Public Benefits and Community Assistance

Here is a list of all the licensed, private individual childcare options in Cambridge (and some in Somerville).

A home visiting programs' primary purpose is to support and encourage parents and caregivers, share information, and connect families with resources in their home and/or a convenient location.

We offer a variety of services, supports and programs dedicated to ensuring equitable access and success for students who have a documented risk of regression during the summer months.

We have several support groups, meetings, and events happening virtually for parents and their children.

We provide nutritional counseling, healthy food benefits, workshops, education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and community resources at no cost to eligible Massachusetts families.

We promote the earliest parent-child relationships by helping parents manage the care of a new baby.

When people come in we can help them use their digital devices (smartphones, tablets, computers), apply for services online, learn digital literacy and safety/privacy tips, and get access to devices.

Known as universal preschool, we provide free preschool to Cambridge 4 year-olds and some 3 year-olds beginning in September.

Qualifying individuals can apply to receive affordable internet access and a new laptop.

Our alternative resource is curated by youth for youth to help destigmatize conversations around mental health through our welcoming, fun and approachable campaign.

We visit moms and dads of young children at a convenient location to share information about early literacy development, talking and reading with children, and community resources.

We understand the importance of community and the power of compassion. As a 100% volunteer-run program, we are committed to supporting vulnerable individuals and families in Cambridge, MA.

We provide free and nutritionally balanced meals to Cambridge residents 18 years of age and under. There are vegetarian and non-vegetarian options offered at all meal sites!

Pathways to Family Success supports low-income Cambridge families with free events, activities, supplies, and community.

Riverside Early Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood program that partners with parents to promote children’s healthy development.

Our partnership fosters positive development, mental health, safe schools and communities, and limiting juvenile justice involvement through prevention, intervention and diversion services for youth.

We provide language and interpretation classes, youth programs, multicultural community events, and other supports for immigrant families, regardless of status.

We provide services related to substance use, harm reduction, education and mental health support.

Our teen support text line connects young people up to age 24 with a peer they can talk to when they feel lonely, depressed, overwhelmed, or suicidal.

The Cambridge Doula is a home visiting program available to all expecting parents who are Cambridge Health Alliance patients.

Cambridge Dads was created to increase fatherhood engagement in programming. The program strives to ensure dads are engaged, informed, and feel supported in their role as parents.

Our programs serve to improve awareness of the importance of oral health to overall health by providing oral health education, dental screenings, and assistance with access to care.

We provide 24/7 mobile crisis services and help people who need access to timely, high quality mental health and substance use services.

We can provide a home visitor who can visit your home for one-hour every week to explore books, educational materials, and play-based learning with your child.

These two VA recommended apps can help you reduce or quit tobacco products and gain mindfulness coping strategies for reducing stress.

Our helpline helps disrupt and prevent unhealthy relationships and intimate partner violence by empowering young people through inclusive and equitable education, support, and resources.

Our 24/7 hotline helps survivors and their loved ones by connecting them to a RAINN support specialist or a local center from RAINN’s network +1,000 sexual assault service providers.