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' letter noted that the budget invests in our communities, residents, and essential front line workers, such as with over $1.5 billion to support accessible and affordable early education and care for working families, such as in support for the Governor's Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative.
We thank the Senate Ways and Means Committee and call on our Senators to maintain the progress and bolster this judicious budget in just a few critical ways:
- Adopt Amendment #540 (Senator Kennedy) - To address the high concentration of "high acuity" adolescents residing in Congregate Care (4800-0041), add assurance and guidance on the implementation of a pilot program.
- Adopt Amendment #544 (Senator Kennedy) - DCF Behavioral Health and Primary Care Loan Forgiveness Distribution Programs: ensuring clinicians employed by DCF contracted congregate care and community-based services can apply for and receive MA Repay behavioral health and primary care loan repayment benefits, as long as 1) those clinician types align with the intent of the specific MA Repay program, and 2) inclusion of these clinicians comply with all relevant federal or state laws, rules, regulations, or approvals.
- Maintain Services for Children & Families (4800-0038) at the funding listed in each of the prior FY25 Budget recommendations.
- Adopt Amendment #578 (Senator DiDomenico) to Lift Kids Out Of Deep Poverty: move up 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.
- Due to the housing crisis hitting transition age youth especially hard, provide $15M to Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Services (4000-0007) (not the current $11M which is less than last year) and not less than $100,000 for BAY-CASH to provide direct cash assistance to unaccompanied homeless youth.
- Adopt Amendment #1058 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.
- To aid both the migrant crisis and the housing crisis, enhance funding to Emergency Assistance for Family Shelters and Services (7004-0101).
For a comparison of the prior FY25 Budget Recommendations check out CLM's Budget Table here.
See CLM's Senate Budget Advocacy Letter here.