Interagency Review Team for Complex Cases
The Interagency Review Team for Complex Cases is charged with reviewing and issuing determinations for complex cases for youth/young adults under 22 years of age.
Individuals eligible for review by the team include young people under the age of 22 who are disabled or have complex behavioral health or special needs; and qualify or may qualify for services from one or more state agencies, or for special education services through their school district.
The Interagency Review Team for Complex Cases is organized by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
For more information about this process, and to access the referral form, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/interagency-review-team-for-complex-cases
Disability Law Center
The Disability Law Center provides legal representation for Massachusetts residents with disabilities, including physical, psychiatric, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. The Disability Law Center works on issues such as special education rights, access to healthcare, and access to state services, among others.
For more information, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.dlc-ma.org/
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Autism Support Centers
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Autism Support Centers conduct broad outreach and provide services to families from diverse cultural, ethnic and linguistic communities in the geographic area they are serving and may create partnerships with community organizations and other resources in order to provide culturally responsive services.
Services and supports for families include information and referral, family clinics, support groups, access to the latest information on autism, family trainings, parent networking and mentoring, and social/recreational events.
For more information, and to find an Autism Support Center near you, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dds-autism-support-centers-0
Children’s Autism Waiver Service Program
The Children’s Autism Waiver Program serves children, birth through age 9, with an autism spectrum disorder who meet the eligibility criteria.
The Children’s Autism Waiver allows children to receive Expanded Habilitation, Education, in-home services and supports, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Floor Time, for a total of up to 3 years. At the conclusion of the 3 years of the intensive in-home services, a child may access ongoing Supplemental Services (for example respite and goods and services, etc.) that meet the child’s needs and help with the transition out of the intensive Autism Waiver Program—until the child’s 10th birthday.
The Children’s Autism Waiver Program is provided by the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services.
For more information, visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/dds-childrens-autism-waiver-service-program-overview
Autism Speaks - Autism Response Team (ART)
The Autism Response Team (ART) is an information and referral support for the autism community, including autistic individuals, parents, grandparents, friends, teachers, social workers, and everyone in between. ART can provide information about where to get a diagnosis, schools and special education, advocacy and support, inclusion and community activities, and more.
Team members are Certified Resource Specialists through Inform USA and are specially trained to provide personalized information and resources to autistic individuals, families, service providers, and the community.
The ART is provided by Autism Speaks.
For more information, call (888) 288-4762, or visit their website by clicking here: https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-response-team
Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) - Information Center
The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) Information Center can help with questions about:
- eligibility for special education
- application procedures
- steps to obtain independent educational evaluations
- determining whether the child is making progress
- what to do if the child is not making progress
- the school’s responsibilities in the special education process
- the parent’s role as a member of the team
- maintaining a collaborative relationship with the school
- options for resolving differences with the school
- when to involve a parent consultant or advocate
- when to involve an attorney
For more information, call the Call Center at (617) 236-7210, or visit their website by clicking here: https://fcsn.org/
Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN)
Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. (SPaN) maintains a directory of special education advocates and consultants that are available to help families and schools with special education issues. The directory is available on their website. Parents can also call for more information about special education advocates and how an advocate can help their child.
For more information, and to view the directory, visit their website by clicking here: https://members.spanmass.org/advocateattorneydirectory, or call (508) 655-7999.
Department of Public Health Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs
The Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health works with families, providers, and others to support children and youth with special health needs ages birth to 22 and their families. This includes children and youth with chronic medical, physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions.
This statewide Community Support Line provides information, technical assistance and resources for families with children and youth with special health needs and the providers serving these families.
For more information, call the Community Support Line at (800) 882-1435, or visit their website by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-for-children-youth-with-special-health-needs