I am delighted to share with you the remarkable achievements and strides we have made over the past year at the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA). As we reflect on our journey, we are grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated members, partners, supporters, and donors who have played a pivotal role in our work to pioneer the most promising, leading-edge ways that help victims of child abuse. We do this by promoting interventions that work, delivering effective educational programming, galvanizing informed and committed legislative support, and mobilizing communities to have tough but necessary conversations about child abuse. I’d like to offer some highlights of our accomplishments through the lens of these critical tenets.
Our commitment to recognizing and responding to child abuse remains steadfast. The MACA Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse curriculum is a vital educational tool that we updated and expanded to reflect the most current practices, resources, and methods. This initiative ensures that teachers, parents, youth-serving professionals, and community members are equipped to identify and respond to child abuse, ultimately contributing to the safety of our communities.
Our 13th Annual Conference held in May brought together over 300 child abuse professionals, marking a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to fostering accessible education on best practices and innovative methodologies. Additionally, we hosted two training summits, providing a crucial platform for Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) staff and Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) members to exchange insights and stay updated on the latest information and practices. The summits, held in Westborough and Framingham, fostered collaboration and support among child-serving professionals across the state.
MACA’s collaboration with our partner agency, the Children’s Trust, marked a notable moment in our organization’s history. Our joint presentation during the first convening of the Healey administration’s Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking showcased our unified commitment to both prevention and intervention, amplifying and fostering consistency in messaging across diverse sectors of child advocacy in Massachusetts.
I invite you to peruse this year’s annual report; I think you’ll share my excitement. You’ll find profiles from two wonderful people who exemplify those called to help children. You’ll read about the remarkable progress on our two signature, statewide projects, the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Service Enhancement initiative as well as our work to address Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors. As we look ahead, MACA remains dedicated to our mission of protecting children and advocating for their well-being. Our collaborative efforts, innovative initiatives, and ongoing commitment to education position us as leaders in the fight against child abuse.
Whether you’re a partner, sponsor, colleague, or partner, please know you have my deepest gratitude for making these achievements possible. Together, we are making a lasting impact on the lives of children in Massachusetts.
