<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss" xmlns:geo="http://www.w3.org/2003/01/geo/wgs84_pos#" xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Massachusetts State Senator Karen Spilka &#187; Children, Families &#38; Persons with Disabilities</title>
	<atom:link href="http://karenspilka.com/category/news/children-families-persons-with-disabilities/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://karenspilka.com</link>
	<description>Proudly representing the 2nd Middlesex &#38; Norfolk district!</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 25 May 2012 18:46:53 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.com/</generator>
<cloud domain='karenspilka.com' port='80' path='/?rsscloud=notify' registerProcedure='' protocol='http-post' />
<image>
		<url>http://0.gravatar.com/blavatar/23181c9695fd569c6e44d4da708cf2c2?s=96&#038;d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.png</url>
		<title>Massachusetts State Senator Karen Spilka &#187; Children, Families &#38; Persons with Disabilities</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com</link>
	</image>
	<atom:link rel="search" type="application/opensearchdescription+xml" href="http://karenspilka.com/osd.xml" title="Massachusetts State Senator Karen Spilka" />
	<atom:link rel='hub' href='http://karenspilka.com/?pushpress=hub'/>
		<item>
		<title>Senate Approves Adopting New Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/12/senate-approves-adopting-new-interstate-compact-for-the-interstate-placement-of-children/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/12/senate-approves-adopting-new-interstate-compact-for-the-interstate-placement-of-children/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2012 20:59:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2757</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Streamlines the placement and adoption process for children and families across the nation (Boston) – The Senate on Thursday unanimously passed legislation filed by Senator Karen Spilka to adopt a new Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC), which monitors children placed across state lines for the purposes of foster care or adoption. “The [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2757&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/12/senate-approves-adopting-new-interstate-compact-for-the-interstate-placement-of-children/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Governor&#8217;s Statewide Youth Council Now Accepting Applications!</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/10/governors-statewideyouth-council-now-accepting-applications/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/10/governors-statewideyouth-council-now-accepting-applications/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:51:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civic Engagement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Towns]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2739</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Senator Karen Spilka has announced that the Governor&#8217;s Office of Community Affairs is now accepting applicants for membership in the Governor&#8217;s Statewide Youth Council. Spilka encourages all young adults in her district to consider applying to be a part of this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Founded in 2008, the goal of the Council is to encourage the [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2739&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/10/governors-statewideyouth-council-now-accepting-applications/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka and Representative Donato Receive 2012 Children&#8217;s Choice Award</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/04/senator-spilka-and-representative-donato-receive-2012-childrens-choice-award/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/04/senator-spilka-and-representative-donato-receive-2012-childrens-choice-award/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:36:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/04/senator-spilka-and-representative-donato-receive-2012-childrens-choice-award/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[(Boston) – At their annual Advocacy Day at the State House, the Children’s League of Massachusetts (CLM) presented their 2012 Children’s Choice Award to Senator Karen Spilka and Representative Paul Donato in recognition of their dedicated work over the past seven years to reform the Children in Need of Services (CHINS) system. Spilka and Donato [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2718&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/04/senator-spilka-and-representative-donato-receive-2012-childrens-choice-award/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/469755_10150907113794115_139301134114_12729835_629881990_o1.jpg?w=487" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Image</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka Honored by The Caring Force</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/02/senator-spilka-honored-by-the-caring-force/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/02/senator-spilka-honored-by-the-caring-force/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:05:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2687</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[(Boston) – During their first-ever rally at the Massachusetts State House, more than 300 members of the human services sector from The Caring Force campaign, honored Senator Karen Spilka for her dedicated work on behalf of human service providers and the thousands of vulnerable residents they assist. The audience was comprised of caregivers, volunteer, program [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2687&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/04/02/senator-spilka-honored-by-the-caring-force/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring21.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring2</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring151.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring15</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring181.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring18</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring1.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring91.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring9</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring61.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring6</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring191.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring19</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring111.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring11</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring131.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring13</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring71.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring7</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring31.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring3</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring121.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring12</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring171.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring17</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring161.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring16</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring51.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring5</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring141.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring14</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring81.jpg?w=150" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring8</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring41.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring4</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://karenspilka.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/caring101.jpg?w=112" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">caring10</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>SENATOR SPILKA VOTES FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITIONAL PLANNING FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:37:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2595</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – Massachusetts students with special needs will be better prepared to get a job, go to college and live on their own under legislation passed unanimously by the Senate on Thursday that aims to improve transition planning and services required by federal law, Senator Karen Spilka announced. “As one of the first and most [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2595&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/02/09/senator-spilka-votes-for-improvements-to-transitional-planning-for-students-with-special-needs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka Supports Employment Rights Bill for Victims of Domestic Violence</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:44:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Safety]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2572</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – The Senate on Thursday passed legislation establishing new employment rights for victims of domestic violence that will help victims keep their jobs and increase long-term economic productivity, Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced today. The vote was 34-0. The bill has wide support from advocacy organizations and the business community. “This important legislation is [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2572&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/13/senator-spilka-supports-employment-rights-bill-for-victims-of-domestic-violence/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Senator Spilka Takes Action Against Financial Abuses at State Education Collaboratives</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:23:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2567</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON – The Senate on Tuesday took decisive action to end mismanagement and financial abuses at the Commonwealth’s education collaboratives, which help teach children with special needs, Senator Karen Spilka announced. With a unanimous vote, the Senate passed legislation that establishes strict oversight and accountability of the state’s 30 institutions. “This bill shows the Senate’s [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2567&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2012/01/10/senator-spilka-takes-action-against-financial-abuses-at-state-education-collaboratives/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Legislature Cracks Down on Human Trafficking</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 15 Nov 2011 21:57:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2531</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Today, the legislature approved a bill aimed at cracking down on human trafficking in Massachusetts with strong criminal penalties for forced labor and sexual servitude, Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced. The bill also establishes important protections for victims of human trafficking. “As one of the first and ardent supporters of this legislation, I am proud [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2531&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/11/15/legislature-cracks-down-on-human-trafficking/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Small Grants Now Available for MW Families Caring for Loved Ones with Disabilities</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Sep 2011 18:25:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Ashland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Framingham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Franklin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holliston]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hopkinton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Medway]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2471</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Advocates Family Alliance, a Framingham-based group, announced that they are awarding small grants to help families care for loved ones with developmental disabilities. The Fred Gaspari Fund for Families provides small grants to MetroWest area families caring for a family member with disabilities, including autism. The family member must live at home with the [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2471&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/09/23/small-grants-now-available-for-mw-families-caring-for-loved-ones-with-disabilities/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>CHINS/FACES Legislation out of Committee</title>
		<link>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/</link>
		<comments>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 25 May 2011 21:00:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Senator Karen Spilka</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Children, Families & Persons with Disabilities]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://karenspilka.com/?p=2163</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[BOSTON &#8212; On May 20, the joint committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities issued a favorable report on S.66/H. 1294, An Act Regarding Families and Children Engaged in Services, which would reform the way the Juvenile Court and the agencies of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services respond to children in [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=karenspilka.com&#038;blog=1022509&#038;post=2163&#038;subd=karenspilka&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
		<wfw:commentRss>http://karenspilka.com/2011/05/25/chinsfaces-legislation-out-of-committee/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://1.gravatar.com/avatar/9f80c39ea9706891f3f82e0711ae1760?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Senator Karen Spilka</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
