News Archive

Some recent news stories from around Massachusetts and the nation pertaining to child welfare. In Massachusetts Youth Advocates Welcome Release of DCF LGBTQIA+ Nondiscrimination Policy (GLAD) Lawmakers put the brakes on proposed Harmony Montgomery Commission (Fox25) Child care is in crisis. Here's w...

This week Governor Baker and the Legislature enacted the ban on child marriage with language adopted in the FY2023 budget. This success came about through a years-long effort led by the national organization Unchained at Last and the Massachusetts Coalition to End Child Marriage, of which CLM has be...

Today Governor Charlie Baker signed the final FY2023 budget totaling $52.7 billion to fund state programs and activities for the fiscal year that started July 1. Line items tracked by CLM were mostly funded as expected from the version coming out of the Legislature. These include: DCF Services for...

On June 30 the Massachusetts Senate voted to pass the legislation known as the Foster Parent Bill of Rights (S.87), which has been on CLM's legislative agenda for the past three sessions. We were thrilled at the strong support for the legislation in the Senate and we are continuing to work with our ...

On June 7, CLM provided oral and written testimony on new legislation introduced by Rep. Michael Finn, chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities (H.4787). This bill, An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections, includes: Updates to the role, duties, and powers ...

On May 19, CLM held a legislative briefing to discuss the need for a Foster Parent Bill of Rights (H.212/S.87), to ensure that foster families are giving the training, resources, voice, and respect they need and deserve to carry out their important role in the foster care system. The briefing featur...

The Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth released its annual report and recommendations for FY2023. This report includes special analysis on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Safe Schools for LGBTQ Students program, and inclusive education policy. It also outlines detailed recommendations ...

The Children's League, as a member of the National Organization of State Associations for Children (NOSAC), is standing in solidarity with families of transgender youth in the face of recent laws that exacerbate the already disproportionately negative outcomes for youth who identify as LGBTQIA+ in t...

CLM member organization the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute recently released a new report "Family Voices: Insights about prevention services from families and youth directly affected by the Massachusetts Child Welfare system." The report includes direct testimonials from eight families on their ...

The Office of the Child Advocate released its investigative report on the case of Harmony Montgomery, including findings and recommendations for change across various agencies connected to the child welfare system. Harmony was declared missing by the New Hampshire authorities in December 2021. Anyon...