LEND Boston

Don't forget to join us on LinkedIn! 💼✨

If you haven't already, take a quick second to follow our official LinkedIn page. It’s a great place to connect with the LEND Boston network, catch alumni spotlights, and share professional resources.

Follow us here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/112589786 📲

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📢 LEND Resource Round-Up📢

Looking for a trusted starting point to find special needs resources or emotional support right here in MassachLooking for a trusted starting point to find special needs resources or emotional support right here in Massach ? 🧩

Meet Family TIES of MA (Together In Enhancing Support).

Run by parents of children with complex medical needs and disabilities, they take the guesswork out of finding community care. Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis or trying to find inclusive summer activities, they have you covered.

What they offer:

A-Z Directory: A comprehensive guide to statewide, regional, and local MA resources.

Peer Support: True parent-to-parent matching for shared connection and guidance.

Navigation Assistance: Your link to Early Intervention and local family support networks.

No matter where you are on your family’s journey, you don't have to walk it alone. 💙

💻 Visit: https://www.massfamilyties.org/
📞 Call: 800-905-TIES

Act Now: Ask Your Legislators to Encourage Ways and Means to Prioritize Healthcare Standards!

People with autism and/or IDD face health disparities. This common-sense bill will create an advisory committee to establish a state plan to standardize diagnosis, care, and treatment and improve education for healthcare providers.

Contact your legislators: https://thearcofmass.quorum.us/campaign/163685/

Some upcoming activities in the community to share!

Happy Work-a-Versary to Yourlanda, our admin extraordinaire, who is celebrating 40 years at B*H!

🌟 LEND Resource Roundup: Financial Relief for Complex Medical Expenses 🌟
When a child faces a severe or chronic medical condition, out-of-pocket costs add up fast, even with good health insurance.

This week, we’re highlighting a vital Massachusetts safety net: the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF).

💡 What is the CICRF?
Managed by the Dept. of Public Health, this fund helps families cover large, uncovered medical expenses. It acts as a payer of last resort for costs insurance leaves behind.

📋 Who is Eligible?
Age: Child/young adult under age 22 when expenses were incurred.

Residency: Permanent Massachusetts resident.

Financials: Out-of-pocket expenses must exceed 10% of the first $100,000 of your household income (and 15% of any income above that) within a 24-month period.

🛠️ What Expenses Can It Cover?
Approved on a case-by-case basis, the fund can help reimburse:

👉Hospital/physician care and therapy sessions (PT/OT/SLP)
👉Prescriptions and disposable medical supplies
👉Medical equipment, home modifications, and accessible vehicles
👉Medical transportation costs

💻 How to Apply
You can apply online, save your progress, and upload documents (like receipts and tax forms) at your own pace.

👉 Program Overview: https://www.mass.gov/catastrophic-illness-in-children-relief-fund-cicrf

📧 Questions? Contact the fund at (617) 624-5951 or email [email protected].

What a wonderful day at the Division of Developmental Medicine Showcase! We were very proud to share information with colleagues in the Division about our LEND Program.

Congratulations to our 2025-2026 LEND fellows!

🌟 LEND Resource Roundup: The Community Support Line

In LEND, our fellows recently explored how Title V programs in Massachusetts support families, focusing on the critical importance of linking them to the right supports at the right time. Navigating the complex systems of care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) can feel overwhelming, and knowing where to turn for help is often the first step toward integrated care. This week, we are highlighting the DPH Community Support Line (CSL)—a vital Title V resource that serves as your direct link to a vast network of statewide guidance and support.

📞 What is the Community Support Line?
The CSL is a statewide, toll-free "warm line" designed for families, providers, and community partners. It serves as a central entry point for accessing benefits and specialized services within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH).

Who Can Call?
Families, healthcare providers, schools, and any partners supporting children with special health needs.

Availability:
Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Bilingual Capacity:
Staffed by specialists fluent in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and French, with access to interpretation for all other languages.

Contact: 1-800-882-1435 or 1-617-624-6060.

🛠️ How They Help
When you call the CSL, Resource Specialists provide extended assessment, technical assistance, and direct referrals to essential supports:

💫Information and Referral: Specialists help identify local and statewide community resources tailored to specific needs. Technical Assistance: Guidance is available for navigating complex public benefits, including SSI and MassHealth.

💫Empowerment: The line aims to help families and providers become more effective advocates for the children they support.

💡 Why Reach Out?
Whether you are a provider looking for technical guidance or a family navigating a new diagnosis, the CSL is there to inform, guide, and empower you.

Action Step: Save the number 1-800-882-1435 in your phone today! You never know when a family or colleague might need this vital connection.

So grateful to Jonathan Gardner and Kamisha Heriveaux for coming to speak to our fellows this morning! Today is our last class session for the year, and having these two powerful self-advocates share their stories with us is a perfect way to wrap up this LEND year!