The state Legislature heard testimony Tuesday on two bills intended to provide protections and services for children in the care of the state.
Maria Mossaides, the state’s new child advocate testified today in favor of legislation that’s intended to make her office more independent of the governor’s office.
The bill would give the governor, attorney general, and state auditor joint authority to select the child advocate to a set five-year term. As it stands now, the child advocate is appointed by the governor alone and can be replaced at any time.
Mossaides, who was sworn in to the post last Wednesday, testified before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities that interference by the administration has not been a problem.
“However, I think it is very important to do everything that is possible to strengthen the independence of the office,” she said.
Mossaides said several recent tragedies involving children have highlighted the need for a strong advocacy role for her office. The legislation’s sponsor, state Sen. Karen Spilka, testified that the bill should apply to the next child advocate, and not to the newly-appointed Mossiades.
Child Care In Shelters
Formerly homeless parents and advocates for homeless families testified Tuesday in favor of a bill that would provide child care once a family enters a shelter.
Kelly Riposa told the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities that’s it difficult to care for a child when you’re homeless.
“I was in a shelter for three months before I had access to child care,” she said.
Riposa said she had to jump through all kinds of hoops required by the state for her to get child care for her son.
“Without immediate access, one needs to be working or enrolled in a training program before one is granted a child care voucher,” she said. “However, it ‘s impossible to find a job or get accepted into a training program with a child in tow.”
A bill before the committee would grant families automatic eligibility for childcare vouchers when they enter a shelter. Advocates testified that more than 1,100 Massachusetts families took advantage of a similar policy when it was in effect in 2008 and 2009.
