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	<title>Massachusetts State Senator Karen Spilka &#187; Children, Families &#38; Persons with Disabilities</title>
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	<description>Proudly representing the 2nd Middlesex &#38; Norfolk district!</description>
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		<title>Massachusetts State Senator Karen Spilka &#187; Children, Families &#38; Persons with Disabilities</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com</link>
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		<title>SENATOR SPILKA VOTES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITIONAL PLANNING FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2595</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – Massachusetts students with special needs will be better prepared to get a job, go to college and live on their own under legislation passed unanimously by the Senate on Thursday that aims to improve transition planning and services required by federal law, Senator Karen Spilka announced. “As one of the first and most [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2595&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<title>Senator Spilka Supports Employment Rights Bill for Victims of Domestic Violence</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:44:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2572</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – The Senate on Thursday passed legislation establishing new employment rights for victims of domestic violence that will help victims keep their jobs and increase long-term economic productivity, Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced today. The vote was 34-0. The bill has wide support from advocacy organizations and the business community. “This important legislation is [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2572&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<title>Senator Spilka Takes Action Against Financial Abuses at State Education Collaboratives</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:23:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2567</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – The Senate on Tuesday took decisive action to end mismanagement and financial abuses at the Commonwealth’s education collaboratives, which help teach children with special needs, Senator Karen Spilka announced. With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed legislation that establishes strict oversight and accountability of the state’s 30 institutions. “This bill shows the Senate’s [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2567&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<title>Legislature Cracks Down on Human Trafficking</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:57:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2531</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, the legislature approved a bill aimed at cracking down on human trafficking in Massachusetts with strong criminal penalties for forced labor and sexual servitude, Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced. The bill also establishes important protections for victims of human trafficking. “As one of the first and ardent supporters of this legislation, I am proud [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2531&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<title>Small Grants Now Available for MW Families Caring for Loved Ones with Disabilities</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ashland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Framingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holliston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hopkinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Advocates Family Alliance, a Framingham-based group, announced that they are awarding small grants to help families care for loved ones with developmental disabilities. The Fred Gaspari Fund for Families provides small grants to MetroWest area families caring for a family member with disabilities, including autism. The family member must live at home with the [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2471&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>CHINS/FACES Legislation out of Committee</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 21:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2163</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON &#8212; On May 20, the joint committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities issued a favorable report on S.66/H. 1294, An Act Regarding Families and Children Engaged in Services, which would reform the way the Juvenile Court and the agencies of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services respond to children in [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2163&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<title>Senator Spilka Launches a Coalition to Call for CHINS Reform as Families and Youth Give Voice to the Need for Change</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/31/senator-spilka-joins-a-coalition-to-call-for-chins-reform-as-families-and-youth-give-voice-to-the-need-for-change/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/31/senator-spilka-joins-a-coalition-to-call-for-chins-reform-as-families-and-youth-give-voice-to-the-need-for-change/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 31 Mar 2011 17:17:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2095</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Pictures from the CHINS to FACES press conference in the Senate Reading Room before the hearing. Senator Karen Spilka was joined by her colleagues as well as parents, youth, and advocates at a packed hearing before the state legislature’s Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities.  Senator Spilka lead the FACES coalition in [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2095&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/31/senator-spilka-joins-a-coalition-to-call-for-chins-reform-as-families-and-youth-give-voice-to-the-need-for-change/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka and the FACES Coalition Call for Reform of CHINS System</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/28/senator-spilka-and-the-faces-coalition-call-for-reform-of-chins-system/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/28/senator-spilka-and-the-faces-coalition-call-for-reform-of-chins-system/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:56:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2088</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[On Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. in State House Hearing Room B-2, the Joint Committee on Children and Families and Persons with Disabilities will hold a public hearing on Senator Spilka’s bill to reform the Children In Need of Services System (CHINS).  The public is encouraged to testify. Also on Tuesday, just prior [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=2088&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/03/28/senator-spilka-and-the-faces-coalition-call-for-reform-of-chins-system/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
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		<title>Senator Spilka Votes for Prudent Budget, Continuing on the Path to Reform and Focusing on Education and Small Business Relief</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/28/senator-spilka-votes-for-prudent-budget-continuing-on-the-path-to-reform-and-focusing-on-education-and-small-business-relief/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/28/senator-spilka-votes-for-prudent-budget-continuing-on-the-path-to-reform-and-focusing-on-education-and-small-business-relief/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 May 2010 00:21:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ashland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civic Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic Development & Emerging Technologies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Framingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holliston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hopkinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Reform]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Seniors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Towns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Transportation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Veterans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=1725</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[“This is a responsible budget that realistically addresses our fiscal constraints while making targeted increases to areas of the budget that help cities and towns, schools and families,” stated Senator Spilka (D-Ashland). “I’m proud to have been able to contribute many of the economic development initiatives, designed to help Massachusetts pull out of our tough economic times, while maintaining my commitment to increasing funding for education, help for our municipalities, and support for our seniors and other vulnerable citizens.” <img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=1725&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/28/senator-spilka-votes-for-prudent-budget-continuing-on-the-path-to-reform-and-focusing-on-education-and-small-business-relief/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
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		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka Advocates for Increase to the SPED Circuit Breaker, Other Amendments in FY11 Budget</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/26/senator-spilka-advocates-for-increase-to-the-sped-circuit-breaker-other-amendmentsin-fy11-budget/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/26/senator-spilka-advocates-for-increase-to-the-sped-circuit-breaker-other-amendmentsin-fy11-budget/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 May 2010 22:52:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ashland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economic Development & Emerging Technologies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Framingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holliston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hopkinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Towns]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Veterans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=1722</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Massachusetts State Senate began debate on the fiscal year 2011 budget today, and Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) has proposed an amendment designed to increase funding to local schools.  Senator Spilka's amendment would increase funding for the Special Education Circuit Breaker to $154M, a 10% increase from fiscal year 2010.<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&amp;blog=1022509&amp;post=1722&amp;subd=karenspilka&amp;ref=&amp;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2010/05/26/senator-spilka-advocates-for-increase-to-the-sped-circuit-breaker-other-amendmentsin-fy11-budget/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
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