The latest news from the Council:

- Campaign to Strengthen Human Services will hold Rally and Lobby Day on June 10 – On June 10, The Collaborative -- a group of three human service membership organizations, including the Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers, the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Cororation of Massachusetts and Providers' Council -- will hold a rally and lobby day in Nurses Hall on the Second Floor of the State House.

Please join us for this important event! We will hold a rally and lobby for Senate Bill 65, The Collaborative's rate-reform bill. To register, go to www.strengthenhumanservices.org and click on the June 10 Lobby Day in the What's New section. The event will begin at 10:30 a.m.; registration begins at 9:30 a.m. We hope to see you there.

- Council to hold training for members on "treble damages" on May 28th – On April 14th, Senate Bill 1059 became law. The new law makes violations of Massachusetts wage and hour laws, including inadvertent violations, subject to mandatory treble damage awards. Treble damages were once awarded to only punish willful misconduct - this is no longer the case.

Our members are welcome to join us on May 28th at Plymouth Church in Framingham at 9 a.m. with Jeff Hirsch, Esq. from Robinson and Cole. Hirsch will give an update on this new law, its impact, and wage and hour compliance issues. We will also plan to cover related subjects such as the Independent Contractor laws. Please come with your questions.

The cost of the training is $35. If you are interested in attending, please see the attached form.

- Register for the Council's popular and highly rated Supervision Training Series! – This unique opportunity has arrived again for executives and professionals to participate in the Council's Supervision Training Series. Classes start on May 14th in Framingham and run through July . Experienced trainers will discuss important subjects, including communication and leadership, performance management, conflict resolution, team building, situational leadership and group planning & decision making. Those who attend all sessions will receive a Certificate of Supervision.

For more information on this incredible opportunity -- which sold out twice last year -- click here for more information or click here to register today!

- House Ways & Means FY2009 Budget Proposal contains $23 million in Salary Reserve – The House Ways & Means Committee released its FY2009 budget proposal on April 16, and included $23 million in the salary reserve. They also designated the amount to go to human services workers making less than $40,000 per year. The Collaborative, of which the Providers' Council is a member, issued a statement on the budget early Wednesday afternoon. To read the statement, please click here.

- Senate Bill 65 favorably reported out of committee – S.65 is on the move! The bill, sponsored by The Collaborative and known as The Campaign to Strengthen Human Services, was favorably reported out of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday. The bill's next destination is the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing.

We need your help now more than ever to keep advancing this landmark legislation! Please visit http://www.strengthenhumanservices.org today and send a letter to your legislators! Contact Bill Yelenak at the Providers' Council and volunteer to write a Letter to the Editor of your local newpspaer. We will help with the writing and editing of the letter, and anything else you might need. Visit our public policy and advocacy page to find out about a regional S.65 meeting in your area and make plans to attend!

The Providers' Council, the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers and the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Corporations of Massachusetts make up The Collaborative, which is sponsoring the legisaltion.

- Council releases a Guide to Recruitment and Retention Resources – The newest groundbreaking Providers’ Council report – Addressing the Human Services Workforce Shortage: A Guide to Recruitment and Retention Resources – is available now. The report was a hit at the Convention, and provides members with resources to best practices and responses to the eight approaches highlighted in Help Wanted 2. Members will receive a complimentary copy with their paid membership renewal. Electronic versions of the report and the other Donahue collaborations are available for download here.

- Council launches insurance program for qualified members! – The Providers’ Council is excited to announce a new Members Only program created through our partnership with TD Banknorth Insurance Agency. Qualified members of the Providers’ Council have exclusive access to a comprehensive package of Property & Casualty insurance, tailored to the needs of human service providers. Click here for details.