Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) works in partnership with families and communities to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
In many cases, DCF is able to provide services to families to help them keep their children safe at home. When it is necessary, DCF provides foster care or finds permanent families for children through kinship care, guardianship, or adoption.
DCF also supports young adults ages 18-22 who are transitioning out of DCF care and into independent living.
Contact DCF by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-children-families
The DCF Ombudsman’s Office is a resource for DCF clients, foster and adoptive parents, and others who have concerns about DCF programs, policies, or service delivery. The Ombudsman’s Office responds to questions and issues and can act as a mediator to help resolve problems.
Contact the Ombudsman’s Office by calling (617) 748-2444 or email DCFOmbudsman@state.ma.us.
Department of Developmental Services
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) offers services and supports for individuals between the ages of 0-22 with intellectual disabilities and children with developmental disabilities. DDS offers residential supports, services for families, respite care, and transportation services. DDS provides some of these services directly, and others are available from providers in the community.
Contact DDS by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services or call: (617) 727-5608.
Department of Early Education and Care
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is part of the Executive Office of Education. The Board of Early Education and Care sets policies and regulations related to early education and care programs and services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EEC licenses approximately 9,000 childcare programs, residential facilities (such as congregate care programs), and foster care/adoption placement agencies.
Contact EEC by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care or call: (617) 988-6600.
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) is responsible for all public school services in the Commonwealth from pre-k to high school.
Parents, students, teachers, community members, and others can contact the DESE Problem Resolution System (PRS) Office if they are concerned that a child is not receiving the educational services that they are supposed to receive.
The PRS website has more detailed information about how to file a complaint and what happens after they receive a complaint.
Contact the PRS by clicking here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/prs/ or call: (781) 338-3700.
DESE also maintains a website that has information and resources for parents and caregiver who have a child with special needs.
View the resources by clicking here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/sped/links.html
Department of Mental Health
The Department of Mental Health (DMH) is a state agency that supports children and adults with mental health needs. DMH connects individuals and families to mental health services in their communities and also provides services directly to clients. DMH works with mental health service providers, individuals, families, communities, and other state agencies to provide quality mental health care. DMH also works on public policy issues that affect those with mental health needs and supports research on mental health issues.
Contact DMH by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-mental-health
For questions or concerns regarding services, contact the DMH Ombuds by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/department-of-mental-health-dmh-ombudsman or call (617) 626-4840.
Department of Public Health
The Department of Public Health (DPH) is a state agency that funds programs to prevent diseases, injuries, and early death. DPH also works on public policies to make sure people are living in healthy environments and have the resources that they need to make good health decisions.
DPH provides a variety of family-focused programs including the following:
- Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition (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.
- The Division for Children & Youth with Special Health Needs promotes good health and quality of life for all children and youth with special health care needs and their families.
- Early Intervention Division is a program for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years old) who have developmental delays or are at risk of a developmental delay.
- Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) oversees the statewide system of prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance addiction.
Contact DPH by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-public-health or call: (617) 624-6000.
Department of Transitional Assistance
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offers programs for individuals and families to help them meet their basic needs. DTA offers cash-assistance programs, food and nutrition programs, and programs to help individuals train and apply for jobs. DTA also offers other kinds of support for those participating in their programs, including childcare and transportation.
DTA has three programs that provide help to children and families: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC), and Emergency Aid to the Elderly, Disabled, and Children (EAEDC).
Contact DTA by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-transitional-assistance or call: (877) 382-2363.
Department of Youth Services
The Department of Youth Services (DYS) serves children and youth, 12-22 years old, who have been detained or committed to DYS by the courts. Detained youth are those who have been arrested, charged with an offense, and are temporarily placed with DYS until their next court date. Committed youth are those who have been adjudicated delinquent, have received a sentence, and are ordered into the custody of DYS. DYS also serves the families of youth in their custody or care.
Contact DYS by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services or call: (617) 727-7575.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind
The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is the principal agency in the Commonwealth on behalf of people of all ages who are blind. Their mission is to provide individualized training, education, and empowerment to people who are legally blind, and advocate for inclusive policies across the Commonwealth, with the goal of life-long independence and full community participation.
Contact MCB by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mcb-contact-information or call: (617) 727-5550.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is the principal agency in the Commonwealth on behalf of people of all ages who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Their mission is to ensure that programs, services and opportunities throughout Massachusetts are fully accessible to persons who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Contact MCDHH by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing or call: 617-740-1600.
MassHealth
MassHealth provides health benefits and help paying for them to qualifying children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities living in Massachusetts.
For information on how to apply for MassHealth, click here: https://www.mass.gov/information-for-masshealth-applicants
MassHealth’s Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) helps MassHealth children with behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs and their families with integrated behavioral health services and a comprehensive, community-based system of care.
For more information on CBHI, click here: https://www.mass.gov/childrens-behavioral-health-initiative-cbhi
“My Ombudsman” is an independent program for any MassHealth member. My Ombudsman can help MassHealth health members when they have questions or need help getting benefits and services from MassHealth or their MassHealth health plan. They can provide information about MassHealth benefits and rights, listen to concerns, help address problems, and explain how to file a grievance or appeal. My Ombudsman cannot represent members in grievances or appeals, but they can explain the process.
Contact My Ombudsman by clicking here: www.myombudsman.org or call (855) 781-9898.
Office for Refugees and Immigrants
The Office for Refugees and Immigrants (ORI) supports services that meet the cultural and linguistic needs of refugees and immigrants through a network of service providers in Massachusetts. Their mission is to promote the full participation of refugees and immigrants as self-sufficient individuals and families in the economic, social, and civic life of Massachusetts. Eligible groups include Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Holders, Amerasians, Asylees, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, Human Trafficking Victims, Legal Permanent Residents, and Refugees.
Contact ORI by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/office-for-refugees-and-immigrants or call: (617) 727-7888.
Courts
Juvenile Court
The Juvenile Court Department oversees civil and criminal matters statewide involving children including youthful offender, care and protection, child requiring assistance (CRA), and delinquency cases.
It is the mission of the Juvenile Court to protect children from abuse and neglect and promote opportunities for children to reside in safe, stable, permanent family environments whenever possible, to strengthen families when their children are in need of services, to rehabilitate juveniles, to protect the public from delinquent and criminal activity while holding offenders accountable and addressing the harm suffered by the community and the victim, and to decide all cases fairly and impartially with dedication, integrity and professionalism.
Contact the Juvenile Court by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/juvenile-court or call: (617) 788-6550.
Probate and Family Court
The Probate and Family Court Department handles court matters that involve families and children, like divorce, child support, and wills.
The Probate and Family Court Department's mission is to deliver timely justice to the public by providing equal access to a fair, equitable, and efficient forum to solve family and probate legal matters and to help and protect all individuals, families, and children impartially and respectfully.
Contact the Probate and Family Court by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/probate-and-family-court or call (617) 788-6600. Search for a Law of the Day Program by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/resource/search-for-a-lawyer-for-the-day-program
Virtual Court Service Center
The Virtual Court Service Center provides limited assistance by phone or video. The Virtual Court Service Center will provide users with legal information, screen self-represented litigants for eligibility for Court Service Center services and makes referrals to one of the seven (7) local Court Service Centers and/or community/legal aid services. To connect with the Virtual Court Service Center, you can join the daily Zoom Meeting to receive help with legal information, court forms, and referrals to legal and community-based organizations.
The Virtual Court Service Center is open for intakes Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Contact the Virtual Court Service Center by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-virtual-court-service-center
Juvenile Court PATHS Family Treatment Court
The Family Treatment Court is a unique voluntary therapeutic Juvenile Court session to support families where parental substance misuse affects parenting. It is open to eligible parents (over age 18) who have a care and protection case pending in the Juvenile Court.
Learn more about the PATHS Family Treatment Court by clicking here: https://www.mass.gov/guides/juvenile-court-paths-family-treatment-court