Massachusetts Resources

Would you like to know more about child care licensing in your state or resources for children with special needs? Do you need to contact someone about child support, health care for your family, or help paying for food or heat? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Click a tab below to find those resources and more in Massachusetts.

Child Care Resource & Referral Search

Looking for child care? Your local CCR&R agency can help you find options near your home or work.

Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.

Child Care Licensing

Your local child care regulatory office

Phone: Contact your local office

Website Find Your Local Office

Provider Complaint Line: Call your regional licensing office

Inspection Reports

Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations

Website

State Child Care Landscape

Basic facts about child care in your area

State Child Care Landscape

Massachusetts Child Care Information

Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Massachusetts

Website

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks

Website

Criminal Background Checks

Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area

Website

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.

*Massachusetts’ QRIS is undergoing revision at this time.*

Website

Shared Services MA

A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)

Website

Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.

Child Protective Services

To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child

Phone: Contact your local office during business hours, call 1(800) 792-5200 after hours

Website

Find Your Local Office

Child Support

Child support application and procedures for your state

Website

Medicaid Eligibility – MassHealth

Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals

Website

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.

*Massachusetts’ Children’s Health Insurance Program is included in the Medicaid program. Please contact your Medicaid office for more information.*

Website

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

State government programs to promote the health of Massachusetts citizens

Website

Massachusetts Health and Social Services

State government programs and services for children and families

Website

Department of Mental Health

State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs

Website

Car Seat Basics

Information on car seat regulations and inspection services

Website

Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.

Child Care Assistance – DTA Child Care Services

Free or low-cost child care for families receiving or formerly receiving TAFDC

Phone: Contact your local office

Website

Find Your Local Office

Child Care Assistance – EEC Financial Assistance

Subsidized child care for low-income, non-TAFDC families who are working, in school, or disabled

Phone: Call Mass 2-1-1 or contact your local CCR&R agency

Website

Find Your Local CCR&R Agency

Massachusetts Head Start Association

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Website

Find Your Local Head Start/Early Head Start

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five

Website

Find Your Local WIC Clinic

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)

Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency

Website

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

Federal nutrition program

Website

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs

Website

Emergency Housing Assistance Programs

List of programs available in Massachusetts for families and individuals who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness

Website

Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)

Offers tenant- and project-based rental subsidies to low-income families and individuals

Website

Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.

Easter Seals Massachusetts

Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports

Website

The Arc of Massachusetts

Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups

Website

Early Intervention

Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays

Website

There are currently no organizations listed

Find out more about child care in your area. Click on the links below, or contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency for one-on-one help.

Child Care Licensing

Your local child care regulatory office

Phone: Contact your local office

Website Find Your Local Office

Provider Complaint Line: Call your regional licensing office

Inspection Reports

Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations

Website

State Child Care Landscape

Basic facts about child care in your area

State Child Care Landscape

Massachusetts Child Care Information

Information and resources for parents looking for child care in Massachusetts

Website

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

Reimburses child care providers for healthy meals and snacks

Website

Criminal Background Checks

Understanding criminal background checks requirements in your area

Website

Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

Child care providers earn a rating when they meet quality standards. These ratings can help families choose quality care and can assist child care providers to improve and communicate their quality.

*Massachusetts’ QRIS is undergoing revision at this time.*

Website

Shared Services MA

A one-stop location for ECE professionals for policies, forms, regulations, guidance, discounts, and more to save time, reduce costs, and improve quality (Note: typically requires purchase of a subscription or membership)

Website

Discover resources that will provide more information regarding local services such as health care and child well-being.

Child Protective Services

To report suspected abuse, maltreatment, or neglect of a child

Phone: Contact your local office during business hours, call 1(800) 792-5200 after hours

Website

Find Your Local Office

Child Support

Child support application and procedures for your state

Website

Medicaid Eligibility – MassHealth

Federal-State health insurance program for low-income individuals

Website

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Federal-State health insurance program for children – available to qualifying families who are not eligible for Medicaid. In some states, parents and pregnant women may also be covered.

*Massachusetts’ Children’s Health Insurance Program is included in the Medicaid program. Please contact your Medicaid office for more information.*

Website

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

State government programs to promote the health of Massachusetts citizens

Website

Massachusetts Health and Social Services

State government programs and services for children and families

Website

Department of Mental Health

State government mental health resources that may offer community mental health services (may include individual, family, and marital counseling), behavioral health services, and substance abuse programs

Website

Car Seat Basics

Information on car seat regulations and inspection services

Website

Are you looking for help paying for child care? Buying groceries or diapers? Find out what assistance programs are offered locally.

Child Care Assistance – DTA Child Care Services

Free or low-cost child care for families receiving or formerly receiving TAFDC

Phone: Contact your local office

Website

Find Your Local Office

Child Care Assistance – EEC Financial Assistance

Subsidized child care for low-income, non-TAFDC families who are working, in school, or disabled

Phone: Call Mass 2-1-1 or contact your local CCR&R agency

Website

Find Your Local CCR&R Agency

Massachusetts Head Start Association

A federal program that promotes the school readiness of children ages birth to five from low-income families

Website

Find Your Local Head Start/Early Head Start

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

A program offering supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition information to low-income women who are pregnant or have children aged birth to five

Website

Find Your Local WIC Clinic

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)

Cash assistance designed to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency

Website

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (formerly Food Stamps)

Federal nutrition program

Website

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Helps low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs

Website

Emergency Housing Assistance Programs

List of programs available in Massachusetts for families and individuals who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness

Website

Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program (MRVP)

Offers tenant- and project-based rental subsidies to low-income families and individuals

Website

Learn about valuable resources for parents of children with special needs.

Easter Seals Massachusetts

Offers special needs resources which may include respite care services and other community supports

Website

The Arc of Massachusetts

Offers special needs services that may include respite care, advocacy, training, and support groups

Website

Early Intervention

Early intervention services for infants and toddlers at risk for developmental delays

Website

There are currently no organizations listed

If you find that any of the information above is incorrect, please contact us at info@childcareaware.org.

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