US Army Base Fort Devens Devens, Ma.

Family Support Services Overview

Fort Devens and surrounding communities offer a wide variety of Family Support Services which address any pursuit you may be interested in or have staff ready to answer any questions you may have.

Army Community Service works closely with agencies in the surrounding community, the 94th RSC,telephone 978-796-2260 and Hanscom Air Force Base Family Support, 781-377-4222.

The military has many wonderful programs designed to assist families with children, beginning with a program dealing with new parent issues. One program, the New Parent Support Program that supports expectant families and parents of children birth to 3 years of age by enhancing the knowledge and skills the parents need to form healthy relationships and to provide safe, nurturing environments for their children. Participation is voluntary and available to families who live both on and off the installation.

There is no child care available on Fort Devens. Army Community Service has a list of Massachusetts Office for Children approved day care providers and child care centers in the surrounding communities.

Hanscom AFB has a Child Development Center. Telephone 781-377-1279. Before and after school age care is available at most schools in the community.

Hanscom also has a New Parent Support Program. Bundles for baby classes are held on a regular basis. Information can be obtained at the Hanscom Family Support Center at
781-377-4222.

ACS has School lists and telephone numbers. 978-796-3119

For more Web site information
on this subject, visit
Hanscom AFB
http://www.hanscom.af.mil

Family Centers

Army Community Service is always available to help soldiers, Marines and Navy personnel and their families. Here at Devens we have downsized but offer soldiers a welcoming place to go for all kinds of help, information and referral to local Community Resources. Call 978-796-3119.
We work with Hanscom Air Force Base to help families and soldiers with situations a family might encounter.
Surrounding communities have their special services to offer.

Name : Exceptional Family Member Program
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-3023; DSN 256-3023	Fax :
Comment : This is an Army-wide program to ensure that family members receive appropriate services to meet special physical, emotional, or educational needs. EFMP enrollment enables the Army to take family members' special needs into consideration when the soldier is due to be reassigned. ACS has a directory of medical, educational, and social service facilities within a 40-mile radius of Devens, and will assist family members to obtain the appropriate services.

Name : Family Advocacy Program (FAP)
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-3023; DSN 256-3023	Fax :
Comment : Family Advocacy Program (FAP) provides information and education for the prevention of child abuse, spouse abuse, and child neglect. Treatment and counseling services are provided at Hanscom Air Force Base or contracted out.

Name : Financial Planning Assistance
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-3023; DSN 256-3023	Fax :
Comment : Limited services are offered by Army Community Service, Devens, to soldiers and family members: Financial counseling, to assist in development of a realistic budget, setting up a method for paying monthly bills on time, and thereby improving a credit rating are available at Hanscom Air Force Base. Appointments will be made for financial counseling. Food stamps, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and Fuel Assistance eligibility are available. Pamphlets concerning budgeting and personal finance are available at ACS free of charge.

Name : Information and Referral	POC : ACS Staff
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-3119; DSN 256-3119	Fax :
Comment : Need information but don't know who to call? ACS has a directory of services available both on and off post in the communities surrounding Fort Devens.

Name : Relocation Assistance
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-3119; DSN 256-3119	Fax :
Comment : Assistance includes a Devens Welcome Packet with maps, pamphlets and information on area towns, schools, health services, places to shop, etc. Important information on state laws and requirements is available. Utilize our Welcome Packet library with information from U.S. installations worldwide, Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES) computer printouts with lots of information from military installations worldwide in a convenient booklet format. Loan Closet for temporary loan of futons, kitchen cookware and dishes, car seats, playpens, strollers, and other items.

Information and Referral

Army Community Service maintains listings of information concerning civilian and military resources to help people meet their particular needs.

Community resources welcome military members.

Name : AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
Address : 85 Green Street
City : Worcester	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : 508-755-3773	Fax :

Name : Alcohol & Drug Detoxification	POC : Alcohol Detoxification Center
Address : 17 Orchard Street
City : Leominster	State : MA	Zip : 01453
Phone : (978) 840-0283	Fax :
Comment : Counseling: (978) 840-0278

Name : Battered Women's (& Children) Resources Inc. (B.W.R.I)	POC : Staff
Address : 76 Summer Street
City : Fitchburg	State : MA	Zip : 01420
Phone : (978) 342-9355	Fax :
Comment : One woman is beaten every 18 seconds and murdered every 15 days due to domestic violence. Battering can be kicking, punching, threats, harassment or sexual assault. Women of all cultures, races, economic levels and occupations are battered by husbands, lovers, boyfriends or relatives. Assistance offered includes support, information, advocacy, emergency shelter, counseling, for mothers and their children.

Name : Department of Social Services
Address : 215 Hamilton Street
City : Leominster	State : MA	Zip : 01453
Phone : 978-345-2101	Fax :

Name : Disabled Abuse	POC : Disabled Persons Protective Comm Voice/TDD
Phone : (800) 426-9009	Fax :

Name : Massachusetts Department of Public Health	POC : Elder Abuse
Address : 252 Washington Street
City : Boston	State : MA	Zip : 02108
Phone : 800-922-2275	Fax :

Name : Parental Stress Line
Phone : (800) 882-1250	Fax :

Name : Rape Crisis Center of Central Massachusetts	POC : Staff
Address : Burbank Hospital
City : Fitchburg	State : MA	Zip : 01420
Phone : (800) 870-5905	Fax :

Name : Substance Abuse Services	POC : Dept of Public Health
City : Boston	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (617) 727-1960	Fax :

Name : Suicide	POC : Samaritans
City : Lawrence	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 688-6607	Fax :

Name : Tough Love
City :	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (800) 333-1069	Fax :

Financial Assistance Programs

Devens Army Community Service will assist you with important financial issues and budgeting.

COST OF LIVING IS HIGH

Devens is considered a high cost of living area. Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is applicable. The average cost of a house is $380,000.00. Apartments are expensive and rental houses are scarce. Both Oil and gas prices for heating have risen over the past year.

RENT/SECURITY DEPOSIT

Fort Devens has no government housing. Rental agreement fees of first month, last month and security deposit, is one of the biggest expenses when coming to Devens if you reside in the community. Government housing is available at Hanscom Air Force Base. Telephone # (781)377-4590.

Guidance and help in the financial arena can be obtained at Army Community Service, Devens, to soldiers, Reserve and National Guard Personnel, Marines, Navy and family members.

Call 978-796-3023 for help in keeping track of your expenses during a PCS move.

Be aware of disadvantages of Advanced Pay. Government Credit Card use is monitored by CID.

Pamphlets concerning budgeting and personal finance are available at ACS, free of charge. Appointments should be made for financial counseling and prescreening for Food Stamps, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), and Fuel Assistance eligibility. Referral is offered to Consumer Credit Counseling Services in the area or in house.

Guidance and help in the financial arena, to service soldiers and family members in the development of a realistic budget, a system in the payment of bills, and improving a credit rating can be obtained by calling ACS. Free pamphlets are available from the ACS Consumer Resource Library. Individual counseling appointments are available through Devens Army Community Service or Hanscom Air Force Base. Information on services, or for eligibility screening for Food Stamps, Special Supplemental Food Program for Woman, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Fuel Assistance eligibility, contact the ACS at (978) 796-3023; DSN 256-3023.

Army Emergency Relief (AER) provides financial assistance in times of valid financial emergency need. Those eligible to apply include active duty soldiers and their dependents, Army Reserve and National Guard soldiers on active duty for more than 30 days and their dependents, retirees, and surviving spouses and orphans of soldiers who died while on active duty or in retirement. Contact ACS for eligibility information at the above number.

Call us for information of the Military Thrift Savings Program for enrollment information and processing. 978-796-3023.

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Emergency Assistance

Emergencies can arise when traveling. Your first call should be Army Community Service to see if they can help. Being prepared for the possibility of needing emergency assistance while in transit is important. Keep your unit commander and sponsor's information handy.The American Red Cross is always available for emergency aid. Dial Toll Free: 1-877-272-7337.
Memorandum of Understanding with the American Red Cross and Army Emergency Relief help solders 24 hours a day, seven days a week for immediate financial assistance to eligible personnel with valid emergency needs

Army Emergency Relief can provide financial assistance to meet unforeseen, valid emergency needs. Emergency Assistance for family related services are available at Army Community Service.
If you require prevention information, treatment information, or financial information we will use all available in house, Hanscom AFB or community services to assist you. Call 978-796-3023

Army Emergency Relief is located at ACS in Building 683, 61 Quebec Street.

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Family Advocacy

Our nation asks a lot of military members and their families. As a result, military families often experience unusual pressure. Too often, military families don't ask for help before these pressures become a crisis.

The Family Advocacy program can help military families prevent child and domestic abuse. It can also help if child or spouse abuse has already occurred. The Family Advocacy program offers classes, individual and group counseling, and support groups to help deal with parent-child or spousal conflicts.

Prevention, education, advocacy and support services in the area of domestic family violence are available at Army Community Service. A partnership is in place with Hanscom Air Force Base for client assessment needs. Call 978-796-3023 for Family Readiness resources.

Child neglect, child abuse, spouse abuse and parenting resources are available through training and our extensive library of books and videos.

Treatment is contracted, Hanscom Air Force Base, or through TRICARE.

Child Protective Service (CPS) is the civilian agency that investigates reports of child abuse and neglect that occur in the civilian community and recommends support services for civilian parents if child maltreatment has occurred and treatment is appropriate. CPS will also be involved in reports of child maltreatment involving military families. CPS, the Family Advocacy program, and the military and civilian law enforcement agencies work together to protect children and ensure parents obtain the help they need.

The Massachusetts Department of Social Services is located in Boston, MA The department has 29 offices located throughout the state.

To report abuse or neglect call: 1-800-792-5200
For information of foster care call: 1800-543-7508

Local parent support groups available in communities.

Parent classes are ongoing at Hanscom AFB.

For more Web site information
on this subject, visit
Hanscom Air Force Base
http://www.hanscom.af.mil

Single Member Services

Army Community Service will help you to find resources in the community based on your likes and needs. Call 978-796-3023 for more information.

Support Groups

Devens partners with Hanscom Air Force Base Family Support for groups and Family Support Services.

There are many support groups in the Fort Devens surrounding communities. Contact ACS telephone 978-796-3023 for a more complete listing of support groups in the area.

Name : Hanscom Family Support Center
Address : Building 1218
Kirtland Street
City : Hanscom AFB	State : MA	Zip : 01731
Phone : 781-377-4222	Fax :
DSN Phone : 478-4222	DSN Fax :
WWW Link : http://www.hanscom.af.mil

For more Web site information
on this subject, visit
Community Support Groups
http://www.magnet.state.ma.us

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Morale, Welfare and Recreation

ACS sponsors a wide variety of cultural/social/recreational opportunities in the surrounding communities, year round. Central and Eastern Massachusetts are densely populated and offer much to do with free time. Army Community Service has pamphlets on sightseeing in Massachusetts, with its rich historical tradition, and activities happening in communities around Eastern and Central MA all year round. Sports teams on all levels including professional, museums, professional theater, scenic lakes/mountains/beaches, fishing, music and dance, to name a few, are here waiting for you.

USO prints a monthly calendar of events in the Mass. area with discount prices, free, and available events.

Hanscom AFB has Tickets and Tours, Outdoor Recreation, The Travel Company Building, Auto Hobby Shop, Bowling Center Enlisted Club, Officer's Club and Flight Training Center.

Name : Hanscom AFB Outdoor Recreation
Address : Building 1530
City : Hanscom AFB	State : MA	Zip : 01731
Phone : 781-377-5316	Fax :
DSN Phone : 478-5316	DSN Fax :
WWW Link : http://www.hanscom.af.mil
Comment : Rent camping and sports equipment, buy ski tickets, ship UPS packages. Fourth Cliff Recreation Area Reservations. 1-800-468-9547

Name : Hanscom Tickets and Tours
Address : Building 1530
City : Hanscom AFB	State : MA	Zip : 01731
Phone : 781-377-7020	Fax :
DSN Phone : 478-7020	DSN Fax :
Comment : Boston and New England information. Reduced fees, passes to movies and museums, tours to New York, Atlantic City etc. Hours: Sun -Thu 9:00 A.M.- 9:00 P.M. Fri - Sat 9:00A.M. - 10 P.M

Chapel Services and Programs

All denominations are represented in local area.

Call ACS at 978-796-3119 for a listing or check the yellow pages of the local phone book.

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Drug and Alcohol Support

Family Support Services for Drug and Alcohol are available by calling ACS at 978-796-2107

Contract service or community referral available.

Name : Alcoholics Anonymous
Address : Worcester
City :	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : 508-752-9000	Fax :

Name : Mass. Dept of Public Health,Alcohol and Drug Hotline
Phone : 1-800-327-5050	Fax :

Legal Assistance

Devens has one lawyer and one legal assistant.

Hours: 0730-1600

Legal aid and assistance can be obtained by appointment.

Name : Legal Advisor's Office
Address : Bldg. 683, 61 Quebec Street
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434-4429
Phone : (978) 796-2701	Fax :
DSN Phone : 256-2701	DSN Fax :
Comment : Make an appointment to guarantee services. Hours: 0730-1600, Mon through Fri.

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State and Community Social Service Agencies

Food Stamp Hotline 1-800-645-8333

FOOD STAMPS AND MASSACHUSETTS TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE DEPARTMENT (Welfare)

Massachusetts Transitional Assistance Department 978-665-8700 can provide information about Food Stamps. To apply, you need to bring the following with you: your social security cards including your children's. The Food Stamp Office is allowed 30 days to process the application; however, average waiting time is 2-3 weeks. At the time of approval, an I.D. card and ATP (authorization to participate) will be issued to you. It is recommended that you apply during your first fourteen days of the month to obtain faster service. Only by applying can the amount of eligibility be determined.

WOMEN, INFANT AND CHILDREN (WIC)

If you are eligible, you will receive nutrition information and counseling, referrals to other services and checks to buy food. Call 1-800-WIC-1007. The closest to Devens is Fitchburg 978-345-6272.

Safe shelters for victims who choose to leave their abusive partners are usually available in the civilian community. Shelters are intended to provide a short-term safe haven for domestic violence victims and their children. Counseling and other support services are available to assist victims in developing a longer-term plan to ensure their safety and the safety of their children.

Domestic Violence State Resources - Massachusetts

For information or assistance, contact:

Massachusetts Coalition Of Battered Women Services Group
14 Beacon Street, Suite 507
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-248-0922
FAX: 617-248-0902

CITY PROGRAM PHONE#
Boston Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
Casa Myrna Vazquez
Elizabeth Stone House
F.I.N.E.X. House
Harbor Me
Jane Doe Safety Fund

NEW ENGLAND CENTER for WOMEN in TRANSITION
24 hour Hotline: (413) 772-0806

Name : Department of Social Services
Address : 215 Hamilton Street
City : Leominster	State : MA	Zip : 01453
Phone : (978)466-1500/ 800-479-6111	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: 0900-1700, Mon-Fri Contact Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Devens, (978) 796-3023 for information on when and how to report suspected cases of child abuse. Information is available from FAP concerning child/spouse abuse identification and reporting, shelters and other protective services, foster care, etc.

Name : Massachusetts Women, Infants & Children (WIC) Program	POC : Staff
Address : 689 Main St.
City : Fitchburg	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 345-6272, (800) 942-1007	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: 0900-1700, Mon-Fri

Non-Profit Social Service Agencies

There are a number of non-profit social agencies in the Devens area.

Name : Association for Retarded Citizens, N. Central, Inc.	POC : Staff
Address : 558 Main Street
City : Fitchburg	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 343-6662	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: 0830-1630, Mon-Fri Services for developmentally disabled; advocacy, education, employment, recreation

Name : Community Counseling Center-Ayer
Address : 180 Groton Street
City : Ayer	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 772-6060	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 10 minutes
Comment : Hours: Mon 0900-2000, Tues 0900-1800, Wed 0900-2000 Sliding fee scale

Name : Community Counseling Center-Clinton
Address : 201 Highland Street
City : Clinton	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 368-0181	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: Thurs 0900-2000 Sliding fee scale

Name : Community Health and Prevention Services
Address : 71 Pleasant Street
City : Leominster	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 840-0278	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 15 minutes
Comment : Hours: Mon-Thurs 0730-2000, Fri 0730-1600 Outpatient drug and alcohol services

Name : LUK Crisis Center, Inc.
Address : 99 Day Street
City : Fitchburg	State : MA	Zip :
Phone : (978) 345-0685	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 20 minutes
Comment : Hours: Office 0800-1700, Mon-Fri 24 hour crisis hot line: drugs, suicide, unwed mothers

Name : Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry
Address : Devens Commerce Center
City : Devens	State : MA	Zip : 01434
Phone : (978) 772-4627	Fax :
Proximity To Site: 5 minutes
Comment : Hours: Wed 0900-1100, 1300-1430, Fri 0900-1100 Loaves & Fishes provides emergency food and vouchers to be used for the purchase of perishables at a nearby supermarket. The ACS food locker may be able to provide the needed assistance. Call ACS at (978) 796-2107.

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Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

The Exceptional Family member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment, Army-wide program designed to ensure that family members receive appropriate services to meet special physical, emotional or educational needs.

Devens works closely with West Point, NY for EFMP issues.

EFMP enrollment enables the Army to take family members' special needs into consideration when the soldier is due to be reassigned. Call Army Community Service for medical/educational paper work. Telephone 978-796-3023

ACS has a directory of medical and educational facilities and services available within a 40-mile radius of Devens, and will assist family members with special needs or disabilities to obtain the appropriate services. The Boston area is world renowned for the abundance of medical care. Soldiers are reminded of the importance of registering upon arrival at the installation.

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind, (800)392-6450

Disabled Persons Protective Committee Voice/TDD,(800)426-9009

Information Center for Individuals With Disabilities, (800)-462-5015

Massachusetts/Voice/TDD, Mass. Rehab. Comm, Employment/Vocational Training, Fitchburg, MA, (978) 345-1713

Friends of the Retarded, Inc., Fitchburg, MA, (978) 345-6301

Office of Handicapped Affairs, Boston, MA, (617) 727-7440

Special Needs

Massachusetts has many programs for special needs. Each community has services from early intervention, pre-school, school age, middle school, high school, to adult learning.

Advocacy/support groups available to families in Massachusetts include:

1. Early Intervention Services:
a. Department of Public Health 1-800-905-8437

2. TRICARE Rep for Devens Area
a. Hanscom AFB Patricia House 978-377-2120 DSN 478

3. Child Care / Respit Care
a. Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services, Boston MA, 02108 617-988-6600

4. Respit Care
a. Office of Health and Human Services, Boston, MA
617-727-7600

5. WIC
a. Bureau of Family Community Health, Boston, MA 617-624-6100

6. SSI / SSA
Toll Free # 1-800-772-1213
151 Warren Street, Lowell MA 01852 978-452-5509

7. MEDICARE
Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services
1-800-841-2900

8. FOOD STAMPS
Massachusetts Department of Transitional Services Toll Free # 1-800-249-2007
473 Main Street, Fitchburg MA 01420 978-665-8700

Massachusetts Public Health association (MPHA) is a state wide membership organization that seeks through advocacy, education, coalition building and organized action to improve the public health, promote the establishment of health care as a human right, and secure optimal community, personal, and environmental health.

MPHA
434 Jamaicaway
Jamaica Plain
Boston MA 02130 617-524-6696 x 102

MPHA
4 Lancaster Terrace, Worcester MA 01609 508-791-5893

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