Created through legislation signed into law in January, the
commission will work within the executive office of Health and Human Services to
study and make recommendations relative to services for unaccompanied homeless
youth, with the goal of providing a comprehensive and effective response to the
unique needs of this population.
In conducting its review, the commission will focus on identifying
the barriers to serving unaccompanied homeless youth under the age of 18 and
those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender; the impact of mandated
reporting requirements on unaccompanied homeless youths’ access to services; and
the Commonwealth’s ability to identify and connect with unaccompanied homeless
youth. The commission will also develop recommendations
to reduce the existing barriers to serving this population, which will take
into account the best practices and policies in other states and jurisdictions.
“Representative Campanale’s educational background and work
with children will serve her well as a member of the commission as it seeks to
address the needs of unaccompanied homeless youth in the Commonwealth,” said
Representative Jones. “I am confident
she will do an outstanding job in helping to craft a response to this very
serious problem.”
The commission is scheduled to submit its first report by
December 31st, with future reports to be filed annually thereafter
detailing the progress made towards implementing the commission’s
recommendations.
Representative Campanale represents the Seventeenth Worcester District, which includes the
town of Leicester and Ward 7 and Ward 8 (Precincts 2, 3 and 4) in the city of
Worcester. A former legislative aide and
substitute teacher at the Leicester Middle School, Representative Campanale is currently serving
her first term in the Massachusetts Legislature.
