MSPCC with state leaders work to ensure that the Commonwealth supports critical funding and policies to meet the needs of at-risk children and families. We collaborate with several organizations in our advocacy efforts to ensure these needs are met. 

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Areas of Focus

Children’s Mental Health

MSPCC advocates for strong children’s mental health policy as an effort to support development in children. As a founding member and the coordinating agency of the Children’s Mental Health Campaign (CMHC), a key element of our advocacy surrounding children’s behavioral and mental health comes from our leadership in the campaign. Information about current budget priorities can be found here.

Children in Foster Care

MSPCC works closely with the Massachusetts Alliance for Foster Families (MAFF), to advocate for children in foster care and the families who care for them. Below are our budget priorities regarding children in foster care for FY25. 

 

 

FY 2025 Budget Progress

Governor’s Budget Proposal

We thank Gov. Healey and her administration for their support of vital services for the Commonwealth’s families and children in the H.2 proposed FY25 budget.

House Budget Proposal – Expected mid April

Senate Budget Proposal – Expected late May

Final Budget – Due by June 30  – expected by July 31

Children in Foster Care FY25 Budget Priorities:

Daily Rate of Support for Foster Children

Foster parents are volunteers who are reimbursed for the cost of caring for children placed in their homes through a Daily Rate of Support (DRS). As all families know, costs are rising, and we want to make sure economic barriers do not keep wonderful families from fostering and providing kinship care. According to USDA data and inflation statistics from the BLS, raising a child in 2023 could cost an average of $331,933 from the time a child is born to age 18. MSPCC supports the Governor’s increase of $3.4M to raise the DRS by 3.7%.

FY 2024	FY25 Request	FY25 Governor	FY25 House	FY25 SWM	Conference
$355,808,909	Level Funding	$376,723,635

 

Tuition Fee and Waivers

Youth who age out of foster care or are adopted from foster care are entitled to a waiver of tuition and fees to state colleges and universities upon acceptance and enrollment. This is to help close the college graduation gap among children who spent time in the child welfare system compared to their peers who did not. MSPCC has requested level funding for FY25. 

FY 2024	FY25 Request	FY25 Governor	FY25 House	FY25 SWM	Conference
$7,294,911	Level Funding	$7,294,911

 

Behavioral Health Consultation for Foster Care 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, up to 80 percent of children entering foster care have a significant mental health need. Despite this, many foster youth often wait for months to get an appointment with a behavioral health provider. The Foster Child Evaluation Services Clinic at UMass Medical Center in partnership with the UMass MA Child Psychiatry Access Project (MCPAP) team have developed an expedited care model that allows primary care providers in Central MA enrolled in MCPAP to refer a youth who is in foster care for a trauma informed psychiatric care. MSPCC has requested level funding for FY25. 

FY24 Projected	FY25 Request	FY25 Governor	FY25 House	FY25 SWM	Conference
$7,294,911	Level Funding	$7,294,911