Child Welfare Information

On this page are some of the child welfare resources we identify as potentially helpful to our constituents. The OCA is not affiliated with any of these resources, this is a non-exhaustive list of relevant sources of further information.

Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

All reports of suspected child abuse or neglect must be phoned in to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF). To file a report, call 24-hour Child-at-Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200.

If you would like to reach the DCF area office that serves your town, a listing of area offices by town can be found by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-children-families/locations

For additional information on how to report child abuse or neglect to DCF, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-child-abuse-or-neglect 

Massachusetts Mandated Reporters

The Office of the Child Advocate created documents to support Massachusetts mandated reporters in their responsibilities to report child abuse and neglect. These materials are directly related to the OCA Mandated Reporter Training for Educators.

Click the links below to view the documents.

The Children's Trust FindHelp Tool

The Children’s Trust FindHelp Tool can help children and families find free or reduced cost services and resources. Enter your zip code to find local resources like childcare, housing, parenting support, and more.

FindHelp is provided by the Children’s Trust of Massachusetts and family programs in your area.

For more information, visit their website by clicking here: https://childrenstrustma.findhelp.com/

Family Resource Centers (FRCs)

Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are community hubs that provide wrap around services for children and families, such as educational, career, health, and emotional supports.

Family Resource Centers are provided by local community service providers and funded in part by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

For more information, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.frcma.org/

Child Advocacy Centers (CACs)

Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) were created to ensure that the highest level of services are provided to children and families. CACs are child-friendly centers where a multidisciplinary team of professionals offer a coordinated response to allegations of child sexual and severe physical abuse. These services come at no cost and include medical, mental health, and victim advocacy.

CACs are overseen by the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA). There are 12 county-based Child Advocacy Centers across Massachusetts.

For more information on services provided, and to find your local CAC, visit MACA’s website by clicking here: https://machildrensalliance.org/

Homeless Youth Services

Homeless Youth Services, within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Office of Children Youth and Families, leads the statewide effort of working towards a future where experiences of youth homelessness in Massachusetts are rare, brief, and non-recurring, and where every youth and young (YYA) adult is safe, supported, and able to use their strengths fully.

Via dedicated statewide funding spanning all ten regions, MA Homeless Youth Services supports providers to offer housing and services for youth and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

For more information on the program and the services provided, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/homeless-youth-services 

Adolescent Education Services – Chapter 688 Referral 

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to ensuring the youth in its care are able to pursue higher education and vocational training to achieve their potential. State and federally funded programs are available exclusively to youth in DCF care, as well as sponsored adoptive and guardianship homes to help finance post-secondary education.

These services are provided by DCF.

For more information, visit their website by clicking here: www.mass.gov/guides/adolescent-education-services 

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

The Commission on the Status of the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’s mission is to serve as a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin.

For more information and to access resources, including support groups for grandparents and relative caregivers, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.massgrg.com/massgrg_2019/index.html 

Kinship Navigator

Kinship Navigator is a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that assists all kinship caregivers (grandparents and other relatives) with accessing services for themselves and the children they are raising. Their mission is to assure all kinship caregivers in Massachusetts can easily find supportive serves online and with assistance from Kinship Navigator staff to help cultivate strong, stable and successful families throughout the Commonwealth.

The Kinship Navigator is a program provided by the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF).

For more information, and to access resources, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/kinship-navigator