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Greater Haverhill-Newburyport
Family Support Center
A hub of information & resources!
April 2026
| | Continúe hacia abajo para recursos en Español | | Information & Resource Consultation | | |
To schedule an information and resource consultation in the Merrimack Valley, please contact Andrea Morris, Director of Family Support Center & Advocacy, at amorris@thearcofghn.org or (978) 373-0552 x211
Para programar una consulta de información y recursos en Español en Merrimack Valley, comuníquese con Rowan DeAza, Navegadora Bilingüe de Apoyo a la Familia y Gerente de Empleo, en rdeaza@thearcofghn.org o (978) 373-0552 x216.
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TAKE ACTION!
Legislative Advocacy
The Arc of Massachusetts wants to hear from you!
With this survey, we are collecting real-time, concrete examples of how these federal changes are affecting you right now. We are specifically looking for short descriptions of what has already changed – or what changes you are facing imminently. We want to know what the consequences of funding cuts and policy changes have been in people’s daily lives. A few sentences describing specific loss, disruption, or warning you have received is extremely valuable to our work. All responses will be shared anonymously unless you state otherwise. These responses strengthen our advocacy during this critical time.
Please complete this survey and share it within your networks. Your experience helps us document the real impacts of federal decisions.
The Arc of Massachusetts Action Center
The mission of The Arc of Massachusetts is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism, and their families. We fulfill this through advocacy for community supports and services that foster social inclusion, self - determination, and equity across all aspects of society.
Join their mailing list Here!
The Arc of the United States Action Center
The mission of The Arc of the United States is to promote and protect the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Join their mailing list Here!
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Social & Recreation
AFTER Program
click on the images below
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The federal government is making changes that impact how Medicaid (MassHealth) is funded and who can use the program. MassHealth is watching federal actions closely. We’re here to help explain how federal changes may affect members and partners.
Changes to MassHealth are not happening right away, and they will not affect all MassHealth members. MassHealth members and providers should keep getting and delivering care.
To learn more, join MassHealth to hear about upcoming changes MassHealth is required to make in relation to the federal law passed in 2025, called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3). There will be new rules for some members, including work and education requirements and more frequent renewals. Learn how these federal changes may affect the members you work with.
We will be hosting three webinars. All three webinars will have the same information. You can open the Zoom meeting link under the date and time you want to join, as registration is not required.
- Tuesday, April 7, 2026, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Link to join Zoom Meeting
- Wednesday, April 8, 2026, from 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Link to join Zoom Meeting
- Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Link to join Zoom Meeting
Note: Spanish language, American Sign Language, and communication access real-time translation (CART) interpreting will be provided for these webinars. If you need an accommodation, please contact MassHealth’s Disability Accommodations Ombudsman at ADAAccommodations@mass.gov or (617) 847-3468, TDD/TTY: 711 or (617) 847-3788 for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech disabled.
Certified Assisters (CACs and Navigators) are encouraged to attend.
You can learn more about these upcoming federal changes at MassHealth Federal Updates and Impact.
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Save the Date!
May 14, 8:30 am - 11:30 am
Virtual (via Zoom)
Please join us on Thursday, May 14th, for a FREE virtual conference on Understanding and Navigating the Current Landscape of Health Insurance for People with Disabilities.
REGISTER
Questions – email AIRC@umassmed.edu
Sponsored by:
Insurance Resource Center for Autism and Behavioral Health and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Disabilities
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Child Care Circuit (CCC) strives to provide families with stabilization by connecting them to resources and acting as a first point of family engagement to ensure that children access safe, healthy, and affordable child care. Child Care Circuit provides child care referrals, training, and services for both parents and providers throughout the northeast region of Massachusetts. Our services include a free online child care search, building partnerships to support families, providing accurate statistical data on child care in Massachusetts, and offering information on state-funded child care financial assistance programs.
https://www.thecommunitygroupinc.org/child-care-circuit/about/
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Many differently abled adults don’t always have spaces created just for them to gather, be social, and have fun. I want to help create more of those opportunities.
This experience will take place at Selfie Experience MA, where guests can enjoy music, move freely, and capture fun moments in the selfie rooms.
✨ Admission includes the full experience — dancing, selfies, and fun 💃🏽🕺🏻📸
✨ A drink and snack
✨ One support adult may accompany the guest and wait on the side (included in the ticket)
✨ Tickets are $25
Just to clarify: the support person, unless absolutely needed, does not participate in the dancing or selfies. This event is for the registered guest.
If you or someone you know would enjoy this experience, please share this with them. Let’s create more spaces for joy, connection, and celebration.
Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dance-selfie-social-tickets-1984678654281?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios&sg=f14bb05733360a7c8731bbe924effed6493c50b426b29e8ed24af27fd3db70f546460999e800e2a8f8bb0fad28b1ca79090e245a0eecc0745ede3b2de73f73d0aa4e3284890ec6c573d9016f14
Space is limited, so if you’d like to join, be sure to register soon.
Questions text: Loida #978-902-4049
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K.I.D.S Kids in Disability Sports
Enriching lives since 1995
Kids In Disability Sports, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) provide social, recreational and therapeutic opportunities for individuals with disabilities ages 6 and up, in the Merrimack Valley and beyond.
https://kidsinc.us/
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The Arc of Greater Haverhill-Newburyport Support Groups
Intro to Self Direction
Join this group for anyone who wants to learn about Self Directing their own DDS funds. This monthly group is designed to help those interested in Self Direction learn about the different options.
Contact Barbara Pandolfi for more information!
| | Connect with our "Dream Team" | | |
Andrea Morris
Director of Family Support Center & Advocacy
amorris@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x211
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Sreya Shepard
Family Support Manager
sshepard@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x241
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Rowan DeAza
Bilingual Family Support Navigator & Employment Manager
rdeaza@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x216
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Neala Mercier
Recreation Supervisor
nmercier@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x233
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Barbara Pandolfi
Peer Support Manager
bpandolfi@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x206
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Margot Kopp
Outreach & Communication Coordinator
mkopp@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x217
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Tracy Johnson
Special Olympics, Haverhill Stars Coordinator
tjohnson@thearcofghn.org
(978) 373-0552 x233
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Proudly supporting the following communities:
Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, and West Newbury
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