children concentrating on writing on paper
Image by svklimkin from Pixabay

Downloadable List of Resources

We’re working on an update to the listings on the page below. If you’d like to have the most up-to-date list, please use our new PDF. 

Foster and Caregiver Family ResourcesDownload

Online List of Resources

For Grandparents/Kinship Caregivers

Grandparent Guardian Collaborative

An experienced, multi-faceted team of attorneys, group facilitators, mentors, educational and legislative advocates committed to assisting Grandparent Guardians and Kinship Caregivers in order to ensure the safety, health and well-being of children.

HelpGuide

Website with helpful information for grandparents raising grandchildren.

Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children

Provides a monthly cash benefit for families with children and once a year, money to buy clothing for each child in the family.

Cape Cod Neighborhood Support Coalition

Offers services to help Grandparents feel supported in bringing up their grandchildren, as well as others who are in a Kinship role.

They offer support groups and confidential conversations, whether in-person, by phone, or email, to discuss the challenges a Grandparent/Kin-parent may be facing.

Their website also has a calendar of workshops, meetings, groups, and related programs for parents, grandparents, guardians, foster families and primary caregivers of children.

Other Resources for Families

Cape Cod Family Resource Center

They link families to services and opportunities. Provide support groups, programs for children, teens and parents.Their website has a lot of information and a calendar of events. Located in Hyannis.

Cape Cod Children’s Place

Provides resources, referrals, high quality early childhood education, advocacy and support to sustain healthy communities on the Cape. They offer programs for children, parents and families. Located in Eastham.

Childrens Trust

A community portal that provides Cape residents with online access to available resources, including finding free or reduced cost help for families.

Family Pantry of Cape Cod

Provides food and clothing to local families. Located in Harwich.

WIC – Women, Infants & Children

WIC gives you access to healthy food and nutrition education. If you’re a caregiver, or a mom with a child under 5, you can get the right personalized support for you and your family. Located in Hyannis.

Health Imperatives

Supporting vulnerable youth and young adults.  Young people ages 13 and up are welcome at any of our seven Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics for exams, birth control, and other services. Located in Hyannis.

For Children in DCF care

Cape Cod Ambassadors

A team of professionals from several different churches and organizations whose mission is to love, support and empower children in the foster care system.

They hold a summer camp and other events for children in foster care.

Covenant to Care for Foster Families

They match a Cape/Islands congregation or community organization with a Foster Care Family, supporting that family and the children in its care.

Parishes “adopt” a foster family in order to offer support and “extras” not covered by the state’s financial allocation.

They also help fund such things as: summer camp, bicycles, eye glasses, etc. through their

Katelynn’s Closet

Located in Yarmouth. They provide clothing and footwear to local children in need, ages 4-18, including foster children. Referrals are made by a school nurse or social worker.

Rise Above

Dedicated to providing children in foster care in Massachusetts with enriching activities, opportunities and experiences.

Sibling Connections

The only organization in Massachusetts designed for the sole purpose of strengthening the sibling bond of children separated by foster care.

While the sibling relationship is the longest and one of the most important relationships most people have in their lives, this is especially true for children who are removed from their families because of abuse or neglect.

In many instances, a brother or sister might literally be the only constant relationship in a child’s life.

Wonderfund

Enrichment activities and emergency goods for children in DCF care.

A Family Resource Worker must make the referral.

They fund enrichment activities in these areas:

  • Arts & Music: lessons, equipment, instrument rental, etc.
  • Academics: tutoring, SAT prep, school-related activity fees like educational field trips
  • Athletics: lessons, equipment, registration fees, memberships, training camps, etc.
  • Camp: sailing, swimming, soccer, hiking, boating and friendship

The Gifted Crate

Provides a custom “birthday in a box” to children and teens in foster care in MA.

The birthday crate includes a boxed cake mix, frosting, candles, plates, napkins, and customized gifts based on the child’s wishes.

Referrals must be made through the child’s social worker.

TriTogether

Offers free virtual tutoring services for students whose circumstances have previously made tutoring inaccessible,

4th grade through college.

Referrals are made by the social worker. Foster parents can also complete the referral form, but confirmation will be requested of the social worker and that worker will be copied on all emails.

Other Programs for Children

A Baby Center

Provides critical basic baby needs to income eligible families (WIC) for infants up to age three on Cape Cod and the Islands.

Diapers, wipes, formula, gently used clothing and equipment are all provided for free to over 500 babies every month. 

ABC is now offering free monthly period supplies to eligible clients. A program of Cape Cod Council of Churches. Located in Hyannis.

To the Moon and Back

Provides support groups and information for foster/adoptive parents and relatives of children born with substance exposure.

Kind Hearts for Kids

Serves vulnerable children and teens living in foster, adoptive, and guardianship care in the Cape Cod and Islands,

They provide compassion, care and kindness in the form of birthday gifts, holiday bags, and uplifting events.

Cape Cod Toy Library

Serves Cape children and parents, grandparents, foster parents, childcare providers, early intervention practitioners, educators, and social workers.

The toy collection and resource materials focuses on young children, infants through age 9. 

In addition, many games, puzzles and creative toys are appropriate for all ages – for family and multi-generational play.

Located in West Barnstable. Outdoor Play Oasis in Hyannis is now open also!

Cape Kid Meals

They provide food over the weekend to school-aged children across the Cape who might otherwise go hungry. Most elementary schools on Cape Cod participate in this program.

Colorful Kidz

They create room makeovers for kids in need – children who may have a disability, have suffered trauma or have a medical issue. We create a space where children and teenagers can heal, cope and recover.

Sandwich Partnership for Families

Offer a variety of free and fun activities in safe and nurturing environments for children of all ages as well as parenting workshops for adults.

Shelly’s Tea Room, Plymouth

Will provide a free tea party to foster, grandparent, kinship and adoptive families during the child’s birthday month. Contact them through Kind Hearts for Kids.

Funding for Lessons & Activities

ConfiKids

Serves children in grades 1-8 in Barnstable, Bristol, Norfolk and Plymouth counties who are on the Free Lunch Program at school.

They provide funding for town sports, music/art lessons, karate, gymnastics, etc.

Must apply online.

TriTogether

Offers free virtual tutoring services for students whose circumstances have previously made tutoring inaccessible,

4th grade through college.

Referrals are made by the social worker.

Foster parents can also complete the referral form, but confirmation will be requested of the social worker and that worker will be copied on all emails.

Local Resources for Adult Clothing / Housewares

Other Foster Closets in Massachusetts