DCF will be 100% involved once your child is of school age. School personnel across Massachusetts are required to report such a case of a child living out of a car, having no access to basic necessities (a bed, shower/water, heat etc), and not having a place to go, especially in the winter time. Then you will lose your child until you are given temp shelter and obtain a job and are able to provide basic care for that child.

It is not worth it to come to MA to live in a car with no way to care for that baby. That is not what is best for your baby. It’s not what’s best for you.

No judge is going to come after you for staying where you have shelter and necessities.

If you’re worried about it looking like you’re keeping your child away from the father, make it known to the father that you’ll need child support and a place for the child to stay. If he refuses, then you need to stay where you’ll receive financial and basic support/necessities. Living in a car is not feasible or realistic, nor is it fair to that innocent child. Also tell the father that he can visit the UK to see the child or that if he will pay, you bring the child to see him.

Please do not make your child sleep in a car. He or she deserves a lot better. Please make the better choice.

plz, give them a call. in my experience, they truly are there to help, especially if they see you are a good momma looking out for your little one. i went through homelessness with my child, i know my story may not be like others but DTA and DCF were like angels. i was physically attacked by my partner and cops were involved, he even had to do time. i lost my job, our apartment, i have no family or friends here and was completely alone with my (then) 3yo.

my DCF worker was literally an angel, helped me with getting clothes, xmas gifts, and provided numbers and overall was supportive of my situation. DTA were also helpful and helped me get on SNAP (food stamps) and at the time i was able to get unemployment due to the nature of my situation. i was sent to a domestic violence family shelter, it wasn’t ideal, but we had heat, a bed, our own little room in the shelter house. every parent had to do nightly chores, which at first was strange, but i got used to it and it worked for all of us. i wasn’t even there for a year when i got into a program that gave me and my daughter our own place. i even got help with childcare through CTI in Lowell, and that allowed me to go back to school to finish my degree.

we have our own place now, we are safe, her dad got help and slowly we have been getting to a better place where he gets to see her. here is all the info i could get:

CTI- https://www.commteam.org/ 978-459-0551

DTA- https://www.mass.gov/emergency-housing-assistance-programs

https://www.masslegalhelp.org/homelessness/emergency-assistance/advocacy-guide/appendixa

i wish you the best, plz don’t take this the wrong way but i will keep you and your little one in prayer. may God provide for you and you find a warm shelter to be with your son, no one deserves this. hugs