The Family Support Center has compiled this resource library to help you and your family navigate the available services and supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, and/or Autism (categories are listed alphabetically).
Have questions or want to share resources?
Email familysupportcenter@openskycs.org or call 508-318-7566
Click on the categories to view resources
- ABLE National Resource Center
- 5 Things to Know about ABLE (National Resource Center)
- 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
-
The Caring Force
- Federation for Children with Special Needs
- Mass Advocates Standing Strong
- Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL): Children’s Mental Health
- 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 with Autism – Five Things Your Driving School Won’t Teach You (AANE)
- Driving with Autism Videos
- Financial Planning Toolkit
- Healthy College on the Spectrum: Managing Autism as a College Student
- 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
- Staying Healthy Nutrition Toolkit
- Symptoms Worksheet
- UMASS Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (CANDO)
- Understanding Autism: An Introduction (DDS Training)
- What to Bring to an Appointment Checklist
- 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
- Worcester Parent/Caregiver Guide to Community Services (English)
- Worcester Parent/Caregiver Guide to Community Services (Spanish)
- 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
- 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
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Healthy College on the Spectrum: Managing Autism as a College Student
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Verizon Forward Program (Free Home Internet through FCC Affordable Connectivity Program)
