Child Advocacy Group Covers Problems Facing State Youth

Rights of handicapped youngsters, social services for abused children, and problems of feeding and educating the state's youth dominated the third annual Children's Advocacy Network conference held at the Law School last Saturday.

More than 250 parents, government officials, and representatives from various statewide agencies participated in the day-long event sponsored by the Massachusetts Advocacy Center (MAC).

The 14-year-old center acts on behalf of children before state and local bodies which legislate, regulate, and deliver human services to children.

The purpose of Saturday's conference was "to bring together the rich advocacy resources in Massachusetts so that all concerned with children in the Commonwealth can work in a more effective way," MAC officials said.

Manuel Carballo, Secretary of the Executive Office of Human Services, delivered the Saturday keynote address. Carballo, former director of Harvard's Public Policy and Corporate Management Program at the Kennedy School of Government, sketched the Dukakis administration's commitment to improving programs for children--most notably Project Good Health. Aid to Families with Dependent Children, and the Women, Infants, and Children nutrition programs.

We have tons of good politic and tons of good intentions [in this Commonwealth]," said Carballo. Yet he added that a study his office published October 31 notes that "a substantial number of children eligible for benefits are not receiving them."

State Senator Gerard D'Amico (D-Worcestor) also addressed the conference discussing a host of children's issues, such as improving the educational achievement of children through nutrition.

"Never has there been a more pivotal time for the focused advocacy of a group like this," said D'Amico, who in the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education in the state legislature. "We are long on expectations and rhetoric, but short on where the money comes from."

Throughout the day workshops were offered which trained the participants in legal, financial, and organizational methods to advocate children's programs.

"This conference is good for making contacts with other agencies so that we can establish referrals [throughout the state], said Norma Garcia, a psychologist with the Cambridge Family and Children's Service.