"Dedicated to providing year-round programs
and educational support
to enrich
the lives of children in need."
Benefits Resource Guide
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Mass 211 |
Every day, someone somewhere in Massachusetts needs to find essential community services, everything from finding an after school program, locating a food bank, or securing care for an aging parent. Many have faced these challenges, but don’t always know where to turn for help.
The answer is 1-877-211-MASS. All anyone has to do, to get connected to a family counselor, find where to get financial advice, contact a little league team, or even to find volunteer opportunities is pick up the phone. They will speak confidentially with an Information & Referral Specialist who will assess the callers’ needs and determine the service provider best equipped to handle their problems or crisis. It will be initially available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
1-877-211-MASS is a statewide collaboration of local United Ways and the Massachusetts Association of Information and Referral Specialists (MAIRS) that recognizes the need for people to access accurate information in non-emergency situations. Whether it’s for everyday needs or during a time of a natural disaster, the residents of Massachusetts can feel comfortable knowing that someone is there to help. The 1-877-211-MASS service is the precursor of the statewide Mass 211 service which is slated to begin on or about September 1, 2006. Once implemented, Massachusetts residents will be able to call a free, easy to use three digit number (211) and receive the same accurate information that will be initially be provided with the 1-877-211-MASS service.
You can also visit www.mass211.org for more information.
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Heat / Energy Assistance |
You may meet income guidelines to receive assistance for your primary source of heat. You may also be eligible for heating assistance if your heat is included in your rent.
Good Neighbor Energy
Fund
Administered by the
Salvation Army,
the fund provides one time assistance to help customers pay their energy bill, especially
those in financial crisis who may not qualify for other means of fuel assistance. Must be
over guidelines for Self Help. Call MASS 211 at 877-211-6277 for
more inforamtion.
Joe Kennedy Oil
Citizens Energy
Corporation provides one time assistance of 150 gallons of oil, half price, pay cash
on delivery 877-563-4645
Utility Assistance ~ For Primary
Source of Heat ~
Attleboro – Self
Help 508-226-4192
Taunton – Citizens for
Citizens 508-823-6346
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Free Clothing / Low Cost Clothing |
See our special free or low cost clothing list for men, women and children. Click here to view the list!
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Support Services for Children |
Child
Support
Call MASS 211 at 877-211-6277 for local referrals or contact one of these organizations:
ACES~Association for Children for Enforcement of Support - ACES is a non-profit child support organization. We are parents whose children are entitled to support working to improve child support enforcement, educating ourselves about legal rights and remedies and promoting public awareness about the plight of affected children. Call:1-800-738-ACES.
Child Support Network (CSN) is a specialized service company that locates missing parents and collects court ordered family support payments. Family support includes child support, spousal support, medical support, and educational support. We are the alternative to overburdened state child support agencies.
Mass. Child Support Enforcement Division (CSE) assists parents in establishing paternity and child support orders, collecting child support, and asking courts to adjust child support orders when circumstances change.
Child Care
Office of Child Care Services (OCCS)
Massachusetts Office of Child Care
Services (OCCS) - created an integrated system
to deliver quality, accessible and affordable child care services. Standardized
eligibility procedures for families in need of help paying for child care, and work to
eliminate the number of families waiting for care. You can actually search
for family day care and day care centers by zip code and learn about other programs.
Taunton Regional Office - Region 5
21 Spring Street, Suite 2
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: (508) 828-5025
Fax: (508) 828-5235
For licensing and complaint information
Child Advocacy
Massachusetts Citizens for Children (MCC) is a non-profit statewide child advocacy organization, whose mission is to improve the lives of the state's most vulnerable children through advocacy by concerned citizens.
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) is a private, non-profit child welfare agency with a long-standing commitment to the children of Massachusetts.
Child Safety
The National Safe Kids Campaign is the first and only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury — the number one killer of children ages 14 and under.
Click here to see what our Council is doing about Child Passenger Safety.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Association has an excellent web site regarding child pasenger safety. Click here for more information!
SafeChild.net is a project of the Consumer Federation of America Foundation and provides information to the public on child safety and public health issues.
The Childrens Safety Network works with maternal and child health (MCH), public health, and other injury prevention practitioners to implement and administer activitie that improve injury and violence prevention
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children serves as a focal point in providing assistance to parents, children, law enforcement, schools, and the community in recovering missing children and raising public awareness about ways to help prevent child abduction, molestation, and sexual exploitation.
Child Safety Experts work to help educate parents on some of the dangers around their child and how to remove them and create a safe environment for their child or infant.
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a private, non-profit child welfare agency that serves as an advocate for children and families, pioneering and providing programs, and advocating for public policy and resources to prevent child abuse, treat the victims of abuse, and strengthen families.
Carnegie Cyber Academy - This web site teaches children and parents about how they can be safe on the internet.
Commonwealth
of Massachusetts - Executive Office of Health & Human Services
-Injury Prevention & Safety
If you have any program specific
questions. please contact the staff:
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Topic |
Contact |
Phone |
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Emergency Medical Services for Children |
Deb Clappp |
617-624-5088 |
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Fire Safety |
Christine Farrell-O'Reilly |
617-624-6076 |
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Injury State Plan Implementation |
Lewis Howe |
617-624-5460 |
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Injury Data |
Holly Hackman |
617-624-5466 |
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Poison Prevention |
Colleen Longfellow |
617-624-5450 |
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Suicide Prevention |
Alan Holmlund |
617-624-5476 |
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Janice Ventre |
617-624-5477 |
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Allison Brill |
617-624-5299 |
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Traffic Safety, Home Safety |
Colleen McGuire |
617-624-6070 |
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Youth Suicide Prevention |
Heather Wightman |
617-624-5074 |
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Brandy Brooks |
617-624-5494 |
Massachusetts
Dept of Public Health - Injury Prevention and Control Program
250
Washington St
Boston, MA 02108
MADD Massachusetts
18
Tremont St
Boston, MA 02108
Office
of the State Fire Marshall - Space Heater Fire Safety
PO
Box 1025
State Road
Stowe, MA 01776
57 space heater fires were reported to the Office of the State Fire Marshal between 2002-2006. While these fires are not frequent, they are deadly. One of every 14 space heater fires causes a fatality. 30% of these fires were caused when combustible materials such as bedding, magazines, newspapers or furniture were too close to the heater, and another 12% were caused when rugs, carpets or mats were under or too close to the heater. If you must use a space heater, use it as safely as possible!
Download the free Space Heater Fire Safety flyer here!
Special Needs Children
The Federation for Children with Special Needs is a center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.
Family TIES (Together In Enhancing Support) of Massachusetts is a statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness. It is administered by parent coordinators housed in each of the six regional offices of the Massachusetts' Department of Public Health.
Project
Head Start
Attleboro
508-226-2030
Rehoboth/Seekonk 508-675-2451
Norton 508-285-5021
Taunton 508-822-5388
Department of Social Services - DSS 508-431-9500
Community Care Services
Community Care Services is a private, non-profit corporation that has been meeting the behavioral health care needs of families throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island for nearly 50 years. Since its inception in 1952, Community Care Services has grown to over 30 locations with 48 unique programs, we provide support for the needs of the whole person. Community Cares provides a full range of residential services.Click on the link below for more information
DOWNLOAD COMPLETE SUMMARY OF ALL SERVICES
Baby Items
through Birthright
Attleboro 508-226-2220
Taunton 508-822-2921
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Medical Assistance |
MA Division of Medical Assistance (the Division) manages MassHealth. MassHealth pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts who are under age 65 and who are not living in nursing homes or other long-term-care facilities. Phone: 800-242-1340
Health Care For All - Children's Division has developed a growing expertise in promoting children's health care access, affordability and quality. Phone: 800-272-4232
The Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP) is a health insurance program that provides children and adolescents with access to primary care and preventive services. The Department of Public Health contracts with UNICARE, a managed care company, to administer the plan. Phone: 800-531-2229
The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) was established by legislation in 2000 to help families bear the excessive financial burdens associated with the care of children with special health care needs and disabilities. It provides financial assistance for Massachusetts families with children experiencing a medical condition requiring services that are not covered by a private insurer, federal or state health care assistance, or any other financial source.Community Care Services is a private, non-profit corporation that provides emotional, educational and behavioral support to more than 10,000 children, adults, elders, and families annually throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The MA Division of Medical Assistance (the Division) manages MassHealth. MassHealth pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts who are under age 65 and who are not living in nursing homes or other long-term-care facilities. Phone: 800-242-1340
Health Care For All - Children's Division has developed a growing expertise in promoting children's health care access, affordability and quality. Phone: 800-272-4232
The Children's Medical Security Plan (CMSP) is a health insurance program that provides children and adolescents with access to primary care and preventive services. The Department of Public Health contracts with UNICARE, a managed care company, to administer the plan. Phone: 800-531-2229
The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF) was established by legislation in 2000 to help families bear the excessive financial burdens associated with the care of children with special health care needs and disabilities. It provides financial assistance for Massachusetts families with children experiencing a medical condition requiring services that are not covered by a private insurer, federal or state health care assistance, or any other financial source.
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Rent / Mortgage/ Housing Assistance |
If you have fallen behind on rent or mortgage and are facing eviction/foreclosure and can meet income guidelines you can contact the following agencies for assistance:
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance – If you receive public assistance or can meet the income guidelines, contact your caseworker or call to find out if you meet the guidelines, call MASS 211 at 877-211-6277. If you are facing eviction, they also provide assistance services through their Housing Assistance Program.
South Shore Housing Development – (Residential Assistance to Families in Transitions – RAFT) – If you can meet the income guidelines you may be eligible for assistance. Call for an application. 800-242-0957
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Food Assistance |
Food Pantries / Free Meals / Food Stamps / WIC
See our special food pantry and meal list: For Attleboro Area click here, For Taunton Area click here. It also includes information about Food Stamp and WIC telephone numbers included. SERVE Food Program – No income guidelines, call to find nearest chapter. Call MASS 211 at 1-877-211-MASS(6277) for referrals.
Food Supplement Program
WIC - Woman, Infant and Children’s Food Supplemental Program
Attleboro WIC,
95
Pine Street, Attleboro 508-226-4543
Taunton – WIC Citizens for Citizens, 508-823-6346
Call For Appointment or guidelines
Food Source Hotline
Project Bread's toll-free FoodSource Hotline assists people across Massachusetts struggling to feed their families. FoodSource Hotline counselors refer callers to food resources in their communities and provide information on public programs, meal sites for the elderly, meals on wheels programs, salvage food distribution sites and other programs that supply free or low-cost food. Phone: 800-645-8333.
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Transportation |
GATRA
- Attleboro: 508-222-6106
GATRA - Taunton:
508-823-8828
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Legal Assistance |
New Center for Legal Advocacy 800-244-9023
Southeastern Mass Legal Services –Toll Free: 800-244-8393
Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, SMLAC ~ Provides legal assistance to eligible low income clients in civil matters with no charge for questions/problems with housing, public benefits, domestic relations & group representation. SMLAC’s Seniors Law Project provides legal assistance with no charge based on age, residence and Project priorities for questions/problems with public benefits, housing, insurance & document preparation.~ 21
South Sixth Street, New Bedford, MA 02740: 508-979-7150
~ 231 Main Street,
Suite 201, Brockton, MA 02301: 508-586-2110
~ 30 Third Street, 3rd Floor,
Fall River, MA 02720: 508-979-7150
~ Attleboro Site Office:
508-576-6807
~ Taunton Site Office: 508-880-6704
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Other
Financial
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Massachusetts
Department of Transitional Assistance 800-529-1599
Social Security Administration 508-226-2710 or 800-772-1213
MA Division of Medical Assistance 800-242-1340
Health Care for All 800-272-4232
Children’s Medical Security Plan 800-531-2229
American Credit Counseling Service,
Inc. - Counseling clients since 1988
4 Taunton Street,
Suite 5, Plainville, MA
02762
Toll Free (800) 729-0551, Tel: (508) 643-4445 -- Fax:
(508) 695-0148
Need Referrals for other needs?
If you need any other social service information call MASS 211 at 877-211-6277 for free referrals to other agencies.
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Attleboro Area
Council for Children, Inc.
4 Hodges St,
Attleboro, MA
02703
Phone: 508-226-2336
E-Mail: kelly@councilforchildren.org
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