Friday, March 27th Legislative & Public Health Updates
- Mar 28
- 19 min read
Dear friends,
I am writing to you today with legislative, public health, and Cambridge updates. If you want even more updates, please follow me on Instagram @repdecker.
Table of Contents
Legislative Updates
A Glimpse at the Past Week
Public Health Updates
Cambridge Updates
Recent Press
Services and Resources
I hope you will join me for the first event in the 25th Middlesex District Legislative Webinar Series on Tuesday, April 7, from 7:00–8:30 PM. This conversation will focus on reproductive justice, maternal health, and access to gender-affirming care.
At a time when the federal administration is working to strip women and LGBTQ+ people of their rights and access to care, it is more important than ever that we stay informed and organized. I’m proud to represent you and to work on legislation in Massachusetts that pushes back against these attacks and strengthens protections for our communities.
I’ll be joined by an incredible group of leaders who are making a difference both locally and nationally: Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha of the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice, Claire Teylouni of Reproductive Equity Now, and Dallas Ducar of Fenway Health.
Together, we’ll discuss the challenges ahead and the work underway at the state level to protect access to care. Space is limited and registration is required. Please sign up here. I hope you can join us.
Legislative Updates
On Monday, the Public Health Committee held a hearing on late-filed bills. We had the opportunity to hear testimony on 3 bills pertaining to celiac disease screening, medical spa operations, and food truck regulations. We heard testimony both in person and online from legislators, health care providers, business owners, and individuals with lived experience. I am grateful to everyone who took time out of their day to share their stories and perspectives, as well as to those who submitted written testimony. Thank you for broadening our understanding of these critical public health issues and articulating how the Committee can best address any concerns. My staff and I will review the oral and written testimony and meet with relevant stakeholders as the Committee considers these bills. The hearing was recorded and is available for viewing here.
I spoke at a virtual budget briefing on Tuesday hosted by the Healthy Families Tax Credits Coalition about opportunities to expand access to refundable tax credits in the state budget. Refundable tax credits remain one of the most effective tools we have to lift families out of poverty, as demonstrated during the COVID-era expansion of the child tax credit, which cut child poverty in half before its expiration led to sharp increases in hardship, including rising food insufficiency.
When I entered the House in 2015, Massachusetts’ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) match stood at 15%. Working alongside Senator DiDomenico, and with the support of House and Senate leadership, we have steadily increased it—from 15% to 23%, then to 30%, and most recently to 40% as part of the October 2023 tax package. In 2017, we also secured a first-in-the-nation reform allowing individuals who leave a marriage due to domestic violence to file taxes separately and access the EITC independently, even if they remain legally married—an option that had not previously been available. At the briefing, I also shared my ongoing legislative efforts to further strengthen and expand these credits so that more working families can access this critical support.
Our next step in maximizing the impact of EITC is to extend it to filers who hold Individualized Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN). 10 states have already done this, including Maine and Vermont. If one member of a family lists an ITIN rather than a Social Security number, the entire family, including any citizen children, is ineligible for the EITC. Those who would benefit from this EITC expansion are legally here, working, and paying taxes. I am honored that MIRA and La Colaborativa have recently identified this bill as a priority; as we move to pass bills that support, uplift, and protect immigrants in our communities, it is vital that we take steps to ensure their economic stability.
On Wednesday, the House passed the PROTECT Act (An Act promoting rule of law, oversight, trust, and equal constitutional treatment). I hope that you saw my recent email about this important step forward in addressing ICE overreach. I am deeply appreciative of the many months of outreach and discussions that the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus put into this broad and thoughtful legislation.
Before the House took up the PROTECT Act, I met with advocates from the Protecting Massachusetts Communities campaign, including the MIRA Coalition, the Brazilian Worker Center, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, and the ACLU of Massachusetts. This discussion was similar to the many meetings I have held before House budget debates in order to prepare and strategize around advocacy for and against budget amendments that affect immigrants. Over the years, I have served as the point person for this issue, providing a home base for organizing colleagues to defeat anti-immigrant efforts and advance pro-immigrant bills and amendments. I was proud to continue this role in support of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus’s leadership on this legislation.
The PROTECT Act strengthens due process protections, limits civil immigration enforcement in courthouses, expands protections for victims of crime, and increases transparency, accountability, and clarity for correctional facilities and law enforcement.
I gathered members of the Cambridge legislative delegation for a meeting with the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) to discuss their FY27 budget priorities. I also invited Cambridge-based organizations that receive MOVA funding so that legislators could hear directly from them and better understand the essential services the organizations provide to survivors in our community.
As you may know, I have been a longtime champion of MOVA. In 2021, Congress failed to appropriate $60 million to restore funds necessary for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) programming in Massachusetts that had been depleted over time. I led the House’s effort in ensuring the VOCA Bridge was fully met, as the Legislature stepped up three times to provide $20 million installments. If the VOCA Bridge were not fulfilled, over 100 direct service programs funded by MOVA would see cuts in programming, including those who attended this gathering.
I have also filed An Act to enhance the rights of crime victims in the Commonwealth for the past 4 legislative sessions in partnership with the Office for Victim Assistance. This bill clarifies and revises the current language in the Victim Bill of Rights to address unfulfilled commitments, codifies practices by criminal justice agencies that have evolved since the statute was created in 1984, and adds new rights to the Bill of Rights that reflect the needs of crime victims today.
Thank you to De Novo, Transition House, the Massachusetts Alliance for Portuguese Speakers, On The Rise, and the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center for joining and sharing how crucial MOVA funding is to the work that you do. Special thank you to YW Cambridge for hosting us in your space.
A Glimpse at the Past Week
On Sunday, I had the opportunity to speak alongside Mark Kelly, Gabby Giffords, and Chris Pappas at a powerful gathering focused on the importance of leadership, civic engagement, and protecting the values that strengthen our democracy.
It was an honor to join these national leaders in conversation about the work ahead and the role each of us can play in building safer, stronger communities. Hearing from Senator Kelly and Congresswoman Giffords, whose advocacy continues to inspire people across the country, was a powerful reminder of why public service matters. I was also glad to welcome Congressman Pappas and share space with so many engaged community members committed to shaping a better future.
I was glad to join the annual Labor Seder hosted by the New England Jewish Labor Committee, a meaningful gathering that brings together labor leaders, faith leaders, and community members to reflect on the values of justice, solidarity, and collective action.
Thank you to the hosts and rabbis who helped guide such a thoughtful and powerful evening rooted in tradition and social justice. I was also proud to celebrate Jessica Tang, President of American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, as she received a well-deserved award recognizing her leadership and unwavering advocacy for educators and working families across our Commonwealth.
The evening also honored the Fenway MGM Concessions workers of UNITE HERE Local 26, whose organizing and advocacy demonstrate the power of workers standing together to win dignity, fairness, and respect on the job.
Moments like this remind us how the lessons of Passover—freedom, resilience, and the responsibility to stand up for others—continue to inspire the work we do today.
I spoke at a briefing hosted by Science Club for Girls (SCFG) at the State House on Monday. As programs like SCFG face targeting at the federal level for the tailored services they provide, I am proud to have been able to secure new state funding.
For over thirty years, SCFG has been encouraging and inspiring girls and gender-expansive youth from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in STEM. They have fostered a love of learning, discovery, and curiosity in more than 4,000 young people with no-cost programs starting in kindergarten that reach girls before they can be influenced by external factors that could dissuade them from pursuing STEM.
Thank you to the entire SCFG team for your devotion to ensuring young people see themselves reflected in STEM through hands-on education, mentorship, social-emotional learning, and an emphasis on diverse representation. I also want to give a special shoutout to the two Cambridge Rindge and Latin alumni on the panel SCFG convened: Kaitlyn Webster and Angell Muñoz-Morale.
Tuesday was the 17th Annual Prostate Cancer Awareness Day. This event is organized by the AdMeTech Foundation in cooperation with the Prostate Cancer Action Council and leaders from the Massachusetts Legislature, medicine, advocacy, grassroots, and community organizations. I was happy to offer remarks to increase engagement and raise awareness for prostate cancer, the most common major malignancy in men, representing about 30% of all cancer cases in men in 2026.
On Tuesday, my staff had the opportunity to tour the new building at 52 New Street developed by Just A Start in Cambridge. This impressive project will create 106 new apartments while transforming an existing property through major climate retrofits, demonstrating how we can expand housing while making our buildings more sustainable for the future.
Projects like this highlight the importance of continued investment in affordable and public housing. As housing costs continue to rise across our region, developments like 52 New Street help ensure that more families, seniors, and workers can remain in the communities they call home. Many current and upcoming affordable housing projects rely on Mass Save to make all-electric affordable housing financially feasible, which is why I fought to ensure that communities including Cambridge that are participating in the fossil fuel-free community pilot program remain eligible for these incentives. I am proud that the energy affordability bill recently passed by the House preserved access for communities in the pilot program.
I am grateful to the team at Just A Start for their leadership and vision in bringing this project forward. Expanding high-quality, energy-efficient affordable housing is essential to building a more equitable and resilient Commonwealth.
Patients and providers held a panel discussion on access to obesity treatment on Tuesday. This event highlighted the life-saving benefits of GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound as well as the devastating impacts of private insurers, the Group Insurance Commission, and MassHealth removing coverage for these drugs. Targeting treatments for the chronic disease of obesity but no others reflects the ongoing stigma against a specific group of patients, especially when the same medications are still covered to treat diabetes.
It is critically important that we take a patient-centered approach that balances cost concerns with health outcomes, ensuring that individuals are not denied effective, evidence-based care due to stigma or short-term budget pressures.
I was very happy to have a conversation over coffee with a constituent who has been advocating for legislation to protect LGBTQ+ residents of Massachusetts while balancing a demanding academic workload as an MD/MPH candidate. It is always inspiring to see young people, students, and providers — or, as in this case, someone who is all three — engaging with the legislative process on behalf of the most vulnerable members of our community.
I had the pleasure of welcoming five high school seniors from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School who participate in the Early College Program to the State House on Wednesday. During our time together, the students shared why they chose to enroll in the program and spoke about their goals and aspirations for the future.
It was especially exciting to bring them onto the House floor while the chamber was in session, where they were formally announced and entered into the official record. Moments like this are a powerful reminder of the importance of expanding opportunities like early college programs that help students explore their interests, earn college credit, and prepare for the next steps in their educational journeys.
On Wednesday evening, I joined colleagues for Legislators’ Night at the powerful Broadway musical Suffs, hosted in partnership with the Massachusetts Women’s History Center. The performance tells the story of the courageous women who fought for the right to vote and helped secure the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
It was a meaningful and timely reminder that the rights and opportunities we have today were won through persistence, organizing, and collective action. I’m grateful to organizations like the Massachusetts Women’s History Center for continuing to uplift the stories of the women who shaped our democracy and to create spaces where we can reflect on that history together.
Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) hosted a legislative breakfast on Thursday to highlight their budget and bill priorities. I am deeply grateful for the work that SCES does to help older adults and adults with disabilities maintain independence and well-being at home. I also want to congratulate Senator Pat Jehlen on receiving the Patricia Jehlen Award for Advancing Dignity in Aging in recognition of her decades of leadership on behalf of elders not only in Somerville and Cambridge, but across the Commonwealth.
This week was packed with advocacy days at the State House — thank you to the constituents who came to my office on behalf of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Community Empowerment and Reinvestment Grant program.
Thank you to everyone who joined my team and me at last night’s sign-making parties for this weekend’s “No Kings” rally at the Baldwin Community Center and the Cambridge Community Center. I was so inspired by the energy and creativity of everyone who stopped by to make a sign and build community with their neighbors.
Public Health Updates
United States Poised for Record Number of Measles Cases in 2026
The United States is set to have another record-breaking year for measles infections, surpassing the 2,285 confirmed cases reported in 2025 – already an over thirty-year high. So far in 2026, there have been 1,487 confirmed infections and 14 new outbreaks, with 21% of cases occurring in children younger than 5 and 74% in children and young adults up to age 19. 92% of these cases involve patients who were not vaccinated against measles or did not know their vaccination status. At this time, Massachusetts has only reported 2 confirmed cases of measles. Measles is a very contagious viral illness that causes a rash, fever, and cough. The illness is so contagious that about 90% of people exposed to measles who are not immune will develop the infection. Because measles is highly contagious, at least 95% of the population must be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity. Both the CDC and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommend that everyone receive two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Those who complete the full MMR vaccine course are typically considered to be protected against measles and rubella for life, while immunity to mumps may wane over time. For more information about measles and the MMR vaccine, visit mass.gov/info-details/measles.
New COVID Variant Emerging in the US and 23 Countries
A new COVID-19 variant, BA.3.2, also known as "cicada," has been detected in at least 25 U.S. states, including Massachusetts, as well as in 23 countries. BA.3.2 is a highly mutated variant, featuring 70 to 75 mutations that distinguish it from the JN.1 lineage, which has been the predominant strain in the U.S. over the last two years. The symptoms of BA.3.2 are similar to those of other COVID-19 infections, and the indicators to be aware of remain consistent with existing variants. In February, the World Health Organization (WHO) listed this “highly mutated” virus on its “variants of monitoring” record. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began monitoring BA.3.2 after observing a steady increase in cases in the U.S. According to the CDC, BA.3.2 has not yet been linked to a significant number of cases in the U.S. Public health experts warn that low vaccination rates continue to leave many individuals vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. Furthermore, mutations in the BA.3.2 spike protein could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines or prior infections.
DPH Extends Window for Infant RSV Immunization through April due to Ongoing Virus Activity
In response to ongoing activity of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across Massachusetts and the surrounding region, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a clinical advisory to health care providers regarding infant RSV protection. RSV is a common and highly contagious respiratory virus that infects the nose, throat, respiratory tract, and lungs, and is a leading cause of hospitalization among infants in the US. Current surveillance data indicate continued circulation of RSV in most regions of the US, including Massachusetts. While the immunization window typically extends from October 1 through March 31, DPH has recommended that clinicians continue providing RSV monoclonal antibody immunizations to infants through April 30, 2026. This guidance is largely due to the 2025-2026 RSV season’s unusually late start and subsequent extension into the spring months compared to recent years. DPH is continuing to monitor disease activity levels and leveraging the state’s most recent data to reduce RSV risk for all Massachusetts residents. For more information, visit DPH’s respiratory illness dashboard and review current guidance on RSV prevention here.
New HPC Report finds ED Boarding is a Significant Issue in Massachusetts, Particularly for Behavioral Health Visits
A report issued by the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission (HPC) on Wednesday found that the Commonwealth had the second-longest emergency department (ED) wait times in the nation for any visit and the sixth-longest ED wait times for behavioral health visits. Between 2020 and 2024, ED boarding—when patients must wait over 12 hours after their initial assessment to be placed in an appropriate care setting—increased from 7.5% to 11% of all visits. Notably, this is a slight decrease from 2022, when 40% of behavioral health patients were boarding in emergency departments. The HPC’s report identifies the primary reason as barriers to inpatient placement, including lack of inpatient beds and time spent stabilizing patients experiencing behavioral dysregulation or symptoms of substance use. Massachusetts has taken steps to alleviate ED boarding, including opening twenty-five 24/7 community behavioral health centers offering both crisis and outpatient services and removing insurance prior-authorization requirements for behavioral health patients admitted to inpatient care.
Pfizer and Valneva Progress In Developing Vaccine to Prevent Lyme Disease
On Monday, drug companies Pfizer and Valneva shared hopeful results from a Phase 3 clinical trial of a Lyme disease vaccine targeting North American and European strains, which has been in development for the past 6 years. Preliminary results demonstrate that the experimental vaccine was over 70% effective in preventing Lyme disease among individuals aged 5 and older. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by Borrelia bacteria. Symptoms of Lyme disease typically begin 3-30 days after being bitten by an infected tick, often with a localized, circular rash around the bite, joint stiffness, and muscle aches. Approximately half a million people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease per year in the United States. In 2025, Massachusetts saw over 8,600 confirmed and probable cases of Lyme disease. There is no currently approved immunization for Lyme disease, as LYMERix – a highly effective vaccine – was removed from the market in 2002 due to insufficient demand. While Pfizer plans to submit the study results to regulatory authorities, the trial did not meet its targeted statistical goal in its first analysis because fewer cases of the disease occurred during the study period than anticipated. Upon approval, Pfizer and Valneva’s vaccine reportedly could launch as soon as next year.
Cambridge Updates
Spring Classic 5K on Sunday
The annual Cambridge Spring Classic 5K race takes place on Sunday, March 29, beginning and ending at MIT’s University Park Commons (64 Sidney St). Parts of Sidney St and Franklin St will be closed from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (approximately). Other roads along the route will not be closed but runners may impact traffic. For questions or concerns, please contact Paul Clark at pvclark@yahoo.com.
Panel Discussion on Queer Adoptions & Fostering in Massachusetts
The Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission is holding a panel discussion on queer adoptions and fostering on Thursday, April 9th from 6-8:30 PM at the Cambridge Public Library (Main Branch, 149 Broadway). Registration is preferred for planning purposes but not required. To register, go to bit.ly/QueerIntentionalFamilies. Email LGBTQ@CambridgeMA.gov with any questions.
Medication Takeback Day
The Cambridge Public Health Department, Cambridge Police Department, and Cambridge Council on Aging are hosting a Medication Takeback Event on Monday, April 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Cambridge Senior Center (806 Mass Ave). Personnel will be available on-site in the lobby to accept unwanted or unused prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and vitamins. Sharps, liquids, and creams/ointments will NOT be accepted. For any questions about the event or safe medication disposal year-round, please contact Danielle McPeak, the CPHD Prevention and Recovery Specialist, at dmcpeak@cambridgepublichealth.org.
Recent Press
Ruth Tam, Cambridge Day
When the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority extended the Red Line from Harvard Square to Alewife in 1985, the project was considered a milestone for the nation’s first public transit system. To herald this achievement, the MBTA created the Arts on the Line program to commission 20 works of contemporary art at its new stations.
Porter Square was no exception. As T passengers ascended from the system’s deepest station, they were charmed by bronze gloves that appeared to tumble down the escalator. Emerging from the station, they were greeted by an uplifting white aluminum and mylar mobile that caught the light through the atrium windows. Outside were sculptures made of undulating granite and sliced boulders. Towering above it all was “Gift of the Wind,” a 46-foot steel sculpture with vibrant red wings that rotated with the breeze.
“Gift of the Wind” is perhaps the MBTA’s most prominent artwork. While its arms still move, they have faded into a dull pink that borders on gray. On the surface, the restoration job does not seem to be a difficult one. Take the sculpture down, repair or replace any parts, repaint the arms, and re-install it. The enduring question is: Who should pay for it?
At Thursday’s neighborhood association meeting, Massachusetts State Rep. Marjorie Decker, who represents Porter Square, told residents she was “fairly confident” these issues would be resolved.
She said she is waiting for a cost estimate of the sculpture’s restoration from the MBTA and a conversation with Cambridge’s city manager on what the city’s contribution could be. Afterwards, she could request funds out of the state budget.
Services and Resources
Immigration Resources
MIRA Immigration Helpline: Through this helpline, MIRA provides individuals and community-based organizations with answers to the most commonly asked immigration questions. You can contact the helpline by scheduling a call online or leaving a voicemail at 508-293-1871.
Guidance for Immigrants and their Employers: MLRI and MIRA have created guidance to prepare immigrants and their employers for ICE interactions. Here is the guidance; please share it widely with your networks.
LUCE Defense Hotline: If you see or suspect ICE or federal agents are in your neighborhood, contact the LUCE Immigrant Defense Network’s Hotline, which operates in several languages, at 617-370-5023 from 9am-5pm. A trained operator will ask for details, then dispatch a volunteer to the site, who will attempt to verify the situation and the presence of ICE. You can learn more about LUCE and their upcoming volunteer trainings at lucemass.org.
De Novo Center for Justice and Healing: De Novo is a Cambridge-based nonprofit that provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling to people with low incomes. Importantly, De Novo also offers high-quality, free legal assistance to low-income immigrants and asylum seekers who are living in Massachusetts. You can learn more about their immigration related services here, and their general mission and work at denovo.org.
Reliable sources of information on policy changes:
Food Assistance Resources
If you need help meeting your or your family’s nutritional needs, you are not alone. You can find information on Cambridge food pantries, free community meals, and other local food resources here.
Mass.gov/SNAPFreeze provides resources for people in need of food assistance and ways for residents and businesses to donate or volunteer.
Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline is free, confidential, and has counselors available in 180 languages. You can call or text 1.800.645.8333 to access the hotline, or chat with a counselor online using the “Live Chat” feature at the bottom of the website.
Greater Boston Food Bank has information on food assistance as well as opportunities to donate and to volunteer.
Cambridge Food Resource Guide has information about food pantries, free community meals, food resources for older adults, and more, and is available in 8 languages.
Reproductive Care, Gender-Affirming Care, and Crisis Resources
These are a few of the resources and help lines available for people seeking reproductive or gender-affirming health care or experiencing a crisis. Help is available, and you are not alone.
MBTA Income-Eligible Reduced Fare Program
The MBTA’s income-eligible reduced fare program offers reduced fares to riders between the ages of 18 and 64 enrolled in an approved state assistance program, including:
Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled & Children (EAEDC)
Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)
MASSGrant
MassHealth
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
You can learn more about the program and how to apply at mbta.com/fares/reduced/income-eligible.
Intimate Partner Abuse Prevention Helpline
This initiative is designed to prevent intimate partner violence by fostering accountability and change in people who harm or may harm their partner. You can find more information at 10to10helpline.org or by calling 877-898-3411.
SafeSpot Overdose Prevention Helpline
SafeSpot is a virtual spotting/overdose detection service for people who use drugs. Learn more at safe-spot.me or access it by calling 800-972-0590.
Alzheimer's Association Helpline
The Alzheimer’s Association is a nonprofit that provides support, research, and care for Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is available 24/7 for caregivers and patients. More information is available at alz.org, or by calling 800-272-3900.
MassLegalHelp.org is a resource to help Massachusetts residents learn about their legal rights. The website does not offer legal advice or answer individual questions, but has a page about options for finding a lawyer. It does provide resources for those facing legal issues, such as a landlord refusing to make repairs, appealing the denial of SNAP benefits, and questions about getting a CORI sealed.
Free Shuttle Bus Transportation Available to Older Adults in Cambridge
Council on Aging (COA) Bus Service
On Mondays and Wednesdays, the shuttle bus is available to residents who live in Central Square (02139) and East Cambridge (02141)
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the shuttle bus is available to residents who live in North Cambridge (02140) and West Cambridge (02138)
To reserve a seat on the shuttle bus, call the Council on Aging’s Transportation Office at 617-349-7254. Please make reservations at least 2 business days in advance. COA staff will share a morning pickup time with residents once reservations are complete.
Council on Aging (COA) Mall Shopping Group Transportation
The Mall Shopping Group shuttle bus provides free transportation to Arsenal Yards in Watertown, which has a variety of retail shops, grocery stores, and restaurants to explore. The shuttle can also bring residents to the Watertown Mall Plaza, which includes a Target and Registry of Motor Vehicles.
This trip alternates between Tuesdays and Wednesdays each week. The shuttle leaves the Cambridge Senior Center at 10:30 a.m. and returns to the Senior Center at 1 p.m. Home pickup is available upon request.
To reserve a seat on the shuttle bus for the Mall Shopping Group, call the Council on Aging’s Transportation Office at 617-349-7254. Please make reservations at least 2 business days in advance.
Door2Door by SCM Transportation
Door2Door Transportation by SCM is available to Cambridge residents who are 60 years or older or residents who have a mobility impairment. The transportation service provides rides to medical appointments and grocery stores. Door2Door is also piloting a weekly shuttle service to the Target on Somerville Ave. in Somerville.
For reservations, call 617-625-1191 between 9 am and 1:30 pm on weekdays, excluding holidays. When you hear the greeting, press “0” to speak to reservations.
Welcome Baby Boxes for Cambridge Parents
The Center for Families provides Baby Boxes to eligible Cambridge parents who have a child under one year old.
The Baby Boxes include diapers, wipes, children's books, and community resources for families.
Parents can customize their Baby Box by choosing items sized for a 0–6-month-old or 6–12-month-old. They can also select a baby carrier, diaper backpack, and breastfeeding supplies for their Baby Box.
If you’re interested in signing up for a Welcome Baby Box, please fill out this form or contact welcomebabyboxes@cambridgema.gov.
As always, please contact me with questions or concerns at Marjorie.Decker@mahouse.gov.
Sincerely,
Marjorie
