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The National Center on Secondary Education and Transition

(NCSET) coordinates national resources, offers technical assistance, and gives information related to secondary education and transition for youth with disabilities in order to create opportunities for youth to achieve successful futures.

http://www.ncset.org

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The Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)

Is a family organization that advocates for improved access to mental health services for children, youth and their families. PPAL's goals are to support families, nurture parent leaders and work for systems change.

http://ppal.net

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The Simple Dollar

Comprehensive guide designed to help students learn how to manage their personal finances. They do this by providing financial expert's advice, thoroughly researched data, and helpful tips that guide students through financial planning, budgeting, identifying the risks of overspending, as well as the dangers of credit cards.The Simple Dollar has created this completely free and comprehensive guide that includes many helpful features such as a student budget calculator that can help students understand everything they need to know about budgeting and money management.

http://TheSimpleDollar.com

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The Wiley Network

  • Are you a current/former foster youth attending a post-secondary Wily Network–affiliated college in the greater Boston Area?
  • The Wiley Network ensures students who lack permanent homes and families have the tools and networks of support necessary to thrive in four-year residential programs

The Wily Network will provide services in each student's college community that are both extensive and intensive. Each Scholar will receive a flexible and dynamic combination of supports including on-campus college coaching, financial literacy education, and help securing affordable year-round housing.

http://thewilynetwork.org/

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The Women, Infants and Children (W.I.C.) Supplemental Nutrition Program.

WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children.

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/basic-needs/food/wic/

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The Young Adult Vocational Program

The Young Adult Vocational Program (YAVP) is a transitional program that provides daily structure for young adults with psychiatric disabilities. The program’s mission of integrating the individual back into the community is accomplished through daily structured groups and individualized support. Groups have been established to help build pre-vocational, vocational, and educational skills, as well as daily life skills as they relate to work or school. Specific skill areas that have been targeted include:

  • Appropriate work habits and attitudes
  • Job seeking and interviewing skills
  • Resume writing
  • Filling out applications
  • Social Skills
  • Communication skills

http://www.yavp.org

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Training Resources of America

TRA has made it possible for thousands of educationally and economically disadvantaged youth and adults to improve the quality of their lives. Our clients have been successful in:

  • Increasing their basic reading, language and math levels
  • Improving their English speaking/comprehension capabilities
  • Obtaining a High School Equivalency Credential
  • Learning new skills
  • Developing self-confidence
  • Finding and retaining gainful employment
  • Improving opportunities for increased earnings and job advancement
  • Becoming active and productive members of their communities

http://www.tra-inc.org

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UMASS Lowell Navigators Club

The UMass Lowell Navigators Club is an organization made up of students, faculty and staff members dedicated to advocating and providing for the needs of UMass Lowell students from a less traditional path to college and in need of additional support.

https://umasslowellclubs.collegiatelink.net/organization/NAViGATORS

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UMass Stonewall Center

Are you looking for a mentor to support you through navigating the school semester, queer community, or simply an LGBTQIA friend here? The Stonewall Center's Peer Mentorship Program matches first-year and transfer students to a mentor within the UMass queer community to provide academic, social, and emotional support. This program is dedicated to building community among LGBTQIA students on campus by fostering relationships between incoming and returning students. Through peer support, incoming students have the opportunity to grasp queer campus life and have help understanding the complexity of the university.

http://www.umass.edu/stonewall/

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Voices4Hope

Voices4Hope is a website created by a group of young adults with mental health challenges that work in the Transitions RTC. The goal of this site is to connect young adults with mental health challenges across the country so we can find out about things that are important to living happily and independently.

http://www.voices4hope.net/about-us.html

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Wellspring House

Adult education that helps people prepare for the Hi-Set, college or a job. We all have an English Language Learning program. The Wellspring Education Resource Center provides individual counseling for students who need help going to college or a job training program.

http://www.wellspringhouse.org/

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William Warren Scholarship

The William Warren Scholarship Program provides scholarships for educational and vocational programs to any youth under age 25 who was in the care/custody of DCF for a minimum of one year. Scholarships range from $250 to $4000. Both current and former DCF youth are eligible.

http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/gov/departments/dcf/adolescent/education.html

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Worcester Child Development Head Start

A federal, educationally based pre-school program that provides both the child and family with education, social service, health, nutrition/dental, special needs services, and family involvement support: Acceptance based on Federal Income Guidelines. Children with special needs given special consideration. For children ages 3 and 4 years; 4 year old children receive priority placement. Must be a Worcester resident. (Documentation required, such as a utility bill). Must provide current immunization record, physical exam, birth certificate, or other documentation as required by funding source. Offersbothhalf-dayandfull-dayprogramsinfourWorcester-arealocations. Limited transportation may be available if qualified.

http://headstart.worcesterschools.org

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Worcester West Area Board - Road map for families

The Worcester West DCF Area Board created a list of resources in central MA for the community to utilize. You can download the whole Road Map for Families they created here. We have also incorporated most of the resources in this guide as individual searchable entries within MassNFCA's Resource Database. MassNFCA is grateful for their contribution to our website.

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Year UP

Year Up’s mission is to close the opportunity divide through a one-year intensive and free program that serves youth ages 18-24 who have a high school diploma or GED, and are eligible to work in the U.S. Students receive an educational stipend and earn 24 free college credits while taking classes and completing an internship at top companies in the Boston area to help them prepare for their journey towards a professional career and higher education!

http://www.yearup.org

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YMCA of MASSACHUSETTS

Young people need safe and enriching environments to try new things, develop skills, meet new people and show what they're capable of. Achieving and maintaining health in spirit, mind and body makes for a richer life and giving back to neighbors and those in need is our responsibility as neighbors, colleagues and citizens. The Y defines our areas of focus–the programming you're part of every day.

http://www.ymcaofcm.org/programs/

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Your Plan for the Future

YourPlanForTheFuture is the state’s no-cost, one-stop online shop for students, parents, and educators designed to help Massachusetts students manage their educational and career pathways. YourPlanForTheFuture has been adopted by more than 71 high schools, representing more than 37,000 students from all corners of the Commonwealth. Leveraging technologies and online user experiences intuitive to students of today,

https://www.yourplanforthefuture.org/Ext/YPFC/Home/index.html

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Youth Development Organization

In collaboration with individuals and organizations from within and outside Lawrence, YDO invites young people to be seriously engaged in their education through programs in academics and the arts. Building on each individual student’s particular assets, we encourage them to develop their potential and take charge of their growth and development.

http://www.ydolawrence.org/ydo-approach

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Youth On The Move.

There are many paths to college for students with disabilities. Some students may want to take a traditional path, such as applying to four-year or two-year colleges. Or they may want to pursue specialized training at a vocational or technical school to earn an occupational certificate. Some students might be more comfortable applying to a college or program within a college that is specifically designed to support students with disabilities. No matter what path students choose, there are ways for them to get the assistance and accommodations they need to succeed in college.

http://www.youth-move.org/home

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