THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 21, 2020 Page 9 Malden Reads books now available at Malden Public Library LEWIS | FROM PAGE 8 gram in community health centers to off er additional support and training to psychiatric nurse practitioners who agree to work in community settings with underserved populations. The program will be designed to encourage these professionals to continue working in a community setting where mental health providers are sorely needed. Currently, mental health and Malden High School Jazz Group plays at the Opening Celebration. (Photos Courtesy of Susan Margot Ecker) O n January 11, for the fi rst time, 2020 Malden Reads books became available for circulation at the library through a new display, and books have been fl ying off the shelves ever since. Afternoon activities included a tour of the historic wing at the library for 50 attendees, and our family movie was packed! In the evening over 150 people joined in the festivities at the Malden Senior Community Center. Community groups hosted tables; the Malden High School jazz band played; students who participated in the Mini Writers’ Den read some of their work while Monkeyhouse Choreography performed an inThe display at the Malden Public Library features this year's main book, “Fahrenheit 451,” its “companion” books and selections from 10 years of Malden Reads. terpretive dance; Traveling Poetry Emporium typed up poems on the spot; and True Story Theater capped off the evening with a heartfelt and meaningful performance. Thanks to everyone who participated in our kickoff day. EMASS Senior Softball League opens player registration for 2020 season E astern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) is launching its annual recruitment campaign for players age 50 and over. The 400-plus member league draws players from towns across Eastern Massachusetts with games played on fi elds in Framingham, Medfi eld, Ashland and Wayland. The season begins May 1 and runs until Labor Day, with playoff s completed in early October. EMASS members range in age from 50 to 90. The average age is 67 with 70 players in their fi fties, 160 in their sixties, 140 in their seventies and 30 in their eighties. Members’ skill levels range from casual recreational players to those who play on nationally competitive tournament teams. Players of any skill level will fi nd a spot with players of similar abilities in one or more of EMASS’s fi ve divisions. Two divisions play doubleheaders on Saturday mornings and three divisions play doubleheaders on weekdays. The spirit of Senior Softball is evident in its post-game tradition of the opposing teams forming lines to congratulate each other with high fi ves and fi st bumps. Competing in senior softball is a statement. Players thumb their nose at Father Time and they are deeply grateful to take the fi eld and compete together as teammates or opponents. “The EMASS softball-loving community competes with sportsmanship and camaraderie,” said Walker Royce, Commissioner of EMASS. “Besides all the fun and banter of a team sport, we also provide each other with a healthy support network for getting through life’s senior challenges. That could be fi ghting through cancer, rehabilitating a knee replacement or just hitting over 500.” Players share joys of playing in EMASS EMASS players know how blessed they are to play. They are inspired by the elder players who can still perform well in their late seventies and eighties. They love seeing a teammate return from an injury or some life-threatening ailment. They enjoy that three-hour escape to the fi elds where camaraderie, teamwork and competition block out life’s challenges and stresses. “EMASS is an oasis for me,” said David Ossam, a fi rst year player in 2019. “No matter what personal or professional pressures I am facing, those weekly hours are refreshing and uplifting. Playing the game I love with people I truly enjoy makes life sweeter and more fun.” “I have found EMASS to be a well-run, welcoming league, providing a good balance of fun and competitiveness,” said Dan Jolly, who has played in EMASS for two seasons. “All of my teammates have been fantastic to get to know and they have inspired me to look forward to many more softball seasons as I look to retire.” “Over 21 years, EMASS has provided me with the opportunity to re-live my youth and play the game I love,” said Joe Salzano, now 83 and a seasoned EMASS player. “I have established long-lasting relationships with players both on and off the fi eld.” Visit www.e-mass.org to learn more about the League and to register for the 2020 season. This year, EMASS is investing in its community of team managers by off ering workshops and a handbook that capture best practices for maximizing the enjoyment of its members, the vibrancy of its community and the competitiveness of its teams. EMASS players participate in many local and national tournaments. They fi eld an annual team for the Friendship Games played in Cuba, enroll over 10 teams in the Cape Cod Classic and have numerous EMASS players who compete in AAA and Major division tournament teams. primary care providers are reimbursed at diff erent rates for the same service. The bill seeks to level the playing fi eld for reimbursement to mental health providers by requiring an equitable rate fl oor for evaluation and management services that is consistent with primary care. The Mental Health ABC Act takes meaningful steps to improve access to care by prohibiting insurers from denying coverage for mental health services and primary care services solely because they were delivered on the same day in the same facility. This will remove a signifi cant fi nancial barrier to the integration of primary care and mental health. Additionally, the bill requires emergency departments to have the capacity to evaluate and stabilize a person admitted with a mental health presentation at all times, and to refer them to appropriate treatment or inpatient admission. This bill authorizes the DPH, the Department of Mental Health (DMH), and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to collaborate on authorizing three pilots for tele-behavioral health services in public high schools in the Commonwealth. This pilot is based on an existing and successful model between a hospital and several school districts in western Massachusetts. Finally, the bill directs the DMH to consider factors that may present barriers to care— such as travel distance and access to transportation—when contracting for services in geographically isolated and rural communities. Through debate in the Senate, the following are some of the sections added by amendment to the bill: A pediatric mental health care task force. Inclusion of veterans and aging adult populations for considerations in the cultural competency study. An amendment to study the further screening of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A comprehensive behavioral workforce commission. An expedited admission protocol for children under 22 who present in an emergency department with mental health needs. An examination of ways to ease communications, within the context of privacy laws, between health care providers. The Mental Health ABC Act now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
10 Publizr Home