Children's Law Center - Massachusetts
Child Requiring Assistance Cases Mass Gov
Department of Children and Families
The Department of Children and Families (formerly the Department of Social Services) is the state agency responsible for protecting children and helping families in need. The DCF posts unofficial versions of their regulations and polices on this website. Other information found here includes: description of services provided by DCF; other publications and reports; and some forms. Select decisions of hearing officers have been posted on the MassLegal Services Library.
Department of Youth Services
The Department of Youth Services oversees a number of programs for juvenile offenders including clinicial, health, and educational services. The DYS webpage contains information about the services offered by this agency, links to policy documents (in Word), a DYS region map and contact information for all regions. Pursuit to 109 CMR 3.04, access to DYS records are limited to clients, guardians, attorneys or other limited authorized persons.
Department of Elementary & Secondary Education
Contains links to information about the Massachusetts school systems, including information on state and federal laws and regulations dealing with special education. Contains links to the Bureau of Special Education Appeals.
Division of Administrative Law Appeals
Contains links to decisions of DALA, tips on practicing at DALA, and decision search tips.
Department of Mental Health
The Department of Mental Health has provided a number of helpful resources on this website including: resource guides, DMH forms, Human Rights Handbook (in English and Spanish), DHS guidelines and DHS initiatives.
Massachusetts Statutus and Regulations
Public Schools. This Chapter also includes responsibility of school districts and school discipline sections.
English Language Education in Public Schools
Children with Special Needs
School Attendance
Protection and Care for Children, and Proceedings Against Them
Title 109 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with the Department of Youth Services.
Title 110 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with the Department of Children and Families.
Title 603 of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with education. In particular, 603 CMR 28 deals with special education.