CLM analyzed the Governor's Budget (H.1) and met with coalition partners. Now, CLM urges the House to ensure their FY26 Budget Proposal include funding for critical line items for children and families at least at FY25 levels. Let's make sure the Commonwealth doesn't back step on children's and families' wellbeing. Please join us in reaching out to your Representatives to ensure they understand how important these FY26 budget priorities are to uphold children’s services across the continuum of care.
FY26 BUDGET PRIORITIES
Department of Children and Families Funding
- Congregate Care (line item 4800-0058) - $495,865,634 (FY25 level)
- Services for Children & Families (line item 4800-0038) - $374,388,635 (FY25 level)
- Family Support and Stabilization (line item 4800-0040) - $139,539,127 (FY25 level)
- Family Resource Centers (line item (4800-0200) - $33,800,000 (FY25 level)
- Local & Regional Admin. provided by Area Leads (line item 4800-0030) - $11,701,980 (FY25 level)
Additional Priorities
- Chapter 257 (line item 1599-6903) - $334,000,000
- Our goal continues to be that salary benchmarks for job titles are set based on the 75th percentile of the applicable wage reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To compromise and keep advancing, we advocate for a return to using the 63rd percentile for direct care staff and for increasing all human services wages to that level.
- Our goal continues to be that salary benchmarks for job titles are set based on the 75th percentile of the applicable wage reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. To compromise and keep advancing, we advocate for a return to using the 63rd percentile for direct care staff and for increasing all human services wages to that level.
- Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (line item 5042-5000) - $131,350,885 (FY25 level)
- The Governor's proposed budget for DMH includes plans to reduce case management, eliminate flex funding, and close three secure residential programs that serve children and adolescents struggling with the most serious, long-term mental health crises. We urge the Legislature to support EOHHS in leading a multi-child serving agency planning process to review cross-agency case management along the continuum of care for high needs, complex youth.
- $1,000,000 is needed to support low barrier, accessible services for diverse youth at Young Adult Access Centers*
- Young Adult Access Centers provide a safe and supportive space for TAY to access basic amenities, e.g., laundry, internet access, kitchen appliances and receive low-barrier mental health support. Federal grant funding for Access Centers is expiring in 2025. Without additional funding, centers will face cuts to valuable staff.
- Young Adult Access Centers provide a safe and supportive space for TAY to access basic amenities, e.g., laundry, internet access, kitchen appliances and receive low-barrier mental health support. Federal grant funding for Access Centers is expiring in 2025. Without additional funding, centers will face cuts to valuable staff.
- Temporary Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (line item 4403-2000)
- Current TAFDC grants are frozen at the 2022-level ($783/mo. for a family of three). That's far below the Poverty Level ($2220/mo.), even Deep Poverty Level ($1110/mo.). The Governor’s proposal would eliminate FY25 budget’s modest 10% grant increase ($861/mo.) scheduled to start in April 2025, exacerbating families’ inability to meet their basic needs. We urge the Legislature to maintain the April 2025 increase and include a 20% increase for FY26 (equating to $1033/mo. for a family of three).
- Current TAFDC grants are frozen at the 2022-level ($783/mo. for a family of three). That's far below the Poverty Level ($2220/mo.), even Deep Poverty Level ($1110/mo.). The Governor’s proposal would eliminate FY25 budget’s modest 10% grant increase ($861/mo.) scheduled to start in April 2025, exacerbating families’ inability to meet their basic needs. We urge the Legislature to maintain the April 2025 increase and include a 20% increase for FY26 (equating to $1033/mo. for a family of three).
- Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Services (line item 4000-0007) - $12,097,600*
- Many youth aging out of state systems are at risk of homelessness and receive support from this line item. For example, the Housing Stability and Support Program (HSSP) connects TAY who opt-out or age-out of post 18 DCF care to housing and other supports. Providers also support DCF-involved youth who receive federal housing vouchers. Funding for this line item has not kept pace with the need.
- Many youth aging out of state systems are at risk of homelessness and receive support from this line item. For example, the Housing Stability and Support Program (HSSP) connects TAY who opt-out or age-out of post 18 DCF care to housing and other supports. Providers also support DCF-involved youth who receive federal housing vouchers. Funding for this line item has not kept pace with the need.
- Department of Youth Services, Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP) (line item 4200-0700) - $2,672,000*
- MYDP provides high quality, evidence-based diversion programming to reduce recidivism and keep youth out of the juvenile justice system. The additional funding is needed to maintain the effective program model and support continued expansion, as well as an increasing referral volume.
- MYDP provides high quality, evidence-based diversion programming to reduce recidivism and keep youth out of the juvenile justice system. The additional funding is needed to maintain the effective program model and support continued expansion, as well as an increasing referral volume.
- Office of the Child Advocate Transition Age Youth (TAY) Bridge Funding (part of line item 0930-0100) - $500,000*
- Establish the TAY Bridge Fund pilot program to provide youth preparing to age out of DCF custody with essential resources – such as emergency housing. The percentage of DCF youth signing on for post-18 services is increasing, and many face housing instability and financial challenges. The Bridge Fund will ensure DCF youth are well-prepared for and supported to maintain stability and build self-sufficiency in their transition to independence.
- Establish the TAY Bridge Fund pilot program to provide youth preparing to age out of DCF custody with essential resources – such as emergency housing. The percentage of DCF youth signing on for post-18 services is increasing, and many face housing instability and financial challenges. The Bridge Fund will ensure DCF youth are well-prepared for and supported to maintain stability and build self-sufficiency in their transition to independence.
- Special Education Circuit Breaker (line item 7061-0012) - approx. $648,214,953
- Circuit Breaker provides critical funds for districts to deliver mandated services and programs for students with significant special education needs. With the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, out-of-district transportation became a reimbursable expense under the Special Education Circuit Breaker account. H.55 (1596-2516) provides $150M to the Circuit Breaker account, which combined with the proposed level in H.1 would support full funding for FY26.
- Circuit Breaker provides critical funds for districts to deliver mandated services and programs for students with significant special education needs. With the passage of the Student Opportunity Act, out-of-district transportation became a reimbursable expense under the Special Education Circuit Breaker account. H.55 (1596-2516) provides $150M to the Circuit Breaker account, which combined with the proposed level in H.1 would support full funding for FY26.
*The above priorities were updated 2/26/25 to include additional funding needed by TAY.
ADVOCACY ACTION: Ask your Representatives to prioritize funding these key budget line items.
- Outreach Template
- Hello, my name is [name] and I'm calling [or writing] from [organization and/or town] on behalf of the Children's League of Massachusetts to ask my legislator [insert title/name] to prioritize critical funding needed for children and family services and their providers, including [name a few the most important line items to you/your organization]. I'll follow up with an email that includes more information about key programs' funding needs. Thank you!