Resources for Patients

Classes and Meetups

• Children’s Trust: Baby-friendly meetups and drop-in space, home visits for parents under age 23, and parenting classes including a program for new fathers
• Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts: Local parenting classes, enrichment events for young children, and resources
• Family Resource Center (Boston–Suffolk County) Operated by the Home for Little Wanderers: Parenting, ESL, and financial literacy classes and programs for children and youth

Tipsheets and Tools

• The Basics: Insights: Phone messaging program that helps parents and caregivers incorporate early childhood enrichment into daily routines from birth through age 5
• Developmental Milestone Tracker from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Learn what new skills and abilities children typically learn at each age
• Small Moments Big Impact: How to make your visits with your child’s pediatrician and other medical providers more helpful and less frustrating

General Low-Income Resources

• City of Boston Low-Income Resources: Guide to local help with needs like food, heating, and public transportation fares/passes
• Department of Transitional Assistance and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food Cards: Assists families in meeting basic needs and achieving long-term economic self-sufficiency
• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program: Register for WIC to receive healthy foods, breastfeeding support, and more, free of charge to families who qualify

Housing and Rental Assistance

• Bridge over Troubled Waters: Shelter, medical care, and support for homeless/unhoused, runaway, and at-risk people ages 14–24
• Metro Housing|Boston Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program: Rental assistance for people facing eviction, loss of utilities, or other housing emergencies
• Young Parenting Living Program (YPLP) at St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children: Housing and skill-building for pregnant and parenting teenagers and their infants/toddlers

Breastfeeding

• BMC Breastfeeding Program: “Baby Café” support groups, both in-person at Boston Medical Center and online
• Baby Cafe USA: A list of free lactation support groups around Massachusetts
• La Leche League International: One of the oldest breastfeeding support organizations in the United States, with online support groups and many resources
• Little Cocoa Bean: A tot café located in the lobby of the Boston Children’s Museum that also offers classes and events for families with young children

Whole-Family Nutrition

• BMC Teaching Kitchen: Educational “Nourishing Our Community” nutrition programs and cooking classes at Boston Medical Center
• Kids Eat in Color: Recipes and expert articles about nutrition for young children and helping picky eaters
• Solid Starts: A resource on introducing first foods (“solids”) to infants and toddlers

Infant and Toddler Sleep

• Baby Sleep Science: Information on sleep in infants and young children
• Huckleberry: A phone app with expert guidance on sleep, including recommended schedules and sleep tips

High School Diploma and General Equivalency Degree (GED) Programs

• Boston Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF): Adult Education
• Excel High School via Boston Public Library
• Catholic Charities of Boston: High School Equivalency Programs
• Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD): University High School
• Boston Public Schools: Adult Education Program
• Community Schools of Brockton: Adult Learning Center

Community College Programs

• Quinsigamond Community College (Worcester, MA): QCC for Free
• Bunker Hill Community College (Charlestown, MA): BHCC for Free via MassEducate or MassReconnect
• Bristol Community College (Fall River/New Bedford, MA): Adult Education Transition to College Program
• Bunker Hill Community College (Charlestown, MA): Transitions to College Program
• Cape Cod Community College (West Barnstable, MA): Transitions to College Program
• Massasoit Community College (Brockton, MA): Transition to Community College Program
• Mount Wachusett Community College (Gardner, MA): Corporate, Career, Adult & Community Education
• Commonwealth of Massachusetts: MassEducate Free Community College Statewide Program

College and Career Readiness Resources

• JVS Boston Vocational Services
• Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Education Resources
• Boston Public Schools: Adult Education Program
• The Literacy Project: Adult Education in Massachusetts
• Massachusetts Education and Career Opportunities (MassEdCo): Adult Learners

• City of Boston Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity: Job-related resources and trainings for young people in Boston
• Employment Options, Inc.: Community, education, employment, and other support for people in mental health recovery
• MassAbility (formerly Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission): Training, employment, and connection with federal benefits for people with disabilities
• MassHire Career Centers: Search for employment and training programs near you, get help with your resume or job interview skills, or attend a job fair
• MA Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development: Learn about our register for unemployment, Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), or worker’s compensation benefits
• More than Words: Local independent bookstore that empowers people ages 16–24 with paid jobs and a career training program

Kid-Friendly Events and Programs

• Boston Centers for Youth and Families: Community centers and public swimming pools located throughout Boston as well as youth and adult classes and summer programs
• Boston Public Library: Free programs for children of different ages including story times, sensory play, and music classes, at locations around the city, as well as free adult education classes and free or discounted museum passes to kid-friendly locations like the Boston Children’s Museum, Museum of Science, and New England Aquarium
• Countdown to Kindergarten: Boston Public Schools program that connects families to early learning opportunities
• Julie’s Family Learning Program: Comprehensive and supportive educational services for adolescents and young adults and their families

Free or Affordable Daycare, Child Care, and Preschool/Pre-K

• Boston Public Schools Pre-K: Information about universal high-quality free public pre-kindergarten for children ages 3 and 4
• Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Head Start: Daycare and preschool spots held for children of teen parents
• MA Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA): Financial aid (vouchers) for daycare and out-of-school time (before school, after school, and vacation/summer camp) child care

24/7 Crisis Lines

• BMC Behavioral Health Emergency Hotline
  • Website
  • Call: 800.981.4357
• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline
  • Website
  • Call: 833.943.5746 (833.TLC.MAMA)
• Parents Helping Parents’ Parenting Stress Hotline
  • Website
  • Call: 800.632.8188
• Postpartum Support International (PSI) HelpLine (in English and Spanish)
  • Website
  • Call: 800.944.4773

Therapists and Support Groups

• MA Department of Mental Health (DMH) Recovery Learning Communities: Peer support at various locations statewide for people struggling with their mental health
• MA Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) Resource Directory
• Parents Helping Parents: Virtual Support Groups
• Therapy Matcher: Free, personalized, and confidential referrals to licensed independent clinical social workers across Massachusetts

• BMC StreetCred: Tax preparation assistance for families whose children are patients at Boston Medical Center
• BabySteps: Massachusetts program to promote long-term saving for your child’s future education, with additional funds available for children whose families receive SNAP benefits
• Bank On Boston: City of Boston program that connects residents with safe, affordable, and reliable financial products, such as checking and savings accounts specifically designed for teens and young adults
• Boston Builds Credit: Help with establishing and improving your credit score, which helps when applying for loans and mortgages and with building wealth over the long term
• Compass Working Capital: Financial coaching and savings programs
• Financial Assistance for Homebuyers: City of Boston program for first-time homebuyers
• Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program: Rental assistance for people facing eviction, loss of utilities, or other housing emergencies
• Women’s Money Matters: Builds the financial wellness, confidence, and security of women and girls living on low incomes with a combination of workshops and personal, 1-on-1 coaching

• BMC Step-by-Step Guide to Transitioning from Adolescent to Adult Primary Care: BMC helps all of our pediatric patients transition to adult medicine by age 23
• Got Transition?: Resources for learning to deal with health care matters as an adult