News & Updates
- Court-Appointed Attorneys for Children and Youth in Child Welfare Cases - What Is Their Role?
- A Spotlight on the Mental Health of Children in Massachusetts
- Senate Bill 40 Provides Additional Opportunities and Services for Youth Transitioning out of Care
- Report on Youth Sentenced to Life without Parole Calls for Reform
- Lawsuit Targets Massachusetts Foster Care
- Massachusetts Interagency Restraint and Seclusion Prevention Initiative
Welcome to the Office of the Child Advocate Website
Welcome to the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) website. The goal of the OCA is to ensure that every child involved with child welfare or juvenile justice agencies in Massachusetts is protected from harm and receives appropriate and effective services delivered in a timely and respectful manner.
We believe that one of the most important tasks for state government involves protecting the safety and healthy development of children who need additional support.
Please look through our website to learn more about the work of the OCA and to contact us with your input as to what issues should be our highest priorities. While we may not be able to address every situation, we take all concerns seriously. Please let us know if your concerns involve more than one state agency.
The OCA does NOT provide emergency responses to reports of child abuse and neglect. Please report claims of child abuse or neglect immediately by calling the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Hotline at 1-800-792-5200.
OCA Submits FY 2011 Annual Report to Governor and Legislature
The OCA has filed its third annual report with the Governor and the Legislature summarizing the activities of the OCA for FY11 with recommendations for legislative and policy changes. The complete OCA Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2011 is available on this site along with our prior annual reports. The OCA welcomes your feedback on the report, as well as suggestions about ways to improve the lives of children and families in the Commonwealth.
Rogers Update: Tufts Medical Center Research Team Submits Final Report
The Tufts Medical Center research team has completed its research and submitted a final report to the OCA. The report, Examination of the Rogers Process for Youth in the Custody of the Department of Children and Families, as well as the executive summary and appendix are available on the Tufts Medical Center website at http://tuftsctsi.org/About-Us/Announcements/Examination-of-the-Rogers-Process.aspx .
Information about Free Meals for Foster Children
The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute has produced a fact sheet with important information about foster children's rights to free meals. This fact sheet has information about the federal law and what you can do to ensure foster children receive their free meals at school or daycare.
Download the fact sheet here: Fact Sheet: Key Information for Massachusetts Lawyers and Other Child Advocates About Free Meals for Foster Children
