Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The MMA Human Services Council is recognized as a strong voice for human services in Massachusetts. The group, established in 1975 as the Local Officials Human Services Council, was founded with the understanding that municipal leaders are in a unique position to assess human needs in their communities and to respond effectively. It is the human services arm of the MMA.
Human services describes a wide variety of programs serving, among others, elderly, children, disabled persons, single parents, refugees and low-income families. Meeting the social needs of the community is as important as street repairs or education. The HSC provides a voice for local officials who address these needs in their communities every day.
The HSC’s mandates are:
• To provide a coordinated response to state policies affecting local human service delivery
• To enhance the effectiveness of local human service planning and programming
• To share ideas and promote cooperation among human service officials
HSC Officers
President: Laura Ducharme, community services coordinator, Acton
Vice President: Kristin Kennedy, health and community services director, Easton
Secretary: Christine Shruhan, youth and family services director, Burlington
Treasurer: June David-Fors, family and youth services director, Northborough
Membership in the MMA Human Services Council is open to anyone working in a human services role in a Massachusetts municipality. Affiliate membership is also available for non-municipal human services organizations. Contact Director of Communications & Membership Candace Pierce at the MMA by using the form below.
Human Services Council discusses impacts of COVID on residents – April 28, 2022
Human services group discusses dealing with difficult people – Oct. 20, 2021
MMA HSC discusses ARPA funding for human services – July 29, 2021
Human services group discusses vaccine education and hesitancy – May 21, 2021
Human services group discusses self-care and stress management – March 26, 2021
MMA Human Services Council discusses elder care during COVID-19 – July 1, 2020
Have a question about the HSC? Contact Director of Communications & Membership Candace Pierce using this form.