Commissioner Monahan Listened to Residents at First Bridge to Stability Session

Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Interim Commissioner Stacey Monahan held the first of a series of statewide listening sessions in Framingham Tuesday afternoon at the main Framingham Library.

The listening session allowed residents from the region to share ideas, provide feedback and tell stories about transitional assistance programs that provide an important bridge to stability during difficult times.

Residents from across the region joined Framingham Town Manager Bob Halpin, State Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington, state representatives Chris Walsh  Carolyn Dykema and Tom Conroy to share their stories and experiences with the Department, as well as discuss ideas on how to improve client services and enhance program integrity. Walsh and Conroy represent Framingham.

“The listening tour will help the Department improve our policies, procedures and processes to ensure that taxpayer resources are used appropriately and as intended,” said Interim Commissioner Monahan in a press release to Framingham Patch. “The feedback we received from the Framingham listening session will certainly help us improve our service delivery and enhance program integrity and I am grateful for all who participated.”

The depatment provides emergency and transitional needs of the individuals and families of the Commonwealth are met through a combination of federal-and state-funded benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and cash assistance.