Tufts University has released results from a rigorous evaluation of Healthy Families Massachusetts that shows the program is significantly benefiting the young parents and children it serves – and setting parents and families up to succeed. Highlights of the evaluation confirm that Healthy Families Massachusetts is significantly: • Lowering parents’ risky behaviors, which likely reduces children’s exposure to traumatic events • Reducing participants’ parenting stress, a risk factor for child abuse and neglect • Increasing educational achievement for young mothers, paving the way toward self-sufficiency.

Tufts University awarded an honorary doctoral degree to Suzin Bartley of Milton, Massachusetts. Ms. Bartley is Executive Director of the Children’s Trust, Massachusetts’ leading family support organization. This degree was awarded in recognition of her long-term leadership in ensuring that families are strong and healthy so children thrive.

Along with former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and four other distinguished men and women, Tufts University announced it will award an honorary degree to Suzin Bartley, Executive Director of the Children’s Trust, at its May 17th commencement. Ms. Bartley will receive an honorary doctor of public service degree.

On April 10th, the Children’s Trust joined with Child Care of the Berkshires, State Senator Benjamin Downing, Representatives Gailanne Cariddi and Trisha Farley-Bouvier, District Attorney David Capeless, North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright, and others to announce April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize that working with families early to ensure they are strong and healthy is the surest way to keep kids safe. The “Step Up for Kids” event, held at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, featured a display of 60 shoes that represented the average number of children confirmed as abused or neglected each month in Berkshire County. The TJX Companies, Inc. donated the shoes which the Children’s Trust gave to local families in its programs.

Join the Children's Trust as we recognize that working with families early to ensure they are strong and healthy is the surest way to keep kids safe. Governor Charlie Baker will join…