Family Support Center Services & Supports
The Arc of Bristol County's Family Support Center offers the following services and supports. If interested, please call to discuss eligibility requirements and availability.
Family Support Case Coordination, Educational Supports & Consultation, Autism Services, Transition to Adulthood Support,
Information & Referral Services, Social Navigation & Community Connections for Adults, Public Benefits Navigation,
Family and Community Workshops & Trainings, Family Fun Days, Family Networking & Caregiver Support Groups,
School Vacation Activities, and much more!
Though not falling under services offered by the Family Support Center, The Arc of Bristol County does offer additional services that may be of interest to families. For more information on eligibility, please contact your Family Support Coordinator.
Guardianship, Representative Payee & Trust Management Services
The Arc of Bristol County is also qualified through the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to provide the following DDS supported services. These programs require a direct referral from DDS before the service can be delivered.
These DDS provided services are available to eligible individuals. For further information on eligibility of these services, families can reach out to their DDS Service Coordinator or Family Support Coordinator.
Children's Autism Waiver Program
Intensive Flexible Family Support
Autism Support Centers
Family Support Centers are one way that DDS supports people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and autism spectrum disorders. DDS also funds Autism Support Centers, which provide an array of information and referral services, resources, and supports to children and adults with autism spectrum disorders. Individuals and their families can access help from both Family Support Centers and Autism Support Centers. The Autism Support Center covering all of southeastern Massachusetts, the Cape and the Islands is Community Autism Resources, located in Taunton, MA. Visit their website for more information on how they can assist you or your loved ones.
Supports & Services for Families
All services are driven by the individual and their family. For further information call our toll free number, 888-343-3301 and dial the extension listed below.
Information & Referral
Families face many challenges in their search for appropriate and available resources, benefits and services. Family Support Center staff are knowledgeable about federal and state benefits, services available under MassHealth, Social Security, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Department of Developmental Disabilities, the Department of Public Health and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Staff are very familiar with commonly needed supports and resources surrounding topics such as guardianship, future planning, housing, early intervention, educational rights and supports, transition services and more! We are happy to help you to make these connections.
Services Navigation
Service Navigation is designed to assist families in caring for their family member at home by providing individualized guidance, support and problem-solving assistance, as well as help families access and coordinate potential community resources and services.
Family and Community Workshops and Trainings
The Family Support Center offers a series of educational seminars to provide information on a variety of subjects with families. Training topics have included Future Planning, Housing, Special education Rights, the IEP, on Social Security Benefits, the Transition to Adulthood Services and more. Our families are actively involved and are encouraged to provide input and ideas on future training topics.
Family Networking and Caregiver Support Groups
Families coming together and supporting each other has always been fundamental to The Arc’s mission. We are pleased to provide opportunities for family members with similar lived experiences to connect with one another.
Social Navigation and Community Connections
Our Social Navigators assist individuals with disabilities to participate in quality recreation and life enrichment activities to increase the individual’s sense of confidence, self-esteem, and accomplishment. Individuals are given support to participate in the structured and unstructured activities within a personal or group setting. It is our goal to assist with developing and nurturing friendships and building a sense of community belonging.
School Vacation Activities and Family Fun Days
During some school vacations, our Family Support Center offers activities in the community for school aged children and teens who are DDS eligible. Our goals are community integration, friendships, and fun! We also offer Family Fun Days throughout the year. These days are for the whole family to get together for a community outing or recreational activity, along with our Family Support Center staff, to enjoy each other’s company, meet new friends, spend time with old friends, and have fun.
Autism Services
Funded by The Department of Developmental Services, our Family Support Center provides support for children and adults with an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, and their families. We offer trainings, workshops, and activities to help connect families and help them to enable their children and adults with ASD to be integrated members of their communities. Our Autism Navigators also work specifically with many of our adults on the spectrum to provide opportunities for networking, social interactions, recreation, and skill building.
Educational Support and Consultation
Navigating the special education process can be challenging. Our Special Education Empowerment Program is designed to assist families in better understanding the process and procedures, and to educate and empower families to advocate for the services and supports necessary to ensure their child’s access to learning. The Arc of Bristol County offers one-on-one educational consulting and group trainings to assist families in developing advocacy skills. Trained professionals who are knowledgeable about the special education process, state and federal laws and regulations, and collaborative relationship building will work with families to support the development of appropriate special education services through 504's and Individualized Education Plans.
Transition to Adulthood
When the entitlement of special education support services in public school ends, navigating the eligibility process and applications of adult services can feel overwhelming for many families. Our Transition to Adult Services program provides resources, support and training that impact all facets of adult life including employment, housing, community life, and post-secondary education.
DDS Qualified Provider
The Arc of Bristol County is qualified through DDS to provide the following services: Adult Companion Services, Individualized Home Supports, Individualized Day Supports, Adult Respite Services, etc.
DESE/DDS Program
The DESE/DDS (Department of Elementary and Secondary Education / Department of Developmental Services) is a program that is currently funded by DESE and administered by DDS through provider agencies, one of which is The Arc of Bristol County. The program was designed to assist families whose sons or daughters had very significant needs that if not addressed with supports and services would most likely result in a residential placement.
