Health Needs and Resources | Child Health Associates

If you are in need of assistance such as: food, housing, utilities, employment, financial assistance, education, housing, transportation, childcare, goods (clothing, medical, baby supplies), health care – the following links offer a wide range of services to assist in these areas and more.

Food Insecurity

Food Banks
- https://www.findhelp.org/
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance
- https://dtaconnect.eohhs.mass.gov/
- SNAP
  - https://www.mass.gov/snap-benefits-formerly-food-stamps
- Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) for cash benefits
  - https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-tafdc
WIC
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
- https://www.mass.gov/orgs/women-infants-children-nutrition-program
Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food. Find information on WIC, SNAP, food pantries, Summer EBT, Summer Eats and speak to their confidential hotline for assistance.
- https://www.projectbread.org/get-help
Summer EBT is a federal food benefit that helps low-income families with school-aged children buy food when schools are closed for the summer.
- https://www.mass.gov/massachusetts-summer-ebt-program
Mass Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) puts money back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from certified HIP farm vendors.
- https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-healthy-incentives-program-hip-frequently-asked-questions

Housing

Shelters for Emergency Housing Assistance
- ShelterListings.org
  - Massachusetts List of housing resources: Homeless Shelters, Supportive Housing, Halfway Housing, Transitional Housing, Day Shelters, Residential Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers categorized by town.
    - https://www.shelterlistings.org/state/massachusetts.html
- Emergency Assistance (EA)
  - A state-run program that provides emergency shelter and rehousing services to families with children and pregnant people who are experiencing homelessness.
  - https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing-apartments-shelter/emergency-shelter/emergency-assistance-basic-shelter-rights-families
Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT)
- Program that provides short-term emergency funding to help you with eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities, and other housing emergencies.
  - https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-raft-emergency-help-for-housing-costs
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) Resource Locator
- Search by town for housing, utility and legal resources.
  - https://hedfuel.azurewebsites.net/
NOAH
- Works to increase access to affordable housing, create social and economic opportunities, and empower residents to be leaders of change.
  - https://noahcdc.org/
Mold
- Mold in the home can impact your family’s health and wellbeing – review this resource for information on treating and preventing mold in your home.
  - https://www.epa.gov/mold
Pests
- Pest specific information to help you best deal with their problems.
  - https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/got-pests-control-them-safely
American Red Cross
- Massachusetts Home Fire Campaign
  - Helps save lives by installing free smoke alarms in homes that don't have them, and by educating people about home fire safety.
    - https://www.redcross.org/local/massachusetts/about-us/our-work/home-fire-campaign.html
- Request a free smoke alarm
  - https://americanredcross.wufoo.com/forms/zjmc3kd0al02z7/

Utilities

Eversource
- Payment Plans and Assistance
  - https://www.eversource.com/content/residential/account-billing/payment-assistance
National Grid
- Payment Assistance Programs
  - https://www.nationalgridus.com/MA-Home/Bill-Help/Payment-Assistance-programs
Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund
- Available to any Massachusetts resident who, because of temporary financial difficulty, cannot meet a month's energy expense and is not eligible for state or federal energy assistance.
  - http://www.magoodneighbor.org/assistance.html
MASSCAP
- Offers home energy assistance for heating costs.
  - https://www.masscap.org/heatinghelpma/
Home Energy Assistance – HEAP
- A free resource to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills.
  - https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-home-energy-assistance-heap
WCAC Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
- Helps homeowners and renters pay home heating bills and past due balances on utility bills. Assistance is available for income-eligible households to help pay home heating bills incurred between November 1 – April 30 of each year.
  - https://wcac.net/fuel-assistance/
MassSave
- Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, you may qualify for no-cost or discounted energy efficiency services.
  - https://www.masssave.com/en/residential/programs-and-services/income-based-offers

Family Support

Everyone can benefit from support now and again. Below you will find a range of support systems and resources for your access.

Parents Helping Parents
- Connects parents with parents in both virtual and community support groups to share challenges, frustrations, and ask questions.
  - https://parentshelpingparents.org/
MSPCC
- MSPCC supports pregnancy and parenting support, clinical mental health counseling and care coordination, adoptive and foster parent support, and adoption services.
  - https://www.mspcc.org/pregnancy-parenting-support/
Supported Mom Initiative
- This is an in-person, intimate moms’ groups that connects you with other Central MA moms who are in the exact same phase of motherhood you’re in.
  - https://www.supportedmom.com/
UMass Memorial Support Groups
- Support groups offered for a wide range of people and their specific needs.
  - https://www.ummhealth.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/patients-visitors/patient-resources/support-groups
Healthy Families
- A free and voluntary support program for first-time parents aged 23 and under.
  - https://www.healthyfamiliesma.org/
MCPAP for Moms
- Supports maternal mental health during and after pregnancy
  - https://www.mcpapformoms.org/Default.aspx
Worcester Family Partnership
- Provides support services to families with children birth to school age.
  - https://www.worcesterschools.org/o/wps/page/worcester-family-partnership
MRMC - Parent Talk Support Group
- Geared toward parents of infants from newborn to eight months, this free support group provides an opportunity for parents to connect with others, discuss their feelings and concerns and share ideas about parenting.
  - https://www.milfordregional.org/classes-events/search-results-detail/?eventId=8139acdb-30a4-ee11-a869-000d3a611c21
National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
- Programs and resources for dads.
  - https://www.fatherhood.gov/

Grandparent Support

Grandparents caring for grandchildren have more specific concerns; the following resources are available for your access.

AARP
- The AARP has a comprehensive list of supports and resources relating to multiple grandparents and childcare including legal help, work, finances, child care, and more.
- https://www.aarp.org/relationships/friends-family/info-08-2011/grandfamilies-guide-support.html
Elder Services of Worcester – Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- Offers monthly support groups that provide connections to resources and fellowship.
  - https://eswa.org/grandparents-raising-grandchildren/
The Commission on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
- A resource on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin.
  - https://www.massgrg.com/massgrg_2019/index.html

Child Health Associates Health Needs and Resources