The budget process has moved out of the House and on to the Senate. Thanks to your advocacy, the House has included funding for our Therapy Matcher Program into their final budget!
Now, the Senate has released their budget proposal, and we would like to make some changes but we need you to make it happen!
Can you contact your legislators, and ask them to cosponsor our amendments?
Here are the amendments that we are asking to be included in the Senate Budget:
Identification for youth and adults experiencing homelessness: #881 Filed by Senator Kennedy
This amendment would add $50,000 to the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund (line item 1595-6368) to provide free standard Mass IDs to eligible people experiencing homelessness. The amendment also would add an outside section to establish fee waiver and documentation practices so youth and adults experiencing homelessness can access standard Mass IDs from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Please ask your state senator to cosponsor amendment #881.
Lift Kids Out of Deep Poverty, Amendment: #532 Filed by Senator DiDomenico
This amendment would start an additional 10% TAFDC cash assistance grant increase in October 2026. The TAFDC grant for families with children has lost 46% of its value since 1988. The current grant does not even meet Deep Poverty, $1,138 for three. A 10% grant increase, would get us slightly closer to the Deep Poverty level. Please ask your state senator to cosponsor amendment #532.
Geriatric Mental Health Program (Line Item 9110-1640), Amendment: #475
Filed by Senator Jehlen would fund line item 9110-1640 to support Behavioral Health Services for Older Adults. These services are often staffed by social workers and master's level social work interns who assist older adults with immediate needs as well as long-term support and services. These services are proven to help overcome treatment barriers by supporting older adults in their own home to address issues associated with behavioral health conditions such as chronic disease, social isolation, housing insecurity, and financial challenges. Please ask your state senator to cosponsor amendment #475.
Ways you can get involved with supporting these amendments:
- Use our Action Center to ask your State Legislators to Cosponsor our amendments! The more support an amendment has, the more likely it is to pass into the budget!
- Fill out our Social Workers Interested in Advocacy Form for more information and advocacy opportunities for our priority bills.
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