Valuable Resources in the Community
These are great community programs that are not affiliated or funded by us.
We’ve pulled together this list of helpful support services that are available to parents and caregivers throughout north suburban Boston.
Action for Boston Community Development
Need help staying warm in winter? Finding a summer job? Becoming a U.S. citizen? Training for a promising career? You may be interested in one program and find others that can help you transition from poverty to stability and from stability to success. Action for Boston Community Development is here for you in many ways from fuel assistance to tax preparations and many more! For more information, call 781-321-2501.
Autism Support Center
Autism Support Center was created to support parents and professionals who need assistance finding information and support about autism spectrum disorders. This group meets in Danvers, MA. For more information please call 978-777-9135 or e-mail asc@ne-arc.org.
Childcare and Preschool Information
If you are looking for a licensed childcare or preschool the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care provides a town-by-town list.
Early Intervention
Any parent or guardian with concerns about their child’s development can request an evaluation for their birth to three years old. An assessment will be scheduled to determine your child’s strengths and needs to determine if your family is eligible for services.
- Criterion Stoneham Early Intervention: 781-935-3855.
- Eliot Human Services Early Intervention: 781-306-4820.
EMARC
EMARC’s mission is to support, serve, and advocate for people with developmental disabilities and their families to ensure they are valued, respected and have the opportunity to fully participate in their communities. For additional information, call 781-587-2314.
Northeast Arc
Dedicated to providing lifelong individualized supports to people with or at risk of developing disabilities, and their families, ensuring opportunities to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work, socialize and play. They offer a variety of programs, including early intervention, recreation, personal assistance, advocacy, transition services and more. For more information, please call 978-762-4878 or visit Northeast Arc.
“MA 211” Information Center
“MA 211” will assist you with finding information about resources available in your area. For more information, please visit mass211.org or call 211.
Melrose Family Room
The Melrose Family Room is a non-profit, cooperative organization providing a gathering place for member families with infants, toddlers and preschool children. The room is a wonderful place to play, talk, discuss parenting concerns, and in general, get to know families from Melrose and surrounding communities. The room is open to members for drop-in playtime Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. For more information visit Melrose Family Room.
One Tough Job
Created by the Children’s Trust, One Tough Job connects parents in Massachusetts and beyond with the latest and greatest parenting information, ideas and on-the-ground resources. They also provide a bridge to help you find other moms and dads who have asked the same questions and faced similar challenges. For more information visit onetoughjob.org.
Parents Helping Parents
Are you a parent feeling overwhelmed, isolated or stressed? Parents Helping Parents offers weekly support groups where parents discuss family problems and figure out ways to make things better. For location and meeting times visit ParentsHelpingParents.org or call 1-800-632-8188. This number also functions as a 24-hour helpline for parents.
Parents of Tots
Parents of Tots is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with young children under six years old in Melrose, Reading, Stoneham, Wakefield, Woburn and surrounding towns. Their mission is to provide parents with the means to build a supportive social network for parents with young children. Visit www.parentsoftots.org for more information.
The Center for Early Relationship Support of Jewish Family & Children’s Service
The JCC provides a variety of support services to parents of children birth to five, including free weekly Moms groups, free home visiting from volunteer mothers called “Visiting Moms,” postpartum depression support including a free weekly group on the North Shore, and parent consultations. For more information, please visit www.jfcsboston.org/CERS.
