Child Development & Advocacy

Building strong communities means advocating for the most vulnerable. We help babies get a good start in life, help children overcome adversity and discover their strengths, and protect at-risk youth.

Protecting and Supporting The Most Vulnerable

For nearly 50 years, we’ve been protecting the interests of children throughout Western Massachusetts with early intervention, foster care, court advocacy, and more.

From securing safe housing to matching kids with mentors, our programs help children learn, grow, and know how much they’re loved.

Many of our clinicians and counselors have devoted their lives to child development. Highly trained in the latest modalities, we are advocates for young people from birth through 21.

  • Early childhood intervention services put babies and toddlers on the path to healthy development. Our in-home therapies in Western Massachusetts help children reach important milestones while building strong bonds with moms, dads, and the whole family.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters matches caring mentors with young people in need of a role model. “Bigs” make time for movies, sports, art, or just talking about the school day. The bonds formed during these critical years of development often last a lifetime.
  • Our foster care programs meet a variety of needs, including short- and long-term overnight stays and emergency placements. We work hard to maintain a network of stable foster homes, including those that can handle significant medical needs.
  • CASA advocates speak up for abused and neglected children who end up in the court system through no fault of their own. Our volunteers in Hampden County forge special bonds with these children and make recommendations to judges that help safeguard their future.

We’re proud of our programs and services that support young people, but we couldn’t do it without you. Local mentors, volunteers, and advocates allow us to help thousands of children in our area. Together, we’re building a community where more kids can thrive.