Child Care/Baby Sitting

The Home for Little Wanderers: Family Resource Center

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Roslindale (main site)
780 American Legion Highway
Roslindale, MA 02131

Dorchester (satellite site)
Up Academy Dorchester
35 Westville Street
Dorchester, MA 02122

Boston (satellite site)
Suffolk County Juvenile Court
24 New Chardon Street
Boston, MA 02114
*check in at Juvenile Clerk’s office, 2nd floor

Phone: 

(617) 469-8501

Email: 

FRC@thehome.org

Website: 

www.thehome.org/frc

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Roslindale

  • Tuesdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Thursdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Fridays 12 noon– 4 p.m.
  • Saturdays 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Dorchester 

  • Mondays 9 a.m. – 12 noon
  • Wednesdays 12 noon – 5 p.m.
  • Fridays 9 a.m. – 12 noon

Boston

  • Mondays 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mission: 

The Family Resource Centers (FRCs) of Massachusetts are a statewide network that provides services to strengthen families and keep them connected to resources within their own community. There are FRCs in every county in the Commonwealth. In addition to assisting families, the FRCs support the children of those families that may have behavioral issues and need additional supports.

Locations

Up Academy Dorchester
35 Westville Street
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Roslindale (Main site)
780 American Legion Highway
Roslindale, MA 02131
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

For services or to make a referral, please contact:

Amy McCarthy, Program Director
amccarthy@thehome.org 
FRC@thehome.org
(617) 469-8501

Key Programs Offered: 

How They Can Help
Families come to the FRC for many reasons. The goal of the FRC is to connect those looking for help to the appropriate services, whether they are within the FRC or in the community. Some of the resources the staff at the FRC help families find include:
• Housing support
• Utility assistance
• Legal aid
• Summer camps and sport leagues
• Other family needs

Children who need assistance or are at risk of needing court involvement (Child Requiring Assistance-CRA) can be assessed by an FRC clinician to develop a Family Support Plan to address the child’s and the family’s needs.

Services Offered
The FRC offers an array of services through its experienced staff.
School Liaisons help families with truancy, absenteeism, special education and behavioral issues.

Family Support Workers connect families with resources in the community.
Family Partners help families navigate the child-serving system and use their lived experience as caregivers to partner with other caregivers to help achieve their goals.

Peer Support Workers work with youth to engage them in a process of change by sharing their experiences and struggles
as young adults.

The FRC also facilitates groups and classes for families such as evidence-based parent groups and family enrichment activities.

Boston Healthy Start Initiative

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

35 Northampton Street, Miranda/Creamer Building, 6th Floor, Suite 604, Boston, MA 02118

Phone: 

(617) 534-5395

Fax: 

(617) 534-5358

Email: 

info@bphc.org

Website: 

http://www.bphc.org/Pages/Home.aspx

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of the month (there are no meetings in July and August) at New Academy Estates Community Center, 2908 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Please call (617) 534 7828 to add your name to the dinner list, or if you need transportation. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m.

Mission: 

Boston Healthy Start Initiative's mission is to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. BHSI strives to fulfill the mission through a wide range of health initiatives that target preventable disease and injury.

Location

Boston Healthy Start Initiative
35 Northampton Street Miranda/Creamer Building 6th Floor, Suite 604
Boston, MA 02118
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Program of Boston Public Health Commission. Associated with Father Friendly Program.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Community residents of Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, South End, and Jamaica Plain, can attend the meetings. Religious organizations, business owners, and community based agencies are also encouraged to attend.

Key Programs Offered: 

Boston Healthy Start Initiative has been funded since 1991 to ensure that Black pregnant women receive quality health care by funding case management, health education, interconceptional care, and maternal depression services. If you self identify as a Black pregnant woman you will receive services through a case manager who has experience in maternal and child health issues. Call (617) 534-7828, to ask for a health center near your home.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

New Academy Estates Community Center, 2908 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119

Created: 
06/27/2011

Boston Community Partnerships for Children

Phone: 

(617) 635-6538

Fax: 

(617) 635-6519

Email: 

dgantt@boston.k12.ma.us

Website: 

http://www.cpcboston.org

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

                      Contact Coordinator

Mission: 

The Boston Community Partnerships for Children exists to ensure access to a high quality early educational experience, regardless of setting, for all of Boston's children and their families.

The Boston Community Partnerships for Children works to ensure that parents and families of children ages 0-8 have access to quality child care. Community Partnerships brings together all sectors (center based, family child care, head start and public schools) of the early childhood community in Boston to make child care better and more affordable.

Currently, the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) funds the work of the Community Partnerships program through annual grants. Boston uses its annual grant to improve the quality of care offered by participating providers. All providers are welcome to join their neighborhood cluster and participate.

Location

Boston Community Partnerships for Children
443 Warren Street Suite 4
Dorchester, MA 02121
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Boston’s CPC Governing Council has 28 members who are representatives of parents, public schools, Head Start Programs, private center-based preschool programs, family childcare systems and independent providers, and community based organizations. The Boston Public Schools is the fiscal lead agent for the partnership.

Boston Public Schools, Fiscal Agent; ABCD, Associated Early Care and Education, Boston Alliance for Early Education, Boston Association for the Education of Young Children, Child Care Choices of Boston, College Bound Dorchester, Countdown to Kindergarten, East Boston Social Centers, Head Start (East Boston, South Side), Old South Preschool, Parent-Child Home Program, ReadBoston, more.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

----------

Key Programs Offered: 

Neighborhood Cluster Agents: Local planning and coordination are critical components to our work. Since Boston is a large city with various needs in each neighborhood, we have created Neighborhood-based clusters. At the cluster level, one agency serves as neighborhood cluster agent and convenes meetings, coordinates cluster plans and activities, represents the cluster at citywide Community Partnerships Council Meetings, reports back to cluster members on citywide programs and activities, and acts as business agent for the cluster. 

Dorchester
Neighborhood Cluster Agent: Mary Kinsella 
Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester
1135 Dorchester Avenue - Dorchester, MA 02125
Phone: (617) 288-7120 

Mattapan
Neighborhood Cluster Agent: Lillie Searcy
Mattapan Family Service Center 
535 River Street
Mattapan, MA 02126
Phone: (617) 298-1785 x201 
Fax: (617) 298-6902

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Boston CPC

Created: 
05/04/2011

Child Care Choices of Boston

Phone: 

617-542-5437 (KIDS)

Fax: 

617-292-4629

Email: 

cccb@bostonabcd.org

Website: 

http://childcarechoicesofboston.org

Mission: 

Child Care Choices of Boston (CCCB) serves as the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for Boston, Brookline, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.

CCCB plays a key role in making child care work for everyone by providing support, resources, technical assistance and training to a diverse community of families, child care providers, employers and businesses in the greater Boston area.

Each year, CCCB provides more than 6,000 low-income families with voucher management services that enable access to much needed child care. The program disburses more than $43 million annually, while working with close to 1,000 child care providers in the region.

Location

Child Care Choices of Boston
105 Chauncy Street 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02111
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Programs Offered: 

Index of child care for parents, special needs support, financial assistance for child care, provider business assistance, English/Spanish professional development, resources for parents and providers.

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

Part of Action for Boston Community Development/ABCD

Created: 
04/26/2011

Smart from the Start

Phone: 

(617) 858-4687

Email: 

rachelle.eddins@smartfromthestartboston.com

Website: 

http://www.smartfromthestartboston.org/

Mission: 

Smart from the Start is a community engagement and family support initiative of the City of Boston. It promotes school readiness by providing early learning opportunities and family support for families with children, ages 0 to 5, living in or around Boston Housing Developments in Dorchester, Roslindale, Mattapan, and Charlestown.

Location

Franklin Field Resource Center
70 Ames Street
Dorchester, MA 02124
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

City of Boston, Thrive in 5

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call Dorchester Program coordinator at (617)858-4687 with questions or to register for programs. Some events and programs may be drop-in. 

Main office is located at the Thomas Johnson Community Center, 68 Annunciation Road, Boston, MA 02120. Phone: (617) 635-5030. Fax: (617) 635-5704.

Key Programs Offered: 

Parent Power Hour: Are you a Parent or Caregiver?  Empower yourself and socialize with other parents to learn new ideas that lead to a brighter future. Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Program runs all year. 

Nurturing Smart Prenatal Moms: Are you pregnant? Learn about stages of pregnancy, infant massage, nurturing yourself and much more! Fridays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Recurring program. Call to confirm.

Playgroups: Infant: Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.;
Toddler Play Groups: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.;
Preschool Play Group: Thursdays, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Created: 
04/19/2011

Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Website: 

http://mydorchester.org/about_DFSI

Hours of operation (or meeting times & dates): 

Mission: 

 

The Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative (DFSI) provides academic, enrichment, and wellness services to our partner schools: the Oliver W. Holmes, Lee Academy, and Joseph Lee Elementary Schools. Other DFSI partners include DotWell, SCI, and FAMILY, Inc.

Our mission is to remove barriers to learning; to improve children’s physical, social, and emotional wellness; and to connect students and families to their schools and community.

You can read about DFSI Partners and DFSI Programs and Services, or take a moment to learn about Full Service Community Schools.

Location

1452 Dorchester Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

 

The Oliver W. Holmes Elementary School is a K1-5 school of 282 students near Four Corners.

The Lee Academy is a K0-1 pilot school near Franklin Field.

The Joseph Lee Elementary School is a grade 2-6 school of 300 students near Franklin Field.

DotWell is the partnership of Codman Square Health Center and Dorchester House Multi-Service Center. DotWell is DFSI’s lead agency.

FAMILY, Inc. is a non-profit organization that works as a community organizing system. By creating partnerships with individuals and institutions, FAMILY, Inc. connects educational, health care, economic, and other systems to collaboratively create healthy, safe, sustainable communities throughout the world.

Social Capital Inc. strengthens communities by connecting diverse individuals and organizations through civic engagement initiatives.

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

 

For more information, families may contact:

Key Programs Offered: 

Created: 
02/06/2013

Boston Parent-Child Home Program

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
200 Bowdoin St. Boston, MA 02122

Phone: 

617-474-1143 x 229

Email: 

lbrown@familynurturing.org

Website: 

http://www.familynurturing.org

Mission: 

What is the Boston Parent-Child Home Program?

• It is an innovative, home-based literacy program that promotes a “learning through play” experience for parents and their preschool children.
• It develops a child’s language and literacy skills, as well as their social-emotional development through positive parent-child interactions.
• It prepares children for academic success.
• It helps parents to realize their role as their child’s first and most important teacher.

Boston PCHP is free for eligible Boston area families with children between the ages of 18 months to 2-1/2. We provide the family with a trained home visitor who will visit with the parent and child twice a week. Together, the home visitor and parent discover ways to encourage verbal interaction and creative play using books and toys that the family gets to keep. Visits are not only educational, but fun! For more information, call Lydia Brown Boston PCHP Coordinator 617 474-1143 x229 or email lbrown@familynurturing.org. 

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

FLASH Program (managed by Crittenton Women's Union)

Created: 
03/08/2011

Cleveland Community Center

Phone: 

617-635-5141

Website: 

BCYF Home

Location

11 Charles St.
Dorchester, MA 02122
United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

Boston Centers for Youth & Families
Boston Broadband Community Computing Centers

Key Programs Offered: 

Teen Programs
Activities include Job workshops; Team building, Group discussion, Gym, Outings.

Recreational Programs
Instructional Soccer & Basketball

Also (or Previously) Known As...: 

BCYF Cleveland Community Center

Created: 
02/16/2011

Grove Hall Community Center

Phone: 

617-635-1484

Website: 

BCYF Home

Mission: 

BCYF is committed to providing high-quality, outcome-driven programs that are responsive to neighborhood needs. To reach this goal, we have developed a comprehensive program framework known as ACES:Arts, Community & Civic engagement, Education, and Sports. Each of BCYF’s community centers offers a unique approach to ACES and opportunities vary from center to center.

Location

51 Geneva Ave.
Dorchester, MA
United States
See map: Google Maps
How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

Call the Center or stop by to become a member. Specific programs may list their contact/point person.

Key Programs Offered: 

Building Bars Music Program: Wednesday, 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

G.E.D. Classes (open to community) Tuesday, Wednesday, & Friday, 12:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Grove Hall Gay, Lesbian, Straight Alliance: Thursdays 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. 

Community Learning Initiative: For more information, please contact Meagan Seaman at 617-635-4920

Gym (contact Tony Turner, Athletic Director or Darryl Bishop, Asst. Athletic Director): 
Girl's Night - Monday/Thursday 6 - 8:45 p.m.; 
Teen Night - Tuesday 6 - 8:45 p.m.; 
Men's Night - Wednesday 6 - 8:45 p.m.;
Teen Time/Adult Time: Friday 6 - 8:45 p.m.;

Teen Lounge: Open games, workshops, movies, etc. Monday - Friday, 6:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

Young Men's Group: Tuesday, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Community Meeting Space Available: 

Yes

Created: 
05/15/2011

The Boston REACH Coalition meets at Grove Hall Community Center the first Monday of every month. See here for details.

Project REACH holds monthly & quarterly meetings at Grove Hall Community Center. Contact Michael Kozu at 617-541-5454, ext. 5 or mkozu@projectright.org

Camp Shriver at UMass Boston

Mailing Address (if different than physical location): 

Center for Social Development and Education | 10th Floor, Healey Library | University of Massachusetts Boston | 100 Morrissey Blvd | Boston MA 02125 | 617-287-5000 617-287-7250 | csde@umb.edu

Phone: 

617-287-7247

Email: 

barbara.gildea@umb.edu

Website: 

http://www.csde.umb.edu/shriver.html

Mission: 

Camp Shriver is an inclusive summer program for children with and without intellectual disabilities. The goals of the camp are: To provide sports; and other recreational and enrichment activities for all participants. To use sports as a vehicle for improving not only campers’ sports skills and overall motor development, but also their self-esteem, social skills, and confidence in building relationships with peers. To create an atmosphere of understanding, learning, and sharing so that campers from diverse backgrounds with and without disabilities can engage in positive peer relationships and develop new friendships.

Location

United States
See map: Google Maps
Key Partners: 

UMass Boston,

How to get involved/application guidelines and procedures: 

The Camp Shriver Learning Lab enables UMass Boston students to participate in this unique summer program. About 12 undergraduate interns will be selected to participate in the summer learning lab, through the Center for Social Development and Education and the Psychology Department. This internship program is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with children with and without disabilities and to learn more about child development and developmental disabilities from psychological, sociological, educational, and recreational perspectives. The internship program includes (1) hands-on fieldwork with campers as Assistant Counselors and Assistant Coaches and (2) an advanced psychology seminar on child development and disabilities.

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