On May 11, 2020, GLAD and the rest of the Massachusetts Child Welfare/COVID-19 Coalition called on Governor Baker to take swift action on behalf of children and youth involved in the child welfare system in response to the health crisis surrounding COVID-19.

Due to the pandemic, youth in care are facing even more challenges, such as being unable to adhere to safety guidelines, cancellations of family visits, and lack of stable housing. Particularly vulnerable are young people about to age out of the foster care system, leaving them at risk of losing social services and higher risk of experiencing homelessness. While these problems are devastating for children in the welfare system in less uncertain times, during a health crisis it is potentially fatal to be without a home or healthcare.

The full letter can be read here.

The coalition consists of:
Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts Citizens for Juvenile Justice
Disability Law Center
Freitas & Freitas, LLP
Friends of Children
GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders
Greater Boston Legal Services
Massachusetts Advocates for Children
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee
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