We’re officially past the 10 darkest weeks of the year. It’s not much to notice yet, but I’ve been enjoying the sunlight that we’ve been getting after the workday.
Speaking of the work week, we’ve had a busy one here in the Hampden and Hampshire District. Monday morning, I met with fellow committee members from the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery at the Afiya Peer Respite Center in Northampton. This facility provides an essential service to families and loved ones who serve as caregivers in their home. The mental health of our caregivers all too often goes overlooked as an essential part of the care process, and this organization does great work in providing care for those who provide care. I am grateful to the committee for traveling out to Western Massachusetts to see this great organization at work.
Wednesday afternoon, I met with the secretary of veterans services, Jon Santiago, to discuss the HERO Act. This landmark piece of legislation, which recently had its first hearing before the Joint Committee on Veterans Affairs, would go a long way to expanding services for our well-deserving veterans here in the commonwealth. I look forward to continuing the work on this bill and reviewing all other legislation concerning my fellow veteran as Senate Chair on the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs ahead of the Joint Rule 10 deadline next week.
