Overview: On Friday, May 24th, Senators passed the most friendly iteration of the FY25 budget for child and family services. The Senate Budget adds a pay disparity study for Chapter 257 (rates of pay for human services providers) and a 10% increase for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children grants. You'll find details on the amendments included or rejected in this latest budget below.
Advocacy Action: Please thank your senator for their support of critical line items and amendments and encourage both your state representative and senator to pass the Senate version of the FY25 Budget with the following updates:
(1) move the effective date of the 10% increase to Temporary Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (4408-1000) from April 2025 to October 2024, and
(2) provide $15M to Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Services (4000-0007) and not less than $100,000 for BAY-CASH to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied homeless youth.
Resources: Find (1) your legislator here, (2) CLM's budget priorities here, and (3) CLM's Budget Table here.
Next Step in the Budget Process: the Conference Committee will convene to pass a compromise bill between the House and Senate and the final budget should be passed by July 1 or just thereafter. CLM will advocate with both the Conference Committee and all legislators to ensure children and family services receive robust support.
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Senate Budget Amendment Outcomes
Successfully Adopted Amendments:
- Amendment #540 (Senator Kennedy) - DCF and the OCA will develop and implement a plan for a pilot program to use evidence-based program models to address the high concentration of "high acuity" adolescents residing in Congregate Care (4800-0041)
- Amendment #1058 (Senator Cronin) to amend line item 7008-1116 to provide not less than $50,000 to Rise Above Foundation to build a playground at DCF's Leominster Area Office.
Rejected & Withdrawn Amendments:
- Amendment #544 (Senator Kennedy) - DCF Behavioral Health and Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Distribution Programs
- Amendment #578 (Senator DiDomenico) - Lift Kids Out Of Deep Poverty: would have moved the effective date of the 10% increase to Temporary Assistance for Families with Dependent Children (4403-2000) and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children (4408-1000) from April 2025 to October 2024.
- Amendment #282 (Senator Edwards) - would have provided $15M to Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Services (4000-0007) and not less than $100,000 for BAY-CASH to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied homeless youth.
- Amendment #241 (Senator Gomez) - would have aided both the migrant crisis and the housing crisis, enhanced funding to Emergency Assistance for Family Shelters and Services (7004-0101).