Family Voices is a parent-run national network of parents, friends and professional partners working to improve the system of care for children with special health care needs. Family Voices aims to achieve family-centered care for all children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities.
PPAL has an extensive list of resources to share with families based on their specific needs.
Advocacy
Education
Special Needs Advocacy Network provides resources and a directory of special education advocates and attorneys.
Pacer helps families of children with mental health, emotional and behavioral needs often navigate multiple systems to access necessary supports and services. An out of state website offering outstanding tip sheets and resources.
Federation for Children with Special Needs is a center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families. They offer information and resources targeted toward special education and children with special health care needs.
Family Support
Learn to Cope is a non-profit support network that offers education, resources, peer support and hope for parents and family members coping with a loved one addicted to opiates or other drugs.
The Massachusetts Sibling Support Network provides education, community-building, listing of sibling support groups and resources for families.
Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery organizes recovering individuals, families and friends to educate the public about the value of recovery from alcohol and other addictions. They provide links to resources and support meetings.
Insurance
The Insurance Resource Center for Autism & Behavioral Health provides resources for consumers, providers, clinicians, employers, and educators on issues related to medical insurance for autism and behavioral treatments.
The Catalyst Center is a national center dedicated to improving health care coverage and financing for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).
Health Care for All works to create quality, affordable health care accessible to everyone, especially the most vulnerable. They run a consumer health helpline.
Juvenile Justice
The Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) ensures that every child from an indigent family in Massachusetts has access to zealous legal representation that incorporates a Youth Development Approach, resulting in fair treatment in court.
Legal/Advocacy
Health Law Advocates provides free legal services to lower-income families unable to access mental health care, and other types of health care, for children and other family members. HLA specializes in addressing difficulties with health insurance coverage.
Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee helps children and adults with mental disabilities protect their rights and obtain needed services.
Children’s Law Center of Massachusetts provides legal assistance to low income children in eastern Massachusetts around education, children aging out of care, emancipation and immigration. The helpline offers information and referral.
Disability Law Center provides legal advocacy on disability issues, including mental health. Priority areas include access, special education, health care and benefits.
Massachusetts Advocates for Children is a leader in special education advocacy, autism and educational advocacy. Priorities include children with disabilities, homeless children, children suspended or expelled from school or children traumatized by adverse experiences.
Mental Health Services Access
The Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) Online Service Directory is a statewide online resource with a comprehensive, searchable directory developed to help Massachusetts residents find information on behavioral health services and treatment in their community. The directory includes mental health, substance use, and related social services programs and provides information about locations, contact information, eligibility, and more.
Mental Health America, a mental health nonprofit, shares a collection of online, free, confidential, anonymous, and scientifically validated screening tools. Online screening can help people understand and learn more about their mental health. Mental health conditions are real and treatment and recovery are possible.
Handhold is an online resource developed for families of school-aged children in Massachusetts who are worried about a child’s mental health and emotional well-being.
Isaac’s Story is an animated film and graphic novel for children showing how an honest conversation about “different kinds of hurting” can have a lifelong effect. The book is available in several languages. Educational resources available.
Young Adult Support
Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research promotes the full participation in socially valued roles of transition-age youth and young adults (ages 14-30) with serious mental health conditions. Transitions ACR uses research and knowledge in partnership with this at risk population.
Active Minds is a national effort to bring college campuses mental health awareness and connection for students.