The demand for mental health services, across the country and across the Commonwealth, is at an all-time high. We are experiencing unprecedented call volume and seeing increased wait times for referrals. We are working as fast as we can to provide care to our callers, while also maintaining a high level of service. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Learn more about When and Where to Seek Help. We are not an emergency service. If you or the person you’re seeking to assist requires a crisis response to meet immediate safety needs, please call 911, go to your local emergency room, or find your local Emergency Service Program by calling 877-382-1609.

Special Education Resources

Special Education Resources —Massachusetts

SPED Parent Basic Toolkit

Created by the Concord Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (Concord SPED PAC), MCPAP describes this resource as “a comprehensive parent toolkit that would be very helpful to parents of patients with behavioral health and other diagnoses.... from all over the state of Massachusetts.”

Early Intervention Parent Leadership Project

The Parent Leadership Project was originated by parents and is staffed by parents whose children have received Early Intervention Services. Created through the generous support of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the lead agency for the statewide Early Intervention system, the Project works in collaboration with Early Intervention Programs, the Massachusetts Interagency Coordinating Council, and families who receive Early Intervention services for three main purposes:

  • To develop an informed parent constituency;
  • To promote leadership and lifelong advocacy skills for parents and family members; and, 
  • To facilitate family participation to ensure that Early Intervention Services are family-centered.

Family Ties of Massachusetts

“A statewide information and parent-to-parent support project for families of children with special needs and chronic illness.” Family Ties also maintains a central directory for Early Intervention services in Massachusetts.

Federation for Children with Special Needs

“A center for parents and parent organizations to work together on behalf of children with special needs and their families.” Publisher of A Parent's Guide to Selecting a Special Education Advocate in Massachusetts in conjunction with the Massachusetts Department of Education.

Massachusetts Association of Special Education Parent Advisory Councils (MassPAC)

MassPAC at the Federation for Children with Special Needs is the statewide organization providing information, training, and networking opportunities to Massachusetts special education parent advisory councils (PACs) and the professionals who collaborate with them. After almost eleven years as a private non-profit, MassPAC became part of the Federation in July 2009.

Massachusetts Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)

BSEA serves parents, students, school districts, private schools and state agencies in matters concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEPs), special education services and procedural protections for students with disabilities.

Special Needs Advocacy Network

SPaN works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members and to act as a primary resource for advocates.

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds at Massachusetts General Hospital

The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds is dedicated to promoting and supporting the mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being of young people. They can assist you in learning how to get a core evaluation completed through your school district. Anyone is eligible for a public school-based evaluation, regardless of income or whether your child actually attends public school. That is, if your child is age three or older but not yet in school, she is entitled to a fully funded evaluation through your public school system. This website helps you to understand the process and advocate for your child.

Special Education Resources —National

Planning for College (for teens with a disability)

This web site contains information about living college life with a disability. It’s designed for high school students and provides video clips, activities and additional resources that can help you get a head start in planning for college.

Transition to Adulthood (for teens with a disability)

This web site contains information for teens with disabilities about the transition from high school to adulthood.

The Difference Between IEPs and 504 plans

Both Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans can offer formal help for K–12 students who are struggling in school. They’re similar in some ways but very different in others. This side by side comparison helps the reader understand the differences.

 

Evaluating School-Aged Children for Disability

Evaluation is an essential beginning step in the special education process for a child with a disability. Before a child can receive special education and related services for the first time, a full and individual initial evaluation of the child must be conducted to see if the child has a disability and is eligible for special education. This website reviews the evaluation process and its requirements.

U.S. Department of Education

The purpose of this guide is to assist educators, parents, and state and local educational agencies in implementing the requirements of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regarding Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for children with disabilities, including preschool-aged children.

Independent Educational Consultants Association

For more than 30 years IECA has helped its members to effectively serve families in placements that include colleges, local day and boarding schools, schools or programs for students with learning or behavioral needs, international placements, summer opportunities, and graduate and professional schools.

Kids Together, Inc.

The Goals of Kids Together, Inc. include a desire to remove barriers that exclude people with disabilities. We support the belief that children with disabilities, like all children, have the need to be welcomed, cherished and embraced in our communities.

Learning Disabilities Worldwide

LDW® is dedicated to identifying causes and promoting prevention of learning disabilities, and to enhancing the quality of life of individuals with LD and their families by encouraging effective identification and intervention, protecting their rights under the law, and fostering research. LDW® seeks to accomplish this through awareness, advocacy, empowerment, education, service and collaborative efforts.

Wrightslaw

Information on special education law, education law, and advocacy for children with disabilities.