Dear Friends of the Children's League,
This is an exciting summer for CLM and our members and partners, as we near the end of the Legislative session and reflect on both our successes and the challenges that remain. We are delighted by the progress made on our policy agenda, with wins for kinship adoption and progress made on foster parent rights, juvenile justice issues, and core prevention measures like affordable childcare. We are celebrating new investments in the human services workforce while also working toward long-term solutions to improve our pipeline. We are honoring the many achievements we have made in partnership with the Baker Administration; and we are engaging with the gubernatorial candidates on our vision for strengthening the sector and better supporting the most vulnerable children, youth, and families of the Commonwealth.
At the same time, this is a heartbreaking time in our country. While the outlook for vulnerable children and families may not be as severe here in Massachusetts, we know that the privileges that some here enjoy don't reach all of our residents, and we feel solidarity for our friends and families in other states under greater threat. The ability to make personal health care decisions, to feel safe from gun violence, and to freely express one's self-identity are basic human rights that we at CLM will continue to champion here and in partnership with our colleagues across the nation.
As always, we deeply value the collaboration with our members and partners in this work. We all care about the welfare of children and the success of families - so let's keep talking about how we find common ground and achieve success together.
Sincerely,
Rachel Gwaltney
Executive Director
P.S. Have you seen the newly redesigned CLM website? Check it out for the latest updates on our members, our advocacy, and resources for the field, and let us know what you think!
Advocacy in Action
Legislative Updates
The formal session is coming to an end on July 31st. We have had some accomplishments thus far, such as the expanding access to adoption bill which was signed into law, but now is the time for the last push for our bills to get completed this session. Below are some of our high priority bills that we are focused on getting over the finish line:
- Foster Parent Bill of Rights - passed the Senate
- Birth Certificate Access - passed the House
- Positive Transition Plans for TAY - in Ways & Means
The Child Welfare Omnibus Bill introduced by Chair Finn includes some CLM priorities, including expanding focus on disproportionality and intersectionality in our data, and the Foster Parent Bill of Rights language. To read more about this bill and CLM's testimony, click here.
Press Coverage on CLM's Bills
- Sibling Adoption Bill Now on Baker's Desk (State House News Service)
- Sibling Adoption Bill goes to Baker's desk (WGBH; also featured in the radio morning news program on 4/5)
- Framingham Rep's Bill On Adoption Passes Legislature (Framingham Patch)
- Gov. Baker Signs Bill Allowing Children to be Adopted by Older Family Members (WBUR)
- Baker Signs Adoption Bill (State House News Service)
State Budget
The state budget includes many important investments for our sector including:
- Family Support and Stabilization
- Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services
- School-Based Health Programs
- The State Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma
- Family Resource Centers
An important budget item on our long-term agenda is Chapter 257 rates, projected to be funded at $230M, representing 50% of the BLS benchmark for setting rates. Unfortunately, this level of funding doesn't match the reality of labor costs in the current market. While temporary supplemental investments made by EOHHS and the Legislature are helping to bridge the crisis, we are working with partner associations in the human services sector to continue discussions with the Administration and with the Legislature about the need for both short-term relief and long-term solutions to the workforce crisis.
Find out more about the budget items on our policy agenda here.
Gubernatorial Outreach
CLM has sent a memo to all of the active campaigns with our priorities for the next Administration to support children, families, and providers.
Click here to read our memo.
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.
Communications
Announcing our New Website
Our newly redesigned website is now live!
The new website featuring a brand new design, member portal, resources, and more is now live. Click HERE to check it out!
Big thanks to our vendor, BocoHost for working with us on this redesign!
Member Spotlight
The Equality Fund at the Boston Foundation announced that the Fund has made the largest distribution of grants in its history, a total of $450,000 in grants to 37 organizations, in its 2022 round of grantmaking. From the 37 organizations awarded, three are CLM members!
The increased funding for 2022 was made possible in part by the allocation of $200,000 in funds from the Boston Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. The organizations will be recognized as part of the Equality Fund’s 10th Anniversary!
Read full press release HERE.
Members in the News
People and Property: Real Estate and Construction News From Around NH - NHBR
Recognition Day honors Perkins' graduating students and special honorees - Telegram
SMOC CEO Joins Association For Behavioral Healthcare Board - Framingham Source
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
Members: has your work been getting news coverage that you want to share? Let us know by emailing Shayna Parker at shayna@childrensleague.org
Community Corner
Millions of parents want to work but can't afford child care. Congress must act. - USA Today
Should Massachusetts raise welfare benefits? - Boston Globe
Why thousands of undocumented children deserve comprehensive MassHealth coverage - Boston Globe
Follow CLM on social media for other news items from our field and our members:
Facebook: @childrensleague
Twitter: @childrensleague
Instagram: @childrensleague_MA
Jobs in the Sector
We are hiring!
The Children's League is seeking a new Director of Public Policy. The Director of Public Policy will be responsible for managing the overall legislative, budget, and regulatory agenda including: researching positions that are consistent with CLM’s mission; planning and drafting legislation and regulations; formulating legislative priorities with the Executive Director; staffing CLM legislative task forces; and supporting work with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and departments regarding budgetary, regulatory and legislative issues.
To apply, click HERE!
| Child and Family Support Partner Tree House Foundation Easthampton, MA Learn More! Several Positions Available The Children’s Study Home Massachusetts Learn More! | Statewide Director of Adoption & Foster Care Services Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Lexington, MA Learn More! |
Membership
Become a CLM Member
Join a statewide network leading the charge on expanding the availability, accessibility, and quality of children's services in the Commonwealth. Your membership will provide your organization the ability to:
- Engage with policy changemakers;
- Establish policy and budget priorities for children and families;
- Amplify your organization's mission, services, and network;
- Access expert advocacy tools and strategy developed by our team;
- Receive timely updates on child and family policy and guidelines, research, funding, initiatives and pilots, CLM's advocacy efforts, and other news from the sector.
May Member Meeting
CLM hosted a deep discussion with a panel of provider staff and policy experts around the needs of LGBTQ+ children and youth. Our hope is that this conversation helped spotlight best practices and challenges, outline the state and national policy landscape, and identify future places for action!
Thank you to our panelists Julian Nilsson, Kimberly Ritter, Lisa Belmarsh, Kati Mapa, and Shaplaie Brooks for providing their time and expertise.