What’s happening:
Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. They have been abused and/or neglected and are unable to live safely with their parents. All of these children in care have experienced loss and some form of trauma causing harm to their developing brains, affecting them years later with their physical health, cognitive and academic functioning, and social emotional well being. These outcomes can be positively influenced by the type of placement, the stability of the placement and access to services and supports.
All of MSPCC works closely with the foster family association, MAFF, to advocate for children in foster care and the families who care for them. Ensuring that the daily rate of support for foster children is sufficient to meet a child’s basic needs means that income alone is not a barrier to an otherwise appropriate foster placement with kin and that DCF can recruit and retain a stable and diverse pool of foster homes throughout MA. Most children in care will be reunited with their biological parents. MSPCC works to ensure children in care have access to quality health care, including behavioral health care and educational achievement.
What we’re doing: Budget Priorities
Keep the Daily Rate of Support on pace with USDA Rate for Raising a Child
Foster parents are volunteers. They are not compensated for their time and often willingly dip into personal resources to provide “extras” to ensure the children in their care have what they need to thrive. We aim to secure an appropriate daily rate of support that covers the cost of providing for the basic needs of children in foster care.
Behavioral Health Support
The Foster Child Evaluation Services Clinic at UMass Medical Center has developed an expedited care model allows PCPs in Central MA enrolled in MCPAP to refer a youth who is in foster care for a trauma informed psychiatric consultation, diagnostic face to face evaluation and referral services. This funding would support formalizing and expanding the service to the entire Western/Central MCPAP region and provide a platform to test and develop strategies for statewide implementation.
Ensuring the Department of Children and Families Youth’s Access to Higher Education
During the 2021-2022 academic year, 800 students who aged out or were adopted from foster care received a tuition and fee waiver for Massachusetts colleges and universities, totaling more than $6.5M.
Foster parents, do these items reflect your needs and those of the children in your home? Let us know at info@mspcc.org
Our priorities are developed in collaboration with the MA Alliance for Foster Families.
What you can do:
If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, you may call the DCF recruitment Line at 1-800-KIDS-508 or contact them through mass.gov/dcf. Your contact begins a process of information gathering by both parties. Prospective foster parents fill out an application, and they agree to background checks. They also agree that their home will meet physical standards established by state laws and regulations. Learn more about becoming a foster parent.
Sign up today for MSPCC action alerts! Receive alerts on important legislation and we will send you the information you need to take action by writing or calling lawmakers on behalf of vulnerable children.