Senator DiDomenico was the Legislative sponsor and spoke at The Baker Center for Children and Families legislative briefing on their new policy report, Mental Health and Schools: Best Practices to Support Our Students. The policy forum and report offered non-biased, evidence-based information to support policymaking and budgetary efforts. Senator DiDomenico is a longtime supporter of increasing funding for mental health services in our schools and for all Massachusetts residents.

“Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time to identify actionable strategies to support our students in the “new normal,” and discuss the important role of schools in addressing children’s mental health needs. I am proud to work with great organizations like the Baker Center to advocate for more mental health funding across our state,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico.

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BOSTON – Senator DiDomenico joined the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition for a legislative briefing in support of his bill to provide basic needs assistance for Massachusetts immigrant residents (S.76/H.135). The event highlighted the need for DiDomenico’s legislation and funding in the budget to restore basic food and cash assistance benefits for legally present immigrants and included remarks from Senator DiDomenico, Representatives Judith Garcia and Tony Cabral, medical professionals, and community leaders, such as Gladys Vega of La Colaborativa, that work with immigrant families.

Thousands of immigrants remain ineligible for federal SNAP and cash assistance benefits due to harsh eligibility restrictions put in effect since 1996. Massachusetts has provided state-funded nutrition and cash assistance benefits in the past, from 1997 to 2002 when the Legislature unanimously voted to provide key benefits.

“While the prices of food and housing are rising, thousands of Massachusetts residents are being denied vital food and cash assistance benefits because of unreasonable and cruel eligibility restrictions,” said State Senator Sal DiDomenico.  “Government can and should do everything it can to ensure its residents have basic living standards, and this is an easy step to take to protect countless people who are suffering in my district and across our state. I want to thank the Feeding Our Neighbors Coalition for their work on this issue and I will continue to partner with these organizations and my colleagues to get this unjust policy fixed.”  

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Senator Sal DiDomenico’s Chief of Staff, Christie Getto Young, was awarded Legislative Staffer of the Year by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Christie has worked with DiDomenico and led his team for over 13 years. She has mentored many staffers in the State House and dedicated her legislative efforts to helping children and families throughout the Senate district and the Commonwealth. People from inside and outside the State House have benefited from her leadership on so many issues that have positively impacted countless lives.

“I have relied on Christie throughout our time in the Senate and she is a trusted friend and confidante,” said Senator Sal DiDomenico. “I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award, and I want to thank MAPC for honoring Christie. She is respected and looked up to by so many people in the State House and in our communities.  We are fortunate to have her on our team, and our district is lucky to have her working on their behalf. Her work has made life better for people across Massachusetts and we are so proud of her. Congratulations again, Christie!”

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