According to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, FY23, there were 8,950 children in placement.  Supporting those children in placement are 5000 Foster Parents.  Each child and foster parent is impacted in one or another by the lack of an Act to assure quality foster care law. 

The foster parents, DCU caregivers, in the Commonwealth are currently restricted from attending critical meetings which are designed to propose meaningful outcomes to meet the needs of the child in their care.  They are left to implement the meeting outcomes without having a voice in the decision making process.  Under the current system, caregivers have no representation or protection from untrue abuse allegations, and have to absorb any legal fees when faced with such allegations. 

House Bill No. 155 is currently before the Massachusetts One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court (2023-2024) which, if passed, would assure quality foster care provided to children placed with foster parents and families by working cooperatively with foster parents to build upon the existing system and continuously improve the provision of high quality foster care through foster parents who have the requisite qualifications, supports, and training.

Take the next step to help the foster parent system by signing this petition.  Can you share this petition to reach it's signature goal?