Teens/young adults in foster care have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Schools have closed, most only offering accommodation until the end of the semester. Social workers’ hands are tied, as all of the group homes, shelters, and independent living programs are closed for quarantine. Hotels cost upwards of 500 dollars a week. This leaves many foster youth to wonder where they are going to spend the night, whether it be on a friend’s couch or their cars. 

I’m calling on Governor Baker to provide an action plan in regards to protecting one of the most vulnerable populations in the state. This action plan would include funding for youth facing homelessness due to COVID-19, a list of shelters/programs across the state offering free or low-cost housing to foster youth, an increase in the Youth Support Payment (a biweekly/monthly check to foster youth living on their own), as well as a plan for teens being placed in DCF custody during the pandemic. 

Help the foster youth of Massachusetts find stable housing and financial security during these hard times by signing this petition