Head of Massachusetts child welfare agency to leave for D.C. advocacy organization – The Boston Globe
Top child welfare executive in Massachusetts to depart The Boston Globe
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The Longest-Serving Commissioner of Massachusetts Child Welfare Agency to Lead National Child Advocacy Organization
Linda Spears, the commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services (DCF), will assume the role of president and chief executive officer at the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) in October, according to an announcement made by CWLA on Monday. Spears, who had previously worked at CWLA for 22 years until 2015, was appointed by then-governor Charlie Baker to lead DCF. Her departure from DCF is scheduled for late September.
Reforms and Challenges in Child Welfare
During her tenure as commissioner, Linda Spears implemented significant structural reforms within the Massachusetts child welfare system, resulting in a decrease in the number of children in foster placement over the past five years. However, the department also faced high-profile tragedies involving children under DCF’s care.
- In 2021, a 14-year-old intellectually disabled boy died of starvation and neglect.
- In 2019, a 5-year-old girl born in Massachusetts and placed in DCF custody was killed in New Hampshire. Her death was confirmed last year, and her father has been charged.
Despite these challenges, the Office of the Child Advocate, which issued critical reports of DCF, commended Spears’ efforts to reform the agency.
Responsibilities and Achievements of DCF
DCF is a $1.2 billion state department with over 4,100 employees. Its responsibilities include investigating reports of child abuse and neglect and overseeing the state’s foster care system. In fiscal year 2022, DCF handled cases involving more than 86,000 children and adults, according to its most recent annual report.
Reforms and Future Changes
Under Spears’ leadership, DCF underwent an overhaul that included streamlining background checks, creating a medical unit focused on foster children’s health needs, and improving oversight. However, there is still room for improvement, and Spears acknowledged the need for ongoing reforms.
Challenges Ahead
While Spears’ efforts were praised, advocates highlighted areas where DCF needs to do better:
- Providing stable homes for foster children
- Keeping families together
- Addressing the needs of LGBTQ children and children of color
- Ensuring immigrant families aren’t wrongly separated due to language barriers
Advocacy groups and policy advisory organizations emphasized the importance of innovation and modernization in child welfare practices.
Conclusion
Linda Spears’ departure from DCF marks a significant transition in Massachusetts’ child welfare landscape. Her leadership has brought about reforms while also highlighting the challenges that remain. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ensuring the well-being and safety of children align with the ongoing efforts to improve child welfare in Massachusetts and across the United States.
Jason Laughlin can be reached at jason.laughlin@globe.com. Follow him @jasmlaughlin.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 1: No Poverty
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
- Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
- Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.
- Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group.
- Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate.
- Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex.
- Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 1: No Poverty | Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions. | Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group. |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births. | Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.2: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education. | Indicator 4.2.1: Proportion of children under 5 years of age who are developmentally on track in health, learning, and psychosocial well-being, by sex. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. | Indicator 5.1.1: Whether or not legal frameworks are in place to promote, enforce, and monitor equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, disaggregated by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
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Source: bostonglobe.com
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