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The DDS Autism Division runs a program for low-income children with autism called the Children’s Autism Services Waiver Program. This program serves children under the age of 10 who meet both the clinical and financial eligibility that includes having/obtaining MassHealth Standard Insurance. The Autism Services Waiver Program allows children to receive Expanded Habilitation, Education, in-home services and supports, such as Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and Floor Time, for a total of up to 3 years. At the conclusion of the three years of the intensive in-home services, a child may access ongoing Supplemental Services (for example respite and goods and services, etc.) that meet the child’s needs  until the child’s 10th birthday. Currently, the program serves approximately 400 children a year. While the program is near capacity, we are expanding the number of participants and there is a high rate of turnover in the program every year, so we looking to have a new pool of applicants to draw from to fill open slots.

The Autism Division is accepting new application requests for families interested in this program between the dates of October 14, 2022 and October 31, 2022. Applications must be postmarked or emailed from a parent/guardian no later than October 30, 2022.

Attached are copies of the Autism Waiver Program Open Request Application and Open Request Family Overview both in English and Spanish that can be shared with families. The application form, family notice and related materials in multiple languages are available on the DDS website https://www.mass.gov/dds-autism-waiver-service-program-overview and at the seven regionally based Autism Support Centers (a list of the Centers is available on the DDS website).

Thanks for your interest in upcoming Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) Mental Health First Aid trainings:   

Adult Mental Health First Aid

Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022

Youth Mental Health First Aid

Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022

Both classes are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Zoom.

Virtual Mental Health First Aid is a two-part, eight-hour class that involves:

1. Two-hour, self-paced, online pre-work on Mental Health First aid topics.

2. Six hour, instructor-led, live training on Zoom, which is used to host the live part of the class.

Registration is required.  To register, please click on a link below for the class that interests you. 

Register Here for 10-18 Adult MHFA

Register Here for 10-20 Youth MHFA

Mental Health First Aid is a certification course valued at $170 per person. The Cambridge Health Alliance is able to generously offer it free to members of our community as a result of federal funding from SAMHSA.  

Registration preference is given for those in the Cambridge Health Alliance’s service areas including Cambridge, Somerville, Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop. Registration is provided on a first come, first served basis.

Adult Mental Health First Aid helps community members learn about risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, and gives them skills and strategies to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring adults how to help a youth (12 – 18) who is developing a mental health or substance use problem or crisis.

** For registration questions please contact Kerry Mello, kmello@challiance.org **

Additional information about CHA’s Mental Health First Aid training program can be found here: 

Mental Health First Aid Training Program