At the Federation for Children With Special Needs, we know that families are at the heart of systems change. Whether you’re raising a child with disabilities or advocating for others, your voice, time, and lived experience have the power to drive change, build belonging, and create more equitable outcomes for children and young adults.
Together, we are building an inclusive world—one story, one connection, one volunteer at a time.
Get Involved Now
Your story can change lives.
Whether joyful or difficult, your journey can help anther family feel seen and supported. Real stories can inspire understanding, empathy, and action.
Join a network rooted in shared experience.
Whether you’re a caregiver seeking support or someone who’s been there and wants to help, our peer programs (C2C & P2P) offer meaningful connection and community.
Your time can open doors.
Whether you’re a caregiver seeking support or someone who’s been there and wants to help, our peer programs (C2C & P2P) offer meaningful connection and community.
Building Belonging
Together, we are building an inclusive world
-one story, one connection, one volunteer at a time
Frequently Asked Questions
Share Your Story
One way to advocate for systemic change is by sharing your personal story. Your story can be impactful and can provide inspiration and motivation to others. Stories help us connect and can establish common understanding. There are many benefits to sharing your story to advocate for change, such as creating empathy, helping others understand, and motivating people to take action.
Need some tips to help write your story? You can use this Story Guide Template or review the following questions to help you craft your story:
- What was the best kind of support and/or assistance you received?
- What happened that was NOT helpful?
- How do you think your story would inspire or support other families?
- How did you find your community?
- How has your perspective on disability changed throughout your journey?
- How does culture affect your decision making?
- Share one important lesson you learned through your journey.
Ready to share your story with the Federation? Please fill out the “My Story” form. If you prefer to share your story with us differently (audio, video, photo, Word document, etc.), please email us at story@fcsn.org.
Join Caregiver to Caregiver (C2C)
Q: Will the CORI background check affect my immigration status？
A: The CORI background check will not affect or get in the way of your immigration status. It is done just to see if a participant has any past criminal records or not!
Q: Is the CORI background check confidential?
A: The CORI background check is completely confidential and is not shared with anyone. It is done for each program participant.
Q: Is the PCA Program available as a compensation option?
A: The Personal Care Attendant program is available to people with disabilities who meet the following conditions:
- Have MassHealth Standard or CommonHealth or be enrolled with a Senior Care Option or 1Care Plan.
- Physical assistance must be medically necessary.
- Have a permanent or chronic disability that impairs their ability to perform activities of daily living without physical assistance.
- Needs physical assistance with two or more activities of daily living.
The other forms of compensation are Barter and Private pay.
Q: Do I have to be a Massachusetts resident to be eligible for this program?
A: This program currently focuses only on residents of Massachusetts.
Q: How can I learn more about the program before signing up?
A: We are always happy to share more information and answer any questions you might have! Please contact us at c2crespite@fcsn.org or you can reach out to any of our team coordinators.
Q: Can I still participate in the program if I only want to receive respite?
A: Reciprocity is the key to success of this program, but you can still participate if you only want to provide/receive or do both as well.
Join Parent to Parent (P2P)
Q: Do Support Parents receive any training before being matched with Requesting Parents?
A: Yes! Volunteers attend a training called Listening & Learning, where they are coached to listen carefully, understand concerns and reflect on their own experiences in order to offer emotional support. Volunteers also receive training around respecting confidentiality, culture and individual differences at all times.
Q: What if you don’t have a Support Parent with the experience I’m looking for?
A: As an alliance member of P2P USA, we can reach out to Parent to Parent programs across the country for unique match requests.
Q: How can I learn more about the program before signing up?
A: We are always happy to share more information and answer any questions you might have! Please contact our P2P Coordinator at p2p@fcsn.org or (617) 399-8382.
Become a Special Education Surrogate Parent (SESP)
Special Education Surrogate Parents (SESPs) make educational decisions for students in Massachusetts whose parents are unknown or unavailable. They meet with their assigned student or observe them in the classroom, receive all progress reports and report cards and attend IEP meetings as an acting surrogate parent. Federal education law requires a student’s parents or guardians be included in the special education decision-making process. However, children in state custody may not have anyone to fill that role. In Massachusetts, those children depend on SESPs to protect their legal right to a free and appropriate education.
