THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE HAS RELEASED A NEW TOOL TO HELP SNAP RECIPIENTS FIND SAFE,

The Department of Transitional Assistance recently created a tool to help SNAP recipients find Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) farm vendors near them, making safe, healthy shopping options more accessible. The tool can be found on the DTA website at https://dtafinder.dtadash.ehs.mass.gov/

SNAP recipients residing in areas with winter HIP vendors should have already received texts and DTA Connect alerts to connect them with this new resource.

The DTA Finder is an interactive map that allows you to search up-to-date HIP locations.

Some of its features include:

· Search for locations based on when they are open.

· Search for vendors in specific areas.

· Search by availability of services such as curbside pickup and delivery, among other distribution options.

· View the names of HIP farms who sell at a farmers’ market—note that not all farms at farmers markets process HIP.

· Export search results in Excel.

· See information about HIP vendors, including a description, contact info, products, and images.

· Navigate to HIP location addresses using Google Maps

· A mobile friendly user-interface available in five languages.

Additional HIP resources:

· Tutorials on how to use the DTA Founder on both mobile and desktop devices can be found in English and Spanish on the Department of Transitional Assistance’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_n1K7RwkdU&list=PLSW8xUZNyCA4RR87J3k8QwY0Y6Pk3sh_7&ab_channel=MassachusettsDepartmentofTransitionalAssistance

· The DTA’s HIP webpages have been updated to include more information about HIP, step-by-step instructions on how to use HIP at different types of vendors, and informational flyers.

· For help using HIP or the DTA Finder tool, please contact the DTA Assistance Line at 1-877-382-2363 or Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.

· Vendors and community partners can contact the HIP mailbox at DTA.HIP@mass.gov with questions concerning HIP or the DTA Finder tool.

APIs CAN, Greater Boston Legal Services, & the Asian Caucus are hosting a townhall event 6pm 03/25

As we mourn the lives of those lost in the terrible mass shooting in Atlanta this Tuesday, it is crucial that we acknowledge that this was not an isolated incident, but rather another tragedy born of a wave of anti-Asian hate fueled by the divisive and hateful rhetoric of those in positions of power.

I encourage you all to join with our local AAPI community to discuss what actions we can take to end this violence and combat anti-Asian violence in our communities. No one should have to live with the fear that they may, because of their skin color, ethnic heritage, or cultural identity, become targets of attacks like this one.

APIs CAN, Greater Boston Legal Services, and the Asian Caucus are hosting a townhall event at 6pm on March 25th to discuss how the Asian American community in Massachusetts is organizing against racism. This event will be open to the public. The Facebook event page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/events/3099216590325231/ , and attendees can preregister at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_b6KfYzl4RfO6MuiYNjpRPA?fbclid=IwAR11IvNYzTrprT1BuA2AARWG6TxT_3FmFWItydFg72zdeHvwPkxL5S4dAQw .

THE NATIONAL GRID’S CUSTOMER ADVOCATE TEAM TO HOST ONE-HOUR WEBINARS IN ENGLISH & SPANISH

Topics of discussion will include budget plans, discount rates, payment arrangements, fuel assistance grants, energy efficiency, and ways to pay. There is no charge, but registration is required. This webinar is open to all who are interested in learning more about these programs.

There will be two sessions—one in English, and one in Spanish.

To register for the English webinar at 1pm on Tuesday, March 23rd, visit https://app.webinar.net/XyBQ3VZ3lP9

Para registrarse en el seminario web en español a las 4:30 pm del martes 23 de marzo, visite https://app.webinar.net/qXNJrW7r31W

Registration links are also available at www.ngrid.com/webinars. Customers can learn more about additional bill assistance programs at www.ngrid.com/billhelp