Public Meeting Notice  OCA Listening Session

We are holding a virtual, statewide listening session to hear directly from those with lived and professional experience.

The Nominating Committee for the next Massachusetts Child Advocate invites you to share your experiences and perspectives to help inform the search process. We are seeking input from youth, families, advocates, and providers who have had experience with the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) and with child-serving agencies including the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Department of Youth Services (DYS), and Department of Mental Health (DMH).

Your insights about what has worked well, what needs improvement, and what qualities are most important in the next Child Advocate will be invaluable to the Committee’s work.

Individuals who wish to speak will be asked to register in advance at the following email: EHS-OCAlisteningsession@mass.gov

Please note, submitting your request or interest in speaking does not guarantee speaking time during the event. Remarks will be limited to three (3) minutes to allow as many participants as possible to be heard. If you are unable to attend the listening session, you may provide written comments to EOHHS at the same email address (EHS-OCAlisteningsession@mass.gov) no later than November 7, 2025.

Live interpretation services may be available upon request. Special accommodation requests may be directed to the Disability Accommodations Ombudsman by email at ADAAccommodations@mass.gov or by phone at (617) 847-3468, TTY: (617) 847-3788.

Please submit your request by 5 pm on November 3, 2025, to ensure we are able to accommodate your specific request.

Join via Zoom:

1. Click on the following link: https://zoom.us/j/97111246322?pwd=mabUGGdnO4uLldA4XZPO60Qa5bLLoD.1
2. Enter the Webinar ID:  971 1124 6322
3. Passcode: OCA

Join by phone:

1. Dial-in: (646) 558-8656