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.
A free online birth control support network that helps women find a method that's right for them—and stick with it—until they're ready to have a baby.
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
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.
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.
MA Appleseed’s mission is to promote equal rights and opportunities for Massachusetts residents by developing and advocating for systemic solutions to social justice issues.
As part of one of the nation’s largest pro bono legal networks, we have been instrumental in leading vital systemic reform initiatives for over fifteen years. Among our accomplishments Improving access to education for homeless children.
Low-income Massachusetts residents who need help paying for healthy food for their families or need assistance after a financial setback may qualify for temporary food and/or cash assistance programs to improve the quality of their lives.
http://www.mass.gov/portal/articles/massachusetts-food-and-cash-assistance.html
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.
Parent Support Groups are free, confidential, and anonymous. These groups serve as a safe place for parents to express frustrations and concerns about their children and families and get advice from other parents who understand.
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
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.
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.