Boston Head Start | Other ABCD Services

Other ABCD Services

Because Head Start and Early Head Start operate under the umbrella of Action for Boston Community Development, the largest non-profit human services agency in New England, Head Start families are eligible to benefit from a wide range of other programs. In fact, at Head Start, we take a holistic approach, not only to the children that we serve, but also to their families. We know that healthy, independent families are the best foundation a child can have.

Within the Head Start and Early Head Start programs, Family Support Specialists are on hand to help identify and obtain support services and programs for families. These include the following:

Resources and referrals for job training and education programs, including computer training, ESL classes, and early childhood teaching programs
Good Guys program that helps fathers and other males to be more active in children’s lives
Targeted program for homeless children
Support for parents suffering from a range of physical and mental health issues
Referrals for assistance programs, such as food stamps, WIC, fuel assistance, and housing.

Helping Families Help Themselves

Children and families are often referred to other departments within ABCD, including the following:

Child Care Choices of Boston: Child Care Choices of Boston (CCCB) serves as the Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for all of Boston’s neighborhoods. CCCB plays a key role in making childcare work for everyone by providing support, resources, technical assistance, training, and child care expertise to a diverse community of families, child-care providers, employers, and businesses in the Greater Boston area. More than 6,000 low-income families and 8,000 children receive voucher management services that enable these families to have access to needed childcare. Many Head Start children have low-income vouchers that help provide them with full-day and full-year care. (http://www.childcarechoicesofboston.org)

Fuel Assistance: The ABCD Fuel Assistance Program helps low-income households in Boston pay fuel bills during the heating season. This program can also provide assistance to clients whose heat is included in their rent. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/crisis/fuel-assistance/)

Housing Services: Housing services provide individualized and group counseling sessions to tenants and landlords throughout the city to help prevent evictions. Informational seminars and workshops focus on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and landlords. (www.bostonabcd.org/programs/crisis/hhp/)

Housing Search for the Homeless: The housing search program helps homeless and low-income families find permanent housing and works with at-risk families to prevent homelessness through early intervention. A computerized listing matches clients with units, helping them find housing and support services. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/crisis/hhp/)

Health Services: ABCD Boston Family Planning provides comprehensive family planning care, community education, and outreach to ensure that community residents receive preventive health education and services to maintain their health. Free or low-cost birth control and health examinations are available to low-income women, and all adolescents, in Boston. These services are provided through a network of neighborhood health centers and hospital outpatient departments. Services are available in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Haitian Creole, Portuguese Creole, Chinese, and other Asian languages. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/health-services/family-planning.html

Tax Assistance Services (During Tax Season): ABCD has set up tax assistance sites throughout the neighborhoods of Boston to help low- and moderate-income working families and individuals in Boston to file for tax credits or cash refunds through the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) programs. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/)

Weatherization: Low-income conservation services are available to eligible customers in Boston neighborhoods through support from the Department of Energy, National Grid, weatherization programs, and the Heating System Repairs/Replacement Programs. Significant improvements in the form of attic and wall insulation, weather stripping, air sealing, and heating system repairs help low-income households stretch limited resources through New England's long, cold winter months. Studies show that conservation improvements typically save 25-35 percent on winter heating bills. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/)

Learning Works: Located in downtown Boston, this workforce development center offers a variety of education, training, and support services for low-income adults. The center is also a resource for employers seeking qualified staff or training opportunities. Facilities include a computer lab and a resource room with automated job banks and resume writing programs. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/career-development/learning-works/)

Urban College of Boston: Together, Urban College of Boston and ABCD Head Start have developed career and educational ladders for Head Start staff members that emphasize the importance of higher education and provide college credit for appropriate coursework. Staff and parents can take coursework through Urban College in the areas of Early Childhood Education, Human Services, and General Studies. (http://www.urbancollege.edu)

Citywide Boston Hispanic Center: Provides a wide range of services to the Hispanic community with a focus on employment and training opportunities. The Center works with all ABCD programs to strengthen services for, and participation by, the Latino community in all initiatives. Bilingual staff collaborates with human service agencies, neighborhood-based organizations, and local businesses to benefit community residents. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/centers/boston-hispanic/) Link to website

Elder Services: Intergenerational programs and senior services help empower older citizens to prevent illness and disability and maintain optimum well-being. Programs include Foster Grandparents, Medicare Services, and Senior Health Services. (http://www.bostonabcd.org/programs/elder-services/)