MassDOT announces ‘Grant Central’ portal

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Highway Division is announcing the launch of a new community grants portal named Grant Central. The portal will be a hub of information and resources about MassDOT grants available to all 351 communities in Massachusetts. It will include information about how to apply for funding, how municipalities will be reimbursed, how applications are scored and more.

“MassDOT is pleased to launch Grant Central, an easy-to-understand, centralized portal for communities applying for MassDOT municipal grant funding,” Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt said in a statement. “Anything we can do to improve access to transportation funding for our municipal partners is exciting to us. Whether it’s funding for road repairs or enhancing local infrastructure, Grant Central is here to support all 351 cities and towns across the state.”

The streamlined portal manages the Highway Division’s six municipal grant programs, including the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Funding Program, Shared Streets and Spaces Program, Municipal Pavement Program, Municipal Small Bridge Program and the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program.

“Grant Central is a game-changer for Massachusetts communities seeking funding for important projects,” Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a statement. “With all major grant programs in one easy-to-use platform, we’re simplifying the process and putting resources directly into the hands of those who need them most. This is a big step forward in making sure our communities get the support they need to thrive.”

Municipal officials who visit the grants portal can read specific details about what each grant program requires for the application to be considered, along with grant contract amounts, deadlines for applications and MassDOT contact information should officials have questions. Grant Central makes printing, signing and emailing documents more streamlined and digitized. The portal also introduces a public-facing grant award tracker, showcasing all grant awards on a map for greater transparency.

For more information on Grant Central and all MassDOT municipal grants, visit madothway.my.site.com/GrantCentral/s.

Dress for Success gets $133K grant for new women’s career center

SPRINGFIELD — Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, a workforce development organization focused on the needs of women and gender non-conforming people, is expanding its programming to include a women’s career center in downtown Springfield. In May, the organization received a three-year $133,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Boston to help fund this expansion.

Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts supports the community through a continuum of workforce development offerings, including its suiting program, which makes available new and gently used professional attire to those who have interviews and need appropriate attire; Foot in the Door, a workforce readiness program for those looking to enter or re-enter the workforce; the Margaret Fitzgerald Mentor Program; and a Professional Women’s Group offering ongoing mutual support and professional networking opportunities. The new career center will supplement this programming by offering workshops and drop-in assistance with resume writing, job search strategies, interview preparation, financial literacy and computer skills.

For more information on Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts, visit dfswm.org.

Fitchburg State president’s, dean’s lists include locals

FITCHBURG — Three students from Franklin County and the North Quabbin region were named to the president’s list at Fitchburg State University for the spring semester, while another 28 made the dean’s list.

The local students on the president’s list are: Keely D. Leeman of Athol; and Peter W. Elliott and Nia R. Manderson-Matheson, both of Petersham.

The local students on the dean’s list are: Briana L. Chagnon, Sydney A. Gauvin, Lyndsey M. Guilmette, Katelyn J. Mahan, Tabitha L. Membrino, Sam S. Phaisikhieuv, Stalyn Quinones, William J. Raymond, April N. Rosello, Jenna L. St. Cyr, Aiden G. Truehart, Thea Wysocki, all of Athol; Kole S. Broderick of Gill; Samantha S. Murray of Greenfield; Morgan L. McCarthy and Howard G. Smith, both of New Salem; David J. Gambone, Brett Houck, Liam P. Lucas-Mullen and Zachary A. Sidilau, all of Orange; Abigail L. Floyd and Cameron J. Hartman, both of Phillipston; Ryan D. Darling and Emily E. Davis, both of Royalston; Hannah A. Wildman-Lyon of Shutesbury; Srichakrika Gudimella of Sunderland; and Rebecca Cloar and James A. Major, both of Turners Falls.

The president’s list honors students for consistently high academic achievement. A student is named to the list after achieving a 3.75 average in each of three successive semesters.

A student is placed on the dean’s list for the semester if an average grade of 3.20 or better is attained, and the student is attending the university full-time.

$200K grant to support patients being discharged

NORTHAMPTON — Cooley Dickinson Hospital, through a collaboration with Highland Valley Elder Services, will benefit from a nearly $200,000 grant that aims to expand the state’s Hospital to Home Partnership Program. Funding for the grant was provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.

The money will be used to provide specialized expertise to Cooley Dickinson Hospital that will support discharges directly to a patient’s home, rather than to a skilled nursing facility or other long-term care setting. Highland Valley Elder Services will hire personnel who will work onsite at Cooley Dickinson to connect patients and their families with resources and services that ensure appropriate supports are put in place in their homes upon discharge.

“These funds will be a huge benefit to our patients, hospital and the community,” Susan Pierce, senior manager of case management at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, said in a statement. “Not only will more patients be able to return directly home, instead of being sent to a skilled facility, but we will also be able to discharge them faster, allowing greater access to other members of the community who need their beds.”

“This grant provides community-based organizations, such as Highland Valley Elder Services, an opportunity to strengthen our relationships with hospital systems and assure patients receive a well-coordinated discharge plan that supports their needs in community-based settings,” Valerie D’Aquisto, associate director of programs and services at Highland Valley Elder Services, said in a statement.