FAMILYof Massachusetts TIES DIRECTORY OF RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS 13th Edition – March 2010 Family TIES is a statewide information and referral network for families of children with special needs. We are a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood & Special Health Needs. FAMILYof Massachusetts TIES Published by the Federation for Children with Special Needs in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood & Special Health Needs. Editors: Mary Castro Summers, John Sullivan, Gisel Pimentel Layout/Design: Sonya Fort Massachusetts Department of Public Health Federation for Children with Special Needs 250 Washington Street 5th Floor 1135 Tremont Street, Suite 420 Boston, MA 02108 Boston, MA 02120 Ron Benham, Director, Bureau of Family Health & Nutrition Richard J. Robison, Executive Director Phone: 617-624-6060 Phone: 617-236-7210 (Voice/TTY) TTY: 617-624-5992 800-331-0688 (Toll free in MA) Fax: 617-624-5990 Fax: 617-572-2094 Website: mass.gov/dph/specialhealth needs Website: www.fcsn.org INTRODUCTION TO THE 2010 EDITION OF THE DIRECTORY OF RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Family TIES of Massachusetts is a parent-led organization that strives to meet the information and support needs of families of children and youth with special needs, and professionals who work with them. As parents of children with special needs, we have experienced the satisfaction of our children and families when our emotional and health-related needs are met. What kinds of support can our staff offer? Our Regional Coordinators assist parents in finding agencies, community-based organizations, and support networks to meet their family’s and children’s needs for assistive technology services and adaptive equipment, childcare programs, assistance in the educational or legal systems, financial supports, and managing transitions in their lives. Our Parent-to- Parent Program is an avenue to provide one-to-one emotional support for parents, who care for their children and families. This Directory is meant to be used only as a starting point for your inquiry for community services and support programs when you have a question like WHERE TO TURN for help. The inclusion of a program in this Directory does not represent an endorsement by the Federation, nor does an omission represent any form of disapproval by the Federation or any of its funders. We have over 900 state agencies and nonprofit community organizations identified as starting places for assistance of one kind or another…and our Regional Coordinators are familiar with additional, local resources as well. Still, we know we have not found them all! We always appreciate learning of new programs from parents and professionals – please share your favorites with us! Our Directory is divided into 5 sections: Section 1: Resources by Topic lists programs by topic headers. Section 2: Resources A-Z contains an alphabetic listing of all community programs. Section 3: Early Intervention contains information about Early Intervention services; visit the Family TIES website for an up-to-date listing of programs and their contact information. Section 4: State Agencies contains contacts for state agencies supporting families. Section 5: En Español y Em Português lists programs for Spanish and Portuguese families. Special Words of Thanks Thanks again to John Sullivan, Gisel Pimentel, and Sonya Fort at the Federation for their skillful support. Thanks, too, to our funding agency, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, for sponsoring this effort and printing books for dissemination. Added words of thanks to our friends at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, MDPH, and to the many parents and professionals who support our efforts. About the electronic version of the Directory: This change in format allows us to update the electronic version of our Directory. As a result, we make available a Directory Add Form on the website. Forms may be submitted by fax to the Program Directory. We anticipate making periodic updates to the online version of the book, brining more up- to-date information to you. The website’s WORD version allows visitors to print out a single page of information, for your convenience. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.massfamilyties.org 1 2 Directory of Resources for Families of Children and Youth with Special Needs Family TIES (Together In Enhancing Support) is a statewide information and support network for families of children with disabilities, special health care needs, or chronic illnesses. It is a project at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, funded by and in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood, and Special Health Needs. The mission of Family TIES of Massachusetts is two-fold: to share up-to-date information with family members and service providers to enhance the opportunities for the children in their care, and also to provide a unique type of sharing and support between parents who share similar life experiences. Parent Coordinators are located at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Regional Offices. For more information, call your regional coordinator or our toll-free number: 1-800-905-TIES (8437). Se hablar Español. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.massfamilyties.org Mary Castro Summers Linea Luck Pearson Family TIES Director Parent-to-Parent Coordinator Mass. Department of Public Health Mass. Department of Public Health-CRHO Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor 180 Beaman Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 Phone: 508-792-7880, TTY: 508-835-9796 Phone: 781-774-6736, TTY: 781-774-6619 Fax: 508-792-7706 Fax: 781-774-6618 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Michelle Gaudet Family TIES REGIONAL Coordinators: Metrowest Regional Coordinator Mass. Department of Public Health Gloria Klaesges Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor Western Regional Coordinator 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 Mass. Department of Public Health-WRHO Phone: 781-774-6602, TTY: 781-774-6619 23 Service Center, Northampton, MA 01060 Fax: 781-774-6618 Phone: 413-586-7525; 800-445-1255, Ext.1133 Email: [email protected] TTY: 800-769-9991 Fax: 413-784-1037 Miriam Biurci Scrivener Email: [email protected] Southeast Regional Coordinator Mass. Department of Public Health Barbara Donati Donovan Health Building, 3rd Floor Central Regional Coordinator 5 Randolph Street, Canton, MA 02021 Mass. Department of Public Health-CRHO Phone: 781-774-6749, TTY: 781-774-6619 180 Beaman Street, West Boylston, MA 01583 Fax: 781-774-6618 Phone: 508-792-7880, Ext. 2337, Email: [email protected] TTY: 508-835-9796 Fax: 508-792-7706 Sara Asmerom Email: [email protected] Greater Boston Regional Coordinator Mass. Department of Public Health, 5th Floor Kathie Dell’Arciprete 250 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 Northeast Regional Coordinator Phone: 617-624-6089, TTY: 617-624-5992 Mass. Department of Public Health-NERHO Fax: 617-624-6062 Tewksbury Hospital Email: [email protected] 365 East Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876 Phone: 978-851-7261, Ext. 4018 TTY: 978-905-8437 Fax: 978-640-1027 Email: kathleen.dell’[email protected] 3 Family TIES of Massachusetts Parent-to-Parent Program Providing information and emotional support to parents who have a child with a disability, chronic illness, or special needs What is Family TIES of Massachusetts? Family TIES, Together In Enhancing Support, is a statewide information and support network for families of children with disabilities or chronic illness. It is a project of the Federation for Children with Special Needs, with support from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition, Division for Perinatal, Early Childhood & Special Health Needs. Our staff is made up of parents of children with special needs who have personally benefited from meeting experienced parents who have paved the way for our families. We offer information and support to any family who has a child with a disability or chronic condition. What is Parent-to-Parent? Our Parent-to-Parent Program brings together parents facing similar challenges in raising their children with special needs. We believe that sharing experiences provides strength and support to each other. Seeking Support Parents may contact us in search of a listening ear—another parent who has faced some of the same issues and concerns as they now face. This may be in response to a new diagnosis, a new challenge, or just to recharge their batteries. Sharing Support One of the greatest gifts that parents gain in raising their children is experience. In offering the wisdom that comes from each challenge we face, we lighten the load of those who follow us while validating the value of the lessons we have learned. Who are Support Parents? A support parent is someone who is trained to listen, share concerns, and offer information and support, with respect for confidentiality and cultural and individual differences. How can you participate? Please contact the Parent-to-Parent Coordinator or call your Regional Coordinator if you would like to be matched with a support parent. You are welcome to participate in