Approval of Application for Emergency Shelter Services
Effective Mar 27, 2026Mass. Register #1570MGL c. 18B, §§ 2, 3, 4, 7, 15, 21 MGL c. 28A, § 6(c) MGL c. 71B MGL c. 119, §§ 23, 23G, 36, 39E through J, 51A through F, Appendix MGL c. 210Massachusetts Department of Children & Families
Emergency shelter service may be provided if one or more of the following conditions exist at the time of application:
- (1) children have suffered or are in immediate danger of suffering physical or emotional injury as a result of abuse or neglect.
- (2) children have been abandoned and are in need of temporary placement pending completion of an assessment and a search for parents and family.
- (3) children are placed into the Department's custody by a court pending a hearing on a CHINS petition.
- (4) children have had difficulty with previous placements and need a short-term placement pending resolution of the immediate crisis and development of a new service plan.
- (5) children have run away from home.
- (6) women have been threatened with or have experienced harassment, intimidation or abuse by a member of their household.
- (7) families with children are homeless.