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.
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
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 COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
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
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
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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 Energy Assistance Program
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
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Child Care
Find out about the ins and outs of child care in your area. What is required to become a provider in your area? What requirements are there for a background check? Does your state offer any quality improvement programs?
Child Care Licensing
Your local child care regulatory office
Phone: Contact your local office
Website
Find Your Local Office
Phone: Call your regional licensing office
Inspection Reports
Find out what programs in your area are in compliance with licensing regulations
Website
Child Care Fact Sheet
Basic facts about child care in your area
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
-
Health and Social Services
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 COVID-19 Website
General information about COVID-19 in your state
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
-
Financial Assistance
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
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
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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 Energy Assistance Program
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
-
Children with Special Needs
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.
