Resources & Agencies

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
www.doe.mass.edu
News plus information on resources, educational technology and programs.

Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services
www.mass.gov/dds
DDS is dedicated to creating, in partnership with other, innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with mental retardation to participate fully and meaningfully in, and contribute to, their communities as valued members. DDS provides assistance in job placement, transportation, housing, or intense levels of treatment, monitoring and care.

Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH)
www.mass.gov/dmh
DMH provides clinical, rehabilitative and supportive services for adults with serious mental illness, and children and adolescents with serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance.

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) 
www.mass.gov/mrc
MRC is committed to increasing the independence of disabled citizens of the Commonwealth through services that result in competitive work and/or reduce reliance on benefit programs.

Department of Children and Families
www.mass.gov/dss
The primary mission of the Department of Social Services is to protect children who have been abused or neglected in a family setting. DSS seeks to insure that each child has a safe, nurturing, permanent home.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
www.mass.gov/mcb
MCB provides services such as vocational rehabilitation, independent living and social services, orientation and mobility training, and rehabilitation teaching, to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) 
www.mass.gov/mcdhh
MCDHH serves as the principal agency in the state on behalf of deaf and hard of hearing people.

Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-early-education-and-care
ECC combines the functions of the Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) and those of the Early Learning Services Division at the Department of Education.

U.S. Department of Education: Building the Legacy: IDEA 2004 
idea.ed.gov
Resources related to IDEA and its implementing regulations.

IDEA Partnership
www.ideapartnership.org
Administrators, Policy Makers, Parents, and Service Providers under the direction of the Office of Special Education Programs work together to deliver training, information and a common message about the recent amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
www.cec.sped.org
CEC is the largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities, and/or the gifted. CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides continual professional development, advocates for newly and historically underserved individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA) 
www.ada.gov
Information and technical assistance on the American’s with Disabilities Act

Parent/Professional Advocacy League (PPAL) 
ppal.net
PAL is the Statewide Organization of the Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health. PAL is an organization of families and professionals who advocate on behalf of children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs and their families. PAL advocates for supports, treatments and policies that enable families to live in their communities in an environment of stability and respect.

ARC of Massachusetts (ARC)
www.arcmass.org
Provides advocacy of supports and services based in the community to enhance the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Autism Society of America (ASA)
www.autism-society.org
ASA, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy.

Cerebral Palsy Group
www.cerebralpalsygroup.com
Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, brain injuries or birth injuries.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
www.chadd.org
A national non-profit organization working to improve the lives of people affected by AD/HD through education, advocacy and support.

Asperger’s Association of New England (AANE)
www.aane.org
The AANE’s mission is to foster awareness, respect, acceptance, and support for individual with AS and related conditions and their families.

LD Online
www.ldonline.org
LD Online seeks to help children and adults reach their full potential by providing accurate and up-to-date information and advice about learning disabilities and ADHD.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (Massachusetts)
www.namimass.org
A vital state resource for individuals and families facing the challenges of mental illness, providing free mental health family-based education, family and peer support and grassroots advocacy.

Massachusetts Sibling Support Network
www.masiblingsupport.org
The MSSN is committed to supporting siblings of people with disabilities in the following ways: creating welcoming communities for siblings across the lifespan; improving the range and availability of sibling support services; and providing education about sibling-related issues.

Think Kids
www.thinkkids.org
Think:Kids teaches a revolutionary, evidence-based approach for helping children with behavioral challenges. Through training, support and clinical services, we promote the understanding that challenging kids lack the skill, not the will, to behave well – specifically skills related to problem solving, flexibility and frustration tolerance.

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 
www.asha.org/public
Here you will find resources to help you understand communication and communication disorders.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Youth.aspx
Occupational therapy resources and “Tips for Living” related to children and youth.

National Association of School Psychologists (NASP)
www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/families-and-educators
Promoting educationally and psychologically healthy environments for all children and youth through research, training, and advocacy.

Lo Jac SafetyNet™ 
www.safetynettracking.com/Caregivers/How_It_Works
Lo Jac SafetyNet™ technology enables public safety agencies to quickly find and rescue clients with cognitive disorders such as autism and Alzheimer’s. We train the authorities in our areas of coverage on how to find lost people using SafetyNet™ equipment and on how to effectively communicate with people who have cognitive conditions.”