On behalf of the Commonwealth’s seven CASA programs, 700 volunteers, and close to 1,000 children we advocate on behalf of, I was proud to testify yesterday at the Statehouse on various foster care related bills. I specifically focused on Massachusetts moving forward on a Foster Child Bill of Rights. You can view my three minutes of testimony at about 1 hour and 27 minutes into the video. https://malegislature.gov/Events/Hearings/Detail/4705 My family’s history with the child welfare system goes back over 60 years. My main calls to action:

● It’s time to get bold AND much more sensible about solutions. If you want to create meaningful change in the foster care system, shrink it!! Support families, ensure that they have their basic needs met (including financially), and keep children OUT of this system.
● It’s time to listen to those who’ve experienced foster care firsthand and they should be driving our decisions.
● And lastly, if children do enter into foster care, ensure that every one of them has a member of the community zealously advocating for them in and outside of the courtroom. With all due respect to my child welfare partners, we do NOT have it covered!

An accomplishment that so many should be proud of. The first-ever CASA program in Southeastern Massachusetts. Get involved if you’re in the area or pass the word along. Every child in foster care should have a zealous advocate to ensure that they receive the care they deserve and get out of foster care ASAP.