- This page, Resources & services related to positive childhood experiences (PCEs), is offered by
- Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition
- Department of Public Health
Resources & services related to positive childhood experiences (PCEs)
Table of Contents
Parent and caregiver support
Parents and caregivers who are experiencing any kind of problems related to their children can call the Parental Stress Line. This free, confidential helpline can provide you with support, encouragement, and referrals. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1-800-632-8188.
BFHN provides programs and services ensuring the health of the Commonwealth’s mothers, infants, children and youth— including children and youth with special health needs— and their families.
CFCEs help provide families with children birth through school age direct services and referrals that support their child’s healthy growth and development.
Find resources and services that can help you support your child’s mental and behavioral health.
Healthy Family Massachusetts provides support and resources for young, first-time parents with children ages 0-3. Learn about their workshops on parenting skills, playgroups, and other social events.
The Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) Center provides educational resources on positive childhood experiences (PCEs) and how to help children grow into healthy, resilient adults.
Family Resource Centers serve families with children ages 0-18. Find services including parenting classes, support groups, early childhood services, and referral resources.
Search for resources, parenting support organizations, and programs for children ages 0-6.
These support groups are led by trained professionals that can help you learn new skills, connect with other parents, and get information about resources. Find a parenting group near you.
PPAL raises awareness about the challenges faced by children and youth with mental health needs and their families. Find more information about support groups, family education and trainings, and resources for families with children transitioning to young adulthood.
This website provides pregnant people and caregivers of children ages 0-5 with information about state-funded programs and services available in their communities including information about child growth and development, parenting support, and MA 211, to further assist families in accessing local resources.
Children & youth with special health needs
The 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. Call 1-800-882-1435.
Find support, workshops, and health care assistance for children with disabilities and special health needs.
Economic benefits
Cradles to Crayons provides children from ages 0-12 with essential items including clothing, shoes, books, school supplies and toys, which can help families save money on basic needs and ensure that their children have what they need to succeed.
Project Bread offers a wide variety of resources to help families in Massachusetts gain access to healthy foods. Their FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333) provides free, confidential assistance in connecting families to local food resources and federal nutrition programs.
BabySteps is a program that can help families save money for their child’s future education. With BabySteps, families can receive a $50 deposit into a U.Fund 529 College Investing Plan within one year of their child’s birth or adoption.
Free financial resources that can provide money management strategies to help guide you through each stage of life.
TAFDC is an economic assistance (cash benefit) program that helps pregnant individuals, families and caregivers explore opportunities, improve their finances, and reach their goals.
Employment
MassHire Career Centers serve as a vital link between workers and employers to bring about economic opportunity. Career Centers are helping put Massachusetts’ citizens back on the payroll, one person and one job at a time.
Health insurance
The Massachusetts Health Connector offers health and dental coverage from the state’s leading insurers and provides tools that make it easier to find out what plans cost savings you and your family may be eligible for.
MassHealth provides health benefits and help paying for them to qualifying children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts. They may offer benefits directly or help pay for all or part of your health insurance premiums.
Health Care For All’s free HelpLine can assist Massachusetts residents with their health coverage questions and needs.
Housing
This reference guide, provided by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), is for Massachusetts residents seeking housing & emergency help for families and individuals with low or moderate income.
The Department of Transitional Assistance assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long term economic self-sufficiency. DTA’s services include direct economic assistance, food assistance, and workforce training opportunities.
LGBTQ youth
Find resources for both LGBTQ youth and families to help parents and caregivers to access accurate information about their children’s sexual orientation and gender identity and to find supportive resources that validate diverse identities.
Find resources from the CDC, other government agencies, and community organizations for LGBTQ youth, their friends, educators, parents, and family members to support positive environments.
PFLAG is the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families. PFLAG has chapters in the Greater Worcester and Boston areas. Find support groups, parent-to-parent support, and resources for LGBTQ youth and families.
Mental health
The Behavioral Health Helpline provides 24/7 help available across the state and connect families with crisis services, substance use treatment, referrals, and other mental health support and resources. Call 833-773-2445.
Find resources, including support groups, helplines, and mental health treatment, for parents and caregivers who are struggling with depression after having a baby.
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources. Call 988.
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