Links and Resources For Parents and Families

Local Resources

• Asperger’s Association of New England
• Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) – Provides a variety of support services for children’s mental health, providing hope, advocacy, outreach and support.
• MA Association of 766 Approved Private Schools (maaps) – Access a complete listing of approved special education schools in MA.
• Federation for Children with Special Needs – Information, support and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, professional partners and their communities.
• National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI_MASS) – State resource for individuals and families facing the challenges of mental illness, providing free mental health family-based education, family and peer support and grass roots advocacy.

Parent Support Groups

• Attention Deficit Disorder Association
• Kids Health
• National Institute of Mental Health
• Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL)
• Parents Helping Parents
• Wayside Youth & Family Services (Framingham/Waltham)

State Agencies

• MA Department of Early Education & Care
• MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
• MA Department of Mental Health
• MA Department of Children and Families
• Office of the Child Advocate

Federal Agencies

• American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• Social Security Administration (SSA)
• Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Adm. (SAMHSA)

National Resources

• Autism Consortium
• Autism Society
• Autism Speaks
• Building Bridges Initiative – Strives to advance partnerships among residential and community-based service providers, youth and families to improve lives.
• National Federation for Children’s Mental Health – Emphasis on advocacy offering families a voice in the formation of national policy, services and supports for children with mental health needs and their families.
• Youth M.O.V.E. – Youth-led national organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by uniting the voices of individuals who have lived in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education and child welfare.

Medical and Insurance Information

• Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership
• The MA Behavioral Health Access
• Mass Family Voices
• Kids Health