Overview
Thank you to all of our Members and state agency partners who joined the Children’s League of Massachusetts for our September Member Meeting on September 22, 2025! It was great to connect in person and engage in meaningful conversations about the critical issues impacting children and families across the Commonwealth.
We were happy you could meet our newest team member, Communications and Policy Specialist Haleigh St.Hilaire, who joined us two weeks ago – we’re really glad to have her as part of our team! And welcome our newest members: Edinburgh Center, Silver Lining Mentoring, and Northeast Center for Youth and Families.
Conversation with EOHHS
We were joined by Kiame Mahaniah, Massachusetts Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and Staverne Miller, Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, for a thoughtful conversation about supporting children and families across the Commonwealth. Secretary Mahaniah shared his experience working in community-based services and emphasized that preventing harm to children and supporting families are top priorities. He and Commissioner Miller highlighted the need for prevention-focused services, better cross-agency collaboration, and innovative approaches to addressing the needs of high-acuity youth. They also acknowledged the pressures of tightening federal and state funding and stressed the importance of investing in programs that truly make a difference, including initiatives that help mitigate the effects of poverty.
Member Engagement
Members asked about improving efficiency across programs, coordinating referral networks, and supporting youth with intensive needs. Secretary Mahaniah and Commissioner Miller discussed opportunities to redesign services to prioritize prevention, expand kinship placements, and strengthen communication with providers and families.
The conversation included concrete examples of prevention work, such as rapid response teams in Lynn that engage children after trauma, and strategies to better integrate services across agencies while keeping the focus on outcomes that matter not just in dollars, but in real impact for kids and families. Both leaders encouraged continued collaboration with providers to ensure children and families get the support they need even amid funding and systemic challenges.
State Agency Updates
Office of the Child Advocate (OCA)
- The Child Fatality Review board continues to work towards decreasing preventable child fatalities and near fatalities.
- The Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma collaborates with EOHHS, Housing, and Livable Communities to provide training in trauma responsiveness and support agencies experiencing secondary trauma.
- Mandatory reporter training has reached 30 million educators, with efforts underway to expand to early childhood education.
Department of Youth Services (DYS)
- DYS is reimagining its continuum of services, starting with community-based services to reduce reliance on residential programs. Over 500 individuals have been convened over the past 1.5 years to discuss this initiative.
- Medicaid Waiver changes are being implemented to support transitional services.
- Diversion programs have expanded from 3 to 10 counties, thanks to support from OCA.
- A team is being sent to Georgetown to explore how to expand diversion for youth without stable placements, including considering respite care as a first step.
- The "Seeing Red" curriculum has been translated into training, adopted by over 15 agencies and probation departments.
- Family partners are being established in every region to support families and elevate their voices, with Family Advisory Councils expected to be operational by the end of the year.
Department of Mental Health (DMH)
- Efforts are underway to reduce the Emergency Room Involuntary Treatment Protocol (ERITP) by 50%. An underutilization analysis has identified barriers in the process, including cumbersome procedures and staff turnover.
- A tiered case management model is being developed to soften the front door for families, though it is still under review by the Governor’s Office and the Legislature.
Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Family Law Division
- The launch of a Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) office will specialize in representing TAY involved in the court system, with a dedicated team including an overseeing attorney, four attorneys, an administrator, and a peer support advocate.
- A partnership with a consortium of legal aid offices has led to the Family Preservation Project (FPP), which provides civil legal aid to families facing legal issues with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The project is currently working with 87 families and aims to expand further.
Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
- Revisions to the Background Record Check (BRC) process are ongoing, with a working group addressing feedback from providers. The proposed changes are set to go to vote and public comment next month.
- Policy and regulatory updates are being developed in collaboration with providers, aiming to clarify regulations and policies based on provider feedback.
- EEC is actively interviewing for two licensing positions to address staff transitions and ensure continued support for programs.
- The department is considering levels of care for children and exploring programs that offer wraparound services, remaining open to feedback on these initiatives.
CLM Updates
The Children’s League of Massachusetts will hold its Annual Meeting of the Members via Zoom on October 27, 2025. The meeting will include the presentation of the Annual Report, a vote on Board nominations, and approval of the FY26 CLM Budget.