Mass. Gen. Laws » Part I Title II Chapter 18B
Massachusetts General Laws

Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18B, § 2 (2026)

Services enumerated

✓ current as of July 2026
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Section 2. The department shall provide and administer a comprehensive child welfare program for children and families, including the following services:—

(1) casework or counseling, including services to families, foster families or individuals;

(2) protective services for children;

(3) legal services for families, children or individuals who are clients of the department;

(4) adoption services;

(5) information and referral services;

(6) foster family care for children and specialized foster family care for children with special needs;

(7) residential care for children with special needs who are not suited for foster family care or specialized foster family care;

(8) informal education and group activities;

(9) training in parenthood and home management for parents, foster parents and prospective parents;

(10) family services intended to prevent the need for foster care and services to children in foster care;

(11) temporary residential programs providing counseling and supportive assistance for families in transition and their children who, because of domestic violence, homelessness, or other situations, require temporary shelter and assistance;

(12) camping services;

(13) information and referral services;

(14) services for families and individuals in emergency and transitional housing;

(15) comprehensive youth development services;

(16) access to and coordination of medical, dental and mental health services for children in foster care whose families are receiving services from other state agencies; and

(17) child care placements for children whose families have an open case with the department.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 1981–2006 · leading case: D.L. v. Comm'r of Soc. Servs., 591 N.E.2d 173 (Mass. 1992).
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D.L. v. Comm'r of Soc. Servs., 591 N.E.2d 173 (Mass. 1992). · cites it 3× “He concluded that the authority for DSS to apply for admission of children in its custody to a mental health facility is contained in other statutes, in particular G. L. c. 18B, § 2 (A) (8) (1990 ed.), and various provisions of G.”
Commonwealth v. Zorn, 846 N.E.2d 423 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “See G. L. c. 18B, § 2(2) (DSS shall provide protective services for children); G.”
Opinion of the Justices to the Governor, 384 Mass. 840 (Mass. 1981). “118E, §§ 1 and 9 (establishing “a program of medical care and assistance for certain residents of the commonwealth” and authorizing the Department of Public Welfare to determine eligibility of applicants); and G. L. c. 18B, §§ 2 and 4 (charging the Department of Social Services…”
— Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 18B, § 2(2) — 1 case
Commonwealth v. Zorn, 846 N.E.2d 423 (Mass. App. Ct. 2006). “See G. L. c. 18B, § 2(2) (DSS shall provide protective services for children); G.”
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