Strength-based
Committed to Diversity and Cultural Competence
Committed to Continuous Learning
| "The Department's vision is to ensure the safety of children in a manner that holds the best hope of nurturing a sustained, resilient network of relationships to support the child's growth and development into adulthood."
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Some of the key resources provided on the DSS website are:
1. A child abuse hotline: 1 (800) 792-5200
2. A link that provides a detailed list of warning signs for child abuse
3. How to become a foster parent
4. How to become and adoptive parent
5. Where you can find your local and regional offices
6. And information on the Baby Safe Haven: 1 (800) 814-SAFE
Adolescent Services
The Department of Social Services is committed to providing adolescent services that stress positive development and youth empowerment
Teen Living Program
The Teen Living Program offers support and guidance to young women age 13-19 who are dealing with pregnancy and parenting issues, while allowing the teen families to remain intact.
Mentoring
Youth Mentoring Program - DSS mentors provide guidance, encouragement, support, positive role modeling and community connections to help youth succeed in their transition to adulthood. To be an adult mentor or to make a referral to the mentoring program, please call 617-748-2421.
Teen Peer Line
This phone line enables youth to confidentially ask questions about department policy, foster care review, education, and scholarship information, housing, support services, upcoming events, etc.. Youth can request to speak directly to a peer. Call 1-800-238-7868, weekdays 9 to 5.
Summer Employment
Here's a chance for highly motivated youth who are invested in their education to gain some real life experience.
Education
The Department of Social Services is committed to ensuring the youth in its care are able to pursue higher education and vocational training to achieve their potential. In keeping with this commitment, there are both state and federally funded programs available exclusively to youth in the care of DSS as well as in DSS sponsored adoptive and guardianship homes to help finance post-secondary education.
They also provide a number of servcies to help with the protection, housing and education of adolescents.
| To report abuse or neglect, call the Child-at-Risk Hotline anytime of the day or night at 1-800-792-5200. |
source of information: www.state.ma.us/dss, mass.gov