See below for CLM's December Task Force: (1) Public Policy Update Summary and (2) Meetings Notes with Next Steps.
(1) Public Policy Update Summary
(1) 2023-2024 Session End
While we only saw one "win" with the Parentage Act, you can reach out to your legislators for relationship building and to flag priorities that we will continue to support in the new session. Outreach script linked here and pasted below. And, here's the link to your state legislator’s contact info.
OUTREACH SCRIPT
Dear [Senator or Representative _____],
I’m a Member of the Children’s League of Massachusetts. As the 2023-2024 Legislative Session ends, I want to share my gratitude for your partnership on behalf of children and families across the Commonwealth. Thank you for ongoing opportunities to provide input on key legislation to improve the child welfare system and outcomes for children in foster care.
CLM’s PRIORITY BILLS are still:
- An Act Enhancing Child Welfare Protections (Child Welfare Omnibus) (S.124/H.165) for meaningful improvement to the child welfare system as a whole, including improved data tracking of disproportionality and transition age youth outcomes. – Senate Ways and Means
- Bill of Rights for Children in Foster Care (S.68/H.164) to enhance connections to the youth's family (including siblings), identity, languages, community, school of origin, healthcare, age appropriate activities, case worker/attorney, participation in planning, and information. – Senate Ways and Means
- Protecting Benefits Owed to Foster Children (S.65/H.157) to bring Massachusetts in line with other jurisdictions that have ended the predatory practice of seizing SSA benefits from children who enter foster care. – House Ways and Means
Please also keep in my these FY26 BUDGET PRIORITIES: Human Services Workforce, Family Preservation, Family Resource Centers, Transition Age Youth Permanency, Comprehensive Foster Care, and Post-Adoption Supports.
Please let me know if we can count on your support to uplift children, youth, families, and the human services community through policy and budget solutions.
Sincerely,
[Your Name, Your Job Title & Organization, Your Town/Zip code]
(2) Budget Advocacy
We began FY26 legislative advocacy with a letter to the Governor by elevating the top priorities of our Task Forces, as well as the Workforce asks – which are created in collaboration with a few orgs, including the Provider’s Council and Association of Behavioral Health. We’ll share advocacy opportunities at each step in the budget process in the new year.
(3) Post-Federal Elections Resources
We are staying aware of what could potentially be impacted. The link above includes “Know-Your-Rights" docs/links and we will keep adding to it.
(4) 2024-2025 Session Planning
We are coordinating with legislators, coalition partners, and others to draft our next legislative agenda. There will be some refiles and some new bills too. After bills are filed in January, we will take a draft agenda to the Policy Committee for discussion and then the Board. Member input is always welcome – if you have bills/issues to flag, please do (email: sue@childrensleague.org).
We plan to have templates for legislative meetings/outreach in the spring leading up to CLM’s Advocacy Day: May 21, 2025 - Save the Date with registration link and awards nomination form coming in January.
(2) Meeting Notes & Next Steps
FAMILY PRESERVATION COALITION - December Meeting Notes
- POSITION PAPER DRAFT - RESPONSE REQUESTED: Share additional position paper input - email sue@childrensleague.org with additions or clarifications to the position paper and the highest 2-3 priorities you think we can/should tackle
- MEETINGS & EVENTS
- Next FPC Meetings: March 6, June 5
- FRC Legislative Briefing at the State House – TBD (likely March – after week of March 3), consider attending
ADOPTION TASK FORCE - December Meeting Notes
- Office for Refugees and Immigrants Training Jan. 15 – coordinating with other trade associations like the Provider’s Council (details to come)
- Early March Symposium regarding LGBTQIA+ rights (details to come)
- Next Adoption Task Force Meetings: March 6 and June 5
FOSTER CARE TASK FORCE - December Meeting Notes
- Please provide feedback:
- FC Task Force POSITION PAPER DRAFT - changes and priorities (email: sue@childrensleague.org)
- Your experience with the new MAPP model – email CLM’s Foster Care Task Force Outlook (“FC Task Force”_ group about it
- Any edits or additions to the questions for DCF
- Next Foster Care Meetings: March 11, June 10
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS TASK FORCE - December Meeting Notes
- FRC Task Force Subcommittee meet to advance planning for FRC Legislative Briefing to be held in March at the State House: DOODLE POLL TO SCHEDULE THIS MEETING
- FRC Task Force POSITION PAPER: Any additional position paper input to help this group to shape our advocacy plans and communications? Email: sue@childrensleague.org
- Next CLM FRC Task Force Meetings: March 13, June 12
TRANSITION AGE YOUTH COALITION - December Meeting Notes
- TAYC POSITION PAPER DRAFT: Please see the attached Position Paper & provide input (email sue@childrensleague.org with added input from TAY in your program and/or your own edits and desires for prioritization – this document will serve as the basis for our next advocacy plans
- Next TAYC Meetings: March 13, June 12