Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni
Do you have a suggestion for a resource program and/or organization we should add? Share a Resource through the new resource request form or e-mail us the resource details and we'll follow up with the organization directly.
We offer monthly child care trainings. All trainings are free to any member provider who belongs to our system, including CDA certificate training. We provide a full child care curriculum which is offered in a convenient weekly format, for providers who like to customize their curriculum. Our full curriculum is also free to all of our family child care providers. Also, we are introducing a new on-line pilot program of newly developed child care products in January which will be advantageous to all Bethel Child Care providers and it will be FREE.
From birth through the many transitions of children's lives, Birth to Three will work with you to identify resources, match you with professionals and peers, and refer you to appropriate services. Free programs and open play times with age specific playgroups and the opportunities for social and emotional growth.
For parents –
•peer support and expert modeling
•workshops, guided conversations, training
Camp Starfish provides a 1:1 staff-to-camper ratio at all times to enable success, build social skills, teach coping mechanisms, and help children who have difficulty finding success in traditional settings. We are a one-of-a-kind summer camp, year-round support and advocate for children and families. We encourage you to learn more about Starfish and the campers and families who have had their lives changed by their powerful experiences here. Then, we hope you will join us, becoming a camper, family, staff member, teacher, social worker, donor or friend who has seen the difference a Starfish summer can make.
Emotional/Behavioral/Mental HealthDevelopmental Disability Medically Complex Care Safety Management through sports and all kinds of Leisure Program.
The Franklin Food Pantry has received a $10,000 grant from the Greater Boston Food Bank enabling us to offer larger quantities of fresh and nutritious food to those we serve. The capacity-building grant will be used to fund equipment needs for the mobile pantry, food transportation, and Healthy Futures Market which offers fresh produce weekly from June to October.
Greater Lawrence with special emphasis on the initiation of programs in education with youth employment and related fields. Since its inception, the GLCAC, Inc. has been a consistent partner in working with local, State and Federal governments and private agencies in creating opportunities and providing hope for people living in poverty.
Free early childhood programs for women with children Age 0 to 5. Helps Children from low income families get a head start and become ready for school. Pre-school programs are for children age 3 to 5.
HEATH Resource Center is a web-based clearinghouse that serves as an information exchange of educational resources, support services and opportunities. The HEATH Resource Center gathers, develops and disseminates information in the form of resource papers, fact sheets, website directories, newsletters, and resource materials.
HEATH Resource Center is a collaborative effort among a network of professionals in the areas of disability, counseling, transition and postsecondary education.
Income-eligible EEC financial assistance for child care is subsidized child care for low-income non-TAFDC families who are working, in an education or job training program, or disabled. Child care is provided for children under 13 and for older children with special needs
http://www.massresources.org/income-eligible-child-care.html
Ironstone provides therapeutic riding, recreational riding and hippotherapy, which is using a horse to help provide physical and occupational therapies and speech/language pathology. The Ironstone Farm mission statement: To provide therapeutic, educational and recreational opportunities using horses and the working farm environment to help people achieve optimum quality of life.
Emergency Shelter and transitional housing. Lazarus House Ministries' Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen feeds 225 people daily. We also have a new food pantry that provides groceries to more than 800 families a week. Three thrift stores supply affordable and sometimes free clothing, furniture and household items.
Learn to Cope is a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs.
Maria Talks is a public health website that contains medically accurate information about issues teens need to know about, like sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, birth control, pregnancy, and emergency contraception.
MSPCC supports teen and young adult parents beginning at pregnancy. Home visitors offer encouragement and education to parents through each stage of pregnancy and early childhood development.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was signed into law by President Obama in 2010 to make sure that Americans are able to have affordable health insurance coverage. One part of the ACA focuses specifically on youth who were formerly in foster care. Young adults who were in foster care at age 18, or aged out of foster care at 19, may be eligible to receive Medicaid coverage until they are 26.
To apply online, visit ma health connector. Click here to download and print the application.
Watch the video to learn about eligibility, what is covered, and how to sign up:
The toll-free Hotline responds to more than 46,000 calls a year from people across Massachusetts struggling to feed their families. FoodSource Hotline counselors refer callers to food resources in their community as well as provides them with information about school meals, summer meal sites for kids, elder meals programs, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps.
http://www.projectbread.org/get-help/foodsource-hotline.html
Food –
Kates Kitchen- lunch daily all welcome no questions asked, 413-532-0233
Margaret's Pantry- 413-538-8026
Clothing –
St. Jude's- 413-538-8026
Holyoke Career Closet- 413-552-2564
Mother Mary's- 413-536-5200
Housing- For men in recovery
Loreto House- 413-533-5909
Broderick House- 413-536-9109
McCleary Manor- 413-536-9109
Job Training-
foodWorks @ Kate's Kitchen 413-536-9109
The Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers and Harbor Light programs have provided spiritual, social, and emotional assistance for men and women who have lost the ability to cope with their problems and provide for themselves. Centers offers residential housing, work, and group and individual therapy, all in a clean, wholesome environment.
Inclusive, comprehensive and smart sexuality information for teens and 20’s
As a foster parent, take comfort in knowing that your child's health and well-being are cared for by the FaCES (Foster Children Evaluation Services) Clinic. The clinic opened in 2003 to provide timely, high-quality health care evaluations for children in foster care in the Worcester area. Thanks to the collaboration between our Division of General Pediatrics and the Worcester's Department of Children and Families, foster health care is more coordinated. Children ages birth to 18 years old. All children enter care MUST have a health care screening within 7 calendar days and have a complete medical exam within 30 calendar days of placement.