In the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF) where children may be removed from their families, the consequences of language barriers can be profound. Limited English proficient parents are deemed noncompliant and uncaring when, because critical documents and information are only provided in English, they simply do not understand the steps they must take to reunite with their children.
In a complex system already difficult to navigate, this can lead to the wrongful, sometimes permanent separation of families.
This kind of systemic discrimination is just one part of our nation’s extensive history of over-policing and separating families of color and immigrant families. And with newly arrived immigrant families arriving in record numbers, ensuring meaningful language access is more urgent than ever.
The Massachusetts Department of Children and Families is currently accepting comments on two regulations concerning how the agency interacts with families: 110 CMR 5.00 et. seq. and 110 CMR 9.00 et. seq. Take this one-minute action before 5:00 pm this Friday, 8/23 and submit comments urging DCF to include language access in these regulations!
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