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.

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.

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 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.

An OCA-led review of the state-level Massachusetts Child Fatality Review (CFR) program.

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.

Pursuant to Administration and Finance Reserve Appropriation 1599-7771, 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.

Pursuant to Administration and Finance Reserve Appropriation 1599-7771, 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.

Pursuant to Administration and Finance Reserve Appropriation 1599-7771, 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 preliminary findings.

Pursuant to Administration and Finance Reserve Appropriation 1599-7771, 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.

Pursuant to Administration and Finance Reserve Appropriation 1599-7771, 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 a final report on their findings.