State Resources
There are many resources available at the state level to support growing families.
Child Care Network of the Cape & Islands
508-778-9470
Working families depend on the availability of high quality, affordable child care. Parents need to know that while they are at work or school, their children are being well cared for. Child Care Network works with parents, child care providers, and community members to ensure that families have access to child care that meets their needs. Whether you are a brand new parent, just exploring child care options, a parent of a child who needs after school care or someone who is looking for certain types of child care providers, Child Care Network is here to help. Services are available to families of all income levels. Child Care Network's Information and Referral Services are free, confidential, and available in languages other than English. We offer referrals to licensed and legally operating child care programs.
Child Development & Education Inc.
Child Development and Education is committed to supporting our educators in providing a safe, nurturing and educational environment that promotes children's learning, develops school readiness, and encourages each child's unique growth and development. Our priority is to work in partnership and collaboration with each child's family with cultural sensitivity and respect.
Children's Trust
The Children’s Trust is Massachusetts’ leading family support organization. We strengthen the Commonwealth by developing, evaluating, and promoting parenting education and coaching programs to improve the lives of children. With support from the Children’s Trust, young children across Massachusetts can grow up in nurturing families and communities, healthy and ready to succeed.
Department of Children & Families
The Department of Children and Families has worked diligently to build a strong system for protecting children and families across the Commonwealth. The Department’s mission is to ensure that children are able to grow and thrive in a nurturing home environment.
Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Healthy development depends on the quality and reliability of a child’s relationships with the important people in his or her life, both within and outside the family. These relationships lay the foundation for a wide range of later outcomes that really matter – self-confidence and sound mental health, motivation to learn and achieve, the ability to control behavior and resolve conflicts, and knowing the difference between right and wrong. That’s why one of the most critical decisions you make as a parent is choosing an environment that will help you nurture your child’s growth and development, and set the stage for future learning.
Early Childhood Programs (ECP)
508-693-7900 x281
dmilne@mvcommunityservices.org
Established in 1972, Early Childhood Program’s mission to support the growth and development of children and their families by providing parenting education, quality child care, parent/child activities, and individualized family support services now reaches out to over 1,100 families each year. The components of ECP are Center Based Child Care, The Family Center, and Head Start.
Early Intervention
508-775-6240 (Ext 450)
Are you concerned about your infant or toddler’s development? Has your pediatrician recommended an evaluation for your child? Early intervention and assessment can make a difference! Our Early Intervention program is designed to support families with young children suspected of or identified as having a developmental disability, delay, health condition or a cluster of risk factors that may impact a child’s development.
Health Care Access
114 New York Ave
Oak Bluffs, MA
(508) 696-0020
The Vineyard Health Care Access Program is a community-based service of Dukes County that connects residents of Martha’s Vineyard with health benefits. We help people to apply for, enroll in, and maintain coverage in health insurance programs including MassHealth (Medicaid), Medicare , Connector Care and Qualified Health Plans. We also provide assistance with other government benefits like Social Security Disability and Food Stamps. We support our clients by ‘navigating’ the bureaucracies of government benefits and private health insurance so Islanders can not only enroll in, but also maintain these essential benefits.
Healthy Families
155 Katharine Lee Bates Road
Falmouth, MA
508-540-2968
Cape Cod Healthy Families Early Child Bearing Program serves anyone under 21 who is either pregnant or parenting a child who is 12 months or younger. Young Parents Service serves anyone 23 and under who is pregnant and or parenting.
Home/Health & Child Care Services, Inc.
Home/Health & Child Care Services, Inc. is committed to the healthy development, education and care
of children, respectful care of the elderly, and support and empowerment of all families in Southeastern
Massachusetts, including Cape Cod and the Islands.
WIC
(508) 771-7896
WIC is a free nutrition program that provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to Massachusetts families who qualify. WIC stands for Women, Infants and Children. WIC’s goal is to keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under 5 healthy.