I
nope.
Just
me,
okay,
all
right!
Thank
you.
So
much
welcome.
You
have
the
floor
for
your
presentation.
Q
Thank
you,
Council
Madam,
chair
council,
president
Flynn
and
all
the
IL
Council
has
been
giving
me
this
time
today
to
speak
about
my
work
and
my
proposed
budget.
I
do
have
a
short
slide
presentation
if
we
could
pull
it
up
and
then
I'm
happy
to
answer
questions.
Q
Foreign
great,
thank
you.
Okay,
so
our
office
aims
to
increase
opportunities
for
people
with
disabilities
in
the
city
of
Boston,
by
ensuring
full
access
and
equal
participation
in
all
aspects
of
life.
We
work
on
eliminating
barriers
in
Municipal
policies,
procedures,
programs
and
services,
as
well
as
in
architecture,
communication
and
attitudes,
and
this
language
comes
from
our
ordinance
that
the
city
created
to
create
our
commission
in
the
1980s,
and
we
do
live
by
that
mission
today.
So
it's
still
very
relevant
next
slide.
Q
So
our
mission
is
to
basically
we
work
on
systemic
access,
so
we
lead
the
city's
collaborative
efforts
to
ensure
accessibility
and
inclusion
in
all
programs
policies,
public
rights
of
way
and
municipal
buildings.
In
Boston
we
strive
to
create
ideal
access,
which
means
we
push
people
to
go
beyond
meeting
only
the
bare
minimum
requirements
because
we
feel,
like
the
city,
doesn't
do
that
in
any
area
and
we
don't
want
to
make
disability
some
a
low
bar
to
meet
compliance.
We
want
to
create
ideal
access
and
they
can
give
you
some
examples
of
that
later
on.
Q
So
this
is
just
a
small
list
of
some
of
the
city
departments
that
we
work
closely
with
on
systemic
access,
Public
Works.
We
work
very
closely
with
them
in
reconstructing
sidewalks
intersections
any
type
of
work
that
goes
on
in
the
public
right-of-way
the
transportation
department.
We
work
closely
with
them
on
bike
lanes
and
accessible
pedestrian
signals,
a
lot
of
Transportation
studies
to
look
at
pedestrian
access.
My
staff
is
really
plugged
in
with
the
active
Transit
team
public
facilities.
Q
As
you
know,
we
just
unveiled
the
brand
new
accessible
City,
Hall
Plaza
last
fall
so
we're
working
closely
with
them
on
projects
not
only
in
City
Hall
but
across
the
city
in
Boston
public
schools,
which
I
have
listed
below,
and
libraries
bcyf
centers
public
facilities,
sort
of
oversees.
All
that
and
we
give
them
input
on
accessibility
and
inclusion,
best
practices.
And
then,
of
course,
we
work
closely
with
ISD
on
policies
and
programs.
Some
of
the
Departments
we
work
with
the
elections
Department.
Q
You
may
remember
a
few
years
ago,
during
covet,
the
city
implemented
an
accessible
vote
by
mail
option
which
was
really
groundbreaking
in
the
state,
and
we
got
a
lot
of
credit
for
that
and
that
really
the
credit
does
go
to
the
elections
department
for
working
with
us
to
say,
okay.
This
is
what
people
with
disabilities
need
and
we're
going
to
pay
attention
to
it.
Language
and
communication
access,
I,
listened
to
Jennifer's
testimony
and
everything
she
said
can
be
echoed
from
our
department.
Q
We
pay
a
lot
of
attention
to
ensuring
that
we
have
accessible
communication,
whether
it
is
for
people
who
are
deaf
hard
of
hearing
if
they
need
ASL
or
if
they
need
cart,
is
the
live
transcript
on
a
big
screen
that
you
may
see
at
some
events.
Q
In
case
you
don't
know
that
I
did
hear
a
question
about
Braille
and
to
follow
up
on
that
I
would
say:
Braille
isn't
requested
as
routinely
as
you
would
think
like
Jennifer
said,
but
a
reason
for
that
is
because
there
are
so
many
more
Technologies
nowadays
of
a
lot
of
people
who
are
blind,
use,
audio
tools
or
even
just
conversations.
If
they
had
a
question,
they
can
still
call
on
the
phone
things
like
that.
So
real
isn't
our
biggest
ask,
but
we
can
certainly
get
that
done
for
you
too.
Q
We
work
closely
with
the
mayor's
office
of
housing.
We
created
a
disability,
housing
task
force
six
or
seven
years
ago,
and
we
are
just
reestablishing
that
now
because
we
met
all
our
goals,
but
we
want
to
look
at
housing
policies,
they
Turtle
down
into
building
units
and
what
that
looks
like
we
work
closely
with
Emergency
Management,
we're
actually
part
of
our
team
right
now,
looking
at
rfps
to
make
sure
that
new
notification
systems
are
accessible
for
people
who
are
blind
and
deaf
I
work
closely
with
the
Public
Health
commission.
Q
We
really
partnered
with
them
on
vaccines
and
access
to
treatment
and
systems
during
cobit
and
then,
of
course,
being
part
of
the
equity
inclusion.
Cabinet
I
work
closely
with
all
my
other
departments,
including
the
ones
who
are
here
today
next
slide.
Q
And
then
one
thing
I
wanted
to
touch
on,
because
this
is
a
legal
requirement,
so
the
Ada
requires
every
municipality
that
has
over
50
employees
to
assign
an
ADA
Title
II
coordinator,
Title
II
of
the
Ada
oversees
all
state
and
local
government
functions.
It
requires
them
all
to
be
accessible.
So
as
part
of
my
role
as
commissioner
I've
also
designated
as
the
city's
Ada
Title
II
coordinator.
Q
We
have
to
make
sure
that,
like
when
Public
Works
is
doing
like
a
long-range
plan,
that
accessibility
is
a
part
of
that
they
call
those
transition
plans
to
go
from.
You
know
twenty
thousand
curve
cuts
that
are
accessible
to
80
000.
Curb
cuts
are
accessible.
That
would
be
a
long-term
transition
plan.
So
we
help
with
those
all
those
things
and
then
next
side.
Q
So
the
Ada
has
five
titles
in
total
and,
like
I
said,
we
focus
particularly
on
title
two
state
and
local
government
services,
but
title
one
has
everything
to
do
with
employment,
whether
someone's
trying
to
apply
for
a
job
or
they're
already
in
a
job.
Anything
related
to
disability
and
employment
is
covered
by
title
one.
So,
while
the
Human
Resources
office
in
the
City
Works
on
individual
cases,
we
we're
closely
with
them
on
policies
that
promote
Equity
inclusion
and
hiring
of
people
with
disabilities.
So
this
is
really
where
we
shine.
Q
I
feel
like
we
give
that
insight
and
that
input
to
help
other
departments
do
their
work
and
then
Ada
title
three
oversees
places
of
public
accommodation.
So
that's
anything
that's
open
to
the
public.
It
would
be
restaurants,
movie
theaters,
you
know,
offices,
anything,
that's
open
to
the
public,
retail
buildings,
theaters
and
housing
developments
that
aren't
public
housing.
So
we
don't
have
any
insight
over
that
either,
but
we
do
work
closely
with
our
city
agencies
who
license
our
permit
such
work
like
the
bpda.
Q
We
work
with
the
licensing
board,
so
we
work
on
everything
from
the
built
into
infrastructure,
with
the
vpda
making
sure
they
have
accessible
units
to
the
licensing
commission
to
ensure
that
restaurants
are
by
abiding
by
the
captions
ordinance.
So
we
do
touch
on
everything
in
Boston
that
we
have
an
impact,
even
though
we
only
directly
oversee
Municipal
services
and
next
slide,
foreign.
Q
So
if
they
had
a
plan
and
they
were
going
to
put
all
the
accessible
units
on
one
floor,
we
with
the
checklist,
we
would
say
what
is
the
location
of
the
accessible
units
if
they
come
back
to
us.
With
that
plan
we
say:
no,
we
want
to
see
them
scattered
so
that
somebody
may
want
a
high-rise
school,
as
somebody
may
want.
You
know
mid-range
Flora.
Maybe
someone
does
want
the
ground
floor,
so
we
look
at
things
like
that
in
the
checklist,
and
that
was
incorporated
into
the
Boston
zoning
code
last
year.
Q
So
now
it
is
a
requirement
for
anyone
doing
development
I
also
have
a
seat
on
the
public
Improvement
commission,
which
oversees
all
work
on
public
rights
of
way.
I
do
designate
my
architectural
access
specialist
Sarah
Leung
to
sit
on
those
meetings
for
me,
so
she
does
a
great
job.
Q
One
of
my
staff,
Patricia
Mendez,
my
director
of
architectural
access,
has
a
seat
on
the
architectural
access
board,
so
she
oversees
all
variance
requests,
which
means
when
someone
in
Boston
is
building
excuse
me,
apologies
is
building
something
and
they
don't
want
you
or
they're,
not
able
to
they
say
they're
not
able
to
make
it
compliant.
They
can
apply
for
variance
so
Patricia
oversees
all
the
variances
in
Boston
and
she
gets
to
work
with
people
proponents
and
see
what
we
would
support
and
what
we
wouldn't
support.
Q
We
also
provide
training
and
technical
assistance
to
Residents
and
small
businesses.
If
somebody
calls
us
and
says,
oh,
their
mother
had
a
stroke,
and
now
she
needs
a
chair.
Lift
to
get
upstairs,
Patricia,
Sarah
or
Sierra
will
call
them
talk
them
through
it
and
give
them
some
advice
on
how
to
make
the
house
accessible.
Even
though
it's
never
easy,
we
also
have
a
series
of
checklists
and
self-assessments.
This
is
a
great
tool
that
we
spread
to
other
City
departments.
Q
We
have
one
that
we're
really
proud
of
it's
called
meetings
and
events
checklist,
and
it's
super
simple.
It's
one
page,
you
don't
have
to
be
an
architect.
You
don't
have
to
be
showing
up
with
a
tape
measure.
You
literally
just
answer
these
10
questions
and
then
you'll
know
your
reading
is
going
to
be
accessible
for
people
with
disabilities
and
then
follow
region
engagement.
We
have
our
disability
commissioner
Advisory
Board,
which
is
a
group
of
13
residents
who
live
in
different
neighborhoods.
Q
They
meet
monthly
to
talk
about
issues
of
importance
in
the
disability,
community
and
the
other
ones
who
spearheaded
the
captions
ordinance.
So
we
have
a
lot
of
great
work
to
do
with
the
board
and
we're
looking
forward
to
that.
We
do
social
media.
We
have
a
Weekly
Newsletter,
our
staff
does
information
referral
and
then
we
have
three
main
annual
events
that
we
are
very
proud
of,
and
we
really
really
love
our
disability.
Community
forum
is
a
chance
for
us
to
listen
to
Residents
with
disabilities
and
that's
being
held
next
week.
Q
We
do
that
every
spring
and
it
gives
residents
a
chance
to
meet
me
meet
our
board.
Members
meet
the
mayor,
any
City
officials
who
choose
to
attend
and
also
ask
their
questions
like
I,
want
to
go
to
the
Boston
Common,
which
entrances
are
accessible
or
are
the
swan,
boat's
accessible
or
anything
that
they
may
want
to
know,
or
they
may
tell
us,
what's
not
working
and
we're
open
to
that,
and
that
will
give
us
some
things
to
do
as
take
home
items.
Q
We
have
our
Ada
Day
celebration
every
July
and
that
will
be
held
this
year
on
July
18th.
We
always
celebrate
a
partner
who's
done
a
great
job
on
access
this
year,
we're
celebrating
the
streets
cabinet
because
they
worked
with
us
on
a
campaign
that
we'll
be
launching
next
month
on
bicycle
safety
and
pedestrians
with
disabilities.
Q
So
really
looking
forward
to
that,
and
then
our
other
big
event
is
Civic
engagement
day.
We
hold
this
in
the
fall
and
we
ask
people
with
disabilities
to
come
into
city
hall,
because
I
know
it's
a
very
intimidating
working
building,
but
we
say
come
on
in
you
can
see
the
city
council
chamber
you
can
meet
your
city
counselors
learn
how
to
testify.
So
we
had
over
150
people
attend
last
September
and
we're
looking
forward
to
that
again.
This
year,
foreign.
Q
And
then
a
few
other
Direct
Services
that
we
provide
We,
Run,
The,
on-street,
accessible
parking
program.
We
review
applications
from
residents,
we
approve
them
and
work
with
the
sign
shop
to
get
the
signs
installed.
Architectural
access
and
Community
engagement
I
spoke
about,
but
just
to
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
the
Advisory
Board.
This
is
a
group
of
really
committed
residents.
The
board
was
formed
in
2008
and
we
currently
have
members
who
represent
diverse
disabilities
to
burst
racial
and
ethnic
backgrounds
and
different
neighborhoods.
Q
So
we're
happy
to
invite
anybody
to
board
meeting
if
you'd
ever
like
to
meet
them,
but
it's
a
great
residence
that
we
call
our
eyes
and
ears
of
the
movements
and
then
next
slide.
I
think
it's
my
last
slide.
Q
Q
Staff
Patricia
Mendez,
our
director
of
architectural
access,
Chris
morowski,
is
a
licensed
social
worker.
He
does
our
support
for
constituents.
Sarah
Young
is
a
senior
architectural
access.
Specialist
Colleen
Flanagan
does
outreach
and
engagement.
Kylie
Potter
does
parking
the
accessible
parking
program
and
then
Sierra
is
a
newer
Edition
and
she
is
also
working
on
architectural
access
and
I.
Think
that's
all
of
my
slides.
Q
Oh
I'm,
sorry,
what
do
you
want?
Disability
demographic
data?
This
was
compiled
by
LCA
and
I
wanted
to
include
it
just
to
give
you
a
snapshot
of
the
residents
we
speak
of
when
we
talk
about
the
importance
of
that
work.
So,
as
you
know,
there
are
almost
700
000
residents
of
Boston
78,
000
of
them
more
than
78
000
identify
as
having
at
least
one
disability,
and
that's
only
people
who
identify-
and
we
know
a
lot
of
people-
don't
identify,
especially
older
people
who
don't
like
to
think
of
themselves
as
disabled.
Q
But
we
know
they
could
still
benefit
from
all
our
work.
40
000
plus
residents
have
an
ambulatory
disability.
That's
six
percent
of
our
population,
who
are
five
and
older,
fifteen
thousand
residents
or
two
percent
have
a
hearing.
Disability
fifteen
thousand
also
have
a
visual
disability,
and
then
cognitive
difficulties
affect
thirty
six
thousand
of
our
residents.
Q
So
I
wanted
to
give
you
that
as
a
snapshot
of
what
we're
talking
about
when
we
talk
about
people
with
disabilities-
and
this
is
only
residents-
we
know
that
Boston
is
also
home
to
commuters
and
tourists
from
other
countries
and
from
around
this
country
and
around
the
state.
So
on
any
given
day
there
could
be
thousands
of
people
with
disabilities
walking
down
the
streets
in
Boston
and
I.
Think
that's
everything
good
happy
to
answer
questions.
B
Thank
you,
Miss
McCosh
I
will
go
to
my
Council
colleagues.
I
I
haven't
been
actually
presenting.
We
usually
have
a
budget
analysts
present
here,
I
haven't
been
presenting,
but
I
just
have
to
point
out
that,
with
the
magnitude
of
your
Department,
you
are
one
of
the
very
few
departments
without
any
discrepancies
like
the
numbers
are
accurate,
just
all
across
the
board.
B
D
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you,
madam
chair,
for
the
important
work
that
you're
doing
on
disability
access
throughout
your
District,
but
also
throughout
the
city.
I
also
want
to
acknowledge
commissioner
Makar
someone
I've
had
great
respect
and
admiration
for
for
many
years,
not
not
just
because
she's
a
friend
but
for
the
work
she
does
across
the
city
representing
persons
with
disabilities
in
in
the
Civil
Rights
I.
I
would
also
like
to
acknowledge.
D
I
have
at
least
one
one
disability
as
well,
but
I
I,
I
respect
the
Work,
Commission
McCosh
does
and
her
team.
So,
commissioner,
I
guess
my
question
is
I.
I
know
the
city
of
Boston
is
continuing
to
make
our
sidewalk
sidewalks
the
ramps
handicapped,
accessible
I
know
there
was
a.
There
was
an
order
that
came
down.
I
believe
this
would
be
the
state
of
the
federal
government
that
we
needed
to
invest
millions
of
dollars
into
making
sure
our
sidewalks
were
compliant
with
Ada
for
persons
with
disabilities.
D
I
know
that's
going
to
take
a
lot
of
years
in
a
certainly
a
lot
of
money,
but
are
we
making?
Are
we
making
progress
on
that.
Q
Thank
you,
Council
Flynn
for
that
question.
So,
yes,
it
was
a
consent
decree
that
the
city
entered
into
voluntarily
with
a
group
of
Disability
Advocates,
so
that
took
place
last
year.
So
we
do
have
a
a
10-year
plan
to
install
a
certain
number
of
programs
every
year
and
we
are
working
away.
Like
you
said,
it's
a
lot
of
work.
It's
a
lot
of
resources,
so
many
things
impact
the
public
rights
way
we
have
to.
Q
You
know
figure
out
like
if
they're
like
outdoor
dining
issues,
that
you
know
that
impacted
a
lot
of
work
that
Public
Works
did.
But
as
far
as
the
curb
ramps
we
are
on
track.
We
didn't
meet
our
goals
for
the
last
few
years
for
a
variety
of
different
reasons,
but
we
have
them
still
pending
and
we
hope
to
catch
up
this
year.
D
D
Madam,
chair,
I
have
I,
have
no
further
questions,
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
you,
madam
chair,
and
to
commissioner
McCosh
and
our
team
as
well.
H
Chair
and
a
good
afternoon,
commissioner,
it's
great
to
see
you
I've
had
the
benefit
of
actually
knowing
you
my
whole
life.
So
I
know
how
hard
you
work
and
how
much
you
care
and
the
difference
that
you
make
in
the
lives
of
people
in
visitors,
people
across
the
city
and
also
visited
so
and
I
appreciate
how
responsive
you
are
always
out
to
my
team
as
well.
So
and
it's
really
a
testament
to
I
think
the
the
work
that
you've
done.
H
As
a
commissioner
when
we
first
started
here
a
long
time
ago,
I
have
disabilities.
Commission
wasn't
really
engaged
in
a
lot
of
the
various
departments
that
that
you
have
engaged
with,
which
is
extremely
important
and
I.
H
Think,
under
the
leadership
at
the
time
of
Mayor
Walsh
and
now
obviously
mayor
Wu,
giving
you
the
wide
latitude
to
be
involved
with
Public
Works
to
be
involved
with
BTD
to
be
involved
with
Inspection
Services
with
the
bpda
ISD
BPS
elections,
bphc
Emergency
Management
I
mean
all
playing
vital
critical
functions
for
our
city,
but
never
really
having
sort
of
a
lens
to
to
the
disability,
Community
compressors
with
disabilities,
so
you've
been
a
huge
leader
and
Trend
Center
in
that
regard,
so
we
are
lucky
to
have
you
and
appreciate
your
attention
to
detail
on
that
and
as
of
reference
to
some
folks
earlier
and
I
know,
you've
been
on
the
hearing
since
it
started.
H
Please
let
us
know
what
we
can
do
as
you
continue
to
grow
and
you
continue
to
to
get
involved
in
other
areas
of
city,
government
and
and
they're
bringing
you
in
to
the
equation,
which
is
a
big
piece
of
it
and
getting
your
expertise
and
getting
your
team
to
be
involved
with
them
as
we
continue
to
grow
as
a
city
that
Demand
on
you
and
your
department
is
going
to
also
grow,
so
don't
be
bashful.
H
You
know
oftentimes
you,
you
tend
to
some
sometimes
be
quiet
and-
and
you
just
do
what
you
do
with
the
resources
that
you
have,
but
please
take
the
opportunity
to
do
a
full
assessment
of
where
you
are
now,
where
you
want
to
take
our
city
and
lean
on
us.
If
it's
a
Personnel
issue
or
if
it's
you
know,
equipment
you,
let
us
know
where
we
can
help.
You
perform
your
job
to
an
even
higher
level
that
you're
currently
performing.
So
that's
it
for
me.
H
I'm
sure
I
just
want
to
commend
our
commissioner,
who
does
a
tremendous
job,
and
we
are
again
as
a
reference
lucky
to
have
her
and
it's
so
exciting,
to
see
her
engage
and
work
with
all
these
other
departments
to
bring
those
issues
to
the
Forefront
and
the
last
slide.
I
think
says
it
all
in
terms
of
the
number
of
folks
that
have
at
least
one
disability,
and
then
you
have
some
sighting
payment
and
you
have
hearing
impairment.
You
go
right
down
the
list.
H
We
have
to
be
better,
we
are
better
and
we
are
better
because
of
commissioner
Ocasio
leaderships.
Thank
you.
Q
Thank
you,
councilor
and
I
will
just
really
want
to
give
a
lot
of
credit
to
my
staff.
There
are
eight
of
us
soon
to
be
nine
and
we're
a
really
well-oiled
machine
at
this
point.
But
really
you
know,
I
I
have
the
vision
and
the
leadership,
but
they
do
the
work
and
they
all
do
an
incredible
job
and
Council
Anderson
I
have
to
give
credit
to
Andrea
Patton,
my
chief
of
staff.
She
did
the
budget
and
I
agree.
It
was
a
very
straightforward
budget
and
looks
great.
So
thank
you.
H
In
commissioner,
when
I
joined,
the
council
I
believe
that
the
team
was
two,
maybe
three
folks,
so
the
fact
that
you've
grown
the
department
tonight
and
you're
in
all
these
other
areas,
it's
tremendous
tremendous
work.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
E
J
Thank
you,
commissioner.
Mccoshen.
Thank
you
for
all
the
work
that
you're
doing
I
want
to
shout
out
your
Chief
staff,
who
is
also
amazing
and
has
come
to
my
own,
very
personal
Street,
to
assess
accessibility
issues
and
I.
Just
really
appreciate
that
Hands-On
approach.
J
I
am
happy
that
your
office
is
growing.
I
have
a
question
regarding
what
I've
heard
from
some
folks
about
how
we
make
our
small
businesses
more
accessible
and
I
know
that
compliance
with
the
Ada
is
there
an
apartment.
We
still
have
ourselves
some
small
businesses
that
struggle
with
making
their
small
bookstores
or
their
shops
that
they've
had
for
years
and
years
and
use
accessible
to
all
of
us,
no
matter
how
we
are
abled
and
so
wondering
like
what
work
your
office
has
been
doing.
J
J
Are
we
able
to
support
them
in
in
financial
way?
So
just
would
be.
Would
love
to
hear
your
take
on
that
right?
Yeah
I
want
I
want
if
people
want
to
buy
books
and
they
want
to
buy
books
from
their
local
Bookshop.
Q
Yeah
and
we
feel
the
exact
same
way,
we
want
to
support
local
businesses,
small
businesses
main
streets
in
the
city,
so
this
is
a
really
good
timing
that
you
asked
that
question
because
the
past
few
months
we've
started
a
few
programs.
One
of
them
when
I
mentioned
in
my
presentation,
was
checklists
and
tools
that
we
give
out.
Q
For
someone
like
on
Broadway
in
South
Boston,
they
might
have
one
step,
so
it's
a
list
of
things
that
they
can
assess
their
business
for
and
then
to
accompany
that
we
have
a
document
that
talks
about
free
and
low-cost
accessibility
enhancements
and
then
also
a
document
about
tax
incentives
for
creating
access
in
your
business.
Recently,
we've
began
to
discuss
the
possibility
of
some
grant
funding
to
give
out
to
businesses
on
Main
Streets.
We
are
working
with
the
main
Street's
office
to
to
try
to
make
that
happen.
Q
We
looked
into
the
National
Conference,
which
happened
in
Boston
this
year,
so
we
have
a
lot
of
irons
in
the
fire
when
it
comes
to
small
businesses
and
you're
right
I
mean
Main,
Street
USA,
when
you
think
of
it,
you
think
of
the
little
shops
with
one
step
and
that
one
step
can
be
a
huge
barrier,
but
we
can
mitigate
it.
Things
like
putting
doorbell
on
with
a
sign
that
says.
If
you
need
assistance,
please
ring
the
bell.
J
Thank
you
I'm,
so
glad
to
hear
that
you're
working
on
it
and
partnership
with
main
streets
happy
to
be
supportive.
However,
we
can
either
formally
through
this
budget
or
later
on
so
I
appreciate
that
and
love
getting
in
an
update
on
the
work
that
you're
doing
around
compliance
with
the
closed
captioning
ordinance.
So
just
thank
you
for
all
of
the
work
that
you
do
and
happy
to
support.
J
Thank
you
and
just
want
to
thank
all
of
the
folks
in
the
disability
Community
who
make
sure
that
we
are
always
actively
thinking
about
these
questions
as
well,
and
that
we
are
centering
centering
their
voices
and
needs.
Thank
you.
E
Customer
fee
is
no
longer
with
us,
counselor
Coletta.
You
have
the
floor.
B
Okay,
that's
okay,
counselor,
commissioner,
thank
you
again
for
your
presentation
and
your
wonderful
work.
I
guess
you
know
in
the
interest
of
you
know
just
racial
Equity
across
the
city,
we're
always
looking
at
departments
and
figuring
out
trying
to
figure
out.
How
are
we,
as
Casa
Mahi,
always
puts
it
getting
our
return
on
investments?
How
are
we
measuring
it?
How
are
we
monitoring
it
and
I
just
wanted
to
ask
you
in
terms
of
your
capacity
in
your
office
with
itself?
B
Q
I
know
that
two
of
my
staff
are
identified
as
bycock
in
that
community
so
I,
that's
probably
the
most
information
I
have
right
now,
but
I
can
definitely
follow
up
with
that.
Okay,.
B
Wonderful
also
in
the
same
breath,
you
know
what,
in
terms
of
demographics,
male
female,
also
race
and
pay
Equity
is
important
to
us
as
well
looking
at
that,
while
we
go
through
budget
and
how
we
can
support
women
as
well
in
equal
pay,
I
don't
have
any
other
questions
if
they're,
if
any
of
my
colleagues
have
any
further
questions.
B
Beyond
here
as
I
mentioned,
I've
gone
through
the
breakdown
or
the
analysis
of
your
budget,
I
really
appreciate
it
not
having
any
questions
at
all
understanding
exactly
what
it's
for
and
back
by
work,
backed
by
policy
as
councilorell
had
mentioned
to
me
previously,
just
amazing
work
and
I
really
appreciate
it
again.
Looking
forward
to
continuing
conversation
about
how
to
support
you
and
increasing
racial
Equity
or
population
of
in
staff
in
your
office
as
well.
B
Absolutely
thank
you,
commissioner.
Thank
you
if
there
are
any
no,
if
you
have
no
other
remarks,
you're
free
to
to
go.
B
All
righty
next
we
have
last
but
not
least,
the.
B
Veteran
services
department
and
we
are
joined
bye,
commissioner
Rob,
Santiago
and.
B
Bella
jambuso
is
that
is,
that
is
that,
is
that
how
you
pronounce
it.
B
Jambuso
GM
buso,
okay,
thank
you,
commissioner.
We,
if
we
you,
can
get
right
to
it.
You
have
the
floor
for
your
presentation.
Did
you
have
a
slide
deck
to
share
or
just
you
was
going
to
speak.
R
No
I
just
have
just
a
couple
of
remarks
to
to
kick
off
our
our
portion
of
the
the
hearing
here.
Thank
you,
madam
chair
president,
anyway,
Madam
chair
president
Flynn
and
City
councilors.
Thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
speak
on
behalf
of
veteran
services,
as
you
have
mentioned
with
me,
is
Bella
jambuso,
who
is
our
senior
budget
analyst,
and
she
is
one
of
the
people
that
keeps
me
out
of
trouble
here
in
the
office.
R
I
want
to
thank
the
council
for
your
flexibility.
This
morning,
I
flew
in
from
DC
yesterday,
I
had
attended
a
meeting
that
was
sponsored
by
the
blue
star
families
organization
that
was
out
on
Hamilton's
Helix
facility,
so
real
quickly.
I
just
really
wanted
to
talk
about
this
because
it
goes
along
with
what
we're
doing
in
our
office.
R
Here
there
were
a
lot
of
Nationwide
leaders
from
the
veterans
and
middle
military
communities,
and
you
know
we
discuss
best
practices
on
how
we
can
Advocate
and
strengthen
our
support
for
our
military
and
Veterans
and
their
families
as
well.
R
Blue
star
family
just
recently
released
a
report
on
this
data,
along
with
the
combined
shared
experiences
that
we
talked
about
yesterday
is
going
to
lead
us
to
ensure
that
Community,
Action
and
solutions
are
going
to
be
used
to
enhance
the
quality
of
life
of
our
military
and
veterans
community
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
so
I'm
very
excited
about
that
collaboration
with
blue
star
families
with
Booz
Allen,
Hamilton
folks
and
as
well
as
all
those
that
were
in
attendance
yesterday,
so
that
conversation
is
going
to
to
continue.
They
did.
R
They
do
have
the
report.
So,
if
you're
interested
in
the
report
I'll
be
more
than
happy
to
to
share
it
with
anybody
who
is
willing
to
read
the
survey
that
they
put
out,
so
our
military
and
Veterans,
as
we
all
know,
have
answered
the
call
in
times
of
prices
and
uncertainty,
they
have
left
their
families
to
face
the
enemy
both
seen
and
unseen.
They
have
given
their
Blood,
Sweat
and
Tears
and
even
their
lives
to
protect
our
freedoms
and
our
way
of
life
where
there
was
a
need
they
answered.
R
The
call
now
is
it
coming
upon
all
of
us.
Should
we
turn
the
call
in
their
time
of
need,
so
the
mission
of
the
Mayor's
Office
of
Veterans
Services
is
to
facilitate
full
and
equal
participation
in
all
aspects
of
life
for
our
veterans,
who
call
the
city
of
Boston
home
the
Office
of
Veterans
Services.
We
recognize
we
engage
with
all
our
military
service
members,
all
our
veterans
and
their
families
and
survivors,
and
we
do
this
by
connecting
them
with
the
benefit
services
and
resources
that
they've
all
learned.
R
We
strive
to
find
innovative
ways
to
support
our
veterans
to
support
our
service
members
and
their
families
to
live
a
healthy
and
thriving
lives.
So
it's
important
to
have
this
office
become
a
One-Stop
shop
and
continue
to
bridge
the
gaps
for
all
our
veterans
and
the
families.
Who
again
are
our
neighbors
here
in
the
city
of
Boston.
R
One
of
our
main
mandates
is
to
assist
Boston's,
low-income
veterans
and
their
families,
as
well
as
veterans
experiencing
homelessness.
The
financial
assistance
program
known
as
Mass
General,
Law
chapter
115
acts
as
a
resource
of
income
for
our
veterans,
experiencing
homelessness
and
for
at-risk
veterans.
These
benefits
also
include
military
burial
assistance,
subsidies
for
medical
expenses
and
also
decorations
of
veterans
Graves
and
hero
squares
for
Memorial
Day,
which
is
this
month
here
in
the
month
of
May.
R
Just
also
wanted
to
talk
about
a
lot
of
the
in-person
events
that
we
started
wrapping
up
again
this
past
year,
we've
had
some
very
successful
events
for
our
military
and
veterans
community,
two
that
I
want
to
focus
on
and
speak
about,
include
the
women's
round
table
and
the
black
veterans
appreciation
brunch
that
we've
had
just
recently.
These
two
invent
these
two
events
included
members
of
our
veterans
and
active
duty
communities
as
well.
R
These
events
continue
to
allow
us
to
promote
our
programs
to
promote
our
services
and
to
ensure
that
the
benefits
that
they
have
earned
are
available
to
them.
You
know
we
understand
that
all
our
veterans
and
their
families
cross
all
demographics
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
so
it's
I
wasn't
coming
upon
us
and
very
important
for
us
to
include
other
City
departments.
You
know
at
this
events
we
have
coordinated
with
and
worked
with
women's
advancement
age.
Strong,
the
black
male
advancement
department
is
just
to
name.
R
A
few
they've
also
had
an
opportunity
to
speak
on
behalf
of
their
department,
so
we
we
had
Frank
Farrow
Alex
also
speak
during
the
women's
round
table.
So
this
also
what
it
does.
It
enables
us
to
include
our
external
partners
and
give
them
an
opportunity
to
expand
their
reach
into
our
veterans,
community
and
our
military
communities
as
well.
A
lot
of
these
events
are
on
our
website
and
it's
updated
regularly.
R
You
know
we
also
maintain
great
Partnerships,
like
I
had
mentioned
a
second
ago
with
other
veterans
organizations
throughout
the
Commonwealth.
Many
of
our
veterans
are
transient
and
jump
from
City
to
city,
so
we
have
to
maintain
close
Communications
to
ensure
that
the
veterans
are
taken
care
of
No,
Matter,
What,
town
or
city.
They
relocate
to
or
when
they
come
into
the
city
of
Boston
here
as
well,
but
as
successful
as
our
programs
and
Outreach
has
been,
there's,
always
room
to
expand
and
make
things
better.
R
There
are
many
different
ways
that
I
plan
on
expanding
our
Outreach
and
promoting
the
Office
of
Veterans
Services,
but
I
always
go
back
and
believe
that
the
most
effective
way
is
to
go
into
our
communities
and
meet
with
our
neighbors
and
educate
them
on
the
services
and
resources
that
are
available
here
in
our
office
of
Veterans
Services
I
continue
and
plan
to
continue
to
attend.
You
know
different
post
meetings
rather
than
via
the
American
Legion,
the
VFW,
the
DAV
and
also
Community
meetings.
R
You
know
recently
I
spoken
to
many
of
the
Liaisons
in
with
ons
and
I
talked
to
them
to
also,
let
me
know
of
any
meetings
that
they're
going
to
would
there
be
a
value
for
our
office
to
be
a
part
of
I
will
also
be
reaching
out
to
a
lot
of
our
younger
veterans
that
are
here
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
continue
to
go
to
our
senior
centers,
and
this
again
is
in
partnership
with
a
strong
committee.
R
Some
people
that
I
would
love
to
recognize
is
a
staff
here
at
OBS
at
the
office
of
veteran
services.
There's
no
way
at
all
that
I'd
be
able
to
do
this
work
alone,
and
that
cannot
be
any
prouder
of
the
staff
that
I
have
and
how
they
continue
to
work
tirelessly
in
taking
care
of
our
veterans.
R
R
So
now
again,
I'm
very
happy
to
you
know,
be
their
voice
to
be
their
Advocate
and
to
engage
with
them
to
ensure
that
they're
taken
care
of
so
I
look
forward
to
continue
working
with
the
council
to
ensure
that
our
veterans,
service
members
and
their
families
have
access
to
all
these
benefits
and
services.
So
I
want
to
thank
you
for
your
time
and
all
the
work
that
you
do
and
today
is
May
4th.
So
may
the
fourth
be
with
you
and
I'm
happy
to
answer
any
questions
that
you
may
have.
B
B
And
I'm,
just
going
to
my
Council
colleagues,
should
have
you
guys
should
have
had
this
sent
to
you
already
from
Arsenal
I
mean
from
Charisma
sorry,
but
just
going
through
it.
The
operating
breakdown
for
Boston
bets,
and
here
the
explanation
has
already
been
given
by
the
commissioner
so
I'm
going
to
skip
that.
B
Commissioner
Santiago
just
would
like
to
understand
a
little
bit
about
who
is
in
your
org
chart
it's
demographics
and
how
are
you
representing
people,
our
veterans
in
Boston,
as
far
as
the
recommended
buy
expense
type?
Here
you
see
that
the
current
charges
and
obligations
is
69.
69.5
percent,
total
of
3
million
three
hundred
thirty
one
thousand
and
eight
dollars
and
then
for
Personnel
Services,
25.4
percent,
1
million
204.204.
B
000
920
for
contract
or
Services,
a
total
of
3.9
percent
185,
a
thousand
seven
hundred
and
two
dollars
in
supplies
and
materials,
just
1.5
at
71
thousand,
five
hundred
and
fifty
dollars,
and
then
here
when
you
look
at
the
breakdown
over
the
years,
as
you
can
see,
it's
the
same
breakdown
which
is
sort
of
over
the
years,
blue,
being
fy21,
red,
22
and
then
and
on
up
to
date
for
spending
changes.
B
The
difference
is
laid
out
here
with
a
negative
or
positive
and
then
for
spending
change
again
in
percentage
we're
not
going
to
get
deeper
into
it,
but
that's
just
to
give
us
a
quick
overview
just
so
we
can
understand
what
you're
working
with
and
my
questions
are
going
to
be
about
the
need
and
do
you
feel
you
are
where
you
are
need
to
be
in
terms
of
budget
requirements
in
order
to
provide
the
services.
B
But
first
I
would
like
to
open
the
floor
to
our
council
president
Flynn,
who
is
obviously
a
non-roll
veteran
himself
Council
Flynn.
You
have
before.
D
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and,
and
thank
you,
madam
chair,
for
the
important
work
you
have
done
in
support
of
veterans
in
your
district
and
in
across
the
city
really
across
the
state
supporting
military
families.
So
thank
you.
Thank
you.
Madam
chair
I
also
had
an
opportunity
to
privilege
really
to
work
with
commissioner
Santiago
for
for
many
years
on
important
issues
impacting
the
veterans
community,
including
supporting
women
veterans,
veterans
of
color,
and
certainly
certainly
disabled
veterans,
but
also
Rob,
the
lgbtq
veteran
Community
as
well.
D
Let
me
ask
you
a
question
Rob
on
woman
veterans,
I
I
know
the
VA
has
great
medical
care
for
women
veterans
in
Jamaica,
Plain
and
West
Roxbury,
not
necessarily
the
case
across
the
country,
but
improving.
But
that's
why
it's
important
that
you
and
I
know
you
do
this
very
well,
but
you
are
engaged
in
what's
happening
nationally
because,
what's
happening
nationally
impacts
our
veterans
here
in
Boston.
D
So
why
don't
you
give
us
an
idea
about
how
you
Advocate
as
a
veterans
leader
with
other
veterans
leaders
across
the
state,
because
that's
that's
critically
important
about
getting
Services
locally
here
in
Boston?
So
it's
also
about
relationships
that
you
make
across
the
country
and
in
Washington
DC.
R
Oh,
thank
you,
council
president
for
the
question
and
it
is
very
important
to
be
able
to
work
with
and
engage
with
the
women
veterans,
not
just
in
our
community
in
our
state,
but
also
nationally,
because
what
happens
nationally
trickles
down,
and
it
eventually
is
going
to
come
down
and
affect
us
here
at
the
local
level.
R
I'm
pleased
to
say
that
I
have
a
great
working
relationship
with
the
women's
veterans
Network,
which
is
which
is
the
director
of
Susan
McDonough
who's,
a
veteran
herself
and
she's.
Also
the
president
of
the
Allied
war
council,
and
also
the
commander
of
the
American
Legion
Post
in
in
South
Boston.
R
So
we
have
a
great
working
relationship
with
them
and
also
with
the
Boston
VA
I
couldn't
agree
with
you
more
that
the
services
that
the
Boston
VA
offers
our
women
veterans
is
above
and
beyond
any
other
VA
Healthcare
System
in
the
country,
and
that
was
pretty
evident
from
some
of
the
conversation
that
we
had
just
yesterday
at
the
at
the
blue
star
families
Roundtable.
That
I
was
a
part
of
down
in
DC.
R
But
the
work
continues
as,
as
you
know,
and
just
to
let
everybody
on
this
call
know
the
women
veterans.
Demographic
is
the
largest
growing
demographics
in
the
veterans
community.
Today,
right
now,
we
have
approximately
about
eight
percent
of
our
women
veterans
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
and
it
was
is
up
a
couple
of
percentage
points
from
just
a
couple
of
years
ago,
right
now
nationally,
I
believe
the
number
is
up
to
over
28
22
nationally
as
well.
R
So
it's
very
important
that
we
amplify
and
that
we
really
go
down
to
the
trenches,
to
take
care
of
our
women
to
Veterans,
because
a
lot
of
the
services
that
they
require
are
very
specific
to
to
to
to
their
needs
as
a
woman
veteran
as
well.
R
So
it's
something
that
we
continue
to
do
is
something
that
that
we're
going
to
continue
to
advocate
for
and
engage
with,
the
women's
Community,
as
well
as
the
the
veterans
community
here
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
with
the
new
executive
office
of
veteran
services
in
the
state
on
the
secretary
John,
Santiago
who's
a
really
focused
in
ensuring
that
that
their
voices
are
heard
and
that
they
are
taken
care
of
at
the
state
state
level
as
well.
So
those
Partnerships
are
great
and
council.
R
President
Finn,
you
know,
as
a
fellow
veteran
I
also
wanted
to
thank
you.
I
know.
Just
a
couple
of
months
ago,
I
had
the
the
privilege
of
going
down
with
you
to
DC
to
Advocate
raw
women
Veterans
for
our
bipart
Veterans,
as
well
as
our
lgbtq
veterans
and
all
our
veterans
to
ensure
that
those
people
in
DC
that
heard
the
voices
of
our
Boston
veterans
up
here
in
our
city.
So
thank
you
for
that.
D
That
thank
you,
Rob
and
I,
see
Bella
Ron
as
well.
Thank
you,
Bello
to
your
team
to
all
of
you
for
doing
important
work.
Rob
I'm,
going
to
give
my
Council
colleagues
more
of
an
opportunity
to
ask
questions.
D
I
as
I
talked
to
you
at
least
once
or
twice
a
week,
but
I
know
what
other
issues
that
you
and
I
have
focused
on
is
supporting
our
lgbtq
veterans,
veterans
of
color,
making
sure
that
they're
treated
with
respect
and
dignity,
but
equally
as
important,
making
sure
that
there
are
services
programs
for
them
that
they
have
earned.
D
But
let
me
let
me
stop
there,
because
I
want
to
give
my
colleagues
an
opportunity
to
weigh
in
but
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
councilor
councilor
Anderson
for
giving
me
the
this
opportunity.
But,
more
importantly,
thank
you.
Council
Fernandez
Anderson.
The
important
work
that
you're
doing.
E
H
Good
afternoon,
commissioner
and
Bella,
it's
great
to
see
you
and
always
great
to
be
in
your
company
and,
as
you
know,
obviously,
the
city
council,
even
prior
to
to
your
arrival,
has
always
supported
Veterans
Affairs
Department,
giving
that
department
the
resources
they
need
to
respect
and
recognize
the
service
of
men
and
women
who
have
served
in
the
armed
forces
and
and
particularly
those
that
unfortunately
gave
the
ultimate
sacrifice
and
then
obviously
our
gold
star
families.
H
And
so
what
I
like
about
you,
commission,
is
U.S
sincerity
and
your
enthusiasm
when
you're
at
these
events-
and
you
are
respected
locally
you're
respected
across
the
state
in
your
respected
nationally,
and
so
it's
always
great
to
be
in
your
company
and
and
even
as
recently
as
we
had
in
a
wood
ceremony,
I
think
for
a
Jr
OTC
program
and
and
I
just.
You
could
just
sense
that
all
the
kids
wanted
an
opportunity
to
speak
to
you.
H
You
made
it
a
point
to
make
sure
that
you
spoke
to
the
kids
individually
and
so
for
from
my
perspective,
you
know
that's
what
it's
all
about
when
you're
in
city
government,
in
you're
in
public
service,
and
you
exemplify
that
through
the
end
degree.
So
we
are
lucky
to
have
you
as
as
our
commissioner
and
on
that
note.
Commission
just
want
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
the
JROTC
programs.
H
Obviously
we're
sensing
that
there's
a
recruitment
issue,
maybe
Nash
nationally,
and
is
there
something
we
as
a
city,
Boston,
we've
always
prided
ourselves
in
and
the
men
and
women
that
we
send
to
the
armed
forces.
In
fact,
our
neighborhood
council
president
Flynn
and
I
can
attest
that
no
neighborhood
sent
more
and
lost
more
during
the
Vietnam
war
than
than
South
Boston.
So
I
know
that
we're
also
a
community
in
a
city
that
never
forgets
our
veterans
and
wanting
to
see
whether
or
not
we
have
the
ability
to
maybe
grow
and
expand.
H
Don't
seem
to
be
sort
of
have
that
level
of
Engagement
that
they
may
have
had
when
I
know
when
I
was
younger,
while
my
dad,
who
also
like
you
and
council
president,
served
in
the
Navy
folks
come
home
from
service
and
they
would
kind
of
gravitate
to
the
local
veterans
folks.
But
the
local
veterans
post
was
a
real
sort
of
you
know:
Cornerstone
a
big
piece
of
the
community,
along
with
that
community
health
centers
on
our
local
sports
season.
H
H
You
know
they
hold
great
pieces
of
real
estate.
Some
of
them
are
in
disrepair.
Some
of
them
are
struggling
to
keep
those
doors
open.
So
what
partnership
can
we
create
as
a
city
with
that
local
veterans
supposed
to
kind
of
re-engage
them
in
a
way
that
May
encourage
Community
to
get
involved
a
little
bit
more
as
well
as
inspire?
You
know
other
men
and
women
to
to
join
the
Armed
Force
I
think
we
have
an
opportunity
here
and
and
I.
H
R
Thank
you,
cousin
favorite
for
those
kind
words,
but
like
I
mentioned
earlier
it
it's
it's
it's
it's
it's!
It's
passionate
work
for
me,
but
it's
work
that
I
I
cannot
do
alone
and
is
the
folks
in
the
community
that
actually
make
a
huge
difference
in
ensuring
that
that
our
veterans
across
the
board
are
recognize.
You
know
and
honored
to
talk
about
the
JROTC.
Those
are
some
of
the
best
young
adults
that
we
have
in
the
city
of
Boston.
R
They
go
out
there
on
weekends
to
do
color
guards
at
hero,
Square
dedication
to
do
code
guards
at
our
veteran-centric
events.
Rather
it
be
at
a
memorial
or
at
a
post
or
or
or
one
of
the
events
that
that
we
hold
here
at
the
Boston
veteran
services
when
I
first
started
as
Deputy
Commissioner
I
believe
we
had
eight
JROTC
programs
in
the
city
and
I
believe
now
we're
down
to
six
with
one
possibly
going
away
here
very
shortly.
I
think
the
program
is
is
a
program.
R
That's
that
it's
it's
not
a
recruitment
to
us.
A
lot
of
people
think
it
is
it's
a
tool
to
really
have
our
young
adults
in
high
school,
engage
in
their
community
that
they're
in
to
have
a
structure.
Just
just
so
happens
to
that
structure.
You
wear
it.
You
know
you're
wearing
uniform
one
of
the
things
that
we're
doing
right
now.
R
As
a
matter
of
fact,
on
Monday,
we
have
a
call
in
with
the
chief
of
staff
of
BPS,
along
with
le5
the
JROTC
Commander
for
the
city
of
Boston
and
some
of
the
leaders
in
the
JROTC
program
to
talk
about
the
program
and
how
we
could
expand
it
and
and
and
and
and
grow
here
in
the
city.
R
Just
to
give
you
a
little
bit
more
about
the
GRCC
program
every
year
they
do
have
an
essay,
a
program
and
they
say
contest
and
the
top
essay
winner
actually
gets
a
500
scholarship
is
presented
by
the
mayor
is
presented
by
the
city
council
members
as
well.
Last
year
we
had
it
at
the
mezzanine
in
City
Hall
and
now
that
caught
the
eye
of
you
know.
R
Speaking
of
the
post,
you
know
BFW,
the
VFW
has
what's
called
the
Patriots
pen,
which
is
an
essay
contest
that
that
a
that,
if
the
winner
for
the
state
will
then
be,
it
would
be
submitted
nationally
to
the
VFW
and
here
in
the
state
of
Massachusetts
this
past
year
we
got
third
place
and
third
place
gave
that
young
adult
that
winner
of
the
essay
contest,
fifteen
thousand
dollars
for
a
scholarship
locally
here
in
the
Commonwealth
I
believe,
is
a
five
thousand
dollar
scholarship
if
they
if
they
win.
R
But
you
know
this
is
all
part
of
the
you
know
the
americanism
of
ensuring
that
these
that
these
young
adults,
you
know,
are
given
the
option.
All
options
are
laid
out
on
them
as
to
how
they
want
the
future
to
be,
and
by
taking
an
option
away
from
them
from
the
JROTC
I
think
is
doing
a
disservice
to
these
young
adults
and
I.
Think
we
really
need
to
work
on
expanding
the
program
and
bringing
it
back
to
where
it
was
with.
R
That
said,
though,
the
post
I'm
not
I'm,
sorry,
not
the
post,
that's
the
question
too,
but
the
GRTC
is
that
we
do
have
like
I
mentioned.
Secondly,
they
are
very
active
in
our
community
and
I'm
very
grateful
to
them
and
I'm
very
grateful
to
to
their
instructors
in
the
schools
for
ensuring
that
they
they
keep
those
keep
those
jrotcs
alive
in
their
schools,
and
you
know
they
they're
very
enthusiastic
about
the
programs
that
they
have
they're,
also
very
passionate
as
well
and
I,
hear
it
every
day.
R
As
a
matter
of
fact,
a
couple
of
them
are
here
earlier
today
in
the
office,
picking
up
their
reads
and
flags
for
Memorial
Day
decorations,
but
but
thank
you,
councilor
Flynn,
for
amplifying
the
JROTC
program
is
something
that
you
will
be
hearing
a
lot
about
here
in
the
next
coming
weeks.
As
we
head
into
the
summertime
with
regard
to
the
post.
I
know
a
lot
of
the
posts
they
are
fledgling.
Their
membership
is
fledgling
because
a
lot
of
them
are
aging.
R
The
problem
with
the
post
is
that
they
have
an
identity
issue
where
a
lot
of
the
young
service
members
think
that
it's
a
place
for
the
older
veterans
to
go.
You
know
and
have
a
two
dollar
two
dollar
glass
of
beer,
or
something
like
that:
they're
trying
to
change
that
image
right
now,
as
best
as
they
possibly
can.
I
myself
am
a
life
member
of
the
American
Legion
and
the
VFW
as
well
as
the
you
know,
the
DAV.
R
These
these
these
posts
are
very
important
to
the
community
and
I.
Think
one
of
the
things
that
we
need
to
do
and
concept
of
popularity,
I
think
you
you
hit
the
nail
on
the
head
is
having
the
re-engaging,
the
community
with
the
post.
You
know
and
a
lot
of
the
posts
what
they're
doing
now
they're
beginning
to
open
the
doors
to
the
community
to
have
the
communities
come
in
and
start
working
with
the
community.
R
So
let
them
know
that
he's
supposed
to
hear
not
just
for
the
veterans
but
the
communities
that
they're
located
in
as
well.
You
know
I
know
the
Boston
police
posts
they
they
do
a
lot
of
work
in
the
Dorchester
Mattapan
area,
just
like
about
post
76
does
in
JP.
Can
they
do
more?
Of
course
they
can
do
more,
but
having
the
community
engage
with
them,
and
vice
versa.
I
think
is
something
that
that
that
needs
to
happen
again
to
keep
these
posts
open
and
alive
for
all
our
veterans.
R
They
offer
more
than
just
a
place
to
go.
They
offer
more
than
just
a
function.
Room
like
I
had
mentioned
earlier
myself
in
a
city
council
president
Flynn,
we
went
with
the
DAV
to
DC,
to
advocate
for
our
veterans
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
but
also
the
American
Legion
does
that
at
a
state
level
the
the
VFW
also
does
that
at
a
state
level,
and
also
thank
you,
commissioner.
R
So
all
these
all
these
organizations
they're
very
they're,
very
important
to
ensuring
that
our
veterans
are
taking
care
of,
because
they
do
advocate
for
our
veterans
and
they're,
just
not
a
brick
and
mortar
postal.
Thank.
H
You
very
much
and
Madam
chair
the
just
for
our
quality
genification.
The
commission
had
recently
on
the
hero.
Square
is
has
taken
the
opportunity
to
present
the
gold
staff
families
with
miniature
replicas
of
the
actual
hero
square
and
it's
a
huge
hit.
It
just
goes
to
test
them
into
how
much
he
cares
and
his
enthusiasm
and
I've
heard
from
families
that
have
received
these
miniature
and
I'm.
H
So
he's
got
a
great
relationship,
probably
with
the
sign
shop,
but
just
another
another
way
that
we
as
a
city
through
the
commission
of
reaching
out
to
Goldstock
family.
So,
on
behalf
of
my
colleagues
commission,
thank
you
for
doing
that
and
on
behalf
of
the
gold
staff
families
who
think
it's
just
it's
just
a
great
touch.
It's
first
class,
you
have
first
class.
Thank
you
again.
Thank
you,
madam
chair.
J
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you,
commissioner,
Santiago
for
your
service
first
and
foremost,
but
for
your
work
for
your
service
as
well.
On
behalf
of
the
city
and
meeting
the
needs
of
our
veterans,
I
appreciate
everything
that
you
shared
and
my
colleagues
for
their
questions.
Have
you
talked
a
little
bit
about
how
the
role
of
the
office
is
really
well?
How
the
landscape
of
who
veterans
are,
has
really
changed
over
the
years,
particularly
when
it
comes
to
women
and
how
that?
How
has
that
changed?
J
R
Well,
when
I
first
came
to
the
office
of
veteran
services,
we
the
main
mandate,
was
chapter
115
and
that's
all
we
pretty
much
focused
on
what's
chapter
115
and
nothing
more.
Obviously,
you
know
the
mandates
around
Memorial
Day
and
things
that
we
do
Memorial
Day.
R
It
was
never
really
what
we're
working
on
right
now
in
making
it
a
One-Stop
shop
for
all
our
veterans
for
all
our
veterans,
families
and
our
service
members
as
well.
You
know,
we've
always
had
an
identity
crisis.
You
know
when
people
think
of
the
mayor's
office
of
veteran
services,
they
don't
think
of
the
mayor's
office
of
veteran
services,
they
think
of
Veterans
Affairs.
They
pump
Us
in
with
the
VA.
Well,
we
work
in
Partnership
and
we
collaborate
with
the
with
the
VA,
but
we're
not
part
of
the
VA.
R
You
know
we're
the
city's
Office
of
Veterans
Services,
but
there's
also
a
misnomer
with
just
being
called
veteran
services.
You
know
we
also
engage.
We
also
advocate
for
our
veterans
and
their
families.
We
do
a
whole
lot
more
than
just
provide
services,
and
that's
one
of
the
things
that
I'm
working
on
in
trying
to
Rebrand
this
office
and
trying
to
make
it
the
the
mayor's
office
of
of
Engagement,
of
veterans,
engagement
and
Military
Affairs.
You
know
because
if
we
we
Encompass
all
of
it,
you
know
at
the
counselor
of
Larry
had
mentioned.
R
You
know
the
hero
Square.
Is
you
know?
Why
do
we
just
do
a
hero?
Square?
Do
the
ceremony
then
just
leave
it
at
that?
No,
you
know
we
always
wanted
to
take
it
a
step
further.
We
give
the
miniature
plaque,
but
we
also
remain
in
contact
with
that
gold
star
family,
because
gold
star
families
also
have
benefits
and
services
that
can
be
given
to
them
as
well,
and
there
are
organizations
that
they
could
be
a
part
of
as
well.
So
it's
so
once
those
gold
star
families
are
identified
through
the
hero,
Square
programs.
R
As
an
example,
we
could
then
take
that
both
our
family
and
connect
them
with
those
services
that
they
may
be
eligible
for
you
know.
So
so
you
know
it's.
It's
always
taken
about
one
step
further.
It's
always
about
breaking
down
the
barriers
for
our
veterans,
their
families
and
and
the
service
members
that
are
currently
serving
as
well,
and
things
have
changed,
and
things
have
changed
and
they're
changing
pretty
rapidly,
and
we
must
change
with
them
as
well.
We're
no
longer
in
that
Asylum.
R
So
it's
very
important,
especially
within
the
veterans
community,
that
I
remain
up
to
date
as
much
as
I,
possibly
can
with
those
policies
that
affect
us
at
the
state
level
and
those
policies
that
may
affect
us
or
are
affecting
us
now
in
the
federal
level
as
well,
especially
having
two
major
VA
facilities
in
our
city,
the
one
in
West
Roxbury
and
Jamaica
Plain.
Oh,
that
answered
your
question.
Yeah.
J
It
did,
commissioner,
do
you
have
a
policy
lead
on
your
team?
Is
there
a
policy
advisor
in
your
office.
R
Oh
thank
you
counselor,
for
that.
We
just
recently
hired,
and
it
was
definitely
one
of
our
accomplishments.
R
This
past
fiscal
year,
we
hired
a
policy
director
who's,
also
our
new
Outreach
director
Connor
friend,
so
he
is
going
to
be
in
charge
with
ensuring
that
the
policies
here
at
the
local
level
are
those
that
benefit
our
veterans
and
their
families,
but
also
to
ensure
that
the
policies
that
are
being
talked
about
in
the
state
house
and
those
that
are
being
put
forward
in
nationally
that
our
voices
are
also
being
heard
here
at
the
city
level
as
well.
R
So
he
just
started
a
couple
of
months
ago
or
actually,
no
it's
less
than
a
month
ago,
so
he's
still
fairly
new
in
our
office.
It
seems
like
a
couple
of
months,
but
you
know
he's
doing
a
great
job
right
now
in
learning
the
system
he's.
R
Actually,
we
stole
him
from
Seth
mauldin's
office,
but
he's
a
local
resident
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
where
we're
happy
to
have
him
and
I'm
looking
forward
to
working
with
him
and
also
ensuring
that
discount
also
knows
what
we're
doing
with
regards
to
policy
when
it
pertains
to
our
veterans
and
our
veterans,
families.
J
Thank
thank
you,
commissioner,
and
I'm
really
glad
to
hear
that
you
have
a
policy
lead
for
the
very
reasons
that
you
stated
right
and
think
of
rebranding
is
always
great
I,
don't
know
if,
if
the
counselors
will,
let
me
ask
another
question
something
that
was
interesting.
The
number
of
veterans
receiving
chapter
115
benefits
says
it's
going
from
50.
The
projected
is
53,
but
the
target
is
55..
J
So
I
just
found
that
interesting
in
the
numbers
as
if,
if
the,
if
the
target
is
more
than
the
projection,
just
hoping
that
you
in
your
office
has
a
resources
necessary
to
actually
like
what
the
target
number
is.
R
R
Our
chapter,
115
numbers
is
an
anomaly
while
many
years
now,
but
at
the
same
time
we
see
it.
It
really
depends
on
month
to
month
how
many
veterans
are
coming
in
to
apply
for
chapter
115,
and
there
are
a
lot
of
variables
that
come
along
with
that.
A
lot
of
it
depends
on
the
state
because
it
is
a
state-sponsored
benefit.
R
R
I
will
say
that
that
since
I
started
as
Deputy,
Commissioner
numbers
have
gone
way
down
to
chapter
115.
That
has
a
lot
to
do
with
the
fact
that
our
veterans
population
is
aging,
but
it
also
has
to
do
with
the
federal
poverty
level
being
part
of
the
the
met.
The
the
metric,
that's
used
by
the
state
for
qualification
of
chapter
115.
right
now,
it's
at
200
of
the
poverty
level
to
be
able
to
qualify
for
chapter
115..
You
and
I
know
everybody
on.
R
This
call
knows
that
that
just
doesn't
make
sense
that
a
veteran
who's
earning
less
than
twenty
six
thousand
dollars
a
year
should
only
qualify
for
chapter
115..
While
you
know
we
do
forecast
a
a
a
small
increase
in
that
number.
R
That
has
to
do
again
with
our
Outreach
that
has
to
do
with
us
going
out
there
in
the
community
and
ensuring
that
those
veterans
that
need
chapter
115
that
qualify
in
chapter
115
know
that
it's
there
for
them
and
that
we're
willing
and
ready,
even
if
we
need
to
do
it
on
the
spot,
with
our
laptops,
hopefully
we
get
connectivity
could
help
them
in
assist
them
in
applying
for
chapter
115
benefits.
We
also
have
the
form
on
our
website
for
chapter
115
as
well,
so
they
don't
have
to
come
into
the
office.
R
J
J
Assuming
that
the
number
one
question
that
you
get
is
related
to
housing,
so
I'm
not
sure
if
there
is,
you
know
ways
that
we
can
continue
to
support
that,
make
sure
that
those
who
sacrificed
are
being
cared
for,
especially
our
black
and
brown
ones,
who
who
sign
up
to
serve
this
country
so
just
putting
that
out
there
and
know
that
I'm
a
partner
here
in
in
a
thought
partner
here,
but
also
a
partner
in
getting
you
in
your
office
the
money
and
support
necessary
through
the
budget.
So
thank
you,
commissioner.
J
F
Better
take
a
seat
there
illusion
it's
my
turn.
Thank
you,
madam
chair,
and
thank
you,
commissioner,
for
all
your
hard
work.
I
just
want
to
talk
a
little
bit
more
about
the
chapter.
One
chapter
115..
If
you
could
just
kind
of
like
stick
here
for
a
little
bit
longer
I'm
just
curious.
F
R
Thank
you
councilor
for
that
question.
Well,
you
know.
I
mentioned
about
chapter
115
and
a
lot
of
the
restrictions.
Within
Chapter
115,
one
of
the
things
that
we're
doing
here
in
Boston
Veterans
Services,
is
a
program
that
we
are
calling
Rich
The
Gap,
it's
part
of
our
alleviation
fund
and
this
alleviation
fund
is
primarily
for
those
veterans
right
now.
R
So
we
want
to
extend
it
here
at
the
local
city
level
and
to
take
those
parameters
from
chapter
115
and
tailor
them
for
our
residents
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
because
we
know
that
a
lot
of
the
parameters
of
chapter
115
under
the
the
CMR
108,
which
regulates
chapter
115
in
many
occasions.
That's
not
enough,
which
is
why
some,
which
is
why
our
attrition
rate
is
where
it's
at
right
now
with
chapter
115..
R
F
R
F
Just
wanted
to
make
sure
okay,
two
more
questions
and
you're
gonna
have
to
get
these
two
and
before
kind
of
Sir.
Anderson
puts
her
hand
up
I
just
want
you.
If
you
could
just
explain
why
the
budget
for
vets
has
increased
1.6
in
both
FY
23
and
24.
Given
that
there's
a
reduction
in
qualifying
vets.
F
Just
talk
to
me
a
little
bit
about
that
and
then
what
is
what
specific
efforts
that
Boston
vets
has
made
to
ensure
that
veterans
from
historically
understood
or
marginalized
communities
have
access
to
the
resources
and
support
that
they
need
and
what
impact
have
these
Services
and
supports
on
improving
equity
and
veteran
services.
R
Oh,
thank
you
Council
for
those
two
questions
in
answering.
Your
first
question
is
that
we
are
building
our
team.
That's
why
our
budget
has
incrementally
has
gone
up
just
for
FY
23
we've
had
the
two
positions
that
we've
that
we
filled
the
one
for
the
director
of
Outreach
and
policy
and
also
the
integration
and
transition
Advocate
position
that
we
have
recently
also
filled
here.
So
the
integration
transition
Advocate
is
a
position.
R
That's
also
going
to
be
there
to
assist
our
veterans
that
are
marginalized
now
I'm
going
to
go
back
to
what
I
went
to
yesterday.
You
know
a
big
part
of
what
we
discussed
yesterday
at
the
Blue
Star
Event,
the
blue
star
families
event
was
inclusion,
so
part
A
lot
of
the
information
that
came
out
of
their
survey
they've
also
broken
down
when
it
comes
to
people
of
color
when
it
comes
to
lgbtq
community,
when
it
also
comes
to
foreign
born
spouses
and
Military
folks
as
well.
R
If,
if
I
could
share
a
couple
of
a
a
a
couple
of
responses
from
that
experiences
of
racial
ethnic
discrimination
of
active
duty
Personnel
in
the
civilian
community
that
they
serve
when
they're,
you
know
for
a
Give
an
example
for
a
lot
of
the
recruiters
that
may
be
stationed
here
in
Boston,
you
know
living
in
the
community
I'm,
not
saying
that
these
numbers
come
from
Boston.
This
is
a
national
survey,
but
they,
the
respondents,
38
of
them,
said
that
they
feared
for
their
personal
safety
because
of
their
race
or
ethnicity.
R
36
percent
said
they
were
subject
to
racial
ethnic
slurs
or
joke
in
the
community
that
they
serve,
and
also
another
36
percent
said
that
their
children
experience
racially
ethically
ethnic
motivated
bullying
as
well.
So
these
are
numbers
that
are
being
Amplified
through
this
survey
to
ensure
that
these
communities
of
color
that
these
folks
that
are
serving
our
military
are
also
treated
with
respect
that
they
deserve,
and
and
and
also
that
the
civilian
Community
also
understand
that
these
people
are
serving
and
that
they
should
be
treated.
R
You
know
just
like
anybody
else
in
the
community
as
well,
so
integrating
them
into
the
community
is
something
that's
very
important.
R
You
know
to
me,
being
you
know,
put
you're
Puerto,
Rican,
myself
and
part
of
the
lgbtq
Community
as
well
is
very
important
to
me
that
all
of
our
veterans,
all
of
our
veterans,
families
and
all
service
members
that
are
serving
in
our
community
are
treated
with
respect
that
are
treated
in
the
in
the
manner
that
they
should
all
be
treated.
You
know,
as
as
any
other
neighbor
in
the
community.
R
You
know
for
all
of
our
community
members
to
attend
and
be
a
part
of
and
bring
them,
and
you
know
and
be
a
part
of
it,
because
it's
very
important
that
these
findings
are
are
are
taken
very
very
seriously
and
also
you
know
one
of
the
things
that
I'll
say:
real,
quick
and
and
I
know
I
mean
I
could
go
on
a
little
bit
longer.
But
you
know
a
lot
of
our
strategies
here
in
in
the
city
of
Boston,
Veterans
Services.
You
know
we
want
to
be
deeply
informed
by
the
community.
R
You
know
we
want
to
be
empowered
by
the
community
and
and
to
hear
those
voices
so
that
no
voices
are
left
out
into
the
work
that
we
do
here
at
veteran
services
and
that's
a
huge
part
of
of
what
we're
going
to
be
doing.
What
we're
going
to
continue
to
do
and
moving
forward
that
all
of
our
veterans
receive
the
benefits
and
services
that
they've
earned.
F
Thank
you
and
thank
you
chair
for
allowing
commissioner
to
go
a
little
bit
longer.
Your
Grace
is
deeply
appreciated.
Thank
you.
B
Councilor
Murphy,
the
chair
of
veterans
committee,
has
rejoined
us
and
I'll
go
to
you
next
councilor.
Well,
are
you
still
with
us.
M
Yep
I'm
still
with
you
guys
thank
you,
chair
and
thank
you,
commissioner,
Santiago
and
team.
Thank
you
for
all
your
hard
work
and
commitment
to
the
city
of
Boston
to
our
veterans.
M
I
had
a
few
questions
regarding
the
budget.
Can
you
tell
me
Aid
to
Veterans?
Is
this
direct
service
being
given
to
Veterans
and
then
how
many
veterans
did
you
provide
a
to
last
year
or
this
year
and
what
was
the
average
dollar
amount
given
per
recipient,
and
are
there
any
veterans
on
the
wait
list
of
service
and
are
you
able
to
serve
all
veterans
who
request
help.
R
Oh,
can
you
can
you
repeat
your
first
question,
counselor
I'm,
sorry
I
missed
that
first
word.
So.
M
Line
item
in
your
budget,
54
500,
it
says
Aid
to
Veterans,
and
it's
at
2.7
million
dollars.
Is
this
direct
service
being
given
to
Veterans
I
just
want
to
understand
what
what
Aid
to
Veterans
more
clarification
around?
That.
R
Sure
so
the
five
four
five
line
that
you're,
referring
to
that's
the
ace
to
veteran,
that's
the
money
that
we
dispersed,
while
Veterans
for
chapter
115,
75
percent
of
that
is
actually
reimbursed
back
to
the
city
from
the
state
and
100
of
that
is,
is
reimbursed
if
the
veteran
who
is
being
serviced
under
the
age
to
veteran
is
experiencing
homelessness.
So
that's
where
that
line
of
item
comes
from
right
there
from
the
545
line,
Bella
did
I
get
that
correctly.
Is
there
anything
else
you
need
to
add
for
that.
R
Okay,
as
far
as
the
average
dollar
amount,
I
would
need
to
get
back
to
you
on
that,
because
it
fluctuates
month
to
month
and
Veteran
to
veteran
and
I.
We
I
don't
believe
that
we
have
it
averaged
out,
but
the
average
veteran
I
would
say
receives
approximately
I
want
to
say
600
a
month
again,
some
of
them
receive
a
whole
lot
less
than
that
others
a
little
bit
more
than
that,
depending
on
any
medical
expenses
that
they
may
have
depending
on
you
know
what
their
expenditures
are.
R
You
know
with
regards
to
housing
and
the
and
utilities
are
concerned
as
well,
so
it
fluctuates,
but
we
could
try
to
work
on
an
average
for
you
counselor
and
get
back
with
you
on
that.
One.
Thank.
M
You,
commission
I
know
you
answered
my
question
with
the
reimbursement
that
that
answered
my
question
and
then
other
current
charges.
What
what
goes
into
other
current
charges
I
see
that
from
foi
22
to
FY
2023
it
was
a
a
large
job
drop
from
six
thousand
to
600
000.
So
I
just
wanted
to
know
what
goes
into
other
current
charges
and
why
they
jump
from
FY
22
to
FY
23..
So.
R
That
so
that
one
counselor
that's
the
alleviation
fund
that
I
referred
to
earlier.
That's
the
funds
that
that
we're
using
for
those
veterans
that
don't
qualify
on
the
chapter
115
so
that
money
comes
out
of
that's
right.
That's
why
there
was
such
a
steep
jump
from
the
six
to
six
hundred
thousand,
because
those
are
the
funds
that
we
use
for
those
veterans
that
don't
qualify
for
chapter
115.,
that
that
that
money
is
not
reimbursable
by
the
state
because
it
is
being
funded
by
the
city
ourselves.
M
R
Right
now,
it
is
enough
we're
within
well
within
the
capacity
of
of
the
six
hundred
thousand
again,
like
I,
had
mentioned
earlier,
currently
we're
using
that
alleviation
fund
for
emergency
purposes.
Only
while
we
work
on
the
process
to
expand
it,
you
know
so
we're
looking
at
right
now
to
get
closer
to
the
amount
within
the
next
fiscal.
R
K
You
thank
you,
chair,
and
it's
great
to
see
you,
commissioner
I'm
here,
to
support
and
make
sure
you
know
as
the
chair
of
veterans,
but
my
colleagues
I've
been
listening
in
I'll,
ask
great
questions
and
just
like
the
committee
name
is
not
just
veterans,
it's
military
families
and
Military
Affairs,
which
really
encompasses
all
you
do
right.
So
just
thank
you
for
being
such
a
partner
to
our
office.
K
Most
of
our
calls
that
come
in
from
veterans
are
around
the
housing
or
what
you
taught
me
that
day
you
gave
me
an
overview
of
your
department
and
all
that
you
do
also
all
of
the
benefits
that
you
know
they
earned
and
deserved,
but
have
not,
you
know,
maybe
not
know
how
to
connect
to.
So
you
know
there's
just
a
lot.
You
do
for
our
veterans
that
deserve
it.
So
thank
you
for
that.
In
Council,
where
Ral
did
touch
on
I'm
I
I
think
you
need
more
money.
K
So
please
don't
take
this
as
a
you
know.
Why
is
it
doubled,
but
the
current
charges
and
obligations
definitely
had
jumped
out
when
I
looked
through
the
numbers,
but
I
think
you
did
a
good
job
explaining
that
why
that
is
so
in
going
forward?
Do
you
think
we'll
continue
to
need
that?
Is
there
a
way
to
kind
of
mainstream
that
or
like
what
do
we
think
about
that,
because
it
seems.
K
Like
making
a
red
flag
and
then
maybe
when,
in
with
this
new
powers
we
have,
which
I
know
we're
all
still
trying
to
get
used
to,
but
when
we
want
to
make
an
adjustment
or
an
amendment,
we
have
to
take
from
something
and
these
like
red
flags
which
almost
always
have
wonderful
explanations
of.
Why
they're
there.
If
we
can
maybe
like
put
a
little
note
next
to
it,
because
obviously
it's
going
to
a
much
needed
service.
But
if
you
could
just
touch
on
that.
R
Yes,
absolutely
constantly,
thank
you
for
that
question
and
yes,
I
would
love
to
see
this
program
expand
again.
We
use
it
for
just
for
emergency
purposes.
Only
we
want
to
expand
that
you
know,
hopefully
to
maybe
work
with
with
you
know,
adding
transportation
for
our
veterans,
who
need
to
to
go
to
their
appointments,
which
is
becoming
a
huge
thing.
R
We
we're
getting
a
lot
of
calls,
especially
as
the
VA
is
currently
Outsourcing
a
lot
of
their
appointments
to
the
civilian
sector
and
not
having
it
in-house
at
the
VA
facilities.
That's
that's
so
so
that's
that's
a
program
that
we're
going
to
start
looking
into.
R
But
again
like
I
mentioned
once
we
start
working
on
the
policy
once
I
work
with
my
team
to
exact
that
policy
once
I
go
into
the
veterans
community
and
one
thing
that
I
didn't
mention
that
I
think
I
do
want
to
mention
right
now
is
that
we're
going
to
be
working
on
a
serving
it's
going
to
be
don't
recall
if
there's
ever
been
a
veteran-centric
survey
handed
out
by
the
or
or
taken
by
the
city
of
Boston.
R
Well,
we're
looking
at
having
a
Baseline
and
lifestyle
survey
for
all
of
our
veterans
in
all
of
our
ZIP
codes
here
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
that's
going
to
be
part
of
our
whole
rebranding
of
the
office.
So
you
know
we
it's
from
my
understanding.
It'll
be
the
first
ever
survey
of
our
veterans,
population
and
all
these
data
that
we're
going
to
be
collecting
from
this
will
help
us
to
provide
these
better
services
and
care
to
know
where
you
know
where
the
services
need
to
be
it'll.
R
Give
us
those
tangible
numbers
that
the
most
up-to-date,
tangible
numbers
than
what
we've
had
here
I
mean
it's
also.
You
know.
We
all
know
that
you
know
the
veterans
population
in
West
Roxbury
may
have
different
needs
of
those
in
Roxbury.
R
So
we
want
to
know
that
we
want
to
have
that
exactly
so,
we
can
know
where
it
is
where
the
bridge
to
gap
program
needs
to
be
most
effective
and
how
it's
going
to
be
effective
in
the
different
communities
that
we
serve
here
in
the
city
of
Boston,
so
I'm
looking
forward
for
this
for
this
program
to
expand
right
now,
we
do.
We
are
within
our
capacity,
but
trust
me
that
if
then,
when
the
time
comes,
you'll
be
hearing
from
our
office.
K
Thank
you
and
I
know
that
council
president
Flynn
uplifted
the
ROTC
and
also
Council
of
Flaherty
talked
about
our
posts,
which
are
so
important,
so
I
definitely
agree
with
all
you
said:
the
wonderful
things
the
ROTC
programs
do
and
love
seeing
them
out
there
at
the
parades,
but
also
the
essay
contests
and
the
others.
It's
it's
just
a
great
program
and
I
hope
we
continue
in
or
expand
it
even
in
the
post.
Definitely
more
than
what
you
said
in
my
neighborhood.
K
We
always
had
the
Memorial
Day
parade
and
the
post
would
put
the
flags
into
all
of
the
gravestones
and
also
March
into
the
cemetery.
And
now,
like
you
said,
it's
aging
and
a
lot
of
the
younger
veterans
are
not
joining
the
post
at
the
same
rate.
So
the
flags
you
know
we
just
can't
keep
up
right
because
there's
not
enough
post
members
so
working
with
you
and
would
love
to
continue
to
and
I
know.
Craig
dield
is
wonderful.
K
Advocate
there
at
his
post
and
just
supporting
the
different
post
members
and
making
sure,
because
they're
more,
like
you
said
than
just
a
spot,
to
grab
a
beer,
they're
wonderful
social
spots,
for
you
know,
veterans
to
gather
like-minded
needs
and
I
love
to
see
the
old
and
the
young
come
together
too,
to
support
each
other
and
just
want
to
end
on
saying
it
must
be
the
name.
I
don't
know.
Santiago
moms
must
raise
great
veterans,
but
we
do
have
a
wonderful
Ally
at
the
state
house
now
too,
with
John
Santiago.
K
So
looking
forward
to
that
relationship
for
to
help
us
write
in
the
Boston
level
grow
and
know
not
that
we
didn't
before.
But
knowing
that
you
know
like
you
said,
we
need
to
Rebrand
it's
2023
and
how
do
we
all
work
together
to
make
sure
our
veterans
are
getting
what
they
need
in
a
very
dignified
way?
So.
K
Anything
in
the
budget,
you
know
if
this
is
an
easy
one
for
me
and
thank
you
to
yourself
and
any
veterans
on
this
call
and
just
all
the
veterans
and
their
families,
including
councilor
Anderson
in
the
city,
that
you
know
I
appreciate
all
of
you
do
and
your
sacrifices
and
we
like
I,
think
of
our
seniors.
Also,
it's
not
something
we're
giving
you
it's
something
you've
earned
and
you
deserve,
so
we
should
not
be
cutting
costs
or
questioning
it.
K
R
B
You
Council
Murphy,
commissioner,
from
the
data
that
we
received.
It
looks
like
the
600
000
for
the
bridge
to
Gap
I,
think
I
heard
you
say
it
was
six
hundred
thousand
to
date
or
FY
23
you've
only
spent
it
looks
like
you've
only
spent
eight
thousand
dollars.
R
Yeah,
a
lot
of
that
has
to
do
with
the
fact
that
we
haven't
really
set
a
policy
for
it
and
again
we
you
know
first
wanted
to
have
that
money
allocated
to
see
where
the
need
is,
and
we
just
basically
just
wanted
to
do
it
for
immersive
purposes.
R
You
know
some
of
the
uses
that
we
had
the
money
for
was
for
Prosthetics
we've
had
a
veteran
who
came
to
us
that
his
prosthetic
didn't
fit
well
that
the
the
company
that
did
it
you
know,
did
measure
it
correctly
on
him,
so
he
was
in
in
in
in
a
lot
of
pain.
We
try
to
go
through
chapter
115
to
see
if
we
could
get
a
new
prosthetic,
we
were
told,
go
through
Social
Security.
R
Well,
we
didn't
want
to
have
that
that
veteran
go
through
the
whole
process
of
going
to
Social
Security.
We
went
ahead
and
paid
for
his
new
prosthetic
that
way,
and
that
was
like
900
if
I
remember
correctly,
another
one
was
a
widow
who.
B
B
Can
you
please
give
me
a
breakdown
of
the
scope
of
work
in
terms
of
like
veteran
services,
I
I
heard
the
closing
the
gap
or
Bridging
the
Gap
program,
and
then
there's
the
obviously
connecting
folks
to
services
or
referrals
to
housing,
and
then
I
also
heard
the
original
Gap
is
going
to
figure
out
ways
of
supplementing
needs
beyond
what
folks
are
getting.
B
Obviously,
six
hundred
dollars
a
month
is
ridiculous
and
so
600
000,
if
you
were
to
supplement
these
needs,
I
agree
with
Council
Murphy
that
it
does
sound,
really
low
and
I.
Guess
what
direction
are
you
going
into
Beyond,
possibly
hiring
someone
to
do
policy?
B
And
how
are
you
I
and
I
appreciate
that
you
are
working
with
the
other
departments
in
order
to
engage
and
be
able
to
reach
out
to
community,
but
I
guess
I'm
wondering
you
know,
can
we
can
we
talk
about
holistically
in
terms
of
connecting
to
Mental
Health
Services
in
terms
of
you
know,
making
the
public
aware
that
these
services
are
exist
and
obviously
do
you
have
any
plans
or
any
ideas
in
terms
of
specific
contracts
or
grants
that
you
could
put
out
for
veterans
to
apply
for
through
your
department.
R
Yeah,
thank
you
for
that
question.
Well,
some
of
the
other
services
that
we
offer
is
we
process
a
VA
service
and
composition,
compensation
compensation
claims.
We
also
do
the
VA
aids
to
attendance,
VA,
disability
and
anything
dealing
with
VA
Healthcare
as
well.
We
assist
our
veterans
if
they
haven't
done
so
apply
for
Mass
Health.
R
You
know
so,
basically
anything
that
they
need
to
come
in
here
for
we're
either
going
to
help
them
out
with
it
or
do
a
warm
handoff
to
either
one
of
the
other
City
departments
or
through
an
agency
that
could
help
them
with
with
that
need.
This
could
again
include
any
type
of
va
or
Health
Care.
You
know
we
work
very
closely
with
with
bright
and
green.
They
also
have
housing
on
their
campus
for
for
veterans.
R
We
work
very
closely
with
the
veterans,
Legal
Services
office
for
a
bad
conduct
or
bad
paper
discharges
as
far
as
those
veterans
who
feel
that
they
were
wrongfully
discharged
with
a
bad
paper
discharge,
and
you
know,
for
example,
in
an
lgbtq
veteran
who
received
a
other
than
honorable
discharge.
Well
now
we
all
know
that
veterans
who
are
lgbtq
can
serve
proudly
in
the
armed
forces.
R
So
for
those
that
got
those
those
what
we
call
oths,
we
could
assist
them
in
in
getting
them
upgraded,
so
they
could
receive
services
and
benefits
with
a
good
conduct,
a
a
discharge.
You
know
what
we
was
mentioned,
a
lot
of
the
the
programs
that
we
have
that
include
the
hero,
Square,
remembrance,
gold,
star
events,
pow
recognition.
We
also
have
done
a
lot
of
town
halls
where
we
have
where
we
hear
the
voices
of
our
veterans.
We've
done
it
with
the
lgbtq
community.
R
We've
done
it
with
with
women
veterans
and
we're
going
to
continue
to
do
that,
so
that
we
could
hear
the
voices
and,
from
those
conversations
and
from
those
those
discussions,
really
try
to
take
all
that
information
and
see
where,
like
I
said
earlier,
where
it
is
where
we
need
to
move
these
Services
move
these
benefits
forward
and
to
continue
to
grow
our
office
to
ensuring
that
we
have
the
capacity
to
be
able
to
take
care
of
all
our
veterans,
their
families
and
also
the
service
members
of
their
families
as
well.
So.
R
Right
now
we
right
now
we
have
a
staff
of
six
veteran
benefits
Specialists
and
what
they
normally
are
charged
to
do
is
fill
out
the
and
process.
The
chapter
115
claims,
as
well
as
through
the
investigations
for
VA
compensation
claims
as
well,
so
they
they
sit
down
with
the
veteran
and
see
what
the
need
is
for
the
veteran
awesome.
E
Six
benefits
vet
benefit,
Specialists,
rubella.
P
P
Now
there
are
15s
I
they're
I
mean
the
salary
range.
Is
that
it's
an
SEIU
are
15
position.
P
R
While
she's
looking
at
all
counselor
I,
could
give
you
a
breakdown
of
our
staff
as
well.
Right
now
outside
of
myself,
we
also
currently
have
a
vacant
physician
for
the
Deputy
Commissioner
spot
that
just
recently
became
vacant.
We
have
our
finance
manager
who's,
who
he's
the
one
who
wants
their
their
approved
sends
out
the
checks
for
the
chapter
115.
Bella
is
our
director
of
operations,
budget
and
HR.
R
We
also
have
like
I
mentioned
earlier,
the
new
position,
which
is
the
Deputy
I'm,
sorry,
the
director
of
policy
and
Outreach.
We
also
have
two
community
relations
Specialists
that
work
with
the
director
of
policy
and
Outreach
and
the
the
rest
of
the
staff.
R
We
have
one
administrative
secretary,
one
budget,
burial
agent,
who
must
be
a
veteran
as
well,
and
he
processes
all
the
all
the
burial
benefits
for
our
veterans,
as
well
as
it
is
in
charge
of
all
the
flag
decorations
for
Memorial
day
as
well,
and
then
pretty
much.
Everybody
else
is
a
veterans
benefit
specialist,
and
then
we
have
the
one
Trend
transition
integration
Advocate
on
our
staff.
R
Transition
and
integration
Advocate
that
person
is
charged
with
she's
an
Air
Force
veteran
she's,
charged
with
one
of
our
also
new
programs,
which
is
called
Guardians
of
graduates
or
Guardians,
trying
to
work
that
relationship
with
those
future
soldiers.
Those
Future
Sailors
from
our
community
that
are
joining
the
ranks
of
service
and
getting
to
know
them
getting
to
know
their
families
as
well.
So
if
and
when
the
time
comes,
that
they
do
leave
service
that
they
do
come
back
to
to
the
community.
They
know
where
to
go
to.
R
They
already
have
an
a
footprint
as
to
how
they
need
to
properly
integrate
and
transition
back
into
civilian
life
as
a
veteran
in
the
city
of
Boston.
R
But
another
part
of
that
position
is
also
those
returning
citizens
that
are
currently
incarcerated,
who
who
may
be
veterans
in
assisting
them
as
well
with
their
transition
back
so
we're
working
with
the
office
of
returning
citizens
and
also
a
beginning
to
have
discussions
with
the
sheriff's
office
as
well
on
how
we
could
Implement
that
position
and
having
that
that
staff
go
into
and
talk
to,
those
veterans
that
are
currently
incarcerated
and
how
we're
going
to
assist
them
in
returning
to
our
Branson
once
things
they
come
out.
R
B
The
best
thing
I've
heard
I
mean
in
terms
of
the
transition
getting
to
know
the
families
now
right,
so
that
you're
not
working
double
time,
trying
to
find
people
later.
It's
that's.
That's
amazing
and
obviously
I
definitely
support
the
returning
citizens
collaboration.
That's
really
awesome.
Sorry
Miss,
Bella.
P
Yes,
hi
sorry,
so
the
salary
range
for
the
vsos
veterans
offices
are
from
53
5
to
74
6.
E
B
Thank
you,
you're
welcome
and
then,
in
terms
of
like
contractual
or
grants,
you
you'll
wait
for
the
policy
to
determine
what
that
looks
like
and
do
you
have
any
plans
of
hiring
someone
specifically
for
Community
engagement
and
Outreach.
R
We
have
the
two
community
relations
Specialists,
but
under
so
the
the
the
policy
person
is,
is
dual
haddock,
so
he
also
works
under
the
Outreach
side
of
the
house
as
well
to
ensure
that
that
that
we
bolstered
that
program
as
well,
because
I
think
it's
very
important
for
us
to
get
the
word
out
there
and
again
a
lot.
R
E
B
Thank
you
so
much
I
don't
have
any
questions,
leaving
it
to
my
colleagues
that
are
still
remaining
in
here.
If
you
have
any
final
questions,
please
raise
your
hand.
If
not
commissioner
Miss
Bella,
if
you
have
any
final
remarks
now
is
the
time.
R
Madam
chair,
thank
you
very
much
for
for
forwarding
the
time
council
president
Flynn
in
the
city
councils.
Thank
you
very
much
for
elevating
and
uplifting
the
work
that
we
do
obviously
in
the
city,
but
also
in
our
office
of
veteran
services.
You
know
we
want
to
do
everything
that
we
possibly
can
to
better
the
quality
of
life,
about
veterans
and
I
know.
R
Council
Murphy
had
mentioned
our
counterparts
in
the
State
secretary
John
Santiago
I
will
say
that
I'm
better
looking
and
have
more
hair
than
he
does
for
the
record,
but
but
having
him
helming
that
that
executive
office
of
venture
Services
is
going
to
allow
also
going
to
go
a
long
way
with
what
we
do
here
in
Boston.
So
we're
very
happy
to
to
work
with
him
and
his
new
staff.
B
I'll
be
sure
to
play
this
recording
to
commissioner
Santiago
on
the
other.
On
the
other
end,
thank
you
all
who
attended
today
to
my
colleagues
for
your
involvement
in
questions
to
the
administration,
for
your
work
and
obviously
to
the
Council
of
admin
staff
and
also
to
igr
representative
Chantal,
who
is
here
and
made
this
a
very
smooth
process
through
four
different
departments.
B
Commissioner
Santiago,
it's
been
a
pleasure.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
service
twice
and
service
here,
as
our
commissioner
in
Boston
and
Bella.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
work.
Looking
forward
to
we'll
send
submit
some
questions
if
we
have
them,
if
any
of
my
Council
colleagues
have
any
amendments
ideas,
just
a
full
clarification,
be
prior
to
actually
suggesting
what
you
should
do
with
ADD
or
retract
to
your
in
your
office.