Community Resource List

These resources may not have webpages or services available in your language. For information or services provided by DPH or another government agency, you have the right to get this information in your preferred language.

If you are interested in accessing government services, you can ask for interpreter services and translated materials at no cost. For information or services provided by community organizations, see the Topic and Community-Specific Resources section for organizations that provide services in your language.

Note: Resources labeled ‘Government resource’ are operated by government agencies. 

General resources

• Connect to resources and services in your community by calling 2-1-1, or use live chat 
• Search for local resources and services related to health and social service needs 
• Connect with resources and services in Western Massachusetts by visiting 413 Cares

Topic- and community-specific resources

Children and youth with special health needs 

• Explore health and social services for children and youth with disabilities and special health needs and their families

COVID-19

• Review COVID-19 updates, information and resources including where to get your next vaccine
• Find information on Post- and long COVID care, support, and research visit

Criminal legal system 

• Resources for family and friends of individuals in the criminal legal system, including how to find and contact an inmate
• Legal and support services for individuals currently or previously involved with the criminal legal system
• Find resources and information about juvenile legal issues and system
• Get referrals to free or low-cost legal services in Massachusetts

Disabilities 

• Access information on disability rights, access, and resources, including for housing, education and government services
• Find services related to training and employment, community living and disability determination
• Browse sexuality and sexual health resources for youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities

Employment

• Get information on workers’ rights and safety, including paid family and medical leave
• Learn about child labor laws for those 14-18
• Report unsafe work conditions by calling 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 

Food and cash assistance

• Find a local Food Bank by visiting or calling the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline at [phone]. TTY: [phone]
• Apply for SNAP benefits (food stamps) by visiting or calling the DTA Assistance Line [phone]. Available from 8:15am to 4:45pm Monday-Friday
• Learn about emergency SNAP benefits
• Apply for WIC benefits online or call [phone]

Violence prevention and recovery 

• Find information, support, and referrals for victims and survivors of crime, including victim compensation resources 
• Locate nearby grief support services for children and teens who have experienced the loss of a parent, caregiver, or other loved one
• Search the directory of national grief support organizations for a variety of grief and loss experiences

Healthcare access

• Renew your MassHealth coverage or find out if you are eligible for MassHealth. You can also call [phone] (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
• Get health insurance information and counseling for those with Medicare and their families: SHINEMA.org (Government resource) 
• Find information on how to access abortion care 
• View recommended vaccines and where to get vaccinated 

Housing assistance

• Apply for shelter services by calling the Emergency Housing System Program at [phone]. Available 8am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, translation available. (Government resource)
• Find information about the Emergency Housing Assistance Program and local housing resources (Government resource)
• Find information on how to get housing assistance, including rental assistance and public housing (Government resource)
• 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

• Find resources for refugees and immigrants, including financial, employment and education resources or call [phone]. TTY: [phone]. Available 9am-5pm Monday through Friday. (Government resource)
• Learn about immigrant rights and resources in Massachusetts 
• Find information for immigrants, including legal resources (Government resource)
• Connect to community-based services for refugees, asylees, and immigrants. or [phone]. Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) has offices in Boston, Lynn, and Worcester.
• Search education resources for immigrants and refugees, including children who are English Learners (Government resource)
• Find resources for immigrants, including an immigration helpline [phone]. Access Know Your Rights trainings, fact sheets, and information and referrals for free or low-cost immigration legal services in Massachusetts.
• Get referrals to free or low-cost legal services in Massachusetts, including immigration legal services.

LGBTQIA+ resources

• Explore LGBTQIA+ youth wellness resources from the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth 
• Connect with community support and resources for trans or questioning people on the Trans Lifeline website or call the Trans Lifeline at [phone]
• Local resources available for LGBTQIA+ older adults, including the Fenway Health LGBTQIA+ Aging Project
• Find resources and information for intersex youth and all people with variations in their physical sex characteristics
• Get confidential sexual health and relationship information and advice for teens and young adults

Mental health

• Receive confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources by calling the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8 
• 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. 
• Connect with mental health and substance use services by calling or texting the Behavioral Health Help Line at [phone] or start a chat at masshelpline.com/chat. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. 
• Get information about mental health and substance use service options and find a local provider
• Findeducation, support and trainings for people impacted by mental health conditions and their families
• Search the directory of national grief support organizations for a variety of grief and loss experiences

Older adults

• Find resources for older adults and their caregivers to live and thrive in the community of their choice (Government resource)
• Get fall prevention resources for older adults and their caregivers.

Parenting and families

• Download educational support resources for students and families (Government resource)
• Talk to someone about parental stress or connect with local parenting resources call 1 [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. 
• Find out if your family is eligible and apply for early education and care financial assistance (Government resource)
• Find a local Child Care Resource and Referral agency (Government resource)
• Get child welfare information (Government resource)

Pregnancy and postpartum support

• Find perinatal mental health resources for women and families, including postpartum depression (Government resource)
• For confidential support before, during and after pregnancy call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1 [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week in English and Spanish.
• Find local support for families around pregnancy and infant loss 

Reporting abuse or human trafficking

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

• For children (known or suspected abuse or neglect): Contact your local Department of Children and Families (DCF) Office or call the Child-at-Risk-Hotline at [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. (Government resource)
• For adults aged 60 or older: Executive Office of Elder Affairs or call [phone]. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. (Government resource)
• For a person in a nursing home or hospital: File a complaint with the Department of Public Health at [phone] (Government resource)
• For a person with a disability (aged 18 to 59): or call the Disabled Persons Protection Commission at [phone] or learn more about reporting abuse or neglect online to the Massachusetts Disabled Persons Protection Commission. Available 24 hours, 7 days a week. (Government resource)
• For a person who may be a victim of human trafficking: Make a report to the Office of the Attorney General at [phone] or search online resources (Government resource)

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. 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 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 use the Domestic Violence Hotline's online chat option.
• To get support or help for young people (ages 13-26) around romantic or sexual relationships, call Love is Respect at [phone], TTY: [phone], or Text: loveis to 22522. You can also use the chat online.
• 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 the A Call for Change Helpline website 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 or call 1 [phone]. Available 12pm to 6pm, Monday through Friday.
• Information and resources to help prevent drink spiking (Government resource)

Sexual and reproductive health 

• Birth control information and support for young adults
• Sexual and reproductive health services in Massachusetts (Government resource)
• Sexual health information and resources for LGBTQ+ men and those assigned male at birth
• Sexuality and sexual health resources for youth with intellectual or developmental disabilities
• Confidential sexual health advice and relationship information for teens and young adults
• Teen-driven information on sexual health, relationships, and sexuality
• Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information for teens

Substance use

• To access resources and support for people using substances, in recovery, and their loved ones, call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at [phone]. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
• Access resources and support for people who are using tobacco and want to quit by calling the Smokers' Helpline at [phone]
• Access resources and support of youth who are using tobacco and want to quit by texting “Start My Quit” to 36072
• Find a local Peer Recovery Support Center that offers education, social events and wellness groups (Government resource)

Transportation

• Transportation services for community members, including older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and commuters (Government resource)

Veterans

• Support services for veterans and their families, including emergency financial assistance (Government resource)

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
• Information on a statewide movement of youth fighting tobacco
• To find local support around the loss of a parent or caregiver visit National Alliance for Children's Grief
• Confidential drop-in centers that provide food, clothing, housing assistance, mental health support, and other services for youth and young adults (Government resource)