The Family Support program at SNCARC provides information and referral to services that assist families and caregivers. SNCARC Family Support staff members help families identify and obtain appropriate services. If you want to have information about programs and services sent directly to your email address, click on the purple button above and join our Listserv.

What area is served?
SNCARC Family Support serves individuals (children with developmental delays and adults with mental retardation who live at home) and their families in the towns of Canton, Dedham, Foxboro, Medfield, Millis, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood and Wrentham.

Who is eligible?
To receive Family Support services, you must be determined eligible by the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR). If you have not already completed this process, call 781-762-4001 and ask for the Family Support program or contact the Children's Service Coordinator at DMR at 508-668-3679.

Services are funded through the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation, and through private donations. The South Norfolk County Arc is a private nonprofit agency that contracts with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide Family Support and other services. The SNCARC Family Advisory Council, made up of family members of program participants, provides important feedback and advice on program services.

A Range of Flexible Services

Family Support staff members work with families to combine and configure available services to meet a wide range of needs:

• RESPITE CARE is for individuals who live with their family. Trained respite workers provide supervised care at home or at another location, so the family or caregiver can be temporarily relieved of the daily routine of care giving. Respite may be for a few hours, overnight, over a weekend, or longer, depending on need and availability.


• FLEXIBLE FUNDING can be used to assist families with expenses directly related to their family member's disability and to increase the family's capacity to care for the individual at home. Funding varies from year to year and is not guaranteed.


• INFORMATION AND REFERRAL services tap the extensive knowledge of SNCARC staff members to assist individuals and their families in obtaining additional services in or beyond the local community. SNCARC can help with information and referral for medical needs, early intervention services, vocational/educational programs, residential programs, respite care and advocacy.


• VACATION PROGRAMS provide social and recreational activities during February and April school vacation weeks and for one week in August.

For more information about these and other services provided by SNCARC, please contact Family Support Services Director Veronica Kane at VKANE@SNCARC.ORG.

South Norfolk County Arc
789 Clapboardtree St.
Westwood, MA  02090
Email: DWOOD@SNCARC.ORG
Phone: 781-762-4001 Fax: 781-461-5950
South Norfolk County Arc is a private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.