Will Changes At DCF Turn Things Around For Children In Foster Care?

Gov. Charlie Baker introduced a new set of reforms to the Department of Children and Families on Wednesday, including major technology upgrades to improve communication between foster parents and the department, hiring more social workers, and several new recruiters to bring on new foster families. The change follows several years of trouble at the department, including budget cuts, a drop in foster homes as families grew frustrated, and high-profile deaths of young people in state custody.

Read more: Baker Administration Proposes Major Overhaul of Embattled Foster Care System

To discuss, Jim Braude was joined by Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders, and Peter MacKinnon, president of the local chapter of SEIU Local 509, which represents DCF’s social workers.

For more information on becoming a foster parent in Massachusetts, call (800) 543-7508 or visit https://www.mass.gov/foster-care.