Community Health Equity Initiative Resource List

The CHEI Topic and Community Resource List helps connect you with things like food and economic assistance, mental health and substance use services, and parenting resources.

Translated Resources

The Topic and Community Specific Resources list on this page is also available in below languages. They are available in PDF and Word format.

Downloads:

Arabic: نقر هنا للحصول على الموارد باللغة العربية  (PDF) l (DOCX)

Cape Verdean Creole: Klika li pa rikursus na Kriolu Kabuverdianu (PDF) l (DOCX)

Spanish: Haga clic aquí para obtener recursos en español (PDF) l (DOCX)

Haitian Creole: Klike la a pou resous an Kreyòl Ayisyen (PDF) l (DOCX)

Khmer: ចុចទីនេះសម្រាប់ធនធាន​ជា​ភាសាខ្មែរ (PDF) l (DOCX)

Portuguese: Clique aqui para ver os recursos em português (PDF) l (DOCX)

Russian: Щелкните здесь, чтобы увидеть список ресурсов на русском языке (PDF) l (DOCX)

Simplified Chinese: 点击此处获取简体中文资源 (PDF) l (DOCX)

Traditional Chinese: 按一下此處獲得繁體中文資源 (PDF) l (DOCX)

Vietnamese:  Nhấp vào đây để xem nguồn lực bằng tiếng Việt (PDF) l (DOCX)

General Resources

• To get connected with resources and services in your community, call 2-1-1, use live chat or visit Massachusetts 2-1-1   

• To search for local resources and services related to health and social service needs visit: Network of Care Massachusetts 

• To get connected with resources and services in Western Massachusetts, visit 413 Cares. 

Children and Youth with Special Health Needs 

• Health & social services for children and youth with disabilities and special health needs and their families: Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (mass.gov)   

COVID-19  

• COVID-19 updates, information and resources including where to get your next vaccine: COVID-19 Updates and Information (mass.gov)  

• Information on Post- and Long COVID care, support, and research visit: Post-COVID (Long COVID) Resources 

Criminal Legal System  

• Resources for family and friends of individuals in the criminal legal system, including how to find and contact an inmate: Resources for Family and Friends of Inmates (mass.gov)  

• Legal and support services for individuals currently or previously involved with the criminal legal system: Massachusetts: Prison Resources 

• Resources and information about juvenile legal issues and system: Juvenile Justice Information (mass.gov) 

Disabilities 

• Information on disability rights, access, and resources, including for housing, education and government services: Disability Rights, Access & Resources (mass.gov) 

• Services related to training and employment, community living and disability determination:  Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) (mass.gov)  

Employment 

• Information on workers’ rights & safety, including paid family and medical leave: Workers' Rights & Safety (mass.gov) 

• Information on child labor laws for those 14-18: Massachusetts laws regulating minors’ work hours (mass.gov)  

• To report unsafe work conditions, visit: File a workplace complaint (mass.gov) or call the Fair Labor Hotline at [phone]. Available 10am – 4pm Monday – Friday. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for making a complaint about an unsafe working condition. 

Extreme Heat Safety

• For information on how to stay safe during extreme heat visit: Extreme Heat Safety Tips (mass.gov) 

Food and Cash Assistance 

• To find a local Food Bank visit: Find a local food bank (mass.gov) or call the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline at 800-645-8333 (TTY: 800-377-1292).  

• To apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) visit: Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) (mass.gov) or call the DTA Assistance Line [phone]. Available from 8:15am to 4:45pm Monday-Friday. 

• Information about emergency SNAP benefits: Emergency SNAP benefits (mass.gov) 

• To apply for WIC benefits visit: Apply for the Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program (mass.gov) or call [phone]. 

Healthcare Access 

• To renew your MassHealth coverage or find out if you are eligible for MassHealth visit: MassHealth Eligibility Redeterminations (mass.gov) or call 800-841-2900 (TDD/TTY: 711). 

• For support around getting health insurance, healthcare or medicine call the Health Care for All Helpline at [phone] or fill out a form here: How to Get Covered    

• Health insurance information and counseling for those with Medicare and their families: Health Insurance Counseling 

• Information on how to access abortion care: Accessing Abortion Care in Massachusetts (mass.gov) 

Housing Assistance 

• To apply for shelter services, call the Emergency Housing Assistance Program at [phone]. Available 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, translation available.  

• Information about the Emergency Housing Assistance Program and local housing resources: Emergency Housing Assistance 

• Information on how to get housing assistance, including rental assistance and public housing: Emergency and long-term housing assistance for MA residents

• To get help and support for unhoused youth or youth thinking about running away, call the National Runaway Safeline at [phone] or text SAFE and your current location (address, city, state) to 44357(4HELP).  Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.   

Immigrants and Refugees 

• Resources for refugees and immigrants, including financial, employment and education resources: Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) (mass.gov) or call [phone] (TTY: [phone]). Available 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. 

• Information for immigrants, including legal resources: Immigrant Advancement  

• Community-based services for refugees, asylees, and immigrants: Refugee & Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC)  or [phone]. Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) has offices in Boston, Lynn, and Worcester.  

• Education resources for immigrants and refugees, including children who are English Learners: English Learner Education - Family Resources  

Internet Access  

• To find out if you are eligible and apply for a discount on internet service from the Federal Communications Commission, visit: Affordable Connectivity Program or call the Federal ACP Support Center at [phone]. 

LGBTQIA+ Resources  

• LGBTQIA+ wellness resources, including those specific to LGBTQIA+ youth: Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.  

• To connect with community support and resources for trans or questioning people call Trans Lifeline at [phone] or visit Trans Lifeline   

• Local resources available for LGBTQIA+ older adults, including the Fenway Health LGBTQIA+ Aging Project: LGBTQIA+ Aging Project  

Mental Health 

• To get confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline  

• To get contact information for the closest Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI) team to support someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis call [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. MCI services are available to those covered by MassHealth, Medicare and some other insurance plans, and those who are uninsured.  

• To get connected with mental health and substance use services call or text the Behavioral Health Help Line at [phone] or start a chat at masshelpline.com/chat. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. 

• To get information about mental health and substance use service options and find a local provider visit: Massachusetts Behavioral Health Access (MABHA)   

• Education, support and trainings for people impacted by mental health conditions and their families: National Alliance on Mental Illness Massachusetts (NAMI)  

Older Adults 

• Resources for older adults and their caregivers to live and thrive in the community of their choice: Executive Office of Elder Affairs (EOEA) (mass.gov) 

• To connect to a local elder service agency, call the Executive Office of Elder Affairs at [phone] or 800-243-4636. Available 9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday. 

Parenting & Families 

• Educational support resources for students and families: Office of Student and Family Support (SFS)   

• To talk to someone about parental stress or connect with local parenting resources visit Parent Stress Line or call 1-800-632-8188. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  

• To find out if your family is eligible and apply for early education and care financial assistance visit: Early education and care financial assistance for families (mass.gov) or call 20877-211-6277 (TTY: 508-370-4890). Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All calls are free and confidential. Interpreter services are available in multiple languages. 

• To find a local Child Care Resource and Referral agency visit: Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) (mass.gov) 

• Child welfare information: Child Welfare Information (mass.gov) 

Pregnancy & Postpartum Support  

• Perinatal mental health resources for women and families, including postpartum depression:  Postpartum Depression (mass.gov) 

• For confidential support before, during and after pregnancy call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week in English and Spanish. 

• To find local support for families around pregnancy and infant loss visit  Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support 

Reporting Abuse or Human Trafficking

To report harm of an individual in the below groups, use the link or phone number provided.  

• Children (known or suspected abuse or neglect): Your local Department of Children and Families (DCF) Office which you can find here Report child abuse or neglect (mass.gov) or call the Child-at-Risk-Hotline at [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. 

• An older adult (aged 60 or older) who lives in the community: Executive Office of Elder Affairs at Report elder abuse (mass.gov) or call 800-922-2275. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  

• A person in a nursing home or hospital: Department of Public Health at [phone] or File a complaint regarding a hospital (mass.gov)  

• A person with a disability (aged 18 to 59): Reporting abuse and neglect (mass.gov) or call the Disabled Persons Protection Commission at 800-426-9009. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.  

• A person who may be a victim of human trafficking: Office of the Attorney General at [phone] or Human Trafficking Division Resources (mass.gov)  

Sexual and/or Domestic Violence 

• To get information, support or assistance around unwanted sexual experiences or violence or abuse in a romantic or sexual relationship call SafeLink at [phone] or access SafeLink live chat at Case Myrna Chat Line. TTY: [phone]. For Spanish, call [phone].  

• To get support or assistance for unwanted sexual experiences, call the Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline at [phone] or visit RAINN for the online chat option. 

• To get support or help because of violence or abuse in a romantic or sexual relationship, call Domestic Violence Hotline at [phone] or visit https://www.thehotline.org/help for the online chat option. 

• To get support or help for young people (ages 13-26) around romantic or sexual relationships, call Love is Respect at (8660 331-9474 (TTY: 866-331-8453), text: loveis to 22522, or use the chat online: Love is Respect 

• If you are concerned about how you (or someone in your life) are treating other people, including the person you are dating, seeing, or married to, call A Call for Change Helpline at [phone], email [e-mail] or visit A Call for Change Helpline to learn more about being a safe partner. The helpline is confidential and available from 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year. Language translation available. 

• For confidential support, guidance, or more information about addressing sexually worrisome behavior in yourself or someone you care about, contact Stop It NOW Helpline at Stop it Now! or call 1-888-773-8368. Available 12pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday. 

Substance Use 

• To access resources and support for people using substances, in recovery, and their loved ones visit The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline or call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at [phone]. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

• To access resources and support for people who are using tobacco and want to quit visit  Make Smoking History or call the Smokers' Helpline at 1-800-784-8669 

• To access resources and support of youth who are using tobacco and want to quit visit My Life My Quit or text “Start My Quit” to 36072 

• To find a local Peer Recovery Support Center that offers education, social events and wellness groups visit: Peer Recovery Support Centers (mass.gov) 

Transportation

• Transportation services for community members, including older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and commuters: I'm Looking for Transportation (mass.gov) 

Veterans  

• Support services for veterans and their families, including emergency financial assistance: Executive Office of Veterans' Services (EOVS) (mass.gov)  

Youth and Young Adults 

• Support and resources for youth and young adults with lived experience in various systems including mental health, legal system, and education: Youth Move Massachusetts  

• Information on a statewide movement of youth fighting tobacco: The 84 

• To find local support around the loss of a parent or caregiver visit: National Alliance for Children's Grief 

• Information on sexual and reproductive health, including puberty, healthy relationship, STDs, and birth control: Planned Parenthood for Teens or Amaze 

• To get help and support for unhoused youth or youth thinking about running away, call the National Runaway Safeline at [phone] or text SAFE and your current location (address, city, state) to 44357(4HELP).  Available 24 hours, 7 days a week.   

• LGBTQIA+ wellness resources, including those specific to LGBTQIA+ youth: Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.  

• To get support or help for young people (ages 13-26) around romantic or sexual relationships, call Love is Respect at 866-331-9474 (TTY: 866-331-8453), text: loveis to 22522, or use the chat online: Love is Respect 

• To access resources and support of youth who are using tobacco and want to quit visit My Life My Quit or text “Start My Quit” to 36072