Parent Resources

  • BPS Related Resources

    The Boston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SPEDPAC) is a citywide parent advocacy organization with the sole purpose of sharing information and resources to help all families of special education students understand their rights and options accurately and comprehensively.
    BCYF supports children, youth, individuals, and families through a wide range of programs and services
    The parent-run Citywide Parent Council (CPC) is the umbrella organization of all BPS School Parent Councils and is the official voice of 38,000 families.
    HERN is a part of Specialized Services and Student Services within the Boston Public Schools. We hope to provide a complete program for students who are temporarily without homes. Our goal is to help students have stable experiences in school
    Parent University focuses on child development, what children are learning in schools, advocacy, parent leadership, and effective parenting skills.
    Where's My School Bus?  Every bus is equipped with a GPS system that allows you to locate the school bus in real-time when it is on the road in the morning and afternoon. 

    Community Organizations Resources

    Autism Insurance Resource Center in partnership with Umass Medical School provides free guidance and navigation to families trying to figure out their MassHealth and private insurance as it relates to autism services and supports.
    Access Recreation Boston is a coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to increasing and enhancing recreation opportunities for people with disabilities in the greater Boston area. We accomplish this through building community awareness, sharing professional expertise, and promoting collaboration
    The mission of Adaptive Sports New England is to increase participation in sports by youth who have a visual or mobility impairment. www.adaptivesportsne.org

    Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) accomplishes this by empowering people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities with the practical skills and self-confidence to take control over their lives and become active members of the communities in which they live. At the same time, BCIL engages in advocacy and community organizing to promote access and change within society. BCIL provides Peer Mentoring, Skills Training, Information and Referral, Advocacy, Transition.

    Boston Saves is the City of Boston’s children’s savings account (CSA) program. Starting in K2 Kindergarten, Boston Saves provides each student with a CSA automatically seeded with $50 for their future college or career training. The program also provides opportunities for families to earn additional Boston Saves Dollars for their child’s account and to take advantage of financial education resources that make saving easier. Click here to access their Financial Empowerment workshop calendar. Events are free of charge. If you have any questions you can contact Kacy Hughes at khughes4@bostonpublicschools.org.
    Bryce's Journey, Inc., provides an evidenced-based curriculum social skills development group led by a trained clinician for children with high functioning Autism and ADHD. We also provide Workshops and Parent Support Groups. www.brycesjourney.org
    Career Guide for People with Disabilities: A career guide from Novoresume that helps people with disabilities in finding employment.
    Commonwealth Learning Center is an independent nonprofit providing 1-to-1 tutoring and educational evaluation services to students of all ages, in all subject areas. We specialize in working with students who learn differently, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, high-functioning autism, etc. Our two locations are in Needham and Danvers, and financial aid is available for those who qualify.

    Disability Commission of Boston aims to increase opportunities for people with disabilities by facilitating full and equal participation in all aspects of life within the City of Boston. This includes reducing architectural, procedural, attitudinal, and communication barriers as well as promoting equity in housing, education, employment, transportation, and civic activities

    Exceptional Lives Provides free information for families who have children with disabilities on how to access services and resources and explains processes in a way that is easy to follow and understand. 
    The Federation for Children with Special Needs (FCSN) provides information, support, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities, their professional partners, and their communities.   We are committed to listening to and learning from families and encouraging full participation in community life by all people, especially those with disabilities. 
    MA Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment Initiative (MAICEI) situated at UMass-Boston & Bunker Hill Community College offers students receiving specialized services the same higher educational opportunities as their non-disabled peers. Students take college coursework, participate in campus activities, clubs, and student organizations, and make friends with other young adult students on campus. They receive wrap-around supports from MAICEI staff, peer mentors, and/or educational coaches to assist with navigating the campus and its social opportunities as well as assistance with coursework.
    Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is the designated agency and point of entry for rehabilitation and social services for residents of the Commonwealth who are declared to be legally blind by an eye professional.     https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-commission-for-the-blind
    The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) helps individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. MRC offers support around job preparation for students 16 and older while still in high school. We partner with schools, families, and other state agencies to support your transition plan to a job or further education.
    Roman Music Therapy Services, LLC uses music to transform lives, working through challenges in communication, processing, or socialization. With music as a bridge, they uncover an individual’s promise. In music-making, they create new connections, facilitate meaningful engagement, and provide opportunities for growth.
    Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers provide an array of year-round sports and recreation activities to individuals of all abilities to promote active, healthy lives. You can see their current schedule and register at https://sasc.spauldingrehab.org.
    The Boston Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SpedPac) is a citywide parent advocacy organization with the sole purpose of sharing information and resources to help all families of special education students understand their rights and options accurately and comprehensively.
    Work, Competence, Independence (WCI) is an Adult-services agency that provides residential and day/employment supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities 

    Helpful Websites

    Business Ideas for People with Disabilities: The Small Business Administration (SBA), local chambers of commerce, state vocational agencies, veteran business organizations, and others provide guidelines, seminars, and assistance for people with disabilities in launching a business.  This site will provide you a list of useful resources for you (or your child of transition-age) with ideas and guidelines in starting your own business.
    The DO-IT (Disabilities, Opportunities, Inter-networking, and Technology) Center is dedicated to empowering people with disabilities through technology and education. It promotes awareness and accessibility
    Just Great Lawyers offers Estate Planning for Parents of Children with Autism
    NAMI Provides information, support, and referral services to individuals with various forms of mental illness and their families

    Reading Rockets has an extensive collection of resources about reading, including topical research briefs and reports, descriptions of nonprofit, state, and federal literacy organizations, and our free reading guides for parents and educators

    BPS Read and Write for Google Chrome™ is a Chrome extension created by Texthelp to support reading and writing.
    Sesame Street and Autism: Sesame Street created a nationwide initiative serving the autism community, and people with autism, See Amazing in All Children offers families ways to overcome common challenges and simplify everyday activities. At the same time, the project fosters an affirming narrative around autism for all families and kids.
    StopBullying: Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone. Help stop bullying at school, online, and in the community. For more information, visit StopBullying.gov

    Understood helped the millions of parents whose children, ages 3–20, are struggling with learning and attention issues.  15 nonprofit organizations have joined forces to support parents of children with learning and attention issues throughout their journey.