The legislative update at each September meeting included:
(1) ADVOCACY - please contact your legislators before the November elections to ensure their support of critical legislation noted below. Here’s a brief script:
Dear [Senator or Representative _____]:
I’m a member of the Children’s League of Massachusetts, writing to ensure you're aware of our critical priorities for children and families:
- Protecting Benefits Owed to Children in Foster Care (H.4704)
- Enhancing Child Welfare Protections (S.124 / H.165)
Please let me know if we can count on your support. We are eager to continue working with champions of children and family services.
(2) ELECTIONS RESOURCES - share CLM’s Legislative pledge and questionnaire to gauge legislative candidates’ knowledge and commitment to helping children and families. Citizens for Juvenile Justice's Voter Guides are also helpful.
We also mentioned the September 23rd Member Meeting:
Notes for each meeting are linked to the headings as follows with key next steps:
FAMILY PRESERVATION COALITION
- CLM begin outline of “What Family Preservation means to us and how our programs contribute” - circle back with chairs by mid-October or so and share with group for more input
- Next Family Preservation Coalition Meetings: Dec. 5, March 6, June 5
ADOPTION TASK FORCE
- Chairs circle up with Rachel and Sue on next steps (meeting scheduled for Nov.).
- Next Adoption Task Force meetings: 1pm on Dec. 5 (in-person at MARE), March 6, and June 5
FOSTER CARE TASK FORCE
- Subcommittee meetings: meet in Oct. to develop positions most likely to share with DCF at Dec. in-person CLM Foster Care Task Force meeting:
- Scheduled Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention Subcommittee for 10/10 at 1pm
- If interested, answer Doodle for: LRT and Foster Resource Subcommittee (only two replied so far)
- Next Foster Care Meetings: Dec. 13 (10am at JRI in Needham – 1st Floor), March 11, June 10
FAMILY RESOURCE CENTERS TASK FORCE
- Position Paper Draft: Send edits or feedback to Sue asap (draft was attached via email with notes); we’ll plan to finalize it by the month’s end for CLM use in meetings.
- Current Plan for Next CLM FRC Task Force Meetings: Dec. 12, March 13, June 12
TRANSITION AGE YOUTH COALITION
- Chairs meet with CLM to further develop strategies on priorities and get back in touch with committee.
- Next TAYC Meetings: Dec. 12, March 13, June 12