The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate, now in its 20th year, has established itself as a leading force in child welfare and protection, advancing policy and system reforms that benefit children in the Commonwealth with the greatest needs. Under the leadership of Maria Mossaides, Child Advocate, the OCA works closely with state agencies to ensure that children receive the services and care they deserve, while also piloting innovative programs to respond to emerging challenges.

The Massachusetts OCA is part of a broader network of Child Advocate or Children’s Ombudsmen’s offices, with more than 20 such offices operating nationwide. The Massachusetts office takes a proactive role in policymaking and system reforms. While the OCA is an independent state agency, they serve as a collaboration hub for state agencies that intersect with child welfare issues. Through technical assistance, policy recommendations, and advocacy for resources, the OCA fosters trust between agencies and productive working relationships that benefit the Commonwealth’s children.

A Leader in Policy and Program Innovation

The Massachusetts OCA is unique in its extensive commitment to policy work. The OCA not only analyzes trends and advocates for change but also plays an active role in revising laws, policies, and practices within state agencies. Through research, analysis, and close collaboration with state agencies, the OCA ensures that child welfare reforms are data-driven, evidence-based, and tailored to the needs of children and families. This close collaboration ensures that changes are both meaningful and actionable.

“We should not be fighting over the facts…we should be fighting over the implications of what those numbers mean.”

– Maria Mossaides, Child Advocate for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Additionally, the Massachusetts OCA pilots new programs and services, giving the state a testing ground for novel approaches and contributing to the national evidence base for emerging best practices. For example, the OCA supported a program for youth aging out of services, which later transitioned into a broader Health and Human Services program due to the pilot’s success. The Massachusetts OCA has also partnered with their Department of Youth Services to test a new diversion program for justice-involved youth. When supporting new programs, the OCA remains engaged throughout the pilot phase, after which it steps back to allow state agencies to take full responsibility when transitioning to a permanent program, which has been an effective method of fostering innovation while maintaining stability in service delivery.

Supporting the Workforce to Support Children

In 2021 the Massachusetts OCA gained legislative support for a new initiative: the Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma (the Center). The Center, born from the recommendations of the OCA’s Childhood Trauma Task Force and the mental health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, grew to a fully-funded, $3.75 million statewide program spearheaded by Pathways to Resilience Expert Advisory Committee member, Audrey Smolkin. The Center focuses on child-serving organizations. Because children’s service workers have high Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores and are at greater risk of burnout and secondary trauma, the Center seeks to provide staff with the tools to care for themselves while they care for others.

“We remind child-serving staff, ‘you can’t pour from an empty cup.’ If you don’t support the supporter, they can’t support the kids.”

– Audrey Smolkin, Executive Director of the Center on Child Wellbeing & Trauma at the Office of the Child Advocate.

Elevating Voices of People with Lived Experience

One of the OCA’s key strengths is its commitment to incorporating the voices of individuals with lived experience into the policymaking process, prioritizing outreach and engagement with those who have direct experience with the child welfare system. However, engaging these individuals can be challenging, as some may fear potential repercussions due to their involvement with child welfare agencies. To overcome this barrier, the OCA has begun hiring external firms not associated with mandated reporting requirements to facilitate focus groups and other outreach activities, ensuring that the voices and stories of individuals with lived experience are represented in policy and program planning.

The Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate’s ability to foster trust, advocate for resources, and implement lasting reforms has made the OCA an indispensable institution in the Commonwealth, and its work will continue to promote wellness and resilience among children and families.