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Commission on Unaccompanied Youth
Board Information
Policy Area
Health and Human ServicesPurpose
To study and make recommendations relative to services for unaccompanied homeless youth age 22 and younger, with the goal of ensuring a comprehensive and effective response to the unique needs of this population. The focus of the commission?s work shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an analysis of the barriers to serving unaccompanied youth who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender; (ii) an analysis of the barriers to serving unaccompanied youth under 18 years of age; (iii) an assessment of the impact of mandated reporting requirements on unaccompanied youths? access to services; (iv) the commonwealth?s ability to identify and connect with unaccompanied youth; and (v) recommendations to reduce identified barriers to serving this population including, but not limited to, extending the time for certain categories of mandated reporters to file reports and establishing special licensure provisions to allow service providers to serve homeless youth under 18 years of age. The commission, in formulating its recommendations, shall take account of best practices and policies in other states and jurisdictions.Legal Authority
Board Members
↓↓ Sort members table by selecting table header for Member, Seat Name, Appointing Authority, or Term End Date.
| Member↓↓ | Seat Name | Appointing Authority | Term End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms. Lauren Almquist | Director of Medicaid (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Dr. Monica Bharel | Commissioner, Department of Public Health (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Jamila Bradley | Youth Representative Who Has Experienced Homelessness, Appointed by the Office of the Child Advocate 2 | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Carly Burton | MassEquality Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Representative Kate D. Campanale | Minority Leader (or designee) | - | - |
| Senator Harriette L. Chandler | Senate 1 | Ex Officio | - |
| Senator Katherine Clark | Senate 2 | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Danielle Ferrier | Task Force on Youth Aging Out Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Caitlin Golden | The Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Lisa Goldblatt Grace | Direct Service Provider Who Works With Unaccompanied Homeless Youth, 3 | Governor | March 11, 2026 |
| Representative Kay Khan | House 1 | Ex Officio | - |
| Undersecretary Chrystal Kornegay | Undersecretary, Department of Housing and Community Development (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Lauren Leonardis | Youth Representative Who Has Experienced Homelessness, Appointed by the Office of the Child Advocate 3 | Ex Officio | - |
| Commissioner Jeff McCue | Commissioner, Department of Transitional Assistance (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Joan Meschino | Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Joan Mikula | Commissioner, Department of Mental Health (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Representative James J. O'Day | House 2 | Ex Officio | - |
| Phillip Ringwood | Direct Service Provider Who Works With Unaccompanied Homeless Youth, 1 | Governor | June 2, 2025 |
| Mr. Gunner Scott | The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Commissioner Linda Spears | Commissioner, DCF (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Grace Sterling Stowell | The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Secretary Marylou Sudders | Secretary, HHS (or designee) (Chair) | Ex Officio | - |
| Ms. Kelly Turley | Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless Representative | Ex Officio | - |
| Mr. Jeffery Wulfson | Commissioner, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (or designee) | Ex Officio | - |
| Kitty Zen | Youth Representative Who Has Experienced Homelessness, Appointed by the Office of the Child Advocate 1 | Ex Officio | - |
| - | Direct Service Provider Who Works With Unaccompanied Homeless Youth, 2 | Governor | June 2, 2017 |