Arlington Family Connection

RESOURCES - Family Assistance

Arlington's Early Childhood Program
Consists of the Early Childhood coordinator and part-time Preschool Team. The Team, including speech and occupational therapists and a family social worker, meet weekly and conduct screenings, evaluations, therapy and special service groups for three and four year old children with identified or suspected special needs, disabilities or developmental problems. Children with identified difficulty are seen at the Fox Library Preschool clinic or at the Arlington Inclusive Preschool at AHS.

Parents are welcome to call with questions.

Contact Kathleen Fraser, E.C.C.
Telephone: 781-316-3728
Email: kfraser@arlington.k12.ma.us

Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention (EI) in Massachusetts is a statewide, family-centered, developmental service. Thom Child & Family Services offers the earliest possible intervention and support for children birth to three years old who have developmental difficulties due to identified disabilities or whose development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances. Thom Early Intervention Programs are located across Massachusetts.

Who is Eligible for EI? Children up to three years of age and their families may be eligible if the child:

was born early.
has a vision or hearing problem.
has a disability or health condition.
has been slow to sit up, walk, talk or do things for himself.
has behavior or attention difficulties.

Children who live in families that are experiencing social or environmental stresses that are likely to effect the child’s development also may be eligible for Early Intervention services.

Thom Mystic Valley Early Intervention
10 J. Gill Street, Woburn, MA 01801
Phone Number: (781) 932-2888
www.thomchild.org/mv.html
Email Address: mvei@thomchild.org
Anne Marsh, Director

Massachusetts Central Directory
(800) 905-TIES (8437)
www.massfamilyties.org

National
www.earlyintervention.org

Community Partnerships for Children
Arlington is one of four communities (along with Belmont, Burlington, and Lexington) that receive funding from the Massachusetts Department of Education. Where does this money go:

Child care Tuition Assistance is available for working parents with preschool age children. Call Karen Glew for details on Scholarship Eligibility;
Parent Workshops are offered in local communities;
Teacher workshops and professional development opportunities for early childhood teachers and child care providers.

Community Partnerships for Children is an information and referral service for parents with young children. Information is available about local preschools and child care providers, general community information, and social service referral. For more information contact, Karen Glew, Community Liaison, 781-646-9856.

WIC – Women, Infant & Children Nutrition Program
Massachusetts Dept. of Public Health
(781) 646-2032 WIC Arlington
(800) 942-1007
29 Mass. Ave. at Alewife Brook Community Pediatrics
(781) 643-4507

Provides free, healthy foods and nutrition information to low- and moderate- income, pregnant women, infants and children under 5 years of age. WIC also provides access to healthcare, immunization screening and referrals, and breastfeeding support.

The Children’s Room - Center for Grieving Children and Teenagers, Inc.
819 Mass. Ave.
(781) 641-4741
www.childrensroom.org

The Children's Room offers hope and quality of life to bereaved children and those who are part of their lives. In this safe and caring environment, children, teenagers, and their families can receive the support they need while grieving the death of a loved one.

La Leche League of Arlington
Kimberly (781) 648-4454
Patty (781) 729-8261
800-LALECHE toll free

La Leche is an international, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. La Leche League of Arlington offers: information, discussion, mother-to-mother support, individual help by phone anytime, parenting lending library, and free information sheets. Call for more information and meeting schedule.

The Arlington Children's Fund
Nancy Caccavaro, 781-643-4974

Buys Christmas gifts for over 50 Arlington families and provides other opportunities through out the year for Summer Camps scholarships, hockey camp fees, etc. Major recipient of the proceeds is Arlington's Operation Success (volunteer effort by Arlington teachers and police officers).

Thanks to Mike Rich, Esq. (http://firms.findlaw.com/KidLawRich) for providing the following listings...

Mass. Dept. of Social Services
State child welfare and protection agency
www.state.ma.us/dss

Mass. Dept. of Education
Charged with the responsibility of ensuring improved teaching and learning in Mass. public schools.
www.doe.mass.edu

Wright's Law
Web site with accurate, up-to-date information about advocacy for children with disabilities.
www.wrightslaw.com

The Center for Family Connections
Adoption issues support
www.kinnect.org

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Private, nonprofit group serving as a focal point in providng assistance to parents, children, law enforcement, schools, and the community in recovering missing children and raising publlic awareness about prevention.
www.missingkids.org

Open Door Society/ODS Adoption Community of New England
Adoption issues
www.odsma.org

Neighborhood Legal Services
Information about legal services programs in Mass.
www.neighborhoodlaw.org

Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
Provides information on the education of individuals with disabilities as well as those who are gifted.
www.ericec.org

General Laws of Massachusetts (searchable)
www.state.ma.us/legis/laws/mgl/?refer=massgov

Connect for Kids
An award-winning multimedia project of the Benton Foundation, helps adults make their communities better places for families and children. The Web site offers a place on the Internet for parents, grandparents, educators, policymakers and others who want to become more active citizens, from volunteering to voting with kids in mind.
www.connectforkids.org