Bill > S2953

This bill aims to improve accountability and transparency within the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). Some key provisions include: - Requiring DCF to issue an annual report on its performance, including detailed data on safety, permanence, and well-being outcomes for children and families served by the department, as well as information on operations, initiatives, and progress towards established goals. - Mandating quarterly reporting by DCF on key metrics like consumer counts, reports filed, and children in placement. - Establishing a 5-year plan with numerical targets for DCF's performance in areas like safety, permanence, and well-being, which must be updated annually. - Requiring DCF to report on services provided to young adults over 18 who continue to receive support, as well as the department's fair hearing process. - Allowing the Child Advocate to make multi-system investigations publicly available and report to state leaders if the Advocate believes an executive agency or provider contributed to harm to a child. - Directing DCF to review policies and procedures for transferring cases between social workers and area offices to improve stability for children. The bill also requires the social worker licensing board to report on barriers prospective social workers face in entering the profession due to the licensure exam.

Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2953