Welcome to the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA)

The goal of the OCA is to ensure that every child involved with state agencies in Massachusetts is protected from harm and receives quality services. We are here to listen to the problems you encounter and identify resources and strategies that can help. We also work with legislators, social workers, doctors, administrators, and other professionals to improve services to children and families.

We invite you to explore this website to learn more about the responsibilities of the OCA. You can contact us to share your concerns or to give us feedback about your experience.

Featured Content

  • photo of kids outdoors playing the guitar

    May 5-11, 2013 is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Week

    Untreated mental illnesses may increase the risk of a child being bullied, absent from school, or even involved in the juvenile justice system.

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  • photo of smiling boy and girl

    May is National Foster Care Month

    All children deserve a stable and supportive family so that they can have a successful future.

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  • photo of kids dressed as professionals

    EOHHS Launches eLearning for Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

    Mandated reporters play an important role in keeping children safe and helping families access important resources.

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  • photo of dad and daughter playing indoors

    Make Your Home a SAFE HOME for Your Child

    Parents can prevent injuries to their children by carrying out a home safety evaluation and putting child safety measures into place.

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  • photo of baby sleeping

    Keeping Sleep Time Safe

    The American Academy of Pediatrics has expanded its recommendations for safe sleep practices for infants less than 12 months of age.

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  • photo of girl speaking with adults

    Foster Children and Medications

    Children and youth in foster care deserve our best efforts to make sure they grow up healthy and safe.

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OCA Releases Annual Report FY 2012

From The Child Advocate, Gail Garinger: “I am happy to share the fourth Annual Report from the Office of the Child Advocate with the citizens of the Commonwealth, child welfare and juvenile justice advocates, and everyone interested in how public agencies serve children and families in Massachusetts. At the OCA our mission is to improve the safety, health, and wellbeing of Massachusetts children by promoting positive change in public policy and practice. The OCA Annual Report for FY 2012 illustrates how the OCA staff work toward this goal every day. We welcome your feedback on the report, as well as suggestions about ways to improve our child welfare and juvenile justice systems.” The complete report, along with prior annual reports, is available on our Annual Reports page.