The Special Commission on rural access and Improving state-sponsored services in Massachusetts rural communities has issued its final report. The Commission was established by outside section 203 of the FY2013 state budget "to study access to public assistance and state-sponsored services in rural areas", including "the barriers faced by low-to moderate-income individuals living in rural areas to obtain" such services as public assistance, fuel assistance, child care subsidies, direct cash assistance, emergency housing services and health and human service programs assisting children, families, persons with disabilities and elders. The report to the Governor and the Legislature recommends a number of ways to improve service delivery and effectiveness.
