News & Commentary – with a Critical Eye on Foster Care in Massachusetts
VOL 3.1 /// MAR 2023
Thank you to Senator Edward Markey and the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute for recognizing our hard work and dedication for children and young adults impacted by foster care or juvenile-justice involvement. We are so honored to be a 2021 Angels in Adoption Honoree.
UPDATE /// APR 2022
A Bridge to Boston
After 31 years of advocating from our base in western Massachusetts, Friends of Children is creating a second ...
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FOC stays laser focused on policy advocacy; updated “Failing Our Kids” report
We continue to advocate for a foster care review office that is independent of the Department of Children ...
Read More VOL 2.1 /// FEB 2022
With Purpose, We Thrive
As this strange winter sees so many of us continuing to cope with the various challenges imposed by ...
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DCF FY2021 Annual Report Raises More Serious Questions Than It Answers
Friends of Children conducted a review of the recently released FY2021 Annual Report of the Massachusetts Department of ...
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Dynamic New Staff Bring Expertise and Energy
Friends of Children is pleased to welcome several new key staff members, as we continue to strengthen our ...
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Upcoming Events: Trainings & Fundraisers
CASA Training Series The CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) program will begin a six-week training series this month that ...
Read More VOL 1.3 /// OCT–NOV 2021
Whatever It Takes
This continues to be a year that juxtaposes joy with worry. When we think we’ve turned a milestone ...
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An Autumn of Truth and Action To Change Child Welfare Policy
As autumn deepens, so does the season of policy action at Friends of Children. We continue to educate ...
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Our Kids Deserve Independent Foster Care Review
The federal government requires all states that receive federal foster-care funding to review the permanency plans of each ...
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Being a Mentor: One family’s journey
Sarah and Dave share the story of what a mentor is and means to both their FOCUS young ...
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Friends of Children Receives National 2021 Angel in Adoption Award
Friends of Children is honored to receive the 2021 Angel in Adoption Award of the Congressional Coalition on ...
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Amherst Area Chamber Golf Tournament is A Hole-In-One for Friends of Children
Community leaders and golf enthusiasts took to the greens at Cold Spring Orchards in Belchertown, MA on July ...
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Support Friends of Children Through “Race Your Way”
October 24-31, 2021 for the second year in a row, Friends of Children is taking its virtual race ...
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Make Supporting Vulnerable Children an Ongoing Reflection of Who You Are
“A foster child/teen already has so much emotional baggage, the last thing they need is the shame felt ...
Read More VOL 1.2 /// JUNE–JULY 2021
The Not-So-Carefree Days of Summer
As restrictions relax nationwide and people begin to travel and to reunite with loved ones in person for ...
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Groundbreaking Report From Friends of Children Draws Significant Attention to Broken MA Child Welfare System
A damning report released by Friends of Children in late April continues to reverberate among policymakers statewide. Failing ...
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Donation Finds Many Homes
This spring Angel Flight NE, a nonprofit that schedules free air transportation for children and adults requiring specialized ...
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Kathie’s Fund Raises $2,200
In our last edition of Fostering Change, we honored beloved CASA volunteer Kathie Stewart with the creation of ...
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Leveling the Playing Field With Basic Resources for Kids in Foster Care
Foster children often arrive with a plastic trash bag of clothing, confused and scared. They stay for a ...
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Sergio: Success with FOCUS
In this powerful story, Sergio shares the impact of having mentors through our FOCUS program, a program for ...
Read More VOL 1.1 /// APR–MAY 2021
Emerging, Stronger.
From Executive Director Jane Lyons Welcome to Fostering Change, the freshly reimagined newsletter here at Friends of Children. The name Fostering Change succinctly captures the ...
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A Pivotal Moment for Child-Welfare Action
As a leading independent voice for young people involved in the child-welfare system in Massachusetts, Friends of Children serves as a unique and powerful agent ...
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Honoring the Memory of Kathie Stewart, Adored CASA Volunteer
When the perfectly coiffed CASA volunteer walked into the Friends of Children conference room, it lit up! Her smile, eagerness, and warmth made talking with ...
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CASA Changes Lives
This amazing story sheds light on the impact a CASA advocate and the right foster parent (now adoptive parent) can have on the life of ...
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