Massachusetts Resources

MASSACHUSETTS - Medical, Disability, and Special Needs Resources

 

·        MassHealth (Massachusetts Medicaid)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/masshealth

 

·        Apply for MassHealth, the Health Safety Net, or the Children's Medical Security Plan
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan

 

·        MassHealth CommonHealth (disability-based coverage pathway)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-commonhealth

 

·        Applying for disability with MassHealth (MassHealth Disability Evaluation Services process)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/applying-for-disability-with-masshealth

 

·        MassHealth Disability Accommodation Ombudsman (help with disability-related communication and navigation)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/masshealth-disability-accommodation-ombudsman

 

·        Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers - overview (MassHealth)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/home-and-community-based-services-waivers

 

·        Moving Forward Plan (MFP) Waivers (HCBS transition waivers)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/moving-forward-plan-mfp-waivers

 

·        Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waivers (HCBS)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/acquired-brain-injury-abi-waivers

 

·        Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and Moving Forward Plan (MFP) Waivers - overview page
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/acquired-brain-injury-abi-and-moving-forward-plan-mfp-waivers

 

·        Department of Developmental Services (DDS) Home and Community Based Services Waivers (I/DD)
https://www.mass.gov/dds-home-and-community-based-services-waivers

 

·        HCBS waivers for adults with intellectual disabilities - information for individuals and families
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/hcbs-waivers-for-adults-with-intellectual-disabilities-information-for-individuals-families

 

·        Department of Developmental Services (DDS) - intellectual and developmental disabilities (including autism)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-developmental-services

 

·        MassAbility (state disability services hub)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massability

 

·        MassAbility Career Services (Vocational Rehabilitation - VR)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massability-career-services

 

·        MassAbility Assistive Technology Services
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massability-assistive-technology-services

 

·        MassMATCH (Assistive Technology Act program for Massachusetts)
https://www.massmatch.org/

 

·        REquipment MA (durable medical equipment and assistive technology reuse program)
https://requipmentma.org/

 

·        Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-blind

 

·        Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-deaf-and-hard-of-hearing

 

·        Crisis and urgent behavioral health supports (statewide)

o   988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (Massachusetts)
https://www.mass.gov/988-suicide-and-crisis-lifeline

o   Behavioral Health Help Line (BHHL) - 24/7 statewide access point
https://www.mass.gov/emergencycrisis-services

o   Mobile Crisis Intervention (MCI)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/mobile-crisis-intervention

 

·        Disability determination (SSI/SSDI)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/apply-for-ssdi-or-ssi-benefits

 

·        Medicare counseling (including for disabled adults on Medicare)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/serving-the-health-insurance-needs-of-everyone-shine-program

 

·        Early Intervention (birth to 3)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/early-intervention-division

 

·        Children and youth with special health needs (state public health program)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/division-for-children-youth-with-special-health-needs

 

·        Protection and Advocacy (P&A) - legal rights and advocacy for people with disabilities
https://www.dlc-ma.org/

 

·        Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (state DD council)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-developmental-disabilities-council

 

·        Massachusetts Office on Disability (disability civil rights and access guidance)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-office-on-disability

 

·        Brain injury services (statewide)
https://www.mass.gov/massability-brain-injury-services

o   Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP)

o   Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Waiver

o   Acquired Brain Injury Non-Residential Waiver (ABI-N)

o   Moving Forward Plan Community Living Waiver (MFP-CL)

o   Training and supports for individuals, families, and professionals

 

·        Spinal cord injury resources (statewide hub)
https://www.mass.gov/lists/spinal-cord-injury-resources

 

·        Family-to-family health information and support (special health needs)
https://fcsn.org/program/f2fhic/

o   Help understanding MassHealth and coverage for children and youth with special health needs

o   Navigation support for complex medical needs

 

CONDITION-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

 

·        Autism (statewide nonprofit)
https://www.autismsocietyma.org/

 

·        Autism clinical evaluation and support (major statewide medical center)
https://www.massgeneral.org/children/autism/lurie-center

 

·        Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) advocacy and support
https://thearcofmass.org/

 

·        Down syndrome (statewide organization)
https://mdsc.org/

 

·        Epilepsy (regional organization serving Massachusetts)
https://epilepsynewengland.org/

 

·        Multiple sclerosis (regional organization serving Massachusetts)
https://www.nationalmssociety.org/Chapters/MAM

 

·        Parkinson's disease (regional resources serving Massachusetts)
https://www.parkinson.org/newengland

 

·        ALS (regional organization serving Massachusetts)
https://alsnewengland.org/

 

·        Cancer (major statewide center)
https://www.dana-farber.org/

 

·        Cystic fibrosis (Massachusetts/Rhode Island chapter)
https://www.cff.org/chapters/massachusetts-rhode-island-chapter

 

·        Sickle cell disease (statewide organization)
https://sicklecellhope.org/

 

·        HIV/AIDS medical care program (Ryan White - Boston EMA)
https://www.boston.gov/government/cabinets/boston-public-health-commission/infectious-diseases/ryan-white-services-division

 

·        Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (federal program overview and locator context)
https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/

 

·        Kidney disease (regional organization serving Massachusetts)
https://www.kidney.org/offices/nkf-serving-new-england

 

·        Spinal cord injury rehabilitation (major statewide rehab provider)
https://spauldingrehab.org/conditions-services/spinal-cord-injury-rehab

 

·        Rare diseases (state advisory council)
https://www.mass.gov/orgs/rare-disease-advisory-council

 

·        Rare diseases (national organization - Massachusetts page)
https://rarediseases.org/state/massachusetts/

 

·        Serious illness and palliative care (statewide coalition)
https://www.maseriouscare.org/

 

·        Hospice and palliative care directory and consumer resources (Massachusetts)
https://www.hospicefed.org/

 

STATEWIDE NAVIGATION AND ENTRY POINT

·        Mass 211 (health, disability, and caregiver resource navigation)
https://mass211.org/

o   Referrals to medical and disability-related services

o   Caregiver support resources

o   Condition-specific nonprofit referrals

 

MENTAL HEALTH PEER AND FAMILY SUPPORT

·        NAMI Massachusetts (mental health support and education)
https://namimass.org/

o   Family and peer support programs

o   Education for individuals with mental health conditions

o   Caregiver-focused resources

 

ADHD-SPECIFIC SUPPORT

·        CHADD - Massachusetts Chapters (ADHD education and support)
https://chadd.org/chapter-locator/

o   Education for children and adults with ADHD

o   Parent and caregiver support

o   Advocacy and evidence-based resources

 

AUTISM - ADDITIONAL STATEWIDE SUPPORT

·        Autism Support Centers (state-funded regional autism family support system)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/autism-support-centers

o   Navigation and referral for autism services

o   Caregiver education and training

o   Support groups and family coaching

 

TRANSPLANT AND ORGAN FAILURE SUPPORT

·        New England Organ Bank (organ donation and transplant family support)
https://www.neob.org/

o   Support for transplant recipients and families

o   Education related to organ failure and transplant

 

·        Massachusetts General Hospital Transplant Center
https://www.massgeneral.org/transplant

o   Transplant evaluation and long-term follow-up care

o   Patient and caregiver education

 

CAREGIVER-SPECIFIC (MEDICAL AND DISABILITY)

·        Massachusetts Caregiver Resource Centers (disability and chronic illness focus)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/caregiver-resource-centers

o   Caregiver education and training

o   Navigation for caregivers of people with disabilities or serious illness

o   Disability-related respite coordination

 

INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES - FAMILY SUPPORT

·        Family Support Centers (DDS-funded)
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/family-support-centers

o   Family-to-family support for I/DD

o   Caregiver education and navigation

o   Connection to DDS services and supports

 

RARE AND GENETIC CONDITIONS - CLINICAL SUPPORT

·        Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Rare Diseases
https://www.massgeneral.org/rare-diseases

o   Diagnosis and care coordination for rare and genetic conditions

o   Patient and caregiver support resources