Embedded Files
Town Public Health Department
Town Public Health Department
The Health and Human Services Department is the Town’s facilitator in safeguarding the public health of the people living and working in Acton through local environmental health and safety, connections to supportive services for you and your family, veterans services, wellness tips, and social connections within the town. Through our Acton Nursing Services Division we provide Certified Visiting Nursing Services, regular balance maintenance classes and wellness programming such as horticultural therapy and season walks in Nara Park. The Council on Aging is a tremendous support to residents 60 and over. The supportive and vibrant Senior Center has a variety of programs for physical, mental, and social health.
The Town of Boxborough addresses the public health needs of Boxborough residents through an agreement with the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health. Through Nashoba, the town offers a health promotion program, which includes: Education and outreach, Home visits as needed, Information and resource referrals, and Monthly wellness clinics at the town hall for health screenings (free for town residents). More information here.
Health Insurance
Health Insurance
All residents of Massachusetts are required to have a health insurance (even if immigration status is unsure). See all information about Health Insurance in Massachusetts here.
A useful video about health insurance, how to get care, your rights in healthcare and more can be found here (available in English, Khmer, Spanish, Portuguese). It often refers to Greater Lowell which is not our area, but the general information is correct also for us in Acton and Boxborough.
More detailed info on health insurance here.
Doctor's Offices
Doctor's Offices
We gathered a list of local medical facilities and called them to ask which languages they provide, whether they accept new patients, whether they accept Masshealth insurance, what services they provide and more. You can find the full list here. Please let us know at abrc@abuw.org if anything needs to be updated!
You can also find another list of local doctors, dentists, translated in multiple languages here.
When you get to any emergency room or health care facility in Massachusetts, you can ask for an interpreter. You have a right to access programs, services, and information in a language that's comfortable to you at no cost. More info here. It is NOT best practice to rely on children or other relatives to act as interpreters.
AB SEPAC has a list of local providers for children with special needs here
Emergency Room vs Urgent Care
Emergency Room vs Urgent Care
If you have a life threatening emergency, call 911 or have somebody drive you to the emergency room. For all other cases always first call your primary care doctor (see more info here) before going to a doctor's office. They will tell you over the phone where to go to or what to do.
If your health insurance covers both emergency room and urgent care, you can find more information here on when to go where . Urgent care is typically much cheaper than emergency room.
Call 911 for life-threatening emergencies.
Contact the mental health crisis intervention line at 800 540 5806 for mental health emergencies. Call, text or chat with the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, 24/7, 365 days a year, free , 200+ languages, or visit a Community Behavioral Health Center (Framingham, Waltham, Lowell, Framingham) for mental health and substance use services, referrals and treatment. issues and questions.
Prescription Medication
Prescription Medication
SingleCare
Type the name of a prescription drug and zip code on the right, and you'll find the prices at local pharmacies with a Singlecare card – free and very easy to sign-up, no insurance/ID needed!
Sign-up at singlecare.com, it's free.
Free Clinics
Free Clinics
see all info here for doctors, vision, dental
Mental Well-Being
Mental Well-Being
Find all mental wellbeing resources here.
Substance Use Disorder
Substance Use Disorder
Physiology of Addiction with Dr. Ruth Potee - October 3, 2019
Watch this powerful community conversation by Dr. Ruth Potee about the impact of substance use disorder and addictive behaviors on the brains of teens and tweens. Dr. Potee recommends a number of articles, books, and podcasts to anyone interested in addiction and treatment.
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline
The Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline provides information and referral for alcohol and drug problems, including DUI, Anger Management, detoxification, residential programs, mental health services, outpatient counseling and more. You can call the Helpline at 1-800-327-5050 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with an Information and Referral Specialist or visit their website at www.helpline-online.com.
Make a confidential phone call:
(800) 327-5050
(888) 448-8321 (TTY)
Interpreter services are available in 140 languages
This program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Other Substance Use Help
Other Substance Use Help
Section 35 Information
Medication-Assisted Treatment Options
Grief Resources
Learn 2 Cope Listings of Grief Support Groups: Peer support for those impacted by overdose deaths.
Substance Use Disorder Services
Family resources (local support meetings and resources)
Learn 2 Cope
508-738-5148Al-anon
508-366-0556SMART Recovery Family and Friends
(Emerson Hospital 866-951-5357
Click on the green “meetings near me” link on the left hand side to search for meetings close to you.
Local Treatment Resources
Emerson Hospital Addiction Rehabilitation Programs
978-287-3520Eliot Community Human Services
978-369-1113McLean Hospital
844-222-6037Recovery Centers of America/Wicked Sober
1-800-RECOVERYBedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center
781-687-2000
Statewide Treatment Resources
Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) Online Resource Guide
Massachusetts Addiction Recovery Software - Real-time inpatient bed locator
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
Substance Use Disorder Education
Advocacy
Social Emotional Resources
Social Emotional Resources
SPARK Kindness is a nonprofit convener, educator, resource, and friend—and the biggest fan of our community's shared strengths. SPARK Kindness hosts speakers, parenting groups, community activities, and support for free, whenever needed. Together we can make sure no one feels alone, bullied, unsupported, or unconnected—every day and especially in the most challenging times.
The Think Give Project's social and emotional learning program inspires students to be thinkers, upstanders, and changemakers
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Services Network provides victims of domestic violence with emotional support, risk assessment, safety planning, guidance, support groups, and connections to appropriate community resources. Help Line: 888-399-6111 (Concord MA).
REACH provides survivors of domestic violence with safety, shelter, and a path to healing. Our innovative, community-based approach promotes healthy relationships, fosters collaboration, and empowers community members to be agents of change.
Casa Myrna is Boston’s largest provider of shelter and supportive services to survivors of domestic violence, providing safety, resources, advocacy and information since 1977. All of our supports are provided to survivors free of charge.
SafeLink is Massachusetts’ statewide 24/7 toll-free domestic violence hotline and a resource for anyone affected by domestic or dating violence. Call SafeLink if you need to talk about your situation or someone else’s – you do not need to be looking for services or a shelter space. Each call is answered by a trained advocate bilingual in English and Spanish who provides non-judgmental support, assistance with safety planning, and information on appropriate resources. 24-hour SafeLink hotline: (877) 785-2020
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