OCA Special Projects

The Juvenile Justice Policy and Data Board (JJPAD), chaired by the Child Advocate, was established by Ch. 69 of the Acts of 2018, is charged with evaluating juvenile justice system policies and procedures and making recommendations to improve outcomes. The Childhood Trauma Task Force (CTTF) operates under the JJPAD.

The Legislature created a child welfare data task force in FY18 to review the list of legislatively-mandated DCF reports, and to issue recommendations on the elimination of unnecessary reports and the design of new reports that would present information of the children and families served by DCF.

The Mandated Reporter Commission (MRC) was established by the Childhood Wellness Bill of 2019 and is charged with reviewing and reporting on the mandated reporter laws and regulations as well as making recommendations on how to improve the response to, and prevention of, child abuse and neglect.

This policy brief examines how the state can better ensure children and families can access services in the language they speak, with a focus on programs delivered by contracted providers.

The Office of the Child Advocate developed a series of data briefs and infographics examining disparities within the MA juvenile justice system. These three data briefs explore how geography, race, and ethnicity, as well as gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity, can influence youth experiences and outcomes.

This report provides insights into the design and development of the OCA's online Mandated Reporter Training, as well as initial outcomes from the first two years of implementation.

This evaluation of the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP) focuses on findings from Year 3 of the MYDP as well as opportunities for program improvement.

This report examines rising Child Requiring Assistance filings in Massachusetts, highlighting increases in school-initiated petitions and racial disparities, and offers recommendations to strengthen community-based supports and reduce reliance on court involvement.

This external evaluation of the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP), a partnership between the OCA and the Department of Youth Services (DYS), focuses on the implementation of the first three pilot sites.

This brochure describes the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP) and key findings from a 2024 external evaluation.

This report summarizes the public comments submitted to the Data Work Group (DWG) on a multi-year analysis of ways to streamline and improve reporting by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). It also includes OCA’s recommendations based on this process.

This policy brief describes the HSSP program, launched in early 2021 by the OCA and EOHHS and expanded statewide in December 2021, and the evaluation results.

This report analyzes the second year of implementation of the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program that the OCA operates in partnership with the Department of Youth Services.

Pursuant to Chapter 28 of the Acts of 2023, the OCA conducted a review of Family Resource Centers (FRCs). This report makes recommendations to help focus FRCs, expand access to FRCs and, integrate FRCs more fully with other state systems.

This policy brief describes the HSSP program, launched in early 2021 by the OCA and EOHHS and expanded statewide in December 2021, and the evaluation results.

This presentation describes the HSSP program, launched in early 2021 by the OCA and EOHHS and expanded statewide in December 2021, and the evaluation results.

This report summarizes results and lessons learned from the first year of implementation of the Massachusetts Youth Diversion Program (MYDP), a partnership between the OCA and the Department of Youth Services (DYS).

Pursuant to line item 0930-0100 in the Fiscal Year 2022 General Appropriations Act (FY22 GAA), the Office of the Advocate (OCA) submits this report on the status of the agency’s efforts to ensure effective cross-agency coordination of early childhood and school- aged student wellness efforts.

The HSSP Pilot was launched in early 2021 to connect young adults in DCF custody who opt-out of post-18 care to the services and provide on-going support as needed.

The HSSP Pilot was launched in early 2021 to connect young adults in DCF custody who opt-out of post-18 care to the services and provide on-going support as needed. This report summarizes the results of the interim external evaluation.

This report summarizes the results of focus groups conducted with individuals who have lived and/or professional experience with the child welfare system more generally, and family support and stabilization services more specifically, to better understanding the experiences of families receiving these services.

The OCA prioritizes preventable childhood injury and death as one of our key areas of focus. Through this work, the OCA saw the need to prioritize and monitor youth suicide. The following report includes recommendations for future initiatives and research on youth suicidality in the Commonwealth.

After supported allegations of abuse and neglect at two Massachusetts schools, Gov. Baker asked the OCA to lead an interagency review of public and private residential and therapeutic day programs. This report identifies key risk and safety factors for residential schools and makes recommendations to improve oversight.

An OCA-led review of local-level Massachusetts Child Fatality Review (CFR) programs. This report details the project and the findings that emerged from local teams.

An OCA-led review of the state-level Massachusetts Child Fatality Review (CFR) program. This report details the project and the findings that emerged from state teams.

The OCA was tasked with a Quality Improvement Review and Analysis of the Office Management of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This first interim report includes findings from a 2014 Suffolk University survey of DCF employees.

The OCA was tasked with a Quality Improvement Review and Analysis of the Office Management of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This second interim report includes findings from a 2014 DCF survey of DCF parents/guardians who were former DCF clients.

The OCA was tasked with a Quality Improvement Review and Analysis of the Office Management of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This third interim report highlights preliminary findings and outlines next steps for the project.

The OCA was tasked with a Quality Improvement Review and Analysis of the Office Management of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This final report contains detailed information on findings and recommendations from the DCF management review.

The OCA was asked to choose an independent evaluation to review DCF's administrative hearing system. The Ripples Group conducted this evaluation under contract with the OCA and provided quarterly progress reports. This report details the evaluation of the DCF administrative hearing system.

The OCA was asked to choose an independent evaluation to review DCF's administrative hearing system. The Ripples Group conducted this evaluation under contract with the OCA and provided quarterly progress reports. This letter provides a third status update to the Legislature and details the preliminary findings.

The OCA was asked to choose an independent evaluation to review DCF's administrative hearing system. The Ripples Group conducted this evaluation under contract with the OCA and provided quarterly progress reports. This letter provides a second status update to the Legislature on the project.

The OCA was asked to choose an independent evaluation to review DCF's administrative hearing system. The Ripples Group conducted this evaluation under contract with the OCA and provided quarterly progress reports. This letter provides a status update to the Legislature on the project.

The OCA was asked to choose an independent evaluation to review DCF's administrative hearing system. The Ripples Group conducted this evaluation under contract with the OCA and provided quarterly progress reports. This letter provides a status update to the Legislature and details the project's preliminary findings.