Director's Corner
Dear CLM Members,
Summer is just around the corner and that means we are in the final push of this two-year legislative session. We’ve had great success this session with passage of the Expanding Access to Adoption bill, and we have made significant progress on a number of bills that are getting close, including positive transition plans for transition-age youth, access to original birth certificates, ending child marriage, improving language access, and expanding access to affordable child care.
Other priorities on our list are also in process in the Committees, including improved reporting on disproportionality, juvenile justice, and support for foster families. Our budget priorities are still in play, with the Conference Committee meeting this month to finalize the Legislature’s funding plan for FY2023.
I encourage all of you to keep reaching out to your state Representatives and Senators to talk about what’s going on in your programs, how your staff are doing, and the most pressing needs of the families in your community. Your voices make the greatest impact in our collective advocacy, especially during this final push. Please let me know how CLM can help with connections or resources.
CLM is also proud to announce the launch of our newly redesigned CLM website! Take some time to check it out and let us know what you think! CLM members will have access to the Member Portal with resources from our task forces, coalitions, and other special member benefits. We’ll give a demo at the June member meeting.
Please be in touch with me on your ideas for our work, your challenges that we can help elevate and address, and your successes that we can share. CLM is only as strong as our collective efforts, and we are glad to have you as part of our community.
Sincerely,
Rachel Gwaltney
rachel@childrensleague.org
410-961-7912
Advocacy in Action
Legislative Updates
State Budget
The Massachusetts Senate passed its version of the FY2023 budget proposing spending at $49.78 billion, which is closely aligned with the House total of $49.73 billion. Proposed spending levels for CLM priority items mostly align with the House version.
The House and Senate have appointed members to serve on the conference committee, which works to reconcile differences between the two budget proposals and bring a final version to a vote. These negotiations are led by House Ways & Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz and Senate Ways & Means Chair Michael Rodrigues; the other conference committee members are Senator Cindy Friedman, Senator Patrick O'Connor, Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante, and Representative Todd Smola.
Ideally the budget is signed by the Governor before the fiscal year ends on June 30, but extensions are possible if final negotiations take longer.
Your voices and outreach still matter!
We encourage all CLM members to reach out to your Representatives and Senators via phone, email or in a meeting to discuss your top priorities for children, youth, and families, and what line items are critical to supporting your work.
Take action! Click HERE to see our latest budget action alert.
Ending Child Marriage
Language to ban child marriage was included in the FY2023 budget adopted by the House. The final passage will be debated in the Conference Committee. If passed, the bill will close the loophole that allows child marriage in Massachusetts.
Birth Certificate Access
As we await action by the Senate Committee on Rules, Access Massachusetts is hosting an Action Week to raise awareness and ask Senators to urge the Senate Committee on Rules to report out favorably on H.2294/S.1440.
Take action! Find resources HERE.
Foster Parents Bill of Rights Legislative Briefing
Our IFC Task Force hosted a Legislative Briefing on May 19th discussing the Foster Parents Bill of Rights. We heard from Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Representative Paul J. Donato, and several foster families and providers from across Massachusetts.
You can view the webinar recording here.
State Agency Updates
DYS
The Department of Youth Services (DYS) held its 9th annual “Share Your Art, Share Your Voice” Youth Arts Showcase. This yearly statewide celebration illustrates the power of the arts used as a tool for healing, self-expression, community building as well as opportunities for youth engagement and positive youth development. Over 300 pieces of youth art were on exhibit and for sale, with all proceeds going directly back to the youth artists.
OCA
The OCA recently released an Investigative Report on Case of Harmony Montgomery detailing findings and recommendations following a multi-system investigation into the case.
EOHHS
Rapid self-testing is now available as part of Color/MA EOHHS Program.
EOHHS will be distributing rapid COVID-19 self-tests to congregate care settings. The availability of these tests does not impact surveillance testing, but can enhance visitor, employee, and residence testing in accordance with guidance detailed HERE.
Membership Renewals
Renew Your Membership
June is renewals season here at CLM and we're hoping you'll join us for another year of advocacy on behalf of children, youth, and families!
Below is all the relevant information you need to complete your membership renewals. If you have any questions regarding your renews, please direct them to Shayna Parker.
Deadline
FY22 memberships are set to expire on June 30th.
Current members will receive a grace period to complete their renewal paperwork and dues payments without penalty or impact to their membership benefits, so long as they have been in contact with CLM about their intent to renew.
Renewal Resources
- Read our renewals letter
- Review CLM's Benefits
- Attend the June 20th Membership Webinar
Questions
If you have questions about your organization's renewals, please contact Shayna Parker, Operations and Public Policy Specialist.
Email: shayna@childrensleague.org
Office: 617-695-1991
Cell: 508-2025986
Schedule a Phone Meeting: https://calendly.com/shayna-clm/30min
If you would prefer to schedule a video conference call, please put that in the notes of your reservation and a meeting link will be sent to you.
Resources
June is Pride Month
Pride Month recognizes LGBTQ+ culture and achievements, and increase awareness over ongoing issues of inequality. Below are some resources you can use:
Resources for LGBTQ Youth in Care:
- American Bar Association – It's You're Life Opening Doors: Improving the Legal System's Approach to LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care
- Child Welfare Information Gateway – Resources for LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care
- Massachusetts Department of Children and Massachusetts Department of Children and Families - Gender Affirming Medication Consent Policy
Resources for Child Welfare Workers and LGBTQ Families
- American Psychological Association – Answers to Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression
- Child Welfare Information Gateway – Working With Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Families in Adoption
- Child Welfare Information Gateway - Frequently Asked Questions From Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents
- Human Rights Campaign – All Children - All Families: Promising Practices Guide
- Lambda Legal – Getting Down to Basics Tool Kit
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQI2-S) Resource Toolkit
- Massachusetts Department of Children and Families - A Guide for Working with Youth and Families
Announcing Our New Website
Our newly redesigned website is now live!
For the past months, we have been working on updating and revamping CLM's website with our vendor, BocoHost. The new website featuring a brand new design, member portal, resources, and more is now live. Click HERE to check it out!
New Fact Sheets about the Prevention Services Clearinghouse review process now available
The Prevention Services Clearinghouse has released 3 new Fact Sheets. These easy-to-use resources provide answers to common questions about the review process timeline, study eligibility, and study design and execution ratings.
- The Review Process: Navigating Timeline Challenges:
- How Does the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Determine Which Studies Are Reviewed?
- How Does the Prevention Services Clearinghouse Rate the Design and Execution of Studies?
Poll of Parents: Children's Mental Health Remains Concern
As the end of the third school year influenced by COVID-19 approaches, nearly half of parents with kids in K-12 schools are concerned about their children's mental health and 22 percent believe their children are behind grade level, according to new poll results. Read more here.
MLRI Family Voices Report
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute released a report focusing on family voices. The report provides insights about prevention services from families and youth directly affected by the Massachusetts Child Welfare System.
To view the briefing hosted by Representative Adrian Madaro, click HERE. (passcode, if required: kXin6$GQ)
Utilize CLM’s Social Media Platform
As part of your CLM membership, you have the ability to harness our communication platforms to enhance your outreach
To connect with our communications, please contact Camila Nakandakari at camila@childrensleague.org
Community Corner
Gándara Center adds behavioral health urgent care in Springfield - MassLive
School counselors sound alarm on children's mental health - WBUR
State Wire: Mass group says campus-based supports needed for former foster youth - Dig Boston
Jobs in the Sector
Foster Care Case Manager
LUK., Inc.
Fitchburg, MA
Learn More!
Statewide Director of Adoption & Foster Care Services
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Lexington, MA
Several Openings
18 Degrees
Massachusetts
Learn More!