Resource guide for Families
The SEMA Public Health team is dedicated to creating a comprehensive
online local resource guide for families in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Pregnancy-Related Classes and Support
Prepared Childbirth Series
A four-week series covering the changes occurring in the third trimester, such as the normal/unexpected processes of labor and birth, comfort measures and labor support. Includes instruction on infant care and car seat safety. (Southcoast Health)
Birthing Boot Camp
A brief overview of what is covered in the Prepared Childbirth series; A condensed all-day class which provides information on infant care and car-seat safety. (Southcoast Health)
Breastfeeding Basics
A free class designed for families that are planning to breastfeed or are exploring their options regarding infant feeding support. Expectant mothers and their partners are encouraged to attend this class before the birth of the baby. (Southcoast Health)
Pregnancy Support at Sacred Birthing Village
Holistic prenatal, birthing, and postpartum support for BIPOC birth justice. Circle-based sisterhood, emotional and spiritual grounding, resource weaving, and advocacy surrounded by community and rooted in ancestral knowledge from prenatal through the baby’s first year. (Sacred Birthing Village)
Postpartum Depression Prevention Program
For pregnant women and women with an infant up to 12 months old: A 4-session series that focuses on skill building related to communication, stress management, and education on the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. Sessions can be conducted virtually or in-person. Available in English and Spanish. (Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina)
Safe Start Baby Safety Class
For caregivers who are expecting or have a baby up to one year old. Teaches the basics of safe sleep, car seat safety, infant CPR, and how to respond to choking emergencies. Instructors are NHTSA-certified technicians for car seat safety who can help you properly install a car seat. (SEMA Public Health)
Doula, Midwifery, & Birthing Support
Flourish Care Doula
Southcoast Health
Certified Nurse Midwife Support
Southcoast Health
Sacred Birthing Village
A maternal restoration sanctuary honoring birth as sacred. Revives ancestral birth wisdom, rebuilds village-based care, and supports mothers and families through their sacred rite of passage: Preconception, Pregnancy, Birth, & Postpartum.
Postpartum and Early Childhood Support
Car Seat Safety Checks
Free hands-on service to ensure proper car seat installation and fit. (New Bedford Health Department / SEMA Public Health)
Baby and Beyond
Available in English and Spanish: A weekly group for all postpartum families and their babies in a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment. Families receive education and support for a wide number of topics. (New Bedford Community Health)
Postpartum Depression Prevention Program
Available in English and Spanish: A 4-session series that focuses on skill building related to communication, stress management, and education on the signs and symptoms of postpartum depression. Sessions can be virtual or in-person. (Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina)
Parenting Journey
A 12-week program designed for parents and caregivers to gather and learn through hands-on activities and guided discussion, knowledge, and skills that can support you as a parent/caregiver and role model. (United Way Family Resource Center)
Child Care Resources & Referrals
Assists families in finding the best childcare and early childhood education options for them. Provides childcare vouchers and additional resources on various parenting subjects. (PACE)
Coordinated Family & Community Engagement Program:
Offers a series of free programs, including weekly playgroups, music & movement activities, early literacy story hours, and the ParentChild+ home-based program to support parents as they guide their children to reach their full potential. (PACE)
Early Childhood Education & Care
For children ages 1 month to 5 years. Full-day, full-year active learning programs for working families. (NorthStar Learning Center)
YWKids School Age Program
After school and summer program for children grades K-5. Hands-on, theme-based activities in art, physical education, science, literature, and other areas with income-eligible slots and PACE voucher slots. (YWCA of Southeastern MA)
Early Intervention
For children 0-3 years, who have or are at risk for developmental delays. Identifies areas of need and builds a custom plan to achieve goals. Services include sensory/feeding needs, speech and language therapy, weekly parent support groups, weekly parent and child interaction group, behavioral health, lactation consultation, nursing, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. (Meeting Street)
Head Start and Early Head Start
Free family-centered child development programming for income-eligible families with children from birth to age 5 in greater New Bedford. (PACE)
Home Visiting Programs
Welcome Family
Free 90-minute nurse home visit and follow-up support calls to all mothers with newborns. Anyone who gives birth at St. Luke’s Hospital is automatically eligible—can be a resident of another town. During the visit, the nurse answers your questions, provides a health check for you and your newborn, and provides information and advice on a range of topics related to caring for a newborn. Available in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. (Meeting Street)
Healthy Families
Free home-based family coaching program that helps parents create stable, nurturing environments for their children beginning during pregnancy through the child’s first three years of life. Trained professionals provide parenting education and skill building, connections to community resources, help with achieving personal goals, and opportunities to connect with other new parents. Offered in multiple languages. (MSPCC)
Parents as Teachers
For parents 25 years old and younger with children prenatal to age 5: Free family visiting program that provides education, support, and connections to resources to families via home- or virtual visits at least twice per month; Opportunities to connect with other families through group experiences and screening for developmental delays or health concerns. (Meeting Street)
ParentChild+
Free home visiting program for families of preschool students between the ages of 16 months and 4 years old. Trained early learning specialists help young children get ready for school through fun, play-based learning to nurture early development and help families grow together. (PACE)
Breastfeeding Support
Baby Café Breastfeeding Support Groups
Southcoast Health
Baby and Beyond
Weekly group for postpartum families and their babies in a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment. Support and education available for a wide number of topics including breastfeeding. (New Bedford Community Health)
WIC Services
Breastfeeding classes, one-on-one breastfeeding support, and parent groups to talk about nutrition and other topics for families who qualify. (New Bedford Community Health)
Nutrition, Food, & Diaper Assistance
WIC Services
Personalized nutrition consultants, checks to buy free healthy food, tips for eating well to improve health, plus referrals for medical and dental care, health insurance, childcare, housing and fuel assistance for families that who qualify. Services available in English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Portuguese, and more. (New Bedford Community Health)
PACE Community Food Center
Provides free fresh produce, dairy, and shelf-stable groceries for eligible residents. (PACE)
Seven Hills Food Pantry
Serves community members who are low-income and in need of food assistance, and/or experiencing homelessness; Seniors and youth; People without stable housing, and families and individuals with health vulnerabilities, including mental health disorders and/or those struggling with addiction. (Seven Hills)
Diapers ‘N Things
Provides free diapers, menstrual products, and infant items to over 350 families a month between two diaper distribution sites. (PACE)
Mental Health Support (Adults and Children)
Community Behavioral Health Center
Open 24/7/365: Walk-in crisis stabilization center and same-day mental health services for adults and youth. Therapy, groups, and workshops available for individuals, families, and couples, as well as psychiatric evaluations and medication monitoring by a prescriber. Mobile crisis unit available: Call 508-996-3154. (Child & Family Services)
Mental Health Counseling
For adults, teens, and children at no cost. Individualized and group sessions available by a master’s level clinician. (YWCA of Southeastern MA)
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
Provides support to youth under 21 and their caregivers, offering:
-Intensive Care Coordination (ICC) to help coordinate and plan services guided by the needs of the youth and family.
-Family Support & Training (FS&T), for structured, one-to-one strength-based support to help navigate parenting.
-Family-based Intensive Treatment (FIT), a 4-6 month program that works with the youth and family to stabilize and avoid hospitalization.Intensive Care Coordination (ICC)
A wrap-around service to provide support, resources, and coordinate services for you and your family: Care coordinators help you develop a Care Planning Team who will help you to support your family’s goals. (Bay State Community Services)
Youth Mental Health Clinic
State-licensed clinicians offer an array of one-on-one mental and behavioral health therapies. (NorthStar Learning Center)
In-Home Therapy for Youth
A MassHealth service for children and youth aged 3-21 designed to treat the youth’s emotional and behavioral health and promote healthy family functioning through family therapy and one-on-one case management. (Child & Family Services)
In-Home Therapy for Youth
A MassHealth service for children and youth under 21 years of age who meet diagnosis and needs criteria for serious emotional disturbance. The therapy team provides structured and strength-based therapeutic relationships between a licensed clinician, the child, and the family, to support the child in the home and in the community. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole. (Gándara Center)
In-Home Behavioral Services for Youth
A professionally trained behavior therapist and behavior monitor work with the youth and the family in the home and community on a specific plan to address the youth’s behavioral health condition(s). Available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. (Gándara Center)
Youth Behavior Management
Designed to treat challenging behaviors that interfere with the youth’s successful functioning. Services include behavioral assessment and development of a highly specific behavior treatment plan and risk management/safety plan; Supervision and coordination of interventions; and training others who work with the individual to address specific behavioral objectives or performance goals. (Gándara Center)
Family-Based Intensive Treatment (FIT)
When a child aged 0-21 has been recently discharged from behavioral health care or is at risk of imminent behavioral health hospitalization, a team, including a clinician, family partner, and paraprofessional, can meet with your family multiple times per week and can provide on-call support 24/7. (Bay State Community Services)
Family-Based Intensive Treatment (FIT)
Provides intensive, short-term (4-6 months) in-home stabilization and treatment to youth and their families, supporting reintegration into the community post-hospitalization, diversion from psychiatric hospitalization, and other out-of-home placements. (Gándara Center)
Family Support & Training
Family partners, who have parented a child experiencing behavioral health symptoms, provide you with support, resources, coaching, and real-life guidance, help to guide you through every step of the child service system. (Bay State Community Services)
Family Support & Stabilization
A behavioral health team provides intensive, supportive services that include assessment and treatment planning, engaging families in stabilization and reunification, including trauma-focused and substance-use related services. Families receive 3 visits per week and 24-hour emergency coverage. Available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole. (Gándara Center)
Community Initiated Care
A program for Hispanic and Latino families integrating prevention, early intervention, coaching, and case management services for individuals in need of behavioral health support. This program is meant to serve as a bridge for individuals awaiting clinical care and also a good option for individuals who don’t feel ready to receive clinical services, whether for religious or cultural beliefs, previous poor experiences, or lack of resources. Available in English and Spanish. (Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina)
Family Support
The Beyond House
A youth-driven safe space welcoming to racially and ethnically diverse young adults and LGBTQ+ youth aged 16 to 21. Opportunities for social connectedness and peer support, referrals for clinical services, training in life skills, as well as employment and educational supports. (Child & Family Services)
Familia Adelante
A program for Hispanic and Latino youth between the ages of 10 and 14 and their families to help improve family connection, coping skills, behaviors, and relationship building. (Centro de Ayuda y Esperanza Latina)
SafeSitter® Babysitting Classes
Free, nationally recognized class for children age 12-15 to learn to babysit. Students learn first aid and rescue skills (CPR and choking), child development, diapering, and tips for staying in control of themselves and the children they watch. (SEMA Public Health)
SafeSitter®Babysitting classes
Nationally recognized class for children age 12-15 to learn to babysit. Students learn first aid and rescue skills (CPR and choking), child development, diapering, and tips for staying in control of themselves and the children they watch. (Southcoast Health)
HeartSaver CPR Training
Teaches adult, child, and infant CPR with certification provided through the American Heart Association, valid for 2 years. (New Bedford Health Department)
Infant and Child CPR
Teaches adult, child, and infant CPR. Families and friends are welcome to join. This class does not provide a CPR certification. (Southcoast Health)
Wraparound Services
Wraparound services to help keep families together, connect families with community resources, increase youth involvement in success in school, stabilize foster placements of youth removed from their homes, and, where possible, return them to their families (Northstar Learning Center)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (YWCA)
Offers a compassionate and judgement-free space for grandparents and kinship caregivers navigating the joys and challenges of raising grandchildren. Services include resources, scholarship opportunities, workshops, access to mental health services, parenting guidance, and emotional support through support groups free of charge. (YWCA of Southeastern MA)
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (Family Resource Center)
A support group for grandparents raising a grandchild. Join to connect with other grandparents. Dinner and limited childcare provided (United Way Family Resource Center)
Foster Care & Adoption Support
KDC Intensive Foster Care
Provides a continuum of services that promotes children and youth living in a safe, nurturing environment through careful foster placement. Works with prospective foster parents to complete all training and certifications needed, and ongoing support is provided for all foster families. (Kennedy Donovan Center)
MSPCC Adoption Services
Facilitates the adoption process for foster children by screening and providing training for prospective adoptive parents, conducting home visits, and helping to match children and families. Post-adoption, the Adoptive Families Together offers continued training, education, and support for adoptive parents. (MSPCC)
Child & Family Services Adoption Program
Facilitates the adoption process by offering the required background checks, home safety inspections, and parent preparation training to adopt a child with the goal of matching children to their forever family. (Child & Family Services)
Health Insurance Enrollment Support
PACE
MassHealth and Health Connector insurance application and renewal assistance
New Bedford Office of Community Services
MassHealth and Health Connector insurance application and renewal assistance.
Housing, Rental, & Fuel Assistance
PACE Housing Opportunity Center
Rental assistance, including financial programs and resources to help people keep their apartments, as well as lists of available rental units in New Bedford, subsidized and unsubsidized.
Low-Income Permanent Housing
Residential and supportive services for low-income women 18 years or older who are employed, volunteering, attending school full time, or a combination of the three. Rent is determined based on income. (YWCA of Southeastern MA)
Home Energy Assistance Program
A free program to help eligible households pay a portion of winter heating bills.
Bristol County Continuum of Care
Coordinates housing, social services, and federal funding for individuals and families, including providing cold-weather overflow shelters and improving access to resources like food and housing.
Community Support Program for Homeless Individuals (CSP-HI)
Community support workers assist eligible homeless participants in preparing for and transitioning to an available housing unit. They also coordinate access to needed healthcare, employment and other services including physical and behavioral health care and other support services. (Steppingstone)
New Bedford Women’s Graduate Program
Provides housing and case management services for women 18 years or older who have been sober and in recovery for at least three months with length of stay up to one year. Provides a multitude of support services including comprehensive case management, group sessions, counseling, skills trainings, housing placement assistance, and more. (Steppingstone)
Project FAIHR: Focused Achievements in Housing and Recovery
Serving at-risk, homeless, and chronically homeless individuals with mental health disorders in Fall River and New Bedford. FAIHR provides an integrated team of case managers and mental health professionals who work with participants to help them experience improved mental health and functioning. Individual treatment plans connect participants to treatment, healthcare, and wrap-around services such as transportation, vocational development, and peer support. Participants are also assisted with locating and securing housing, with services continuing until the participant has developed the skills and resources needed to remain stable in housing and independent in the community. (Steppingstone)
Substance Use Resources
Steppingstone Pregnancy & Postpartum Services
Provides specialized pregnant and postpartum services to women participating in residential treatment for substance use disorder. Pregnant women are provided support and assistance with the coordination of opioid therapies, prenatal and obstetrical care, and gynecological care, and more. (Steppingstone)
New Beginnings Moms Do Care Program
Provides services to pregnant women with substance exposure that deliver at Southcoast Hospitals. (Southcoast Health)
FIRST Steps Together
Supports parents of children under 5 and/or expecting parents who are experiencing substance use/misuse who are looking for recovery supports, parenting skills, and a supportive, accepting, and non-judgmental community of recovery. (Bay State Community Services)
Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) at Health Imperatives
To support individuals in their recovery from substance use disorders. MAT helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to focus on healing and long-term recovery. Individualized treatment options and counseling for opioid and alcohol dependence. (Health Imperatives)
Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) at Steppingstone
For individuals with opioid use disorders. In addition to MAT, therapy is available to individuals with other substance use and mental health disorders by leveraging individualized evidence-based therapies. A focused clinical assessment drives the development of an individualized treatment plan, which may include clinical and supportive therapies; medical and mental health care as appropriate; and medication management as required. (Steppingstone)
Harm Reduction Services
Health Imperatives
Medication and risk management for alcohol and opioid use disorders, personalized overdose education and Narcan distribution, safer smoking supplies and fentanyl test trips, group and individual education, as well as connections to other services such as mental health counseling, primary health care, housing and crisis intervention.
Seven Hills
Trains high-risk opioid users, their families, and their friends how to prevent and recognize an opioid overdose and what to do if it occurs via the nasal naloxone (Narcan) opioid overdose prevention and reversal program. The Seven Hills Community Wellness Center also has a syringe kiosk. (Seven Hills)
Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
New Bedford Community Health
Walk-in pregnancy testing and emergency contraception; health exams and cancer screening; contraception, including Nexplanon and IUDs, confidential STI and HIV testing; pre-pregnancy counseling and care, infertility care, prenatal care, referrals to Southcoast OB/GYN, referrals to the WIC program; and more.
Health Imperatives
Reproductive health exams for all genders, pregnancy testing and options counseling, birth control and emergency contraception, gender-affirming hormone therapy, confidential STI and Hepatitis C testing and treatment, HIV testing and HIV prevention medication (PrEP & nPEP), cervical cancer screening and treatment, HPV vaccinations
Seven Hills
HIV/HCV/STI/TB Screening and testing services. Counselors provide risk reduction plans, if necessary, and linkage to care and treatment completion services for people who test positive. Staff provide referrals for medical care, benefits advocacy, adherence support, social services and more to support clients and help remove barriers to care. Case managers support individuals infected with HIV and provide care management, transportation, housing search, advocacy, benefits counseling, and more.
Support for Survivors
Health Imperatives
Sexual assault and rape crisis center, housing and shelter assistance, SAFEPLAN help with restraining orders, economic empowerment programs. (Health Imperatives)
The Women’s Center
Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis services including emergency shelter and housing, safety planning, on-site hospital support, and in-court guidance. Ongoing services including individual counseling for survivors and loved ones, group counseling for adults and teens, child and adolescent trauma therapy. Referrals to other services providers in the community. (The Women’s Center)
Free Community College at BCC
The MassEducate and MassReconnect programs allow all Massachusetts residents who have not yet earned a bachelor’s degree to attend Bristol Community College for free. No tuition or fees, regardless of age or income. (Bristol Community College)
Clemente Course in the Humanities
Offers tuition-free, for-credit college classes designed for adults facing economic hardship and adverse circumstances. The college courses empower students to further their education and careers, become effective champions for themselves and their families, and engage actively in their communities. Complimentary childcare is provided while in class, and New Bedford students are also able to have transportation provided. (PACE)
Financial Literacy Workshops
Including budget basics, saving, retirement and estate planning, eliminating debt, and understanding and securing credit. Other complementary workshops to help financial, professional, and personal empowerment are available. (YWCA Southeastern MA)