Senator Eldridge Awarded “Legislator of the Year” by Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY)

MPY provides training, fosters collaboration, and promotes programming to increase students' health and safety

Lexington, Mass. – On Friday, May 6th, State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton) received the Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) 2022 Legislator of the Year Award. Senator Eldridge was recognized as the Senate lead on securing funding for MPY. With state funding, the organization was able to operate during the pandemic and expand its service area across the Commonwealth.

Senator Eldridge fiercely advocated for many critical issues that the MPY team has been tirelessly working on, including substance abuse, LGBTQ youth support, racial equity, and mental and behavioral health. Senator Eldridge is pleased to work alongside MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels, who leads the incredible organization that provides training and programming on dozens of different challenges students face.

“I am honored to receive the MPY Legislator of the Year award, and proud to serve as the Senate lead on securing state funding for the organization. Promoting accessible mental health services for young people in the state has and will always be my priority as a legislator,” said State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton). “I am grateful for MPY Executive Director Margie Daniels for her hard work and dedication to young students in Middlesex County and beyond.”

“Senator Eldridge’s continuous and enthusiastic support for Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) has enhanced our efforts to provide relevant, cutting-edge, high-quality training for educators, students, and families,” said Margie Daniels, executive director of MPY. “It is critical that we collaborate to address the significant mental/behavioral health and social/emotional needs of students and we are proud to partner with Senator Eldridge. He is our champion.”

The Legislator of the Year award was presented during a professional development conference, which took place at Minuteman Regional Vocational High School in Lexington, Mass. The conference invited educators, administrators, psychologists, social workers, teachers, and guidance counselors to speak on their experiences and ideas related to mental health and school safety. 

This conference also highlighted MPY’s collaboration with John Crocker, M.Ed., Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium (MASMHC), and the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy, along with Scott Morrison, Ed.D., Superintendent, Tri-Town School Union, and James Barrett, Ph.D., Director of Clinical Support Services, Cambridge Police Department.

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