Special Education Contacts

Advocacy & Support

SPEDWATCH: This list serve will provide you with a wealth of information.

SPEDWatch is a Massachusetts non-profit parent-driven organization working to secure the educational rights of all school children with disabilities. Membership is free, and comes with access to the SPEDWatchMA list serve, This members-only list serve is the only one in the state whose goal is to help people advocate for children’s special education rights by providing specific advice about specific issues.
To join SPEDWatch go to http://www.spedwatch.org/membership.php

JERICHO • Holyoke, MA
“JERICHO works with parents, families and professionals to remove the barriers for full inclusion for the disabled population.” Jericho functions as an information center for people with different abilities and their families.
http://www.jerichobeca.org

*Linda LaPointe formerly at the JCC (and a huge resource to families) is now at Jericho. Her primary role at Jericho is working on transition (14 to 22 years) and working with parent/caregivers and students.

MASSACHUSETTS ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN
“private non-profit organization dedicated to being an independent and effective voice for children who face significant barriers to equal educational and life opportunities.”
massadvocates.org

COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISM • Easthampton, MA
“Our mission is to help families, schools, professionals, agencies and communities understand autism, promote the well-being of individuals with autism, and foster their inclusion in the community.”
http://theassociationinc.org/index.php?section=autism-resources-about-us

CHD
CHD offers a wide range of educational, developmental, and support services to help children, adults and families achieve their developmental goals, realize their potential, and find fulfillment.
http://chd.org/child-adolescent-and-family-services/educational-developmental-support-services/

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF NEW ENGLAND

​For more information please contact Wendy Upson or Susan Welby at 888-576-9996 ext. 111 and 102 respectively.
http://www.epilepsynewengland.org

Dispute Resolution & State Contacts

Have an unresolved problem?

Program Quality Assurance Services (PQA)
781-338-3700
http://www.doe.mass.edu/pqa/prs/

Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA)
617-626-7250
http://www.mass.gov/anf/hearings-and-appeals/bureau-of-special-education-appeals-bsea/