- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones, Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler, and the Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition this week hosted the first-ever Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition Champion Awards ceremony, recognizing and honoring employers, labor leaders, policymakers, workers, and advocates who demonstrate exceptional commitment to supporting family caregivers in the workplace.
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalitionis a public-private partnership of diverse business, non-profit, and worker advocates under the auspices of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development that focuses on elevating the needs of family caregivers as a talent attraction and retention strategy. Family caregivers represent a sizable population of the workforce across Massachusetts. This event was an opportunity to expand the conversation around substantive change in support of working caregivers. The Massachusetts Caregivers Coalition builds on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda to attract, retain, and develop diverse talent in Massachusetts.
“Many Massachusetts workers carry the dual responsibility in serving as a family caregiver outside of the workplace while also being a productive and effective employee at work,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “Today’s awards highlight champions of caregivers in the workplace, from employers to policymakers to advocates. Appreciating caregiving in the workplace will attract and retain a more equitable and competitive workforce across Massachusetts.”
Awardees
Policy Trailblazer Champion: Senator Jo Comerford
Senator Jo Comerford has served the people of western Massachusetts long before she took public office in January 2019, elected to serve the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district in the Massachusetts State Senate. Senator Comerford is lead sponsor of An Act Supporting Family Caregivers, which would provide family caregivers with a variety of supports. Sen. Comerford also serves as Chair of the Higher Education Committee.
Policy Trailblazer Champion: Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid
Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid, represents the 12th Suffolk District serving parts of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale and Milton. She is Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary and serves on the Women’s Caucus executive board, as well as being an active member of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. She is the sole caretaker of her mother, Rev Brenda Fluker, Esq., who has been her support system and inspiration for all of her accomplishments, especially as an advocate for caretakers throughout the Commonwealth.
Employer Excellence Champion: Citizens Bank
At Citizens, caregiving is more than acknowledged—it’s celebrated and supported. The company recognizes that colleagues who care for loved ones bring empathy, resilience, and adaptability to the workplace, and has built a culture that honors those strengths.
Support includes mental health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources through Spring Health forcolleagues and their families, emergency back-up care, senior care management, MilkShip for traveling moms, a Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, and comprehensive legal benefits to meet a wide range of caregiving needs.
Advocacy All-Star Champion: Tom Weber, Executive Director at Massachusetts Business Coalition for Early Childhood Education
Tom is the Foundation Fellow for Early Childhood at Eastern Bank Foundation and Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Coalition forEarly Childhood Education. Prior to joining Eastern, Tom was the longest-serving Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Previously, Tom served as Undersecretary and Chief of Staff at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education.
Advocacy All-Star Champion: Presented to Darlene Lombos, President at Greater Boston Labor Council
Darlene Lombos is President and principal officer of the Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC) and the first woman and person of color to be elected in this top leadership position. Darlene took office in 2020 and was reelected to a second term in 2024. The GBLC represents over 100,000 union members and their families within 24 cities and towns in the region and has as its primary mission to build power for workers and progressive allies to advance our movement forsocial, economic and racial justice.
“Family caregivers are the backbone of our communities and our economy. The Healey-Driscoll Administration is deeply committed to supporting them — not only through policy, but through partnerships that expand what’s possible,” said Secretary of the Executive Office of Aging & Independence Robin Lipson. “We’re proud to work alongside employers, advocates, and unlikely allies to create a workforce where no one has to choose between caring for family and pursuing their career.”
In spring 2024, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced that the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will lead the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition to align with and build on the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s workforce agenda. The Coalition aims to partner with, encourage, and challenge Massachusetts employers wherever they are in their progress of supporting employee caregivers by: Illuminating the needs of employee caregivers and their economic impact; Identifying, sharing, and leveraging best practices inclusive of all employer sizes, locations and types of workforce; Championing employee caregiver policies; and Enabling culture change for caregivers across all sectors of the economy.
“Today’s awards recognize those fighting every day to increase awareness of and implement policies to help workers throughout the state who are also caregivers at home,” said Undersecretary Josh Cutler. “Congratulations to our Caregiver Coalition Champions!”
The Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition welcomes employers and workforce partners to join the network and access available resources to recognize, support, and build creative solutions that allow family caregivers to thrive in the workplace while also caring forfamily at home. To learn more and request to join, visit mass.gov/CaregiverCoalition.
Statements of Support
“As we celebrate National Family Caregivers Month, I am honored to receive the inaugural Policy Trailblazer Champion Award from the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition, alongside my colleague Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid. I’m proud to stand with partners in the Legislature and the Administration — especially Secretary Jones and Undersecretary Cutler — to recognize and uplift the vital contributions of family caregivers. Together, we’ll continue pushing forward budget priorities and policy solutions that reflect these often unrecognized and not adequately supported heroes.” - Senator Jo Comerford, State Senator, Northampton
“I am honored to be recognized for the law I passed to support family caregivers in public office. By removing the barrier that once prevented candidates from using campaign funds for caregiving, we’ve affirmed that caregiving is not a distraction from public service - it is public service. This law ensures that more caregivers can run for office without having to choose between their families and their civic voice. I’m proud of this law and excited to see the new era of talented individuals who will now be able to run for office.” - Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid, Mattapan
"It is important to lift up the powerful rank-and-file leaders who often don’t get recognized for their commitment, courage and tenacity in building and strengthening our communities. I am honored to be recognized on behalf of the Massachusetts Caregiver Coalition and all the brave women leaders and caregivers – the majority of them women, people of color and immigrants - who blazed the trail that we all now travel." - Darlene Lambos, President, Greater Boston Labor Council
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