Massachusetts has a number of state agencies which serve as important resources for local residents. The Executive Office of Education works to prepare all students to succeed in college and beyond, and the Department of Energy Resources and Environmental Protection are charged with developing a clean energy future for the Commonwealth. These agencies also work to ensure clean air, water and solid waste. Finally, the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development assists in the creation of homes and employment opportunities for Massachusetts residents.
The Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing provides education and accessible communication for the deaf and hard of hearing, and also advocates for their rights. Another state agency, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, works to support economic development in underserved communities. The Massachusetts Health Policy Commission develops policies to improve health care cost containment and improve the quality of patient care.
The Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation is responsible for protecting consumers and ensuring a level playing field for all Massachusetts businesses. Other departments include the Department of Telecommunications and Cable, the Division of Banks, and the Division of Insurance and Professional Licensure. In addition, the Office on Disability ensures the full participation of residents with disabilities and promotes equal opportunity.
The Commonwealth’s agencies help residents find the right job or career for them. The Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance oversees the state’s public housing programs. The Division of Crop and Pest Services regulates agriculture and the state’s wetlands and rivers. The Department of Environmental Protection protects the drinking water supply watersheds for Greater Boston, and promotes water quality and conservation through its water resource policy.
The Office of the Child Advocate promotes the safety of children in state agencies. The Commissioner of Probation supports individuals and families in achieving positive change. Finally, the Office of the Governor acts as the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth, working with the Lieutenant Governor and members of his administration. All of these state offices serve a variety of functions.
Uwill, a Massachusetts-based app, is another example of an innovative application that helps college students find certified therapists. The therapists do not pay to join Uwill, but rather, they are compensated by the colleges through which they work. The program now works with more than 100 colleges, and many of them are located in the Greater Boston area.
Massachusetts also has a rich history of innovation. It was the first place in the United States to create the typewriter, and the first telephone was invented in Boston. The state also produced many artists, writers, and politicians. A few of the most famous of these were born in the Commonwealth, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
Other agencies in the state of Massachusetts regulate the practice of various medical fields, including chiropractic and cosmetology. The Board of Registration of Chiropractors and Cosmetology and Barbering regulates the practice of these professions and oversees apprenticeships. In addition to that, the Board of Registration of Architects protects the public by regulating the title of buildings.
