We have compiled this resource library to help you and your family navigate the available services and supports (categories are listed alphabetically).
ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience Act)
- ABLE National Resource Center
- 5 Things to Know about ABLE (National Resource Center)
- ABLE and Special Needs Planning
- Able Today
- All About ABLE- 529A Accounts - (Webinar)
- Attainable Savings Plan (Webinar)
- Attainable Savings Plan (90 Seconds with MEFA)
- See "Financial Planning" section below for more financial resources
Advocacy
- The Caring Force
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- Mass Advocates Standing Strong
- Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL): Children's Mental Health
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- A Place of My Own (Auburn Housing Pathways Course)
- Assessment and Adaptive Driving (CMSC)
- Aftervisit Worksheet
- ASD Adult Resource Guide - South Valley DDS Area Office
- Asperger/Autism Network (AANE)
- Ausome Connections
- Autism Alliance Resource Directory
- Autism and Insurance
- Autism Health Care Accomodation Letter Example
- Autism Learning Partners
- Autism Housing Pathways
- Autism & The Eyes - Stimming, Tics, Eye Contact, and More (Article)
- Autism Therapeutic Services
- Autism Works Housing Roadmap
- Budget Plan
- Certified Autism Resources (International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards)
- Commonwealth Autism Services
- Community-Based Skills Assessment
- Dental Care Guide
- Driving Assessment Program (Spaulding Rehabilitation)
- Driving Resources for Autistic Individuals (& How to Teach Them)
- Driving with Autism - Five Things Your Driving School Won't Teach You (AANE)
- Driving with Autism Videos
- Financial Planning Toolkit
- Hi5
- HMEA's Autism Resource Central
- How ASD Affects Sleep
- The Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health
- Making Doctor's Appointments
- Money Management for Young Adults
- Neurodiversity @ Work
- Spiral Foundation Sensory Processing Disorder Educational Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers
- Staying Healthy Nutrition Toolkit
- Symptoms Worksheet
- Teaching the Person With Autism How to Drive (Cross River Therapy)
- UMASS Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO)
- Understanding Autism: An Introduction (DDS Training)
- What to Bring to an Appointment Checklist
Behavioral Health
- Carolynne J. St. Martin Ph.D Licensed Psychologist
- Centered Mind Counseling
- Community Impact Inc.
- Handel Behavioral Health
- FeltSense Psychotherapy
- Kimina Counseling
- LifeStance Health
- Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line
- Milford Franklin Counseling
- Northeast Health Services
- Nurtured Mind Counseling
- Spiral Foundation Sensory Processing Disorder Educational Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers
Caregiver Resources/Respite
- Courage to Caregivers
- Exceptional Lives
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- FindHelp.org
- Greater Massachusetts Special Needs Events
- House of Possibilities
- Incredible Years
- Innerbody - Resources for Caregivers
- Letter of Intent Template (Special Needs Financial Planning)
- Parent's Guide to Letter of Intent (Special Needs Financial Planning)
- Rewarding Work (Find and Hire Caregivers)
- SibNet
Crisis Intervention/Domestic Violence
- Community Behavioral Health Centers in MA Offering Emergency BH Services
- Domestic Violence Shelter Line: Safe Link 877-785-2020
- Massachusetts Behavioral Health Help Line, Call or Text 833-773-2445
- Pathways for Change, Inc.
- Wayside Youth & Family Support
- YWCA - 24-hour Domestic Violence Services: 508-755-9030
Culture-Based Resources
- Jaya Pandey Blog (Desi Moms Network)
- Milford Cultural Council
- Multicultural Mental Health Resource Directory
- Worcester Islamic Center
Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
Department of Mental Health (DMH)
Donated Items
Emergency Housing
Employment
Financial Planning
- Free Finance Planning Resources from The ARC
- Introduction to Government Benefits and Special Needs Trusts
Food Resources & Benefits
- Central MA Farmer's Markets
- Cover Sheet (to be sent with application)
- Healthy Incentives Program (HIP)
- Project Bread
- SNAP Application
Guardianship, Health Care Proxy, & Power of Attorney
- File for Guardianship of an Incapacitated Person
- Guardianship and Supported Decision Making
- Guardianship and Alternatives Webinar Recording (September 22, 2021)
- Guardianship, Healthcare Proxy, and Power of Attorney Webinar Recording (November 13, 2023)
- How to apply for guardianship - Exceptional Lives
Health Insurance
- Adult Disability Supplement Form
- Authorized Representative Desigation Form
- Health Care For All - Hotline # 800-272-4232
- Health Law Advocates
- MassHealth
- MassHealth Application For Health and Dental Coverage
- MassHealth & Health Connector - Keeping or Getting Coverage Guide
- Medicare
- My Ombudsman
- The Insurance Resource Center
- The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA)
Healthy Living
Housing
- Affordable Housing 101
- Autism Housing Pathways
- Autism Speaks Transition Roadmap to Housing and Residential Supports
- CHAMP Housing Application
- Home Modification Loan Program
- Housing Search Guide for People with Disabilities
- Housing Search Strategies
- MassHealth MATCH Program
- Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)
- Model Bylaw for Accessory Dwelling Unit
- Request for Access to State Supplement Program Client Record and Information
- Subsidized Housing Inventory by city/town
Immigrants & Refugees
- Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
- Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative
- Southeast Asian Coalition of Central MA (SEAC)
Legal Services
- Children's Law Center of Massachusetts
- Community Legal Aid
- Disability Law Center
- LawFirm.com - Cerebral Palsy
- Mass Legal Services
- Parent/Professional Advocacy League - Information and Tools
- Quick Reference on School Discipline - A Guide for Child Advocates in Massachusetts
LGBTQIA+
- 25 LGBTQ Addiction & Mental Health Support Resources
- EMK Transgender Services
- The Gender Unicorn
- Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth
- Mass Equality
- NAMI Massachusetts Resources for LGBTQ Community
- Safe Homes Youth Drop-In Center
- Talking to Your Child About Sexuality
- We Are Mass Rainbow Group
Life Skills
- Autism Housing Pathways Life Skills Training Resources
- Autism Housing Pathways Life Skills Training To Do List
- Self-Sufficiency and Support: Managing Daily Life (Association for Autism and Neurodiversity)
Neurodiverse Resources
- Assessment and Evaluation Types (UMass Chan Medical School)
- Barrett Family Wellness Center (Pediatric Occupational and Speech Therapy)
- Helpful Websites (Sensory Smarts)
- OTA The Koomar Center
- Resources for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (MA Developmental Disabilities Council)
- Spiral Foundation SPD Educational Toolkit for Parents and Caregivers
- The Spark Sensory Clinic
Recreation
- Accessible Beach and Pool Locations
- Accessible Trails
- Adaptive Sports and Active Recreation Resource Guide
- Autism on the Seas Where Vacations Come True
- Camp Jabberwocky
- Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Universal Access Program
- Easterseals Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship Lessons
- Grotonwood Christian Camp
- Inclusive Playgrounds Guide
- Open Door Theater
- Partners for Youth with Disabilities
- ValleyCAST
- Whitin Community Center
- YMCA Camp Programs
School Attendance Assistance
- Chronic Absence and Student Attendance - MA Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Family Resource Centers
- My Kid Won't Go to School: What Now? (PPAL School Avoidance Workshop Resource - 6/6/24)
- Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
- School Advoidance Alliance
- Sunshine Support
School Transition/Transition to Adulthood
- Autism Speaks Guide to IEP
- Center for Living and Work TAP (Transition to Adulthood Program)
- Checklist for Those Needing Lifelong Supports
- Checklist for Those Planning to go to College
- Checklist for Those Seeking Jobs After High School
- Employment Basics for Parents and Caregivers of Young Adults
- Family TIES Resource Directory
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- Greater MA Special-Needs Events
- IEP Requirements related to Transition to Adulthood
- Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA)
- Transition Information Every Family Should Know (DDS)
- Using the IEP to Create Success
- Work Without Limits: Disability Benefits and Transition Age Youth
Social Security
- Adult Disability Starter Kit
- Function Report
- How Resources Affect SSA Eligibility
- Instructions for Completing SSA-1696
- Request for Reconsideration
- Social Security Administration Expands Outreach and Access for SSI - Press Release 6/2/23
Social Security: With You Through Life's Journey (Social Security Administration Workshop Presentation)
- SSI Application
- SSI Checklist
- Work Without Limits: Disability Benefits and Transition Age Youth
- Work Without Limits Website
- Work Without Limits Partnership Info
- What You Need To Know About Your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) When You Turn 18
Social Services
Transportation
- Drive Focus (Driving Simulator)
- How to Look for Transportation Options (Mass.gov)
- Massachusetts Ride Match
- Metrowest Regional Transit Authority Routes
- Metrowest Regional Transit Authority - For Seniors and Disabled
- The Ride
- Worcester Regional Transit Authority
- WRTA Travel Training Program
Utility Assistance
- Emergency Broadband Benefit
- Free Cellphone - SafeLink Wireless
- Fuel Assistance - Home Heating and Energy Assistance
- Fuel Assistance - MASSCAP Home Energy Assistance Program
- Fuel Assistance - Worcester Community Action Council Low Income Home Emergency Assistance Program
- MLR/MCLE Basics Benefits Advocacy Training: Utilities - Advocacy for Low-Income Households in Massachusetts
- Utility Bill Assistance - Mass.Gov
- Utility Bill Assistance - National Consumer Law Center
- Utility Bill Assistance - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Verizon Forward Program (Free Home Internet through FCC Affordable Connectivity Program)
Voting in Massachusetts
Contact us:
Email familysupportcenter@openskycs.org or call 508-318-7566