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.
Family Services is a non-profit organization to help youth and families.
http://fsmv.org/Youth-Development/YouthDevelopmentOverview.html
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.
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 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
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.
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.
The Coalition's early intervention and direct service work. These works include services such as;
(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.
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.
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.
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.