How can she go about emancipation from her mother if her mother will not agree to it?

Full question:

I am currently a Foster Parent to a 15 year old female. DSS is about to close her C&P case for the 2nd time and force her to go back to her alcoholic and abusive mother again. The mother is unable to provide a happy, healthy home life for her and she is refusing to go back. She threatens running away if DSS forces her to go back again. She wants to stay in my home permanently and transfer to the high school in my town. She doesn't want to go back with her mother ever again as she does not feel safe or welcome there. Is there a way we can get DSS to change their minds? If not, how can she go about emancipation from her mother if her mother will not agree to it?

• Category: Minors
• Subcategory: Emancipation of Minor
• Date: 04/07/2025
• State: Massachusetts

Answer:

If you disagree with a decision, you may:

• Notify the social worker and his or her supervisor of your
disagreement.

 

• Submit a written statement with facts you feel are important
and request that this be added to the Department’s files.
To begin the Fair Hearing process, you must submit a written request to
the Department’s Fair Hearing Office within 30 calendar days after receiv-ing
notice of the decision which you would like heard. This request must
include:

 

• Your name, address and telephone number;

 

• The date the decision was made;

 

• The name(s) of the child(ren);

 

• The name and address of the office where the decision was made;

 

• The decision you wish to appeal; and

 

• A copy of the notice sent to you by the Department, if possible.

 

Mail to: Massachusetts Department of Social Services

Fair Hearing Office

24 Farnsworth Street

Boston, MA 02210

You must also send a copy of your request to the Director of the Area
Office, Regional Office, Contracted Provider Agency or Foster Care Review
Unit whose decision you wish to contest. You will then be contacted
regarding the review process.

The Grievance Process is intended to supplement the Fair Hearing
Process and provides opportunity to resolve disagreements about any mat-ter
that cannot be appealed through a Fair Hearing. To initiate the
Grievance Process, you must submit a written complaint to the Area Office,
Regional Office, Contracted Provider Agency or Foster Care Review Unit
whose decision you wish to contest, or employs the staff person whose
conduct has prompted your complaint.

Grievance requests must be submitted within 30 calendar days after the
decision was made or conduct occurred, and must include: a description of
and the date on which the decision was made or conduct occurred; the
reason for your complaint; and any written material you believe further
explains or supports your complaint. A written notice of the Department’s
decision will be sent to you within 21 calendar days after your Grievance
is received.

Please see:

http://lawdigest.uslegal.com/minors/emancipation-of-minor/6542/