413cares

2025 Annual Recap

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:28:56 GMT

More Use Means More Connection to Services

We continued to see meaningful growth of 413Cares. More people across Western Massachusetts turned to 413Cares to find essential services and connect with them quickly and easily. Our expansion across all four counties has brought even more programs into the network, increasing both the availability of services and the number of individuals accessing the information they need to learn about and engage with these resources.

We also developed 6 new resource pages and worked hard to respond to emerging issues and meet local needs, such as the impact on SNAP during the federal shutdown and cuts to Medicaid.

Federal Changes to Medicaid and Impact on MassHealth

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 03:41:58 GMT

Learn more about the federal changes to Medicaid and what this means for MassHealth members.

In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3) into law. This law includes several major changes to Medicaid across the country. MassHealth, Massachusetts’ combined Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program, is legally required to carry out these changes. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of MA residents could lose their MassHealth coverage due to these changes.

The changes will not happen right away and will not affect all MassHealth members. The first federal change will impact some immigrant members beginning Fall 2026. Other important changes include more frequent renewals and work requirements.

On January 8th, Governor Healy announced that the state will increase investment in the ConnectorCare program by $250 million to limit the impact of these increases on middle class Massachusetts families. Learn more about this support from the state .

Learn more about these changes on the MassHealth website . MassHealth is closely monitoring federal actions and providing updated information for members. Information includes, but is not limited to:

SNAP Work Rules

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:16:05 GMT

What you need to know about the ABAWD work rules

DTA has implemented changes to SNAP eligibility requirements based on new work requirement rules from the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill that passed in July. These are known as Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules. These changes will impact current recipients on a rolling basis because DTA has to screen for all exemptions during the recertification time period. SNAP recipients do not have to reapply or recertify sooner.

Here is what you should know:

At the end of the approved certification period, the household needs to recertify. Most households also have a recertification interview with a DTA worker to go over any changes.
Many SNAP recipients also have to re-verify eligibility with an “Interim Report” after 6 months.
If the household situation changes, they must tell DTA about certain changes. Check the DTA Benefit Decision Notice to see what the household must report.
Learn more about the Work Rules for SNAP clients on DTA's website , DTA's flyer (below), and MLRI's Know Your Rights Flyer (below).
Learn what you can do if your SNAP was terminated because of the ABAWD work rules ( MLRI flyer )
If you support SNAP recipients, find more helpful information from MLRI’s Guide for Community Organizations on the ABAWD Work Rules

The latest on SNAP and Fuel Assistance

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 15:10:43 GMT

Click on the following sections to get updated information and resources:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP benefits are being impacted by the recent federal shutdown and the implementation of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed back in July. You can find even more information at Mass.gov/SNAPupdates .

Impacts of the Shutdown

During the shutdown, November SNAP benefits were delayed because the Trump Administration refused to fund them even though they had funding to pay at least partial benefits. On November 9th, an appeals court ruled that the federal government must issue full SNAP benefits for November. Based on previous court rulings (read more about these in a previous blog ), Massachusetts was already moving swiftly to issue full benefits to recipients and is continuing to do so while the federal government is in the process of reopening.

If you receive SNAP, here's what you should know:

SNAP households who missed payments last week now have full, active balances on their EBT cards that are immediately available for them to use.
The remaining SNAP households should get their full November SNAP during the week of November 10-14 on their normal date this week, barring further action by the Trump Administration
HIP continues to be available for households with balances on EBT cards (even $0.01) and have not used their November HIP allotment.
The federal government fully funded SNAP through September 2026, so upcoming benefits will be issued at the expected level and on time.

If you were recently approved for SNAP benefits, you will get your SNAP benefits starting 11/14 and over the next few days.

Impacts from One Big Beautiful Bill

Starting November 1st, new eligibility and work requirements go into effect:

Certain non-citizens will no longer be eligible when they go to apply or recertify.
People will need to meet the Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) work rules. This includes parents with teens 14+, homeless individuals, veterans, and people up to 65. This will cause confusion and burden for many. If you have questions about these new rules, contact the Food Bank of Western MA's SNAP Outreach Team or find a SNAP outreach partner near you (scroll down and search for your town/city to see who provides SNAP enrollment support near you).

Available Food Resources

If you need help getting food for you or your family, you can use the following resources:

Call or text the Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 800-645-8333 to get immediate help. The Hotline is available Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm, and Saturday, 10am–2pm.
Find your local food pantry. Food pantries are committed to serving those in need in their community. Many do not require eligibility or documentation.
Go to 413Cares.org . Enter your zip code and search for “Food Pantry”. Watch the video below to learn how to use 413Cares.
Use the Food Bank’s Food Finder map .
DTA offices remain open to provide other services.
Find more food information and resources on 413Cares Food Resource page .

Fuel Assistance (HEAP)

(updated 12/4/25)

Fuel Assistance programs have been impacted by the October shutdown of the federal government. Finally, federal funding for this year's HEAP (Heating and Energy Assistance Program) has been released to the states and tribal organizations. Massachusetts is finishing the paperwork that must be in place before local agencies can send approval letters and release funds to our community. Hopefully this will happen over the next 1-2 weeks. Applications will be processed in the order they are received.

Learn about the latest HEAP updates:

Check Community Action Pioneer Valley's fuel assistance website and the flyer below.
Check Valley Opportunity Council's Facebook
Contact your local HEAP program for more information.

Also, the Winter Moratorium has been put into effect. The Moratorium begins 10/27/2025 and ends 4/1/2026. This means low-income customers will have their utility protected from termination, provided they have submitted verification of financial hardship to the utility company.

SNAP Food Benefits Cutback

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:13:20 GMT

Learn what services have been cutback due to the federal government shutdown

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Fuel Assistance
Track updates about other impacts at Mass Legal Services and Mass.gov/SNAPupdates .

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The current shutdown of the federal government is causing caused chaos with SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits for November were due to be delayed or cut for over 42 million Americans, which includes more than 1 million people--about 650,000 families--in MA alone. Following a recent court order, USDA is now required to pay full November SNAP benefits to clients. Though this continues to be a dynamic situation, in MA, DTA is acting swiftly to restore full payments for households impacted by the Trump Administration’s delay. It is important to note that the Trump Administration has appealed the court’s ruling and DTA will continue to monitor for impacts of that appeal and provide updates to SNAP recipients. Current active SNAP households that have already missed a payment should expect to see their full benefits starting tomorrow and over the next few days. All other current active SNAP households should receive their full benefits on their previously scheduled day.

Available Resources

If you need help getting food for you or your family, you can use the following resources:

Call or text the Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 800-645-8333 to get immediate help. The Hotline is available Monday–Friday, 8am–7pm, and Saturday, 10am–2pm.
Find your local food pantry. Food pantries are committed to serving those in need in their community. Many do not require eligibility or documentation.
Go to 413Cares.org . Enter your zip code and search for “Food Pantry”. Watch the video below to learn how to use 413Cares.
Use the Food Bank’s Food Finder map .
DTA offices remain open to provide other services.
Find more food information and resources on 413Cares Food Resource page .

Why is this happening?

In October 2025, Congress failed to pass an appropriations bill (a budget) leading to a shutdown of the federal government. The Trump Administration has decided not to allow spending for SNAP benefits past October 30th, 2025. If a deal is not reached to pass an appropriations bill, SNAP benefits will not be provided starting November 1, 2025. On Oct. 31, two judges ruled that US Department of Agriculture (USDA) must issue at least partial November SNAP benefits. The Trump Administration says it will send partial payments this month; however there is no clear timeline on when these will be received. On November 7, Governor Maura Healey announced that her administration is directing DTA to pay full SNAP benefits and expects recipients to start receiving their delayed benefits as early as tomorrow. This announcement follows a federal judge ordering President Donald Trump to release full SNAP benefits, after he became the first President in American history to choose not to fund SNAP during a federal government shutdown.

What you need to know?

Current active SNAP households that have already missed a payment should expect to see their full benefits starting tomorrow and over the next few days. All other current active SNAP households should receive their full benefits on their previously scheduled day.
Any funds already loaded on your EBT card will remain available to spend in November, even if the shutdown continues.
It's a good idea to leave at least $1 on your EBT card to keep accessing your Healthy Incentives Program (HIP) benefits for produce from local farm stands and farmers markets. (HIP is a state funded program and is not affected by the shutdown. Find HIP vendors here .
State funded programs including HIP, TAFDC, and EAEDC will continue operating normally. EBT cards will continue to function in November with any carryover benefits, though no new funds will be added until the federal government re-opens or the USDA releases the funds it has for SNAP--either voluntarily or because a court has ordered it to.
SNAP enrollment remains open. The DTA and the Food Bank’s SNAP Enrollment team are continuing to help people apply for benefits, even though they may not be available in November. Reach out to the Food Bank’s SNAP team at 413-992-6204.
For more information about impacts on SNAP:
Mass.gov/SNAPupdates
Food Bank of Western MA
For more information about impacts of the government shutdown on SNAP and other benefits:
Mass Legal Services Information on the Government Shutdown

Changes to SNAP Eligibility coming soon!

Separate from the impacts of the government shutdown, eligibility to SNAP will be rolling out. President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law in July 2025. Among many other things, this new law permanently restricts who is eligible for SNAP benefits going forward and requires states to make significant changes to meet severe “Payment Error Rate” targets. SNAP clients will not all be impacted at once; the changes will happen on a rolling basis at each client’s annual recertification. Clients will be notified by the MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) when they need to recertify, and if any of these changes apply to them.

How you can help

Here are some ways you can help by advocating for SNAP or supporting local food programs (if you have means to do so):

Support your local food pantry or the Food Bank of Western MA . Contact them to see what is the best way to provide support. Some prefer specific food donations, while others prefer cash donations or volunteer support.
Check with your local school, senior center, town hall, etc. about any food drives they are organizing and seeking donations.
Share your story. Congresswoman Pressley communications team put together a storytelling website to capture the impact of SNAP cuts in Massachusetts.
Join the Springfield Food Policy Council statewide postcard campaign , which invites children and youth to spread awareness and speak directly to the people who shape their future and who are making decisions that affect food access, farms, and families every day. The SFPC is hosting a webinar on the campaign on Wednesday, November 5th, at 10:00 am . Please register for the webinar here .
Sign up for advocacy alerts from the Food Bank of Western MA to stay informed on ways you can share your voice.

Impact on Fuel Assistance

Fuel Assistance programs are also being impacted by the federal government shutdown. They are funded by a federal program called HEAP - Heating and Energy Assistance Program (formerly LIHEAP). No federal funding has been authorized for these programs starting November 1st, so programs around the country are unable to provide regular benefits. This will also cause delays in paperwork (application processing, approval letters, etc.).

Beginning November 1 ^st , HEAP programs will only have limited funds for heat emergencies only until additional federal funding is available. Heat emergencies include:

No heat or fuel.
Less than 1/8 of a tank of oil or 20% tank of propane.
Less than three days supply of deliverable fuels.
Shut-off notice from an electric or natural gas heat source utility.

Learn about the latest updates from Community Action Pioneer Valley (as of November 7). Contact your local HEAP program for more information.

413Cares Kiosk at Caring Health Center

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 14:55:56 GMT

A new 413Cares kiosk is now available at Caring Health Center's Main Street location in Springfield, located on the second floor. The kiosk gives patients an easy way to search for free or low-cost resources in their area. From food assistance and housing support to childcare, legal services, and more, the platform connects people directly to organizations that can help.

The kiosk is part of a broader effort to make 413Cares more accessible across Western MA, ensuring that people have the opportunity to find and connect with the support they need.

If you're visiting Caring Health Center's Main Street location, stop by the second floor and try out the 413Cares kiosk!

413Cares Banners Out in the Community

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 15:09:01 GMT

New 413Cares banners are now up and around the community, making it easier to see the kinds of support available through 413Cares.org . Banners are located at:

Baystate Brightwood Health Center
Baystate High Street Health Center
Baystate Mason Square Health Center
Community Action of Pioneer Valley
United Way of Pioneer Valley

If you see one, snap a picture and tag us on Facebook to help spread the word!

Summer Eats in Western MA

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:04:48 GMT

Summer Eats Locations

Summer Eats is a federal nutrition program designed to ensure that all youth (18 and under) have access to healthy meals and snacks during the summer, when school is not in session! Free meals are available to all kids and teens at hundreds of sites across the state, no registration or ID required .

Webinar: Tips for Effectively Using 413Cares

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 18:08:20 GMT

Webinar Recording & Materials Now Available!

Watch the recording of the webinar, Tips for Effectively Using 413Cares , held on April 25, 2025! Liv Anna Homstead and Francheska Bermudez led an informative webinar designed to help organizations and professionals maximize their use of 413Cares .

Webinar Materials

Want more support? Contact us if you would like a training, presentation to staff, or printed materials.

2024 Annual Recap

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:17:49 GMT

A Year of Growth and Connection

As we look back at 2024, 413Cares has continued to serve as a vital online hub, providing free and low-cost services to individuals and families in need. Last year, we experienced meaningful growth, introduced new resources, and strengthened our partnerships to better support our communities.

Thank you to our regional partners, community members and supporters for making 2024 a success. We look forward to another year of meaningful progress!

Immigrant Rights & Resources

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 18:14:03 GMT

More Immigration Resources on 413Cares

413Cares has launched a dedicated Immigrant Resource Page on 413Cares! This page is designed to connect immigrants with the most relevant and helpful resources in our community, including legal aid, healthcare, employment assistance, language support, and more.

The 413Cares Legal Resource page now has more immigration legal services and information about preparing for encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Avoid Immigration Scams!

The immigration process can be complex, and only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative can provide legal advice. Beware of unlicensed "notarios" or scams that falsely promise work permits or green cards for a fee. Protect yourself by verifying credentials before seeking legal services.

Know Your Rights: Resources & Webinar Recap

If you missed last month’s webinar, Know Your Rights: Information for Immigrant Community Members and the Programs That Serve Them , you can still access key resources, slides, and the full recording. This is critical information of all immigration status. Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) presented on immigrant rights and Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires , presented on the Berkshire Alliance and Support for the Immigrant Community resources. Check out MIRA's website for other upcoming trainings.

Warming Centers in Western MA

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 19:38:45 GMT

Find Warming in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden and Hampshire Counties.

413Cares has built a searchable list of Warming Centers in all four counties of Western MA on our webpage for Warming and Cooling Centers . Use this page to search for a location near you.

If you know of a warming center that gets activated in your town during extreme cold spells that is NOT currently listed, please submit information to us.

Resources for Immigrants & Refugees

lhomstead@publichealthwm.org (Liv Anna Homstead) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:28:26 GMT

Know Your Rights: Information for immigrant community members and programs who serve them

The Public Health Institute of Western MA is holding a free webinar on January 10, 2025 from 12:00-1:00 pm. Speakers include Elizabeth Sweet, Executive Director of MIRA, MA Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition and Ilana Steinhauer, Executive Director of Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires

Looking for more resources?

413Cares is creating a resource page for immigrants and refugees. This page will centralize important information and services for immigrants living in Western Massachusetts. It will include resources like:

If you would like to recommend a resource to be added to our page for immigrants and refugees, please send us information below.

Legal Resources Page

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:58:02 GMT

Navigating legal issues can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know where to start or how to find help. 413Cares has launched a new Legal Resources page highlighting free legal services in western MA. Some focus areas for the page are

Record sealing
Housing
Consumer debt
LQBTQ+
Family law
Health

Holiday Resources in Western MA

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 20:37:37 GMT

Compiled List of Holiday Resources in Western MA

413Cares started to put together a list of local holiday resources, such as free meals and toys to share with communities in western MA. Please help us continue to build this list by sending us information of other free resources.

Protect Your Health This Fall

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 17:32:00 GMT

Protect your health this fall and winter against common respiratory viruses. Follow preventive guidelines and make sure you are up to date on vaccines. Find key information on all of the respiratory viruses below (COVID-19, Flu, RSV, and Pneumococcal Pneumonia). Always remember to talk with your doctor if you have questions about what is right for you and your family.

COVID-19

We are currently in a high wave of infections. Get vaccinated ahead of the anticipated winter wave to protect against severe disease and reduce the risk of Long COVID. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been adjusted to target the COVID strain that began circulating in the spring, and the Novavax vaccine targets a strain closely related. They will offer strong protection. Learn more about the updated vaccines from Your Local Epidemiologist and get answers to some common questions .

Get vaccinated at:

your local pharmacy, doctor’s office, or health center
search for a location on vaccines.gov
schedule an in-home vaccination if you cannot get to a clinic.

Influenza (Flu)

Flu season is coming. Get your seasonal flu vaccine to reduce the risks. You can choose to get your flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same visit. Find a flu vaccine at your local pharmacy or doctor’s office, or at vaccines.gov/flu .

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is highly contagious and can be severe or even life-threatening. Learn more about RSV. Prevention options are available for the following people. Contact your doctor about what is right for you.

Older adults 75+ and those 60-74 with certain risk factors like chronic lung disease are eligible for vaccination. This is NOT an annual vaccine, so you do not need to get one this year if you got one last year.

Pregnant individuals can get vaccinated during 32-36 weeks from September to January. This will help protect the baby in the first 6 months of life.

Newborns can also be protected against severe RSV by an antibody preventive medication for infants under 8 months old, unless the mother received the RSV vaccine during pregnancy. High-risk children between 8 months to 19 months should also get it.

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Each year, pneumococcal pneumonia causes over 150,000 hospitalizations. Pneumococcal vaccination is recommended for adults aged 65+ and adults aged 19-64 with certain underlying medical conditions like asthma and COPD. Learn more from the American Lung Association and complete your personal risk assessment. Talk with your doctor about getting vaccinated.

All vaccine graphics are from Your Local Epidemiologist

Free Meals for Kids in Western MA

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 05:32:57 GMT

Summer Eats Locations

Cooling Center Locations in Western MA

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 23:50:25 GMT

Find Cooling in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties.

The hot summer months pose threats for people who do not have air conditioning (A/C) available in their home, especially those at highest risk of developing heat-related illness . When a heat wave hits our region, cities and towns may activate cooling centers for residents to access.

413Cares has put together a webpage with a growing directory of cooling center locations across all four counties of Western MA. Use this page to search for a location near you. 413Cares will also be adding warming center locations in preparation for extreme cold in the winter months.

New English & Spanish Explainer Videos

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:50:14 GMT

Finding what you need at your finger tips

Francheska Bermudez, our 413Cares program coordinator, explains how to use 413Cares in these new videos available in English and Spanish. Explore these videos and more on out videos' page .

413Cares Webinar Recording

fbermudez@publichealthwm.org (Francheska Bermudez) — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:29:23 GMT

413Cares hosts a webinar for public health month

April is Public Health month and in celebration of it, we did a webinar on April 11th from 12:00 - 1:00pm called " Using 413Cares to Strengthen the Local Safety Net ." In case you missed it, you can watch the recording below to learn about the 413Cares online resource database and how local organizations are using 413Cares to build relationships with other organizations and the community to ensure they are getting connected to services. This webinar is part of a free event series hosted by the Public Health Institute of Western MA.

Speakers were Liv Anna Homstead & Francheska Bermudez (Public Health Institute of Western MA), Alan Dallman & Johanna Farrell (Food Bank of Western MA), Jodi Smith (Way Finders), and Jasarah Burgos (New North Citizens Council).

Slides that were presented.

Warming Centers Across Western MA

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 02:09:03 GMT

413Cares compiles list of warming sites for each county.

The cold winter months pose threats for people who do not have or can afford adequate heat. There have been many inquires from the community about if a comprehensive list of warming centers exists. Through outreach and research, 413Cares staff put together lists for the community to use. Download the images for each county below or a PDF of all counties .

New 413Cares Fact Sheet

lhomstead@publichealthwm.org (Liv Anna Homstead) — Tue, 30 Jan 2024 02:29:56 GMT

New fact sheet showcases the use and impact of 413Cares

A new 2-page fact sheet was put together to showcase what 413Cares is, its growth across 4 counties of western MA, and the impact on connecting people with services. Check out the full document .

413Cares Receives State Funding

lhomstead@publichealthwm.org (Liv Anna Homstead) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 19:43:40 GMT

413Cares is thrilled to receive funding from the state to continue our efforts to connect residents to critical services across the four counties of Western MA. This year we are expanding our work with four new regional partnerships- Hilltown Community Health Center , Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission , Community Action Pioneer Valley , and Quaboag Hills Community Coalition . Together we will bring 413Cares further into Franklin and Berkshire counties and the Hilltown and Quaboag regions.

Thank you to Representative Michael Finn and Senator Adam Gomez who helped secure this funding. Thank you to everyone else who came out to celebrate, including Representative Carlos Gonzalez, a staff member from Senator Velis’ office, and many other partners.

New Office Hours

lhomstead@publichealthwm.org (Liv Anna Homstead) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 14:25:58 GMT

Learn how to use 413Cares

413Cares staff are holding 2 upcoming office hours dates for organizations and individuals to learn how to use 413Cares. Participants are encouraged to bring any specific questions they may have to help them better learn how to navigate the platform and use the tools. The first 20-30 minutes will be a brief overview of how to search for resources, followed by a Q&A portion to meet the needs of each participant. Participants can drop in for the time they need. Registration is required.

Tuesday, March 28th from 2:30-4:00 pm. Register

Thursday, April 6th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Register .

Questions? Contact Liv Anna Homstead .

Look4Help Transitions to 413Cares

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 21:37:09 GMT

Welcome Look4Help Users!

Look4Help, the online resource database for Franklin and Hampshire Counties run by Community Action Pioneer Valley (CAPV), will be shutting down on February 28th, 2023. It will be redirecting people to use 413Cares , which offers resources for all counties of western MA and beyond using the Findhelp platform.

413Cares and CAPV are working together to make this as smooth of a transition as possible. 413Cares staff will be presenting at the Franklin County Resource Network meeting on March 17th to discuss the transition plan, what this means for organizations, how information is being integrated into 413Cares/findhelp, and how 413Cares and findhelp staff will provide continued support to organizations and seekers.

413Cares will also be hosting a few “office hours” times for organizations to learn more about how the platform works and ask questions. Office hours will be held on:

Tuesday, March 28th from 2:30-4:00 pm. Register
Thursday, April 6th from 12:00-1:30 pm. Register .

For questions, please contact Liv Anna Homstead .

413Cares new changes and partnerships

Tue, 22 Feb 2022 03:55:56 GMT

Sarita Hudson, Director of Programs and Development, from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was interviewed on WWLP Mass Appeal regarding 413Cares and its new changes. Watch here .

413Cares online portal fills a critical need at a critical time (Editorial)

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 15:52:27 GMT

An online portal launched in 2019 to connect Western Massachusetts residents with a variety of services including housing, food, legal services, childcare, domestic violence and other essentials has become a critical tool as individuals struggle with challenges due to the pandemic. Read more .

Thousands using 413Cares online portal for resources

Thu, 07 Jan 2021 19:07:08 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — 413Cares.org, the community resource database for Western Massachusetts, has released data showing that thousands of residents have accessed the online database for information on services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more

413Cares online portal connects people with community services

Tue, 05 Jan 2021 14:52:22 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — An online portal launched in 2019 to connect residents with services including housing, food and other essentials, has become a vital tool since COVID-19 has made virtual services the norm. Read more

413Cares Collaborates with Mass 2-1-1, Aunt Bertha to Offer Support for Those Seeking COVID-19 Services

Fri, 12 Jun 2020 15:34:13 GMT

Springfield— 413Cares.org, the online community resource database recently launched for the Western Massachusetts region, has announced a collaboration with Mass 2-1-1, the statewide free information and referral hotline. The collaboration will provide phone support for those searching for services on the 413Cares portal.

Those searching for food, housing, or other COVID-related services on the 413Cares online portal will see a pop-up box with links to COVID-19 resources and a link to call Mass 2-1-1. This “click-to- call” feature will be incorporated into the 413Cares.org website with the help of Aunt Bertha, which is the national platform that houses 413Cares.org.

The Mass 2-1-1 resource and referral hotline, created by the Council of Massachusetts United Ways, operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

Other resource and referral networks in the region and across the state, including Boston Medical Center’s MA Community Resource Directory MASSTHRIVE.org and UMass Memorial Health Care & Reliant Medical Group’s CommunityHELP.net, are also collaborating with Mass 2-1-1 to offer this feature on their portals.

413Cares provides residents the ability to access critical information, resources and referrals to community-serving organizations from one online portal. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts manages the portal that was established with initial funding by Baystate Health.

According to Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, “We are pleased to collaborate with United Way in providing another layer of resources and support for residents of our region on the 413Cares online platform. By adding Mass 2- 1-1’s phone-based system, residents of the 413 seeking to speak with someone about services can reach the Call2Talk resource for behavioral health phone support. This online and over-the-phone safety net is providing a critical resource that people need now during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.”

Paul Mina, President & CEO of Mass 2-1-1, states, “This new partnership will provide consumers more immediate access to accurate information via the Mass 2-1-1 system 24/7/365 in over 140 languages. In addition, our Call2Talk, mental health and suicide prevention line will be available for emotional support as well.”

As a single online point of contact, 413Cares efficiently connects people in the region to critical services they may need including housing, food and nutrition, healthcare, transportation, early education and more.

Collaboration

The site is expected to serve individuals and families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with needs for community resources dramatically increasing due to the crisis.

The development of the resource portal and platform was the result of a community-driven process led by the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) and Baystate Health and was soft-launched early in 2020.

413Cares is fully HIPAA compliant, mobile-friendly and can be translated into over 100 languages.

The portal is populated by community-serving organizations in the region “claiming” their listings on 413Cares.org to ensure their program information is accurate and up-to-date, which helps the public find services more efficiently.

The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was formed a little over 20 years ago with the goal of building measurably healthier communities using data and its convening power to create collaborative partnerships.

413Cares.Org Online Resource Launched

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:28:51 GMT

SPRINGFIELD — A new online community-resource database for the Western Mass. region, 413Cares.org, has been launched, providing residents the ability to access critical information, resources, and referrals to community-serving organizations from one online portal.

22News InFocus: 413CARES online portal provides access to community resources, organizations

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:06:47 GMT

A new online community resource database for the western Massachusetts region, 413Cares.org, has been launched providing residents the ability to access critical information, resources and referrals to community-serving organizations from one online portal.

413Cares.org Connects People with Agencies, Answers

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 13:21:09 GMT

One Stop Resource

It’s just a few months’ worth of data, but the numbers already tell an important story. Read more .