Since our founding in 1975, the Providers’ Council has always been on the move.
We’ve traveled countless times to Beacon Hill to fight for legislation that would strengthen the human services sector, created numerous educational and networking opportunities for our members and leveraged the power of our collective membership to offer incredible value in our group purchasing programs. Throughout the years, we’ve traversed the Commonwealth to provide the highest quality services to our more than 200 member organizations.
And in 2019, the Council itself was literally on the move – to Framingham after spending the first 44 years with our organization based in downtown Boston. At the beginning of our 45th year, the Providers’ Council welcomed members in our more centrally located office, allowing us to better serve our growing statewide membership. The new office – at 100 Crossing Boulevard – includes a state-of-the-art Learning Center, enabling the Council to host a diverse set of trainings for all audiences.
In many ways, 2019 was a year of change for the Council, though our commitment to members remained the same. In collaboration with trade organization partners, the Council worked with state government on a significant reform altering how the state sets rates funding salaries for human services programs. We released the sixth report in our collaboration with the Donahue Institute and UMass Dartmouth titled Health through Human Services during an event with our members in May. Our Race, Diversity and Inclusion Committee hosted the popular two-day Healing Racism seminar and released its first Race, Equity & Inclusion Glossary that provides language needed to effectively communicate and embrace diversity for all. And we also grew some of our most popular initiatives: Providers’ eAcademy® reached 42,000 learners at 80 organizations; The Caring Force swelled to more than 28,000 members; and we awarded a record $22,000 in scholarships to future human services leaders with our partners at Suffolk and Clark universities.
While we had numerous accomplishments in 2019, it was only possible with the support from you – our members. Thank you for your partnership throughout the past 45 years in envisioning change, leading advocacy and driving progress. Your efforts in caring for one-in-ten Massachusetts residents have undoubtedly left the Commonwealth a stronger place. Thank you for your tireless efforts in building caring communities across Massachusetts.
Sincerely,
Bill Sprague
Board Chair
Michael D. Weekes
President/CEO
