State Agencies | |
Department of Children and Families (DCF)DCF Central Office:600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111 Phone: 617-748-2000 The Department of Children and Families is charged with protecting children from abuse and neglect and strengthening families. The Department’s mission is to ensure that children are able to grow and thrive in a nurturing home environment. | Department of Mental Health (DMH)Central Office:25 Staniford Street Boston, MA 02114 Phone: 617-626-8000 TTY: 617-727-9842 The Department of Mental Health, as the State Mental Health Authority, assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research. This critical mission is accomplished by working in partnership with other state agencies, individuals, families, providers and communities. |
Department of Public Health (DPH)Main Office:250 Washington Street Boston, MA 02108-4619 Phone: 617-210-5000 The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. | Department of Youth Services (DYS)600 Washington Street, 4th FloorBoston, MA 02111 Phone: 617-727-7575 The Massachusetts Department of Youth Services is a multi-faceted agency that serves youth committed as juvenile delinquents or youthful offenders. All DYS programs address the educational, psychological and health needs of each youth in its custody. DYS divides the state geographically into five regions. Each region has its own continuum of services and supervision. The goal is to serve youth as close to their home communities and families as possible. |
MassHealthMassHealth Customer Service Center55 Summer Street Boston, MA 02110 1-800-841-2900 (TTY: 1-800-497-4648 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled) MassHealth pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people living in Massachusetts, including a program for individuals who are HIV positive. MassHealth also manages the Insurance Partnership for small businesses, the Children's Medical Security Plan, Healthy Start, and the Special Kids/Special Care Pilot Program, cosponsored with the Department of Social Services. | |
Community Resources | |
Resources for Families | |
Child At Risk Hotline(800) 792-5200Anonymous hotline for suspected abuse or neglect of children up to age 18 | Families For Depression Awareness(781) 890-0220Information and education |
Federation For Children With Special Needs(800) 331-0688(617) 236-7210 Information, education, referral, and advocacy | Greater Boston Parents, Families and Friends Of Lesbians and Gays (GBPFLAG)(866) 427-3524Information, referral, education, support groups, and advocacy for families of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered people |
National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass)(800) 370-9085Information, referral, education, support groups, and advocacy | National Alliance on Mental Illness of Western Massachusetts (413) 786-9139 |
Parents Helping Parents(800) 632-8188Parenting support groups | Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)(617) 542-7860(866) 815-8122 Information, referral, education, support groups, and advocacy for families of children and adolescents with mental health needs |
Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Resources | |
The Learning & Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research & Training Center (Transitions RTC)The Transitions RTC is a national effort that aims to improve the supports for youth and young adults, ages 14-30, with serious mental health conditions who are trying to successfully complete their schooling and training and move into rewarding work lives. | Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) young adult mental health, addictions, and trauma recovery websiteDMH offers comprehensive and up-to-date recovery information, links, and resources created by young adults for young adults.Here are other links for young adults in recovery: Young Adult Councils - meetings Voices for Hope - Massachusetts resources |
Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures (Pathways RTC)Pathways RTC, through Portland State University, aims to improve the lives of youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions through rigorous research and effective training and dissemination. Their work is guided by the perspectives of young people and their families and based in a positive development framework. | Parents of Transitional Aged Youth (PTAY)PTAY offers a safe environment where parents of transitional aged youth, with emotional and behavioral challenges, come together for support, education and joint advocacy. PTAY serves parents of youth and young adults, ages 14 to 25 years. PTAY is a component of the BAMSI Parent Information Network and is funded by the Department of Mental Health. |
Transitional Age Youth - Berkshire County (TAYBC)TAYBC is a collaborative group of non-profit agencies who provide one or more programs and resources specifically targeted at the transition needs of youth throughout Berkshire County. | |
General Resources | |
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts Hotline(800) 235-2331Information, referral, and advocacy | Boston University Center For Psychiatric Rehabilitation(617) 353-3549Education, training, recovery classes, and vocational rehabilitation |
Health Care For All(800) 272-4232(617) 350-7279 Information, advocacy, and legal resources about health care access, insurance, and prescription drug coverage | Information On Disabilities Exchange (Index)(800) 642-0249Search for programs or services, consultants, doctors, dentists, general emergency services, information specialists, and links to organizations that serve diverse communities |
Jonathan O. Cole Consumer Resource Center(617) 855-3298Peer-run information, education, and library | Mass 2-1-1Mass 2-1-1 connects callers to information about critical health and human services available in their community. It serves as a resource for finding government benefits and services, nonprofit organizations, support groups, volunteer opportunities, donation programs, and other local resources. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is an easy way to find or give help in your community. Mass 2-1-1 responds immediately during times of crisis, to field calls regarding the crisis, and to direct callers to services most appropriate for their needs. If you are unable to reach 2-1-1 due to your telephone or cell phone carrier, a toll-free number is available:1-877-211-MASS (6277) TTY for Hearing Impaired: 1-508-370-4890 |
Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition(781) 788-8803Employment support, activities, and Dual Recovery Anonymous groups throughout the state | Massachusetts Organization For Addiction Recovery (MOAR)(877) 423-6627Education and advocacy |
M-POWER(617) 297-2030An advocacy organization run by mental health consumers that engages in human and civil rights activities, human services policy issues, and peer networking | Massachusetts Substance Abuse Helpline(800) 327-5050Information, resources, and referral |
National Mental Health Consumers' Self-Help Clearinghouse(800) 553-4539Advocacy resources and information | National Empowerment Center (NEC)(800) 769-3728Peer-run mental health education and advocacy |
Recovery Learning Communities (RLCs)Information, referral, employment, support, advocates, and warmlines located in centers around the state | Safelink(877) 785-2020Information and referral for counseling, shelter, and other resources for all people facing domestic violence |
Statewide Independent Living Centers(866) 662-7452Centers provide information, referral, skills training,and advocacy for people with disabilities | The Transformation Center(877) 769-7693(617) 442-4111 Statewide, peer-run organization providing information, referral, education, leadership training, advocacy, peer support, and regional contacts for people with mental health conditions |
United Way State-Wide Information and Referral System(877) 211-MASS(877) 211-6277 24/7 local information about food banks, shelters, doctors, crisis services, benefits, disabilities, and other services and programs | |
Meetings | |
12-Step Meeting LocatorTwelve-step support meetings for individuals with alcohol problems | Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups(508) 366-0556Support group meetings for family members of individuals with addictions |
Alcoholics AnonymousEastern Massachusetts (617) 426-9444Worcester (508) 752-9000 Berkshires (413) 448-2382 Cape Cod (508) 775-7060 Martha's Vineyard (508) 627-7084 Nantucket (508) 228-2334 | Debtors Anonymous(800) 421-2383(781) 453-2743 Twelve-step support meetings |
Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance of MetroBoston(617) 855-2795Support meetings, education, and information | Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA)(781) 778-8803DRA meetings for people with mental health conditions and addictions |
Emotions Anonymous(651) 647-9712Twelve-step support meetings | Massachusetts Council On Compulsive Gambling(800) 426-1234Lists of GA and Gam-Anon meetings and resources |
Narcotics Anonymous(866) 624-3578Twelve-step support meetings | National Suicide Prevention Lifeline(800) 273-8255Twenty-four hour support for people who are suicidal or despairing |
Overeaters Anonymous(781) 641-2303Twelve-step support meetings | Recovery Inc. Of New England(413) 567-4510Meetings, online forums, and resources for people who want to change behaviors and attitudes |
Smart Recovery(866) 951-5357Statewide meeting list of alternative addiction recovery meetings | |
Governmental Assistance | |
Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC)(800) 426-9009Anonymous hotline for suspected abuse or neglect of disabled adults | Health & Human Services Agency Programs(800) 223-2559Information about Home Care Assistance, Head Injury Program, Independent Living Programs, and the Assistive Technology Program |
Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Information and Referral Line(800) 221-0053Information and referral, DMH services, patient records, human rights, and other resources | Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission(617) 204-3600Education, job placement, and training for individuals with disabilities |
MassHealth Customer Service Center(800) 841-2900Information about covered services, referral to specialists, changing your address or phone number, and reporting a lost MassHealth card | Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee(800) 342-9092(617) 338-2345 Legal information, education, referral, consultation, and advocacy for people with mental illness |
Social Security Administration(800) 772-1213Information about Social Security benefits | |
Legal Assistance | |
Center For Public RepresentationNewton (617) 965-0776Northampton (413) 586-6024 Legal information, education, consultation, and advocacy for people with disabilities | Disability Law Center(800) 872-9992Legal information, education, consultation, advocacy, and representation for people with disabilities |