Together, anything is possible.

The Family Support and Stabilization program

Good news. We know how to foster environments where families can thrive.
Our Family Support and Stabilization program:

  • Strengthens family relationships

  • Builds community support around families

  • Helps parents and youth build life skills

  • Prevents out-of-home placement

  • Supports reunification from foster care

Often, the families we work with are overwhelmed financially, emotionally and socially. Our Family Support Specialists work with parents to help them navigate these challenges and create a more stable family environment.

A Bridges Homeward Family Support Specialist embraces a mother and her child.

We bridge cultural and communication gaps.

Here, we advocate on our families’ behalf and work with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to find a positive way forward for the entire family. If the children are already in foster care, we will teach the parenting and emotional skills necessary for reunification as well. By connecting families with the community resources and specialized support groups they need, we help them build a safe, stable home life.

Family Stories

 

 

Before I started Parenting Journey, I was hopeless and impatient. I just wanted my daughter back. The staff who ran the Parenting Journey workshop was so compassionate. They really wanted to help. I learned how to communicate with her and be a better mom. Today I have full custody of my daughter!

Bridges Homeward Parent

We embrace our cultural differences.

Bridges Homeward supports and assists families of any racial, ethnic or religious background. For families who speak English as a second language, we do our best to match them with a specialist who speaks their language. It’s the reason so many immigrants and first-generation Americans trust us: here, we go the extra mile to bridge communication gaps they may have with other providers and strengthen the connection between our case managers and the families they serve.

  • Our case managers speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole.

  • We have experience working with refugee and immigrant populations.

  • We support clients with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

  • We advise on teen health and safety planning.

  • We practice trauma-informed care.

  • Our case managers are experts in:

    • affordable housing resources

    • in-home crisis response

    • access to educational resources and IEPs

    • reunification from out-of-home placement

Healthy Families Massachusetts

Becoming a parent for the first time is a life-changing experience at any age. Healthy Families can help.

All moms and dads experience challenges raising young children and can benefit from help and guidance throughout the process. We know that you are up for the challenge.

Bridges Homeward coaches and supports moms and dads age 23 and younger in Chelsea, East Boston, Revere, Winthrop, and Charlestown as they navigate the ups and downs of parenting.

A home visitor from the program will get to know you and your baby in your home. They will help you build parenting skills and answer your questions.

They can also help you set and achieve personal goals like staying in school or finding the right job.

How the program works:

• Free and voluntary home visits with an experienced home visitor – typically, visits happen more frequently during your baby’s first months

• Child development information – what to expect as a new parent

• Education and career support

• Referrals to helpful services in your community, like day care, health insurance, job placement agencies, continuing education, WIC, and more

• Connections with other young parents

• Family-focused social events and outings

You get to decide when and where you’d like to meet. You can start home visits during your pregnancy and continue them up to your child’s third birthday.


To sign up for this program, please complete an inquiry form:

Healthy Families Inquiry Form
Healthy Families Formulario de Solicitud

To refer someone for this program, please complete a referral form:

Healthy Families Referral Form
Healthy Families Formulario de Referencia 

Healthy Families Massachusetts is a statewide program of the Children’s Trust.

The Many Services We Offer

A mother and her young son smile at each other while drawing together during playtime.

Finding Family Everywhere

When we first met Maya, she was working toward reunifying with her son, who was in foster care at the time. We immediately saw that the family needed the opportunity to expand their knowledge of parenting and child development. Maya used our recommended practices and started incorporating self-care and healthy routines for her and her son into her daily life. After four months, Maya had improved her parenting skills and was able to reunite with her son. Today, they live a happy, healthy life together!

Help families stay together. Make a donation today.