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Programs to keep kids out of foster care are running low of funds

Thousands of Massachusetts parents face scrutiny from the state’s child protection system and, with it, the all-consuming fear of losing custody of a child. ....

United States , New Bedford , Susan Elsen , Madeline Blanchette , Emilie Cook , George Floyd , Holly White , Maureen Lynch , Committee For Public Counsel Services , Community Legal Aid , Massachusetts Law Reform Institute , Massachusetts Law Reform , Family Preservation Projectcan , Northeast Legal Aid , Barton Child Law , Policy Center , Emory University School , Public Counsel Services ,

Shelter limits raise stakes for housing transitions

With restrictions on how long families can stay in state-run emergency shelters now gaining favor in the House and Senate, anti-homelessness advocates argue that if "artificial" time restrictions are imposed, the state also needs to invest in programs to help families exit shelter into housing. ....

United States , Jamie Eldridge , Maura Healey , Liz Miranda , Kelly Turley , Robyn Kennedy , Massachusetts Coalition For The Homeless , Senate Democrats , Massachusetts Law Reform Institute , Coalition For The Homeless , Massachusetts Coalition , Andrea Park , Massachusetts Law Reform , Residential Assistance ,

When appealed, DCF findings against parents are often overturned

State hearing officers reversed DCF’s findings against parents and caregivers 40 percent of the time last fiscal year, new data show, while dozens of others were partially overturned. ....

United States , Susan Elsen , Dcfcommissioner Staverne Miller , Andrea Grossman , Massachusetts Law Reform Institute , Ripples Group , Gripple Group , Harvard Law School , Department Of Children , Central Massachusetts , Massachusetts Law Reform , Staverne Miller , Fair Hearing Unit , Family Justice Clinic , Legal Services Center ,

Advocates urge lawmakers to boost cash assistance benefits after budget cuts

For a family of three with no income, the maximum monthly benefit is $783. ....

United States , Maura Healey , Sal Didomenico , Betsy Gwin , Massachusetts Law Reform Institute , Members Of The Lift Our Kids Coalition , Lift Our Kids Coalition , Transitional Assistance , Dependent Children , Massachusetts Law Reform , Everett Democrat ,

Massachusetts spent $360 million on the shelter crisis as waitlist grows

22News breaks down the new shelter crisis report and what it's costing our state. ....

Beacon Hill , United States , Massachusetts Law Reform Institute , Shelter Law , Housing Attorney Andrea Park , Andrea Park , Massachusetts Law Reform ,