The Children's League of Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) just unveiled a new webpage reporting racial and ethnic disparities data in Massachusetts' #juvenilejustice system This resource provides data on disparities across various points in the juvenile justice process over the past several years. It aims to share critical information, inform policy decisions, and help the public better understand how the OCA measures these disparities within our state systems. 👉 Check out the resource here: https://lnkd.in/gUgUEYf5 #mapoli #childwelfare #StandUpForChildren

The Massachusetts primary election is just one week away on September 3rd - this is your chance to elect a representative of your district who prioritizes child, youth, and family well-being. ✔️ To aid our collective efforts in engaging, informing, and evaluating candidates, CLM has created two resources - a Legislative Candidate Questionnaire and a Legislator's Pledge. ✔️ CLM also collaborated with Citizens for Juvenile Justice to develop Youth Justice Voter Guides. 👉 Find the resources mentioned above and more helpful links on our website: https://lnkd.in/gne_3k6E Thank you to our youth justice voter guide project partners: Citizens for Juvenile Justice, Boston Bar Association, MA Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence, More Than Words, and Strategies for Youth. #mapoli #childwelfare #StandUpForChildren

Yesterday, Staverne Miller was officially appointed as the permanent Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). "The agency needed a permanent top executive to tackle ‘the big challenges of #childwelfare,’ said Rachel Gwaltney, executive director of Children’s League of Massachusetts. Those include a focus on services for children with complex needs and an effort to address cases more decisively and quickly to give children more stability, Gwaltney said." 👉 Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gDA94DaC Boston Globe Media #bostonglobe #mapoli

Election season is upon us - this is your chance to elect a representative of your district who prioritizes child, youth, and family well-being. To aid our collective efforts in engaging, informing, and evaluating candidates, CLM has created two resources designed to gauge how supportive the candidate will be pertaining to child- and family-friendly policymaking in Massachusetts. NOTE: The last day to register to vote or to change party enrollment for the upcoming state primary election is Saturday, August 24th. 👉 View these resources on our website: https://lnkd.in/gne_3k6E #mapoli #StandUpForChildren

"What defines a family is love and commitment." - Office of Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey The Children's League was thrilled to attend the signing of the Parentage Act alongside legislators, advocacy partners, and impacted families from across the Commonwealth. After extensive advocacy from our League, this landmark law now ensures full parental equality in Massachusetts, guaranteeing that all children can access the security of legal parentage, no matter their birth circumstances or family structure. A special thank you to GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) for leading the Parentage Act Coalition, of which we are a proud member! We also extend our gratitude to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts State Senate, and the Massachusetts House of Representatives for their unanimous support in getting this bill across the finish line. #mapoli #StandUpForChildren #MassParentage

Throughout the year, The Children's League of Massachusetts hosts monthly Member Meetings with key decision-makers to discuss important issues pertaining to child and family services. Here is a #tbt to our March Member Meeting with Senator Robyn Kennedy and Representative Jay Livingstone, Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. Interested in having a seat at the table and joining in on the conversation to #StandUpForChildren? Consider becoming a Member of the Children's League to take advantage of opportunities like this and many more! 👉 Join our League: https://lnkd.in/gCxwVh4x #mapoli #childwelfare

"Our findings highlight the need for #childwelfare systems to reduce barriers faced by young people in #fostercare who are developing a healthy racial and ethnic identity. Interviewees suggested that child welfare agencies: 1) Help young people make positive connections with kin; and 2) train adults in cultural competency to support youth in exploring their racial identities." 👉 Check out this important read on how adults who interact with youth in foster care can better support the development of healthy racial, ethnic, and cultural identities in these youth: https://lnkd.in/etWQ8cWq #mapoli Child Trends

Today, we celebrate the passage of the #MassParentage Act within the Legislature! Thank you to our legislators in the House and Senate for supporting this bill, the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition, and all of our Members at The Children's League of Massachusetts for your steadfast advocacy! This historic legislation, awaiting Governor Healey's signature, will ensure all children have equal access to the security of a legal parent-child relationship no matter the gender or marital status of their parents or how their family is formed. 👉 Learn more about the Parentage Act and how you can advocate for the passage of more priority bills: https://lnkd.in/gTGwk-8u #Mapoli #StandUpForChildren GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD)

Today is the LAST DAY for legislators to pass bills before the end of the formal legislative session. Please call or email your legislators NOW to ensure our priority bills get passed! Here are CLM's top three priorities: ✔️ An Act Enhancing #ChildWelfare Protections (Child Welfare Omnibus) ✔️ An Act Establishing a Bill of Rights for Children in #FosterCare ✔️ An Act Protecting Benefits Owed to Foster Children 👉 Learn more about these bills and find your legislator's contact information here: https://lnkd.in/gZe-FvVr #mapoli #ActionAlert #StandUpForChildren

Yesterday, Governor Healey passed a $57.78 billion state budget for FY25. Thank you to all of our Members for your advocacy and support throughout this budget process! The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) appreciates that this budget makes significant investments to maintain our provider workforce, build on progress made in prior fiscal years, and fund targeted service expansions. 👉 Visit our website to learn about the budget investments pertaining to child and family services: https://lnkd.in/gx6C-ZB6 #Mapoli #ChildWelfare #StandUpForChildren