Overview
Advocates' Home First program, funded by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), is designed to support families caring for children and young adults with significant medical needs.
This family-centered service offers resources, information, and emotional support to help families navigate and manage the challenges of complex care for their loved one.
What We Offer
- Personalized service navigation and care planning
- Information, referrals, and emotional support for the whole family
- Help connecting with home- and community-based resources
- Access to limited flexible funding through DDS
Program Facts
- Referrals must come from the DDS area office
- Program covers the Greater Boston, Charles River West, Middlesex West, and Newton/South Norfolk DDS area offices
- English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking staff
- Interpretation and translation available for other languages
- Services are provided on a flexible schedule
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, children and young adults must:
- Be 3 to 25 years old
- Be DDS-eligible
- Live at home with a primary caregiver
- Meet DDS medically complex criteria, including:
- Receiving in-home nursing or eligible for MassHealth Continuous Nursing Services (CNS) through the Community Case Management (CCM) Program
- Diagnosed with chronic, potentially life-threatening medical condition(s) requiring daily skilled nursing care and technological or medical interventions
For more information, contact program manager Miruel Casado-Rosario.
