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 adds a 10% increase for Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled and Children grants. 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. Find My Legislator. The Conference Committee will soon convene to pass a compromise bill between the ..read more

On Thursday, May 16th, the Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM) gathered with more than 130 advocates, staff from direct service provider organizations, and legislators at the Massachusetts State House to amplify legislative priorities and budget investments vital for vulnerable children, youth, and families across the Commonwealth. The program included awards presented to four dedicated children’s provider staff members, and to three legislative champions who continue to work for necessary systems change. CLM Advocacy Day press release 5.16.2024Download The post PRESS RELEASE: CLM Stands ..read more

Thank you to all of our Members who tuned in for May 10th's Know-Before-You-Go State House Advocacy Day training! Please see below for all of the resources and information you'll need for our Advocacy Day on May 16th. If you haven't already, please register for State House Advocacy Day! Members’ executive leadership, program and direct service staff, and their clients from across the state who are interested in advocacy are all invited. Legislators, legislative staff and CLM’s agency partners are also invited. We welcome you to circulate the registration link above with your staff! **For infor ..read more

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 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 ..read more

Thank you to our Members for attending this month's Member Meeting! During this meeting, we shared our experience advocating for key legislative priorities at this year's Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) conference alongside CLM Members. Thank you to special guest Linda Spears, CEO and President of CWLA and former Commissioner of Massachusetts' Department of Children and Families, for speaking on federal priorities important to elevate for child and family well-being. Watch the Meeting Recording Passcode: 9hNs*nmt The post April Member Meeting Recap: CWLA Conference Highlights appeared f ..read more

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, CLM shares important data and amplifies key legislative priorities to promote child and family well-being Throughout this month, we are raising awareness on how to better support families and prevent child maltreatment across the state and country. Many bills we prioritize and endorse at CLM aim to protect children and strengthen families, and ultimately, prevent child abuse at the source. State investment in preventative measures reduces child maltreatment. For every $1,000 spent by states on benefits per person living in poverty, there is an 8% reductio ..read more

We thank our Members for attending this month's Issue Forum on the OCA's new campaign to make youth aware of the OCA Complaint Line and how it can be used by youth. Watch Meeting Recording Passcode: IuAeP!79 The post Recap: April Issue Forum on OCA Complaint Line appeared first on Children's League of Massachusetts ..read more

On April 10, 2024, the House Ways and Means (HWM) Committee FY25 Budget was released. It maintains most key line items for children and family services at the Governor's proposed levels. Thank you to the Committee for their commitment to accessible, quality programming for children and families across the Commonwealth, including acknowledging in the Chairman's Letter, "$390 million is allocated for the Chapter 257 rates, a large and well-deserved increase for human service workers across the Commonwealth." We urge our representatives to move the HWM Budget forward with considerations noted bel ..read more

Family Resource Center Task Force Meeting Notes - April 4, 2024 The post April 2024 - Task Force Meeting Notes: Family Resource Centers appeared first on Children's League of Massachusetts ..read more

We are excited to invite you to this year's State House Advocacy Day on May 16th! We are eager to stand alongside our Members again this spring and loudly advocate for legislation and investments in child, youth, and family well-being in Massachusetts. Who is invited? Members’ executive leadership, program and direct service staff, and their clients from across the state who are interested in advocacy are all invited. Legislators, legislative staff and CLM’s agency partners are also invited. We welcome you to circulate the registration link below with your staff! Register for Advocacy Da ..read more