Category: Advocacy Feature

State agencies have submitted their anticipated budget needs to the Governor, and CLM kicked off our FY26 budget advocacy with a letter to the Administration. We are calling for investments upstream & in the workforce. Massachusetts is a national leader in many aspects of child welfare and well-...

As November is National Adoption Month, we're diving into trends. The statistics serve as encouragement for continued improvements advancing permanency goals in timely and equitable ways across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts' most recent data (from DCF's Annual Report FY23) does, however, show that...

The 2024 election outcomes at the federal level are concerning to most organizations advocating for vulnerable individuals. Our next steps include: (1) Urge our legislators to pass CLM's priority bills now, before the informal session ends to enhance the rights of children in the foster care system ...

RECOMMITMENT TO OUR CAUSE The 2024 election results bring both concerns and hope. Many of our members, coalition partners, and friends have shared concerns over how we and the vulnerable individuals we serve might be negatively impacted by changes at the federal level. This is a time to remind ourse...

The Children's League of Massachusetts recently sent to the Special Commission on Emergency Housing Assistance Programs our thoughts on maintaining Emergency Assistance and shelter for families with children, along with the intensive case management needed to help families successfully move out of s...

Election season is upon us! The representatives we elect will play a crucial role in shaping the policies and services that support child and family well-being in our communities. To find your district's upcoming election information, view a sample ballot, and/or check your polling place, click here...

With only the informal session ahead and lots of bills awaiting advancement, we must push hard to pass priority bills for children, families, and human services providers....

Thank you to our legislators & Governor for passing the Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), also known as an Act to Ensure Legal Parentage Equality! We also extend a BIG thank you to the Massachusetts Parentage Act Coalition, of which we were proud to be a member, and our Children's League Member...

We're happy to report the Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities has enhanced and advanced critical priority bills. See below for the key bills we are tracking and the details. An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections (Child Welfare Omnibus) S.124 / H.165 - New Draft: S...

On May 7, 2024, the Senate Ways and Means Committee (SWM) FY25 budget was released. Highlights include an additional $5M in funding to Family Resource Centers (4800-0200) and holding steady on solid investments made by the Governor and House of Representatives. We appreciate that SWM Chair Rodrigues...