Guide to the Boston Public Schools
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Organizations that Provide Parent Training and Professional Development
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Organization
Contact Information
Type of Training Available
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)
617-348-6000
A range of resources for families in Boston, including Head Start, youth programs, job training skills, and housing.
American Student Assistance College Planning Centers
asa.org/for-students/college-planning
617-536-0200
Free help for people of all ages with planning and paying for college and other career-building programs. Located at the Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Asian-American Civic Center (Chinatown), Harborside Community Center (East Boston), and these branch libraries: Codman Square, Egleston Square, Hyde Park, and South Boston.
Boston After School & Beyond
Help for parents and caregivers in finding after-school and summer programs in Boston neighborhoods, plus other information related to caring for children during out-of-school time.
Boston Career Link
617-541-1400
One-stop career center, workforce development, and employment services.
Boston Centers for Youth and Families (Community Centers)
617-635-4920
Programs and services for infants, children, youth, and adults of all ages. Education and recreation programs that are enriching and fun in every neighborhood of Boston.
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center
617-635-5129 x 1035
After-school, art, and enrichment, youth development, adult ESL programs. Family Services Program that includes parent workshops, classes, and individualized support. Support for parents whose children have special needs or are in Special Education. Services are provided in the native dialects of Chinese.
Boston Saves
617-918-5847
Resources that help families save money and plan for their child's college or career training, as well as opportunities to earn money for their child’s future.
BPS Adult Education
bostonpublicschools.org/adulted
617-635-9300
Programs to help Boston residents acquire basic literacy and academic skills. Alternative routes to a high school diploma or GED to give adults, dropouts, and high school students a second chance to succeed.
BPS Countdown to Kindergarten
617-635-6816
Information to help children and families all over the city get ready for kindergarten. Countdown “Play to Learn” groups for pre-kindergarten children bring together parents, children, and an early childhood professional to build a community of peers for support, foster nurturing behaviors, help families access other needed services, and model developmentally appropriate practice.
BPS District English Language Advisory Committee (DELAC)
bostonpublicschools.org/Page/4656
617-635-9435
A multicultural, multiethnic, parent-led committee comprised of English Learner (EL) parents and community members whose task is to provide recommendations to district officials regarding programs and services for EL students.
BPS Family Literacy Program/Adult Learning Center
bostonpublicschools.org/ Page/4486
617-635-9300
Classes for parents of school-age children, including ESL, literacy, and math, from basic level to GED preparation, plus parenting skills curriculum. Workshops for parents and children, computer instruction, and counseling available.
BPS Office of Family & Community Advancement
bostonpublicschools.org/advancement
617-635-7750
617-635-9660
Support to (1) ensure that families have access to the information necessary to choose the right school for their child; (2) engage families, students, and the community in policy and decision-making at the school and district level; and (3) build effective partnerships focused on student learning and school improvement.
BPS Parent University
bostonpublicschools.org/parentuniversity
617-635-7750
Free classes to help BPS parents increase their understanding of how children learn and develop; what their children should be learning; how to help their children succeed; and how to bring other parents together to work for school improvement. Classes on a variety of topics, such as financial management, health and wellness, ESL, and computer literacy.
BPS Special Education and Student Services
bostonpublicschools.org/special-ed
617-635-8599
Services for students (with and without disabilities) and support for families, including counseling, homeless students, and more.
BPS Special Education Parent Advisory Council
617-297-7335
Support, training, and advocacy for families of BPS students in Special Education programs.
BPS Tech Goes Home (TGH)
617-635-2822
Technology training for families, children/youth, adults, seniors, non-English- speakers, and people with disabilities, mostly low-income. Areas of focus: computer skills, effective communication, Internet resources, job search resources, financial literacy. Opportunities to buy a computer for $50 and sign up for low-cost home Internet service.
City Connects
bc.edu/schools/lsoe/cityconnects
617-552-4231
City Connects, run by Boston College, works with more than 200 community partners to connect families in several BPS schools to family services, obtain consent for services, secure funding and transportation, help with language barriers, and provide basic needs such as housing and clothing.
Citywide Parent Council (CPC)
Elected parent group representing all schools at BPS. Technical assistance, advocacy services, training, support, and resources for BPS parents.
Cradles to Crayons
617-779-4727
knorth@cradlestocrayons.org
Cradles to Crayons provides individually tailored packages for children birth through age 12 who meet income eligibility requirements. KidPacks contain essential items such as clothing, footwear, school supplies, diapers, warm winter coats, and more. All items provided by Cradles to Crayons are free of charge.
Dudley Street
Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI)617-442-9670
Information for parents, families, residents, and partner organizations about upcoming education-related meetings, training, conferences, and hearings that affect families in the Dudley Street neighborhood.
East Boston Ecumenical Community Council
617-567-2750
(English and Spanish)
Support for Latino immigrants of all ages including English language instruction, education, services, advocacy, community organizing, and leadership development.
English for New Bostonians
617-982-6861
ENB’s ESL for Parents and Caregivers Initiative delivers customized ESL instruction for adult immigrant parents of BPS students.
Families First
617-868-7687
Parenting programs for parents from a wide range of backgrounds and life circumstances, at many locations in and around Boston. Emphasis on discipline, self-esteem, and communication. Parenting tips and strategies on their website.
Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts
617-474-1143
Support for families from birth to adolescence to help them raise their children in a nurturing environment. Welcome-Baby newborn outreach, parent/child home visits, playgroups for children and their parents/caregivers together, intensive Nurturing Parenting programs, and connection to community services.
Federation for Children with Special Needs
1-800-331-0688
Information, training, and referrals for families relating to Special Education, healthcare advocacy, early intervention to support parents of children with disabilities. Free hotline for families who need help with student IEPs.
JVS Boston
617-399-3100
Workforce development; employment services for refugees; GED; job training including for those who have no post-high school education; preparation for certification in biotechnology, nursing, and pharmacy.
La Alianza Hispana
617-427-7175
(English and Spanish)
Family counseling and support services, English Learning, adult and elder services, adult education and job training, after-school program
Massachusetts Advocates
for Children
617-357-8431
(English and Spanish)
Support for community organizing among parents, faith-based organizations, community leaders, and others to ensure educational equity and excellence for all children in Massachusetts, especially the most vulnerable; advocacy for autism, Boston school reform, Special Education, coping with trauma, and positive school discipline.
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC)
617-983-5850
Family support and counseling; support for grandparents raising their grandchildren and kin raising kin through the KINnections program by providing information, resources, advocacy; support, education, and resources to help parents manage the challenges of raising children who are coping with mental health concerns; support groups, training, and workshops, along with family-centered activities and programs.
National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) Massachusetts
617-580-8541
Free 12-week Family-to-Family courses for family caregivers of individuals of all ages living with mental illness; Connection weekly recovery support group for people living with mental illness.
Parents Forum
617-864-3801
Networking, support groups, and workshops (in English and Spanish) to help parents of toddlers through young adults become more confident and competent in managing the challenges, crises, and conflicts of family life. Workshops in Roxbury and other locations.
Project Hope
617-442-1880
Multi-service agency providing low-income and homeless women with children with access to education, jobs, housing, and emergency services.
ReadBoston
617-918-5286
School and community-based literacy programs providing resources and opportunities for teachers and families. Storytelling, parent workshops, lending libraries, home reading programs, incentives, and programs for schools and families to help encourage regular home reading and best literacy practices.
Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
617-442-4519
Programs aimed at building stronger communities and creating a better future for individuals by providing local residents with education, job training, and placement at no cost.
WAITT House
617-445-5510
Adult literacy services for beginners. Reading, writing, computer, and math classes for those who have their high school credentials and would like to transition to college, skills training program, or employment. Transitional services for English Learners to advance in adult basic education, adult diploma, college, employment, and skills training programs. Career awareness, financial literacy, and computer literacy
