Community Resources
Here you will find a variety of community resources to help support our families with their specific needs. Click on the icons below to view the resources available in each category. If you have any questions about the resources or need additional information, please contact our school counselors.
Crisis Resources
Child abuse, domestic violence, mental health, suicide, etc.
Click Here
- Mental Health Resources
- Counseling Agencies
- Child & Family Services Outreach Counseling Program
- Child Abuse Intervention
- Social Emotional and Mental Health Resources
- Suicide Prevention
Mental Health Resources
Counseling Agencies
Therapists in Barnstable County
Independence House (Domestic and Sexual Violence)
Child & Family Services Outreach Counseling Program
As part of a new collaboration, Child & Family Services is offering counseling services for our students during the school day.
What is outreach counseling?
- Provides access to licensed and license-eligible therapists in the community to help children and teens cope with behavioral, emotional or mental health struggles.
- Provides individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy and consultations when necessary. Parent engagement and consultations are required throughout treatment.
- Can address most concerns that are included in a typical outpatient clinical setting such as adjustment, anger issues, anxiety, depression, trouble with regulating emotions, disruptive behaviors, problems with peer relationships, bullying and low-self-esteem.
- Please note: Trauma work is not appropriate for the school setting and will require oƯice-based services.
Benefits in the school setting:
- Allows the therapist to collaborate with school personnel to best support the student and their goals.
- Helpful for families who may have difficulty traveling to the agency oƯice after school hours due to transportation barriers, parent work schedules or the student’s involvement in after-school activities.
- Provided year-round, even during school breaks. To avoid interruption in services, it is required that families remain engaged in treatment over the summer months and during school vacation weeks. When school is not in session, students have various options for continuing services such as office-based treatment or telehealth services.
Who pays for it?
- CFS outreach counseling services are billed through the student’s medical insurance. The school itself is not responsible for any billing, nor does it pay the therapists since they are not school staff.
How is it different from what school counselors and school psychologists do?
- As part of their work, school counselors/psychologists use brief/short-term and evidence-based counseling interventions (1:1, small group) to support students' social, emotional, and behavioral well-being and ability to engage academically and socially.
- School counseling team members also participate in community-wide education and prevention efforts, promote student strengths and resilience, and work with students and families to obtain community support services when a higher level of care is needed.
How can I get my child involved?
- CFS offers a walk-in referral process in the Hyannis office (not in the Harwich office) or through telehealth.
- For walk-in referrals:
- Please make sure the legal guardian and child are both present.
- Please bring the child’s insurance card.
- Walk into the Hyannis office at 100 Independence Drive between the hours of:
- Monday- Thursday: 8:30am-6pm
- Friday: 8:30am-4:30pm
- 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month: 8am-11:30am
- OR for a telehealth walk-in, contact us at (508) 778- 1839.
Child & Family Services
TEL 508 778 1839 ● FAX 508 775 1245
100 INDEPENDENCE DRIVE, HYANNIS MA 02601
WWW.CHILD-FAMILYSERVICES.ORG
Child Abuse Intervention
Children's Cove - Advocacy Center
Children’s Cove provides a compassionate, efficient, child-friendly facility for child abuse intervention. Children and families journey through a streamlined process which reduces the chances that the children are re-traumatized and preserves the best evidence for investigators.
Social Emotional and Mental Health Resources
Massachusetts Behavioral Health Line
The Behavioral Health Help Line connects individuals and families to the full range of treatment services for mental health and substance use offered in Massachusetts, including outpatient, urgent, and immediate crisis care. Call, text, or web chat for real-time support, initial clinical assessment, and connection to the right evaluation and treatment.
- It’s free, confidential, and no health insurance is required
- Real-time interpretation in 200+ languages
- Deaf or hard of hearing? Contact MassRelay at 711
- Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Contact the MA Behavioral Health Help Line:
★ phone call and text at 833-773-2445
★ online chat at masshelpline.com
Department of Mental Health
Address: 181 North Street Hyannis, MA 02601 (Directions)
Person in Charge: Naomi Tavares-Silva, Center Director
Telephone: (508) 957-0900
Fax: (508) 957-0965
TTY: (508) 771-3907
Emergency/Crisis 24-hr: 270 Communication Way
Hyannis, MA 02601
Person in Charge: Tasha Ferguson, ESP Director
Telephone: 1-800-981-4357
Cape Cod Healthcare Inc - Centers for Behavioral Health
Admissions to acute services:
508-726-2911
Admissions to outpatient services:
508-790-3360
Inpatient services:
508-762-2911
Partial Hospital program:
508-862-5335
Outpatient appointments:
508-790-3360
Services We Provide
Our services and referrals span a comprehensive array of services, including:
Adult Inpatient Services
Emergency and Consultative Services
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Outpatient Mental Health Services
Partial Hospital Program (PHP)
Child, Adolescent and Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Services
Patient and Family Support
Riverside Trauma
Coping groups bring together people who are going or who have gone through similar life experiences. In MassSupport's new free and confidential COVID-19 coping groups, we'll be talking about how to handle feelings of isolation and stress in a supportive space to enhance coping skills and foster a sense of connection.
Groups will last about 90 minutes and participants do the vast majority of the talking. A brief educational component is included. While our trained, caring counselors and clinicians facilitate, these groups are not therapy.
Our coping groups are completely free, and you can sign up for multiple groups. Register below:
Coping group for those feeling isolated
January 26th, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST
January 28th, 2021 at 11:00 am EST
Coping group for those with children being schooled remotely
February 2nd, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST
February 4th, 2021 at 11:00 am EST
Coping group for COVID-19 survivors
February 9th, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST
February 11th, 2021 at 11:00 am EST
Coping group for healthcare and mental health providers
February 16th, 2021 at 7:00 pm EST
February 18th, 2021 at 11:00 am EST
NAMI Cape Cod & the Islands
Phone (508) 778-4277
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Cape Cod is a grass-roots non-profit organization serving the families and friends of people with mental illness, as well as the individuals who have a mental illness themselves on Cape Cod and The Islands. Programs and Services are provided through Support, Education and Advocacy. We are an affiliate of both NAMI Massachusetts and NAMI National in Washington D.C.
You're not alone.
NAMI Cape Cod & The Islands serves individuals and their families who are affected by the broad spectrum of mental illness and neurological disorders through support, education and advocacy, and promotes mental wellness for all.
Handhold MA
C/O Children’s Behavioral Health Knowledge Center, Mass Dept. of Mental Health
25 Staniford St.
Boston, MA, 02114
Handhold was created by a team of mental health and child development experts in partnership with parents who have gone through what you are going through. Our goal? To guide you in caring for your child’s mental health and emotional well-being.
Family partners and parents of kids with similar experiences to yours told us what they wished they had known earlier in their journey. Mental health experts, including child psychiatrists, social workers, and psychologists, selected the most relevant and useful resources.
We encourage you to start by answering the four questions under “Should I Worry?” to explore your concerns. Whatever steps you decide to take, we offer a variety of tips, tools, and resources to help you take them with confidence.
If you are worried your child is experiencing a behavioral health crisis, call right now to find a behavioral health emergency service program in your area. For life threatening emergencies, dial 911.
If this is a crisis, call 1-877-382-1609
Suicide Prevention
Basic Needs
Housing, benefits, cash assistance, clothing, employment, utilities, transportation, etc.
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Housing
Housing Assistance Corporation
NEW LOCATION - If you need help, even if you've never had to ask for help before, please contact us today. Call Housing Assistance at (508) 771-5400, or visit our website to learn more about eligibility for our rent, mortgage and other financial assistance programs: https://haconcapecod.org/
Or visit the Lower Cape Outreach Council at https://lcoutreach.org/ or call (508) 240-0694.
Food
WIC - The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.
Family Pantry of Cape Cod - We provide food to anyone in need with no geographic restrictions. Families/Individuals are welcome to return to the Pantry every 10 days for food and clothing. The Family Pantry is a choice pantry which means that the food is not pre-bagged. Each client selects the products they want. A large selection of healthy foods including frozen meats, cheese, eggs, fresh produce as well as the canned and packaged food products are offered.
Project Bread and Food Hotline / 1-800-645-8333
No matter what you’re going through, we understand that food is a must. We want to help you. We can connect you to programs that will help you afford groceries and put food on the table.
Immigration Resource Center
Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands Immigration Resource Center
Free and confidential legal counsel and representation for immigrants and their families on Cape Cod & the Islands
The Immigration Resource Center will help you:
- Understand your immigration options and decide what's best for you and your family.
- Receive free legal assistance and representation for applications to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
- Apply for Green Cards (legal permanent residence), work visas, family reunification, temporary protected status, naturalization, visa renewals, and more.
- Prepare to become a U.S. citizen. The IRC offers free Citizenship Classes, USCIS interview and test preparation, assistance with N-400 Naturalization forms.
- Petition for immigrant benefits under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA); also U Visas and T Visas
- Learn about public benefits available to you.
- Obtain referrals to community resources, immigration lawyers and advocacy groups.
Siempre gratis * Slempre confidencial * Consultas legales * Representacion legal * Preparacion de documentos
The Immigration Resource Center is now in EASTHAM the 1st Wednesday of Every Month, 9am to 5pm, at the Cape Cod Children's Place.
To schedule an appointment, call 508-771-1727, X. 14D or visit the IRC in HYANNIS: 372 North Street, M-F, 8am-4pm
The Immigration Resource Center provides free, accredited and fully confidential immigration services, based on your needs and regardless of your legal status. Our staff is culturally sensitive and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, and several Eastern European languages. Community Action Committee of Cape Cod & Islands, Inc., 372 North St., Hyannis, MA 02601 (508) 771-1727, 222.caccl.com
Statewide Resources
- Emergency Assistance Shelter Intake
Applying for shelter is entirely done by phone 866-584-0653. Eligibility requirements:- Families must be at or below 115% of poverty
- Massachusetts residency
- Include a child under 21 or pregnant mother
- Lost housing due to an EA-eligible cause of homelessness
- Fire, flood, or natural disaster
- Eviction, condemnation, or foreclosure (no-fault or excused fault)
- Housing situation that exposes children to substantial health or safety risk
- Domestic violence
- No feasible alternative housing
If families need assistance, they can be referred to local legal aid assistance.
- Legal Aid
Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation, Legal Aid Map or Legal Resource Finder. Answer a few questions – we’ll give you contact information for legal aid offices, government agencies and court programs that may be able to help you for free or at low cost. - Greater Boston Legal Services
Direct line for housing issues 617-603-1807. Every week, Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) provides free legal assistance and representation on civil (noncriminal) matters to hundreds of the neediest residents in the city of Boston and 31 surrounding cities and towns. When they have nowhere else to turn, low-income families and individuals, elders, and people with disabilities look to GBLS for help to secure the most basic necessities of life. - Mass211
Mass 211 is the centralized hub for comprehensive information about and referral to the complete spectrum of services in Massachusetts that address the social determinants of healthy lives and communities. We provide a stigma free 24/7 contact center and public portal website that empowers people with the information they need to make informed decisions and to get the right help for their circumstances. Mass211 referral for rental/housing assistance including RAFT (Residential Assistance for Families in Transition) and ERMA (Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance - Family Resource Centers
There are twenty-nine Family Resources Centers across Massachusetts. Can you imagine a place in your neighborhood where people of all ages, incomes, and abilities are welcome to develop helpful and caring connections with each other? A place where skilled and thoughtful professionals help parents, children, and families find emotional support and practical assistance to succeed in life? A place that offers sensible solutions to families seeking health, safety, educational, and employment services? That place is part of the Massachusetts Family Resource Centers (FRCs) network and is already in your own neighborhood. - Municipal Rental Assistance Programs
Many municipalities across the commonwealth are offering rental/housing assistance to residents funded locally and through donations. Contact your Town/City Hall.
Homelessness
If your family lives in any of the following situations, you qualify for certain rights and protections under the federal McKinney-Vento Act:
- In a shelter.
- In a motel or campground due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodation.
- In a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station.
- Doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
Your eligible children have the right to:
- Receive a free, appropriate public education.
- Enroll in school immediately, even if lacking documents normally required for enrollment.
- Enroll in school and attend classes while the school gathers related documents.
- Enroll in the local school: or continue attending their school of origin (the school they attended when permanently housed or the school in which they were last enrolled), if that is your preference and is feasible.
- At your request, receive transportation up to one hour to and from the school of origin.
- Receive educational services comparable to those provided for the other students, according to your children's needs.
Resources
- Ethan Steele, Case Manager
Homeless Prevention Council
14 Old Tote Road | PO Box 828
Orleans, MA 02653
Cell: (774) 801-9502
Office: (508) 619-4336 - Educational Stability - DESE Website
- Massachusetts Homeless Youth Handbook
- Chatham Housing Authority
240 Crowell Road
Chatham, MA 02633
508-945-0478 - Harwich Housing Authority
732 Main Street
Harwich, MA 02645
508-430-7515 - Housing Assistance Corporation Cape Cod
460 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-771-5400
HAC is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit and offers a continuum of housing programs that evolve with the changing needs of the community. HAC educates, trains and counsels with HAC’s consumer education department; weatherizes and conducts energy rehabs for low-income and market-rate properties; develops affordable housing for seniors, families and individuals; and provides an opportunity to become a homeowner with a full-service nonprofit real estate office.
HAC also provides emergency shelter and homelessness prevention assistance for individuals and families; administration of the largest housing subsidy program in our region; and family self sufficiency and employment services. - Homeless Prevention Council
508-255-9667
The Homeless Prevention Council provides professional case management services that give extensive counseling and guidance to those at risk of becoming homeless. This aspect of the client services includes: advocacy and access to housing programs, funding, budgeting and negotiation for rent and mortgage. - Department of Transitional Assistance
181 North Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
508-862-6600 - Emergency Housing Assistance
- Department of Housing and Community Development
1-866-584-0653
Parenting Resources
Child care, parent education, guardianship, legal assistance etc.
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- After-School Care
- Community Events/Activities
- Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Parenting Solutions Library
- Child Find
- Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
- Family Support
After-School Care
Community Events/Activities
Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth Parenting Solutions Library
Child Find
Introduction
This Fact Sheet provides a brief overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B and state law Child Find requirements applicable to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs) in Massachusetts and provides resources to support LEAs in ensuring children with disabilities are appropriately identified, located, and evaluated. In Massachusetts, LEAs must conduct child find activities for all children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 residing in or attending private school in the geographic boundaries of the LEA.
Overview of Federal Child Find Requirements Under IDEA Part B
All children with disabilities ages 3 through 21 residing in the State, including children with disabilities who are in foster care, homeless, homeschooled, or attending private schools, regardless of the severity of their disability, and who are in need of special education and related services, must be identified, located, and evaluated. Child find must include children who are suspected of being a child with a disability and in need of special education, even if they are advancing from grade to grade. For more information about federal child find requirements, please see the United States Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), Return to School Roadmap: Child Find Under Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Aug. 24, 2021)(Child Find guidance).
IDEA Part B also requires each LEA to “locate, identify, and evaluate all children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private, including religious, elementary schools and secondary schools located in the school district served by the LEA.” In accordance with IDEA regulations, the child find activities for such children must be similar to the child find activities undertaken for the LEA’s public school children. For more information about child find requirements relating to privately enrolled children with disabilities, including homeschooled students, please see the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) website, which includes Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-1 and sample child find notices for privately enrolled students.
Overview of Child Find Requirements Under State Law
In addition to federal law, Massachusetts state law requires “the school committee of every city, town or school district” to “identify the school age children residing therein who have a disability,” as well as “diagnose and evaluate the needs of such children, propose a special education program to meet those needs, provide or arrange for the provision of such special education program.” State law also requires that school districts “maintain a record of such identification, diagnosis, proposal and program actually provided.”
Considerations for Conducting Child Find Activities
As described by OSERS in its Child Find guidance, in light of the educational disruptions caused by COVID-19, LEAS should reexamine the efficacy of their existing child find practices and initiate new activities as appropriate. For example, the LEAs that post their Child Find notices on their websites and in settings frequented by families in their community, such as doctor’s offices, autism centers, hospitals, private schools, and day cares, may also consider posting their Child Find notices on their social media pages or expanding the number of settings in which they post them. For additional ideas for child find activities, please see: Q&A 5, OSERS, Child Find.
The Monomoy Regional Schools are committed to locating children before their 3rd birthday in order to provide services for 3- and 4-year-olds who may be eligible for special education. If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s development, please call Melissa Maguire, Director of Student Services, at (508) 945-5130.
Additionally, if you are aware of any unaccompanied youth or any homeless families with school age children, please contact Melissa Maguire, Homeless Coordinator for Monomoy Regional School District, at (508) 945-5130. The best resource for the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the Department of Education website.
Finally, if parents, caregivers, or community members have questions about special education services, contact Melissa Maguire at mmaguire@monomoy.edu or (508) 945-5130 to discuss or to schedule a meeting.
If you believe that your child at any age should be evaluated to determine eligibility for special education services, you will need to request an evaluation at your neighborhood school. Include your child’s name, address, and date of birth, telephone number and a brief description of your concerns to the principal of your local school. The Monomoy Regional Schools’ Directory is provided below:
- Chatham Elementary School: (508) 945-5135
- Harwich Elementary School: (508) 430-7216
- Monomoy Regional Middle School: (508) 945-5140
- Monomoy Regional High School: (508) 430-7200
For the Results of our Coordinated Program Review (CPR) please see the DESE website.
Children's Behavioral Health Initiative
The CBHI's mission is to ensure that children with MassHealth who have significant behavioral, emotional and mental health needs and their families get the services they need for success in home, school, community, and throughout life.
They are doing this by strengthening, expanding, and integrating Massachusetts behavioral health services into a comprehensive, community-based system of care.
CBHI partners with child and family serving state agencies, providers, and payers to ensure that services
- meet the individual needs of the child and family
- are easy for families to find and access
- make families feel welcomed and respected
Family Support
Cape Cod Family Resource Center - Our goal is to support families to strengthen their bonds, connect to others, and engage in their community. Our core values are: RESPECT, TRUST, SAFETY, WELLNESS, CARING, CONNECTIVITY, and EDUCATION.
Lower Cape Outreach Council - The mission of Lower Cape Outreach Council is to provide emergency assistance of food, clothing and financial support to residents of the 8 towns that constitute Lower Cape Cod and to follow up with services and support in the areas of employment and education.
WE CAN - Suport for Women - WE CAN is dedicated to empowering Cape women through mentoring, information, education, networking and support.
Big Brother/Big Sister Cape Cod - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod & the Islands is a division of BBBS Mass Bay. We’ve come together to ensure that more children can gain a mentor when they want one. We’re here to make sure our children thrive.
Community Action Center - Provide resources and skills to individuals and families in the region to attain and retain independence and economic self-sufficiency through personal growth, family stabilization, life skills and employment readiness.
Cape Cod Child Development - To provide world-class child and family focused programs that nurture each child's full potential. "Taking care of Cape Cod's children & families."
Medical Needs
Dental, vision, medical care, home care, insurance, financial assistance, etc.
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- MassHealth/Medicaid
- Autism
- Behavioral and Mental Health
- Health Care Providers
- Mental Health Services and Resources
MassHealth/Medicaid
Autism
Behavioral and Mental Health
Network of Care - Behavioral Health
Mobile Crisis Intervention Team
Mobile Crisis Team Information - flyer
Department of Mental Health Resource Guides
Applying for Mental Health Services
Children‘s Mental Health Resource Guide for Cape Cod
Cape Cod Mental Health Clinic - South Bay Community Services
Cape Cod Healthcare - Behavioral Health Services
NAMI -National Alliance of Mental Illness Cape and Islands
Cape and Islands Suicide Prevention Coalition
Barnstable County - Department of Human Services
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Families For Depression Awareness
Child and Family Services Cape Cod
Walden Behavioral Care - Hyannis
Independence House Homicide Survivor Program
Independence House Programs and Services
Health Care Providers
Hope Hospice Massachusetts
765 Attucks Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 957-0200
McCarthy Care Center
73 Service Road
East Sandwich, MA 02537
(508) 957-0200
Hope Dementia & Alzheimer's Services
765 Attucks Lane
Hyannis, MA 02601
(508) 775-5656
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital of Cape Cod
Mental Health Services and Resources
IHC Partial Hospitalization Flyer- Italian Home
In home Behavioral Services Referral Form- JRI
JRI Cape Community Service referral Form
Total Achievement Program TAP JRI
Community Service Agency Flyer JRI
In home behavioral services flyer JRI
Flexible Supports Services JRI
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Bay Cove's New Behavioral Health Center has just opened at 116 Camp Street in Hyannis. Families can call (508)815-5373 to schedule an intake appointment. More information can be found HERE. At the appointment the Intake Coordinator can offer appointments for therapy and psychiatry for ongoing care at the Camp Street location.
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Bay Cove will continue to provide Mobile Crisis Clinicians to respond to mental health emergencies. Their 24 Hour Hotline is (833) BAY - COVE.
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Children and Family Services has begun offering Urgent Care - an Open Access program for behavioral health needs. Anyone can walk in and complete a pre-screening packet and an intake will be scheduled in the near future to get them connected to a provider. It takes about 30 minutes - no need to call ahead. They have advised to please have insurance information available, and to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
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(508) 778-1839 / (800) 576-9444
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Child & Family Services | Cape Cod, 100 Independence Drive, Unit 8, Hyannis, MA 02601
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Mental Health Resources in Spanish
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Educational Resources
Homework, internet safety, internet access, enrichment and support activities, etc.
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- Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan and Reporting Forms
- Bureau of Special Education Appeals
- Digital Safety
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan and Reporting Forms
You can find the policy and ways to report bullying on the District website here Bullying Prevention and Intervention/Reporting Forms. There are three ways you can report bullying, including an online reporting form. Directions are located at the link.
Bureau of Special Education Appeals
The Bureau of Special Education Appeals , which derives its authority from both federal and Massachusetts statutes and regulations (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; "IDEA"; MGL ch.71B; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) conducts due process hearings and renders Rulings and Decisions concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEP), provision of special education and procedural protections for students with disabilities.
Digital Safety
