Introduction:

I’m creating this petition because I’ve lived through the worst of what the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is capable of. I am a mother, a former child of the system, and a survivor of the trauma DCF leaves behind.

This isn’t just about me. This is about thousands of families — across every race, background, and income level — who’ve experienced unjust family separation, bias, cover-ups, and a complete lack of oversight. Families are being torn apart without legal findings. Children are being taken without evidence. And in too many cases, they never come back.

What We’re Demanding:

We, the people, demand the following changes to how DCF (also known as CPS, formerly DSS) operates:

Require all DCF/CPS workers to wear body cameras during every visit, interview, and family interaction.
Mandate third-party oversight of all DCF investigations and removals — someone outside the agency.
Launch an independent federal investigation into wrongful removals and abuse of power within DCF and CPS.
Reform the foster care system to prioritize family reunification and trauma-informed care.
Hold DCF legally accountable for cases of negligence, false reporting, coercion, and discrimination.

Why This Matters:

This is deeper than bad policy. This is about systemic abuse of power, and it’s destroying families. Children have died under DCF supervision. Parents have been cut off from their children with no explanation or legal justification. In too many cases, DCF creates more harm than help.

These agencies answer to almost no one. They have too much unchecked power, and it must stop.

My Story:

My name is Lakeisha Faith Scardoni. I’ve been involved with DCF my entire life — first as a child in the system, and now as a mother fighting to be reunited with my own children.

I’ve seen DCF twist stories, deny visits, ignore evidence, and cause unnecessary harm. I’ve done everything they asked — attended parenting groups, completed programs, passed evaluations, and showed up to every visit. And still, I’ve been kept from my children.

The trauma has affected my physical and mental health. I’ve been hospitalized. I’ve developed a number of different health issues. I live with constant anxiety, chest pain, and stress because of the way this system operates — and I know I’m not the only one.

I used to think this only happened to certain people — poor people, Black people, people from low-income communities. But DCF targets everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re educated, wealthy, or even politically connected. Once you’re in their system, your rights, your dignity, and your family are at risk.

I’m speaking out because I have nothing left to lose — but we all have something to fight for: our children, our families, and our future.

Who This Petition Is For:

We are calling on:

Governor Maura Healey
Attorney General Andrea Campbell
The Massachusetts DCF Commissioner
The State Legislature
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Office of the Inspector General
And the FBI, to investigate patterns of misconduct and abuse of power within DCF and CPS agencies nationwide.

What You Can Do:

Please sign and share this petition with your community, your network, and anyone who believes in justice. Share it with survivors. Share it with lawmakers. Share it with those who think this issue doesn’t affect them — because one day, it might.

Families deserve protection. Children deserve safety. And the system needs accountability.