Family Support Programs include: (click here to view video)

  • Home First - Children with Special Health Care Needs
  • Southeast DDS Region Respite House
  • The Autism Resource Center
  • IFFS - Intensive Flexible Family Supports

Home First–

Medically Complex Program that provides a family-driven model of care which supports families with children and young adults (ages 3-25) that have significant cognitive, physical and complex health care needs who are living at home. The goal is to provide comprehensive wrap-around supports, which consist of specialized case management activities (medical services, health care benefits, assistive technology, coordination of home nursing, educational services, assistance with home modifications and assistance with public benefits) that help families integrate the variety of resources and supports they are receiving in order to care for their family member at home. Referrals are made by the local DDS office for the following regions: Newton/South Norfolk, Metro Boston, Charles River West and Middlesex West.

HMEA's Home First program has developed a family-friendly newsletter with a lot of information that many families may find very useful. Please visit our "NEWSROOM" for the most recent OR archived issues of the HOME FIRST NEWSLETTER.

Southeast DDS Region Respite Home – is available to DDS eligible adults 18 years or older throughout Massachusetts who meet the following criteria: Presently receive in-home nursing or eligible for MassHealth continuous nursing services (CNS) as authorized through the Community Case Management (CCM) Program and/or Diagnosed with chronic, potentially life threatening medical condition(s) requiring skilled nursing assessments and daily technological and/or medical interventions from trained family, support staff or health professionals. Here is a copy of the Pre-screen Application for Medically Complex respite.

The Autism Resource Center– The Autism Resource Center started with a group of parents with one common bond: children with autism. Back in 1997, the diagnosis was only given to about 5 in 10,000 (reference here). It was clear that those numbers were beginning to increase, but to those parents gathered, it was still isolating, frightening, and largely unknown. Support programs were scattered, the Central Massachusetts region was the last region in the state to have a Resource Center funded. With some funding and direction from DDS (then the Department of Mental Retardation), the Center set up shop in West Boylston, MA. HMEA, Inc. became the parent agency (and remains so today) and from the moment the doors were open, families have been welcomed on a daily basis.

Today, the Center supports over 2,700 children AND THEIR FAMILIES, and averages 7 new families per week into membership. Families are assisted with applying to the Department of Developmental Services which funds many of the programs offered by the Center, as well as accessing other public supports available to families who have children with disabilities. Membership is free, and all of the programs and events are free or low cost, with all fees collected going right back into supporting our mission. Families support the Center through participating in fundraising events which have enabled the Center to offer a rich array of activities and educational programs. All funds raised stay in Central Massachusetts to support our families. Our signature event, the Annual 5K and Walk for Autism Awareness brings over 2,000 family members and their supporters together for a day of celebration and appreciation.

We provide support, information, referral, family activities & events, educational programs for parents, consultation with Special Education Advocates and therapeutic programs for children with autism as well as siblings. School vacation events including 2 one week sessions of a Family based Fun at Camp program in June and August and a 5 day residential overnight camp experience in collaboration with Camp Starfish. Collaborating with Centros Las Americas the Center is able to assist and serve families who speak other languages. The Center is a founding member of Advocates For Autism of Massachusetts and works with AFAM in Legislative advocacy on behalf of our families.
Those who register with the Center receive weekly electronic updates from the Center as well as a quarterly newsletter. The Center maintains an extensive library of books which are available for families to borrow.

We are the "Center" of the autism community in Central Massachusetts. Learn more about Autism and the Center by visiting the Center’s website: www.autismresourcecentral.org

IFFS- Intensive Family Supports – IFFS program provides support to families with one or more members with a disability who are experiencing significant challenges, which are causing the child/individual to be at risk of out-of-home placement. This is time limited (6 – 12 months) and goal-orientated services providing more focused and intensive supports in response to identified areas of need and difficulty, and to build family capacity to support their child at home. Referrals are made by the local DDS office for the following regions: Worcester, North Central and South Valley.

Family Leadership - The Family Leadership Program is designed to provide education, leadership training and mentoring for families with children and adults with disabilities living in the community. One goal of these activities is to provide information on best practices and opportunities to support individuals and families to fully participate in all aspects of community life. Family leadership training and mentoring is developed and provided by family members who have a child or adult family member with a disability. HMEA sponsors a Family Leadership Series several times throughout the year. Below are the next Family Leadership Series:

The Family Leadership Series is organized into three, two-day workshops and the following dates
are scheduled for the upcoming series: October 26 & 27 2012, January 25 & 26, 2013 and
April 26 & 27, 2013.

Family Leadership Series applications are available here

Session I of the Series will focus on initiative and leadership. Family members will be given information on leadership, its relevance to the life of families and the implications of using leadership to effect positive change in one’s life

Session II of the Series will focus on creating a vision for the future of our children and family members. The focus will also be on the advocacy and communication necessary to ensure that vision.

The focus of Session III of the Series will be policymaking at the local, state and federal level. Family members will receive information on how to develop networks with professionals and families and how to use legislative change to procure resources. Families will also learn a variety of strategies to decrease stress and increase satisfaction.

Food and overnight lodging for each participant will be paid for by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). There will be NO COST to you to attend this series!!

For additional information please email: FL@hmea.org

If you have questions or want more information about Family Supportl Services please don't hesitate to contact Donna Boucher, Senior Vice President of Adult Services at 508.298-1145 or email her at dboucher@hmea.org.

HMEA Administrative Office • 8 Forge Park East • Franklin, MA 02038
telephone: 508.298.1100 fax: 508.298.1400 email: hmea@hmea.org