You must enable cookies for this web site to function properly. Urge your Senator to pass a budget that supports foster families Personalize the subject and text of the message on the right with your own words, if you wish. Complete the form below with your information. Click the Send Message button to send your letter to these decision makers: Your State Senator or Senators * = Required Fields * Title:. Required. Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr. * First Name:. Required. * Last Name:. Required. * Address 1:. Required. Address 2: * City:. Required. * State / Province:. Required. Choose a State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI * ZIP / Postal Code:. Required. * Phone Number:. Required. * Your Email:. Required. Question - Not Required - Any additional info: (Maximum response 255 chars, approx. 5 rows of text) Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Remember me. What's this? * Subject:. Required. Dear [Decision Maker], * Personalize your message I am one of the 4,000 foster parents in Massachusetts and one of many in your district. As the fiscal year 2016 budget process begins, I urge you to prioritize adequate financial support for kids in foster care and ensuring that youth in DCF care have a real chance at a college education. Fully Fund the Recent Increase in the Daily Rate of Support for Foster Children at the USDA Rate for Raising a Child; DCF Line Item 4800-0038 The daily rate of support (DRS) for foster children covers basic living expenses including food, housing, transportation and expenses related to a child's education. Foster parents are not paid for their time and most routinely reach in to their own pockets to cover the gap between the rate and the real costs and to provide for the "extras" such as the cost of participation in social and recreational activities. Fully Fund the Higher Education Tuition and Fee Waiver Program for all statutorily eligible youth; DHE Line Item 7066-0021 This will support 760 eligible students who are expected to seek the waiver next year to work toward a college degree. These students will face tremendous obstacles to attending college without this support and for many it will simply have be impossible. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State ZIP][Your Email] Spam Control Text: Please leave this field empty