LibGuides: Children and the Law: Transition

Children in Transition

Children who have been in care or involved with the juvenile justice system may be eligible for special services to assist them as they age out of the system. The resouces on this page should help you support clients who are transitioning to adulthood.

Massachusetts Statute & Regulation

Mass General Laws c. 119
Juvenile Law in Massachusetts is primarily governed by Mass General Laws c. 119; Section 23 contains the provisions for extending care to age 22.
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Link is to a freely available government source; for annotated version use M.G.L.A. (West) or A.L.M. (Lexis) in print or on Westlaw or Lexis.
109 CMR
This section of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with the Department of Youth Services.
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Access on Westlaw for annotations.
110 CMR
This section of the Code of Massachusetts Regulations deals with the Department of Children and Families.

Massachusetts Agencies

DMH Transitional Age Youth Initiative webpage

DOE Webpage with Transitional Resources

Massachusetts Office of the Child Advocate -Transition Planning [PDF]

National Organizations

Federation for Children with Special Needs
This website has a number of resources meant for parents of children in transition who are eligible for special needs services but the information should be useful for any child who is eligible for these services.
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Resources on Transition to Adulthood
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Helping Children Aging Out of Foster Care Prepare for Independence
Juvenile Law Center
Transition to Adulthood for Youth with Disabilities in Foster Care

Massachusetts Organizations

Children's Law Center - Transition Planning

Description of Massachusetts and Federal Law that require transition planning for students with IEPs.

Secondary Sources

MCLE Child Welfare in Massachusetts: Chapter 20 covers permancy planning and Chapter 24 covers transition of children in foster care and Exhibit 20E contains Resources For Teens Aging Out Of Foster Care. Available in print in the library, Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg, and MCLE OnlinePass.