AIDS Action

Information and services related to AIDS/HIV
http://www.aac.org/
1-800-235-233

Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Services for homeless young people who are runaways including food, counseling, and housing
http://www.bridgeotw.org/
1-617-423-9575


Short Stop
Transitional housing for young adults
www.shortstopinfo.com
1-617-776-3377


Boys Town National Hotline
24-hour national crisis line for teenager or parents to call to discuss any issue
http://www.boystown.org/hotline/index.asp
1-800-448-3000


Covenant House Nineline
24-hour hotline for adolescents to discuss any concerns including running away, relationships, drugs and alcohol, abuse, suicide and feelings
www.covenanthouse.org/nineline/
1-800-999-9999


National Runaway Switchboard
For teenagers to call when they have run away or are considering running away
www.1800runaway.org/
1-800-621-4000
1-800-786-2929


Boston Emergency Services Team
A 24-hour service for adults and children who need immediate psychiatric intervention; sponsored by the Boston Medical Center
www.massgeneral.org/allpsych/aps/best.asp
1-800-981-HELP (4357)


CHINS (Child in Need of Services)
To file a CHINS call DSS. This website has information about what a CHINS is, the process, and how to file one.
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/children-and-families


Tough Love International
To find out about wilderness therapy and specialty schools for troubled teens.
www.4troubledteens.com/toughlove
1-866-828-0178


Mediation
See mediation section. Mediation can help when communication has broken down between a parent and an adolescent.

Adoptive Families
Programs and services for adoptive families
www.mspcc.org
1-617-587-1563


Center for Family Connections
Educational and clinical resources specializing in foster care and adoption
www.kinnect.org
1-800-546-6328

Child at Risk Hotline in Massachusetts
Call this number after hours to report child abuse or neglect to the Department of Social Services.
If you need to report during regular office hours, call your local DSS area office (see list below)
1-800-792-5200



Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services (DCF) formerly Department of Social Services (DSS)
www.mass.gov/dcf
1-617-748-2000

Child Help USA
National hotline for child abuse and neglect – for adults and children to call
1-800-422-4453

Department of Early Education and Care
All child care questions – referrals, complaints, vouchers, etc.
www.eec.state.ma.us
1-800-345-0131

MA Department of Revenue – Child Support Enforcement Division
Child support questions
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=doragencylanding&L=4&L0=Home&L1=Individuals+and+Families&L2=Help+%26+Resources&L3=Child+Support+Enforcement&sid=Ador

1-800-332-2733

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Referral Line
Referrals to mental health services
1-800-370-9085


Mass Behavioral Partnership
Mental health and substance abuse services for MassHealth members
www.masspartnership.com/
1-800-495-0086


Social Work Therapy Referral Service
Referrals to social workers for individual, group, or family therapy.
www.therapymatcher.org
1-800-242-9794
1-617-720-2828

The Trauma Center
Located in Brookline. Provides individual outpatient treatment and groups for trauma survivors, children and adults.
www.traumacenter.org
1-617-232-1203

Federation for Children with Special Needs
Advocacy and referrals for parents of special needs children
http://fcsn.org/index.php
1-800-331-0688
1-617-236-7210


Mass Family Ties
Referrals for children and youth with disabilities
www.massfamilyties.org
1-800-905-8437


Youth Cares
Services for 7-14 year olds with social or behavioral problems
http://www.massgeneral.org/youthcare/
1-617-726-0060


Disabled Persons Protection Commission
To report disabled adults who are being abused/neglected
www.mass.gov/dppc/
1-800-426-9009


Disability Law Center
Legal support for disability/special needs issues
www.dlc-ma.org/
1-800-872-9992


Parent Advocacy League
Organization of MA families and professionals who help parents advocate on behalf of children with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs
www.ppal.net
1-866-815-8122


Early Intervention
For parents who have concerns that their children, birth to  three years may have a delay in any area of development including physical, cognitive, mental, social, or emotional.
Early intervention services are provided at home or at day care.
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=eohhs2subtopic&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Consumer&L2=Community+Health+and+Safety&L3=Family+and+Community+Health&L4=Early+Childhood&L5=Early+Intervention+%28EI%29&sid=Eeohhs2

1-617-624-5901

SafeLink
Statewide 24-hour, domestic violence hotline. Shelter openings updated daily. Multilingual. Operated by Casa Myrna Vazquez.
1-877-785-2020 (toll-free)


Help for Abused Women and their Children (HAWC)
North Shore. Support groups and counseling, 24-hour hotline, legal advocacy, children’s services, community education, and youth program
www.helpabusedwomen.org
1-978-744-6841
Hotline: 1-800-547-1649


Emerge
Counseling, education, and anger management for batterers
http://www.emergedv.com/
1-617-547-9879


National Domestic Violence Hotline
Referrals to shelters, crisis intervention, safety planning. Multilingual
www.ndvh.org/
1-800-799-7233


Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
Information and resources, national hotline (also available online at their website)
www.rainn.org
1-800-656-HOPE


Child Witness to Violence Project
Counseling and advocacy for children 0-8 years old who have witnessed violence. Operated by Boston Medical Center.
www.childwitnesstoviolence.org/
617-414-7425

DCF Complaints

To file a formal complaint with the Department of Children and Family services, call

1-617-748-2444

Click here for a full list of DCF offices and phone numbers

Massachusetts Eating Disorder Association (MEDA)
Information, support groups, counseling, residential services, and advocacy   
www.medainc.org
1-617-558-1881