Kudos to Department of Children and Families Commissioner McClain

Posted by:
JudyAnn Bigby, MD, Secretary of Health and Human Services

 

During a legislative hearing last November, Department of Children and Families (DCF) Commissioner Angelo McClain attributed his motivation to accept the role of DCF Commissioner to his own experience as a youth within the community residence system in Texas.  He stressed that the support and encouragement he received living with other at-risk youth for several of his adolescent years was essential to his work today at DCF, and expressed the sincere belief that every child, with sustained encouragement and support, can succeed.

Commissioner McClain was recently honored as a 2010 Distinguished Alumnus of Cal Farley's Boys Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. Cal Farley’s is a child and family service provider specializing in residential and community-based services.

The Boys Ranch established this award to honor graduates who carry on the ranch’s spirit of family and community through fellowship, association and support. Commissioner McClain has leveraged his experience at the ranch to inform a career of service to his community, and is an inspiring example of hard work and determination.

At a ceremony for Distinguished Alumni in Amarillo earlier this month, Commissioner McClain was presented with this distinct honor. He is one of only a handful of individuals to receive this award.

Similarly, Commissioner McClain’s professional background adds to his unique perspective and qualifications to lead the Department of Children and Families.  Following graduation from college, the Commissioner worked as a frontline social worker for the Texas DCF.  His unusual perspective, first as a youth who benefited from out-of-home care, and then as a social worker who provided direct support to children and families, has given him firsthand knowledge that he has applied throughout his work improving the lives of children and families in Massachusetts.

Commissioner McClain has professed that early on, he knew that helping people would be ‘something good to do,’ and something that he felt deeply committed to. It’s gratifying for me to see Commissioner McClain honored for his ‘good work,’ and for his dedication to improving others’ lives. I’d like to extend my sincere congratulations to the Commissioner and express my abiding appreciation for the “good work” he does leading DCF every day. He is integral to our collective efforts to support children and strengthen families throughout the Commonwealth. He is the leader we need.

To read more about Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch and its commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for kids, go to: http://www.calfarley.org

Comments

[Sarah Santiago]

I totally agree with the comment above. The Plymouth office seams to really have their act together. My sister adopted 5 children from that office and the Framingham office is the worst in the state. I was suppose to adopt 2 children and the Framingham office changed the goal back to reuinfication not knowing the mothers history at all. They are now living n a shelter with their Mother who lost her children 3 times already. How much more do they have to take before DCF says enough is enough. Does anyone know how to do their job!!!

[Shane]

I had the honor and pleasure of working with the Commissioner when he last worked in Massachusetts. He is a thoughtful, passionate, and good man. DCF does its best to protect children and families with limited resources, and I'm sure the Commissioner will continue to work tirelessly to do the best for children. Congrats Commissioner McClain!

[Missy]

What has the Commissioner done, if anything, to improve the Dept. of Children and Families? Although I commend him for going through years of Residential school, then going on to becoming the Commissioner of DCF. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts DCF, I myself have found, to be highly unethical. The only Department of Children and Families in this state, that are half decent are the Leominster Office and the Plymouth Office. They actually, HELP children and FAMILIES that need services (especially the Plymouth Office).
Most area offices need some SERIOUS revamping, especially when it comes to the treatment of the families of children in need.
They read what's in black and white, without knowing the families, being their judge and jury, haphazardly taking a child/children,(usually on Friday's, after 5 p.m.), because of what a neighbor may have heard or thought they saw.
This causes unimaginable grief to the child and family. If the child was traumatized in any way before they were "kidnapped" by these unknown people, I couldn't nor wouldn't, want to know what it does to those poor children.
I imagine that Texas has a much better system than Massachusetts, I pray all the states do.

[tricia lea lavalley lafountain]

Great news ! I believe its very important for any one in a position of this sort to be coming from similar experiance . It will get the job done right ! The same way some of the best drug abuse counselors are recovered themselves