Boston, MA (July 30, 2026) — Lived Expertise Network for Systems Change (LENS), formerly Massachusetts CASA Association, today announced its evolution into an organization dedicated to transforming systems through lived expertise and advancing thewell-being of children, youth, families, and communities. For nearly a decade, LENS leaders have worked alongside children, youth, families, advocates, and communities…

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Dear Community Members and Partners, We are writing to share an important update from Massachusetts CASA Association regarding our organizational direction. This decision is grounded in the broader context of child welfare in Massachusetts. There are approximately 9,000 children and youth in foster care in Massachusetts at any given time, and nearly 90% are not…

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A Message from Our Leadership Justice is not aspirational for us—it is foundational, embedded in how we lead, how we build partnerships, and how we pursue systems change. It is also deeply personal. We refuse to be performative and recognize that meaningful systems change demands accountability to those most impacted, openness to learning, and the…

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Inspired by Lived Expertise, Driving a Vision for Systemic Change Boston, MA (Dec. 2, 2025) — Massachusetts CASA Association, the state office for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), is proud to announce the launch of the Child and Family Welfare Justice Hub, a bold initiative of Massachusetts CASA (MA CASA) that operates independently of local…

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We’re an organization led by dual experts (child welfare leaders who have also personally experienced the system firsthand and involuntarily). We will continue to center those in our lived experience community. We will continue to lead and engage in courageous conversations. We will continue to hold ourselves and others accountable for creating change that is…

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Charles Lerner speaks on a powerful panel about his experiences living in poverty, being in foster care and how this shapes his work. The panel begins about 8 minutes in. Take a listen!

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It was Molly’s first “public appearance”. It’s a very difficult podcast to hear because it’s raw, unfiltered, brutally honest, and highlights the worst of our child protection system. At the same time, I hope it also educates, uplifts, and honors voices too often silenced. I’m beyond proud of my sister. I’m appreciative of Angela Tucker…

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On behalf of the Commonwealth’s seven CASA programs, 700 volunteers, and close to 1,000 children we advocate on behalf of, I was proud to testify yesterday at the Statehouse on various foster care related bills. I specifically focused on Massachusetts moving forward on a Foster Child Bill of Rights. You can view my three minutes…

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This is heartbreaking and all too familiar to those who’ve experienced foster care, myself included. Some studies suggest that anywhere from 25-40% of children in foster care will experience abuse or neglect while in the very system that is tasked to “protect” them. The system, as we know it, must be abolished. Otherwise, more children…

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I whole-heartedly agree with Judge Erskine and appreciate that she’s speaking out. “The system” is defective from entry to exit. It’s harmful, discriminatory, and lacks humanity and compassion. I realize that there are arguments in support of abolishing the system all together. I don’t entirely disagree even though I believe we’re far from not needing…

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Every child entrenched in the system deserves at least one zealous advocate to look after them. Harmony Montgomery didn’t have one. I entered the child welfare system in 1975 shortly after my 14-year-old mother, Dee, gave birth to me. She was poor and struggled with substance abuse and mental illness, like all the adults in…

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