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Great Starts Flyer v1.pdfGreat Starts is a City of Boston program designed to offer families a streamlined, simplified dashboard of all of your options. Explore programs based on the things important to your family: the size of the program, a cozy home environment or a classroom, hours that match your work schedule, and the activities that will help your child thrive.
Website: https://www.greatstarts.boston/
Email: Greatstarts@boston.gov
Feeding Support
Feeding Support
Information, resources, and support on childbirth and breastfeeding for new parents. In addition to online resources, BACE-NMC provides free breastfeeding help for new parents, as well as live childbirth classes.
Website: https://bace-nmc.org/
Phone: 617-244-5102
Email: bacenmc@gmail.com
The Lactation Support Program can work with mothers to establish a milk supply using the breast pump, and to teach their baby to feed. Even if you are not a patient, this page contains links to online educational resources about breastfeeding.
Website: https://www.childrenshospital.org/programs/lactation-support-program
Phone: 617-355-0005
Information for both transmasculine and transfeminine people and their supporters on chest/breastfeeding, as well as further resources.
Article: Click here
The Women, Infants, & Children (WIC) Nutrition Program provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services, free of charge, to Massachusetts families who qualify. You can apply online, by phone, or in person.
Website: https://www.mass.gov/wic-information-for-participants
Phone: (800) 942-1007
ZipMilk is a site that provides listings for breastfeeding resources sorted by ZIP Code.
Website: https://www.zipmilk.org/
Information on Parenting and Child Development
Information on Parenting and Child Development
A guide with basic information for first-time parents, including bonding and soothing, diapering, bathing, feeding, and sleeping.
Guide: Click here
Your child’s social and emotional development is just as important as their physical health. That’s why it’s important to talk to your pediatrician about how your child feels and acts – if they have trouble getting along with others or sharing; if they get upset when you leave; if they don’t sleep well or can’t concentrate. The cards in this pack are sorted by age range to help you start a conversation with your child’s doctor.
Toolkit: Click here
Tips for parenting Black/racialized children in an anti-Black environment, written by a Black mother of two.
Article: Click here
Zero to Three's approach to supporting parents is based on the belief that parents are the true experts on their children, and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to raising children. This website provides information on parenting; early development, wellbeing, and learning; and policy & advocacy.
Website: https://www.zerotothree.org/
Support for Parents/Caregivers
Support for Parents/Caregivers
The Children’s Trust and program partners work with parents across Massachusetts to give them the support, answers, and resources they need to build the bright future they see for their families and their children.
Family Centers: community hubs where parents go to get support navigating the joys and challenges of parenting. They can tap into community resources, learn new parenting skills, get individualized family support during times of stress, meet other families, and participate in activities and programs that support them in their caregiving role. Find a Family Center in your community.
Healthy Families: a home-based family support and coaching program that supports first-time parents age 23 and under to help them create stable, nurturing environments for their children. The program matches parents with trained professionals who visit families’ homes to provide support during pregnancy and the child’s first three years of life. Home visitors teach parents about proper baby care, promote nurturing and attachment, practice effective parenting skills, and ensure parents have a solid understanding of healthy child development. They also counsel parents on achieving personal goals such as going back to school or securing a job. Find a Healthy Families program near you.
Website: https://childrenstrustma.org/for-parents
Phone: (617) 727-8957
Email: info@childrenstrustma.org
FNC offers free programs—for parents and children together—that build parents’ knowledge, skills, and connections—especially during their child’s vital first years of life. Through a continuum of programming—from welcoming a new baby into the home, to Parent-Child Playgroups, to intensive Nurturing Parenting Programs that bring families with children of all ages together to learn—Family Nurturing Center helps parents feel supported and connected in their critical role.
Family Nurturing Center offers programming in many Boston neighborhoods (with hubs in Dorchester, Allston-Brighton, and Roslindale/Hyde Park).
Website: https://familynurturing.org/
Phone: (617) 474-1143
Interest form: https://familynurturing.org/interest-form/
32 Family Resource Centers are located throughout the state of Massachusetts. Services include career and education support; parenting and early childhood support; peer support; school, special education, and ESL support; and health, mental health, and substance use referrals.
Website: https://www.frcma.org/
Parents Helping Parents empowers parents across Massachusetts to nurture children and build stronger families. Free, confidential programs and services include:
Parent Stress Line: a toll-free, 24/7 confidential helpline for parents who need to discuss issues related to their children. Trained volunteer counselors answer the Parental Stress Line and offer support, empathy, encouragement, information, referrals, and crisis intervention. Parent Stress Line offers a translation service so if you, or someone you know, needs a translator please don't hesitate to call!
Parent Support Groups: A Parent Support Group is a place where you can come to talk about your experiences and gain feedback without being judged or criticized. All groups are free and many groups offer free childcare.
Prison & Jail Programs: These groups focus on fostering positive identities as parents, rather than teaching parenting skills. Offering a safe, non-judgmental, confidential place to share challenges and successes of parenting while learning from and supporting each other. Participants discuss ways to stay connected, nurture, and love their children even when they cannot live with or, perhaps, even visit them.
Website: https://www.parentshelpingparents.org/
Parent Stress Line (available 24/7): 1-800-632-8188
Phone: (617) 926-5008
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