About UsResourcesParent to ParentParent ParticipationEarly Intervention

WELCOME TO FAMILY TIES!

A Network For Families & Professionals Supporting Children & Youth With Special Needs

1-800-905-TIES (8437)



COME ON MARCH 10th

Register soon for the Visions of Community Conference for a full day of education and opportunities! Learn more today!

Massachusetts Act Early

just published a booklet that addresses cultural concerns in developmental screening. Click here to learn more.

Mass. Lifespan Respite Coalition...

needs families to become involved. To learn more about its activities, call Joan Rafferty at 781-693-5156.

 

Family TIES Program Summary

We are happy to share our Program Summary in several languages:

  • English

  • Spanish

  • Portuguese

  • Haitian-Creole

  • Chinese

  • Vietnamese

  • Family TIES of Massachusetts provides information and referral services, emotional support, and trainings to parents of children and youth with special needs - just like you, we are caring for our children and aim to light your way. WELCOME - we are so happy to meet you!

    The Family TIES Parent-to-Parent Program offers a unique type of support among parents who share similar life experiences. Parents learn a great deal from the practical experiences of other parents. We are a proud Alliance Member of the P2PUSA network.

    NEWS FLASHES:

    NOROVIRUS is back! Be aware that many school districts are reporting the return of the annual "stomach bug". Learn more by clicking here.

    SAVE THE DATE: March 10, 2012 That's the date for the Federation for Children with Special Needs' annual conference, Visions of Community, held at the World Trade Center, Boston. Scholarships, transportation, and limited child care are offered - and registration is open!

    BEAT THE RUSH....and save a few dollars$$$ Early bird registration for the Federation conference will end on February 10th. Click for details. We hope to see you there!

    The 2012 edition of our Directory of Resources for Families of Children and Youth with Special Needs will be at the Family TIES program table at the Conference, on the Mezzanine Level. That's another reason to come!

    Our Parent-to-Parent Program offers parents an opportunity to support each other. The first step to getting involved is attending a Listening & Learning training. Please contact your Regional Coordinator to learn more.

    There are two easy ways to find your Regional Coordinator: Click FIND YOUR COORDINATOR or call 1-800-905-TIES (8437). Take the first step for help in finding support groups, community resources, or to let us know you'd like an invitation for upcoming workshops!

    Looking for resources for Transition to Adulthood? Here's a start:

  • School Days to Pay Days, from the Institute for Community Inclusion,
  • Transitioning Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder, from the Autism Consortium, and just published
  • Planning A Life After Special Education in Massachusetts, from the Disability Law Center.
  • Support Groups provide parents a chance to meet other parents, share their experiences, and just unwind. Updated support group listings are available in the INFORMATION & RESOURCES section of our website, or from your Regional Coordinator. To learn more about support groups, please contact your Regional Coordinator

    Can we help to raise awareness about YOUR support group? Contact Family TIES to be included in our Regional Listings: 1-800-905-TIES (8437).

    The PCA Quality Home Care Workforce Council has created a resource tool for families looking for PCAs to help care for their loved ones. Visit their website for the listing and a great Tip Sheet (in English and Spanish) on the process of managing PCA services at home.

    Need to know more about Personal Care Attendant (PCA) services from MassHealth? Visit the MassHealth website.

    The DPH Community Support Line offers support for families. Call 800-882-1435 to learn more.

    Families of children with emotional challenges need resources. Click to visit PAL (Parent/Professional Advocacy League), the Mental Health How-To Guide compiled by the Boston Bar Association and Children's Hospital, CBHI (Children's Behavioral Health Initiative), and Parents Helping Parents. You are not alone!

    The Massachusetts Department of Public Health needs to hear from families,as they develop programs to meet your needs. Please consider today becoming a Family TIES advisor!

    Early Childhood

    Does your child have EI services? YES? Then you need to get connected with the Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project !

     

    Health Updates

    Family-to-Family Health Information Centers are funded by the federal government, as a place for families to learn more about health care and health insurance. That's just one of the resources available through Mass. Family Voices. Visit Massachusetts Family Voices and learn about free topical conference calls!

     

    Words of Thanks

    The Emergency Preparedness workshop has me ready for anything. Bring it on!

    Parent of 2 children with disabilities

    How To Start?

    Our Family TIES Regional Parent Coordinators are familiar with the resources in your area. You can call our toll-free line, 1-800-905-TIES (8437) or locate your Family TIES Regional Coordinator by clicking here. For callers outside of Massachusetts, call 508-792-7880 Ext. 2337.

     

    Need a Helpful Resource?

     

    TOPIC SHEETS

    Need to know more on a particular subject? We have created helpful Topic Sheets, covering the most frequent conversations our staff has with parents.

  • Autism

  • Complex Medical Needs

  • Emotional Support

  • Grief In Our Lives

  • Living In A New Country

  • Medical Equipment

  • Public Benefits

  • Recreation & Fun

  • Social Skills Groups

  • Special Education PACS

  • Taking Care of You

  • Transition To Adulthood

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    Family TIES workshops

    and other activities are listed on the the Mass. Family Voices Calendar of Events.

     

     

    As the Central Directory for Early Intervention in Mass., we manage an online listing of EI programs around the state and help families to find the center closest to you.

     

     

    Family TIES of Massachusetts is funded by and collaborates with the Mass. Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition.

    Have you visited their website or blog lately?

    Family TIES of Massachusetts is funded and supported by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition.