For Immediate Release: May 5, 2022
Contact: Meaghan Hohl
Meaghan@sevenletter.com | (617) 448-6973

Virtual event to be hosted Rep. Adrian Madaro (D-Boston)

Boston, MA (May 5, 2022) – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) today announced that it will be hosting a legislative briefing on Monday, May 9th at 3:00 pm. The briefing, hosted by Representative Adrian Madaro (D-Boston), will focus on the findings of an MLRI report entitled: Family Voices: Insights about prevention services from families and youth directly affected by the Massachusetts Child Welfare System.

The report shares the insights from interviews with families and youth with lived experience in the Massachusetts child welfare system. In the report, families share ideas for improvement to the current child welfare system which are especially crucial at this time as the state engages in an unprecedented level of planning for these services.

“This report completed by MLRI is truly vital for so many children and families,” said State Rep. Madaro, the moderator for the virtual event, “for us to better assist our most vulnerable we need to examine where changes can truly be made. This includes partnering with families and youth in planning policy for services to families.”

A first-generation American, State Rep. Madaro is currently in his fourth term representing East Boston, where he has been a lifelong resident. After graduating from Tufts University, he served as the legislative aide and chief of staff of his predecessor, Representative Carlo Basile. While still working for Basile, he returned to Tufts and attained a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning. He currently serves as the House Chair of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use, and Recovery.

The May 9th briefing is critical as we begin sharing the voices and experiences of those with a history with the child welfare system and the struggles they have encountered. These stories provide an opportunity to discuss the changes and improvements that are needed to the current system.

Tatiana Rodriguez, the founder of Family Matters 1st, a community led organization whose members are low-income and racially diverse families with lived experience in the Massachusetts child welfare system, said: “Families with lived experience need to be at the policy making table for services to families as these policies affect us. We are the experts and we also bring our own professional experience and education. We know where the failures in services are and what needs to be provided to safely keep children in their family homes or return them to their families.”

The briefing will highlight some of the families who bravely shared their stories as well as lay out some of the suggested changes to the system that they feel would allow DCF to fulfill its mission of protecting children by keeping them safely with their families whenever possible. Additionally, the briefing will spotlight other potential ideas and solutions for change, including those implemented by other states.

“This briefing is an unprecedented opportunity to open up a public dialogue between those who can effect change in the child welfare system and those who have experienced the system firsthand,” said Susan Elsen of MLRI, “it’s truly an honor and privilege to work with families to bring about this chance to effect true change in the system.”