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

  • Home First - Children with Special Health Care Needs
  • Elder Services - Adult Children with Elderly Caretakers
  • The Autism Resource Center
  • IFFS - Intensive Flexible Family Supports

Home First– Children with Special Health Care Needs: Children in families in the Greater Boston Area who have complex medical needs are served by the Home First program. Referrals are made by the local DMR Office. Services include coordination of medical services and health care benefits, assistive technology, coordination of home nursing, educational services, assistance with home modifications and assistance with public benefits. Limited financial assistance is available.

Elder Services– Adult Children with Elderly Caretakers: Developmental disabilities do not go away with age, and caregivers age as well. The Elder Services program serves families in the Greater Boston Area who have a caregiver over the age of 60 providing services to a family member with mental retardation. The goal is to maximize the use of community resources and the utilization of public benefits to enhance the family's ability to provide care for as long as possible. The Greater Boston DMR Area Office refers families to the program. An emphasis is placed on the future planning for the adult child when the caregiver is no longer able to meet his or her needs. HMEA staff connect families to community resources, help them develop advocacy and negotiation skills and provides them with the knowledge to navigate the various services systems. Limited financial assistance is available.

The Autism Resource Center– The Resource Center is located in West Boylston and provides services to families throughout Central Massachusetts. The program provides information and referral to programs and professionals knowledgeable in the field of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Center provides extensive community outreach to schools and community groups to help the community better understand autism. The Center maintains a library of books and videotapes for families and professionals. It also operates a summer camp and provides educational and social opportunities for families, siblings and children with autism. Families are urged to call the Center directly at (508) 835-4278 to inquire about the program in more detail. For information about the Autism Resouce Center of Central Massachusetts visit their website at www.arccm.org.

IFFS– Intensive Flexible Family Supports: IFFS provides intensive supports to families whose child has a developmental disability and who is in crisis. The goal of the IFFS program is to stabilize the child and family and then transition them to less intensive services. Services generally are provided for six to eighteen months in the Greater Worcester area. Referrals are initiated through local Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) Area Offices. Services may include coordination of educational services, public benefit programs, medical care and insurance plans. IFFS also provides assistance with housing and transportation, and information or referral to other organizations. Some financial assistance is available.


If you have questions or want more information about Family Supportl Services please don't hesitate to contact Jule Noack, Chief Operating Office and Senior Vice President of Adult Services at 508.298-1130 or email her at jnoack@hmea.org.

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