Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022 Baker appoints Suffolk County District Attorney G overnor Charlie Baker recently announced the appointment of Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry Board (SORB) Chairman Kevin Hayden as Suff olk County District Attorney to serve out the remainder of District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ term. His appointment is effective Monday, January 10 and he will remain in the post until the next District Attorney, to be elected on November 8, is sworn in. Hayden has more than 25 years of legal experience, including more than a decade in the Suff olk County District Attorney’s Offi ce. “Kevin Hayden is a dedicated public servant with a proven record of commitment to equitable justice and community engagement, and I am confi dent he will serve the families of Suffolk County as a respectful, collaborative and compassionate partner as District Attorney,” said Baker. “A veteran of the District Attorney’s Offi ce, where he led the Safe Neighborhood Initiative Unit and devoted himself to leading community-based violence prevention outreach and programming, Chairman Hayden is equipped with the experience and knowledge necessary to serve in this role. I thank District Attorney Rollins for her service and commitment to the people of Suffolk County and look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role as U.S. Attorney.” “Through his years of experience serving the Commonwealth and its residents, and his active engagement in important initiatives to better the Greater Boston community, Kevin Hayden is well-suited to serve as Suff olk County District Attorney,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful to District Attorney Rollins for her service and wish her well in her new role as U.S. Attorney.” “I started 25 years ago as a young prosecutor right here in Suff olk County. Over the years it has remained the desire of my heart to serve and protect our many diverse communities. So it’s truly my distinct honor and privilege to be called home by the Governor through this appointment,” said Hayden. “Thank you Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for the confi dence you have placed in me. I’m deeply humbled to now take the mantle of leadership as Interim Suff olk County District Attorney and I look forward to working faithfully with the offi ce’s talented professionals, offi cials and community leaders, and with and for all the dedicated people of Suff olk County. With unwavering and compassionate commitment I know it will be Suff olk County’s continued legacy to shine as a beacon in the fi elds of public safety and criminal justice.” Hayden has served the Commonwealth’s Sex Off ender Registry Board since 2015, leading the agency and working collaboratively across state government to ensure the successful completion of the Board’s mission and duties to classify offenders and make information available to the public. Hayden has also served as the Board’s Acting Executive Director and General Counsel since 2013. He served for more than a decade in the Suff olk County District Attorney’s Offi ce across various units, including most notably as Chief of the Safe Neighborhood Initiative Unit where he worked collaboratively with local, state and federal partners to lead on critical violence prevention programs and initiatives for at-risk youth, services for victims and witnesses, and off ender re-entry eff orts. In this role, Hayden also received the Brian J. Honan Award for excellence in the courtroom and extraordinary commitment to the Suffolk County community in 2006. In addition to his work with the Safe Neighborhood Initiative Unit, Hayden also served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Anti-Gang Unit, the Homicide Response Team, the Juvenile Unit and for the Boston Municipal Court. He also spent several years in private law practice serving clients in need specializing mostly in criminal defense. Outside of his legal career, Chairman Hayden serves as the Board Chairman of Friends of Youth Opportunity Boston, Inc., a workforce development organization that works with young people, who are court-involved or gang-affi liated, reentering the community from incarceration, or seeking a refuge from poverty or violence and has been a youth lacrosse coach for several years now. A 1990 graduate of Dartmouth College, Hayden received his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1995. DPH launches new quit smoking public awareness campaign T he Department of Public Health (DPH) recently announced the launch of Take the First Step, a public awareness campaign to help adults quit smoking, vaping or using other tobacco or nicotine products. The Take the First Step campaign will run on TV, radio, social and digital media, billboards and print ads in select cities and towns across the Commonwealth in English and Spanish. The campaign encourages residents considering quitting tobacco or nicotine products to take the fi rst step by calling the Massachusetts Quitline (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or visiting mass.gov/quitting. “DPH has a long history of smoking cessation programs aimed at reducing access to and the influence of tobacco and vaping products in our communities,” said Acting Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “Making the decision to quit smoking can be overwhelming. This program provides a pathway of support and resources for residents who want to stop using tobacco and nicotine products. It’s never too late to quit.” Residents who enroll in the Quitline program have access to specially trained coaches who work with them to develop individualized plans and provide ongoing support. The program is free and has helped many residents quit for good. Residents can also enroll and receive coaching services online via e-chat. Medically eligible residents (18+) may get eight weeks of free quit medicines (patches, gums, lozenges) after talking with a quit coach. Residents who enroll in the Quitline program will receive: • Help making a quit plan; quit coaches can offer advice on medicines and how to get through cravings. • Support for people who have already quit and need help staying nicotine-free. • Connection with local one-on-one counselors and quit-smoking groups. • Multilingual support: English-, Spanish- and Arabic-speaking coaches are available; Spanish speakers may call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA (1-855-335-3569) directly to speak with a Spanish-speaking coach; interpreter services are available for 200 languages. Additionally, 1-800-QUIT-NOW off ers several specialized support programs: • Support for individuals who are currently pregnant • Support for individuals who use menthol products • American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program • Additional coaching and support for individuals who self-report having anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or substance use disorder • Program for young adults who use tobacco or vape (ages 18-24, includes live text coaching) • Special support for teens ages 12-17 through a program called My Life, My Quit Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma
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