Legislative leaders attend Human Services Forum

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The Human Service Forum held its annual Legislative Reception Friday morning at the Castle of Knights in Chicopee.

The Forum offered those who work in the social and human service industry a chance to meet directly with their local legislative leaders.  Among the issues discussed were funding and staffing for agencies in a time of rising costs.

Seventeen elected officials attended the breakfast forum.

“This is one of the few times they really come together as a delegation, and I think we have in western Mass, we’re really fortunate that the people who represent us, they know there are people out there who are in need. They have a tough fight in Boston because they’re outnumbered,” said Bill Miller of Friends of the Homeless, who chaired the event.

According to one survey, 24% of the workforce in Western Massachusetts is in the social service sector.