Massachusetts Bill H155 and S91  - An Act to ensure quality foster care - information and support petition

1. The union negotiates and maintains a contract with DCF – foster parents will have representation to ensure policies and regulations are followed consistently throughout the agency. a union has a full-time multi-disciplinary staff which will be advocating and intervening on your behalf.

2. The union contract will specify services (behavioral, trauma, health/medical, financial child care) and benefits (respite, sick time/paid time off), plus training that can enable families to deal with difficult issues and behaviors. If not followed, the union has more leverage than an individual foster parent to advocate for necessary services, particularly if the contract is being violated.

3. The union has paid lobbyists who will advocate for families; legislators listen to unions, and this voice is critical on Beacon Hill. 

4. The union will assist with legal services that families may need when various issues arise, such as 51As (abuse/neglect allegations).

5. The union is a third party that will assist family resources to address grievances outside of the DCF “chain of command”, that often leads to retaliation from workers and staff. Retaliation against any union organizing efforts is illegal.

6. Dues are anticipated to total approximately 1.5% of monthly reimbursement checks. Foster parents who opt out will not be required to pay dues; however, certain costs for the work it does that benefit all foster parents may be passed on to non-union members.

7. Unions historically negotiates contracts that include initial increases that are equal to or more than the cost of dues for individuals.  Foster parents now have to rely on bills in the legislature and inclusion in the state budget to obtain rate and other increases. That has historically required foster parents to “go begging” to the State House on a frequent basis.  The union will professionally negotiate rate and other increases directly with DCF.

8. The union has a substantial presence at the State House; staff are there constantly.  Unions historically runs numerous legislative briefings and events.  The union also represents social workers and child care workers, so there are “economies of scale” with its lobbying and advocacy for the benefit of children.  There will be specialized union personnel at their headquarters who solely work on behalf of foster parents, so conflicts of interest are avoided.

9. The union will also present foster parents in areas and agencies beyond DCF – the educational system (especially Massachusetts Dept. of Education), “aging-out” services (DDS, DMH. Mass Rehab).

10. There will be local stewards and other union leaders in all the various regions around the state.  They will be foster/guardianship/kinship parents/grandparents.  So you will be locally represented by people such as yourself, led by a specialized staff at the union whose mandate is to serve you and, therefore, serve to support the children in your care.