5 Things You Need to Know Today in Worcester – October 3, 2019

WORCESTER – In today’s daily 5 Things You Need to Know feature, ThisWeekinWorcester.com will explore five important items and stories that Worcester and Central Massachusetts residents should keep a close eye on.

These five things can cover a whole range of subjects and issues that we feel are pertinent to understanding what’s going on in the City and the cities and towns surrounding Worcester.

In today’s edition — October 3, 2019 – the Worcester Police Department is participating in the Pink Patch Project, the DA’s office has been awarded a $1 million grant to fight opioid abuse in Milford, the City of Worcester was awarded a $5.6 million HUD grant, the Massachusetts State Police have created an Unresolved Case Unit, and Massachusetts is named the “Most Vaccinated” state. 

Worcester PD to Participate in Pink Patch Project

The Worcester Police Department will be wearing pink patches throughout the month of October to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer and to support breast cancer research organizations. 

 In collaboration with the New England Police Benevolent Association Local 911, the International Police Officers Local 504 and the Massachusetts Police Association, the WPD will participate in the Pink Patch Project. The patches the WPD officers will wear have been designed by the WPD. 

The Pink Patch Project is an effort between more than 170 public service agencies from across the nation.

Worcester County DA’s Office and Town of Milford Awarded $1 Million Grant to Fight Opioid Abuse

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office and its partners in greater Milford have been awarded a $1 million grant from the Dept. of Justice to enhance access to recovery treatment for people suffering from substance use disorder.

The DOJ grant for $1,092,869 will allow the partnership to expand opioid-abuse prevention, intervention and treatment services. The partnership is planning to establish a new free-standing resource recovery center in Milford and expand the program beyond greater Milford.

“This is an exciting program and the DA’s office is happy join our partners within the greater Milford area,” District Attorney Joseph Early said. “This collaboration of police departments and mental health providers will help people dealing with addiction to access services.”

City of Worcester Awarded $5.6 Million Grant for Lead Hazard Control

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the City of Worcester announced that it has been awarded $5.6 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

The City received a $5 million grant in Lead Hazard Reduction program funding and an additional $600,000 in Healthy Homes initiative funding for citywide use for qualified property owners.

This is the largest award the City has ever received for the abatement of lead paint hazards.

With this grant, the City will address lead hazards in 250 housing units providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children. The City will also perform healthy homes interventions in 120 units.

Mass. State Police Creates Statewide Unresolved Case Unit

On Oct. 1,  the Massachusetts State Police announced the creation of a statewide Unresolved Case Unit to investigate unsolved homicides and other violent crimes to seek justice for victims and their families.

The new unit will be comprised of five State Troopers who are experienced homicide investigators who will work in conjunction with the state’s district attorneys to identify open cases in which a renewed investigative focus may prove helpful.

“There are many cases over the years that, even in light of the outstanding and tireless efforts of police and prosecutors, have not been resolved for any of a variety of reasons. I hope that by creating a dedicated unit to focus the investigative skills of these experienced troopers, backed by forensic and other resources of the Massachusetts State Police, we will build upon the excellent work already done on these cases and, in conjunction with the district attorneys, achieve the breakthroughs we need to secure justice for these victims and their families,” MSP Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin said.

Massachusetts Named ‘Most Vaccinated’ State in America

In their latest report — 2019’s States that Vaccinate the Most — the data experts at WalletHub analyzed the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 18 key metrics, ranging from share of vaccinated children to share of people without health insurance to presence of reported measles outbreaks.

The report found that Massachusetts ranked #1 — or the “most vaccinated” — among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Vaccination in Massachusetts – State Rankings (1=Best; 25=Avg.)

• 2^nd – Influenza Vaccination Rate in Children Aged 6 Months to 17 Years Old
• 3^rd – Share of Teenagers aged 13-17 Years Old with Up-To-Date HPV Vaccination
• 5^th – Share of Teenagers aged 13-17 Years Old with Men ACWY Vaccination
• 6^th – Flu Vaccination Coverage Rate Among Adults
• 13^th – Share of Adults with Tetanus Vaccination
• 13^th – Share of Adults Aged 60 Years and Older with Zoster Vaccination
• 4^th – Share of Children 19-35 Months old Living in Poverty with Combined 7-Vaccine Series
• 1^st – Share of Civilian Noninstitutionalized Population without Health Insurance Coverage
• 1^st – Share of Children Under 6 Years Old Participating in an Immunization Information System

To see how MA compares to the rest of the country, please scroll the map below:

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