Families Like Ours

03/28/2026

🎉 Get Your Gear & Give Back! 🎉 We’re excited to introduce our official Families Like Ours gear! 💙

From cozy sweatshirts and hoodies to stylish hats, there’s something for everyone, and every purchase makes a difference.

✨ Here’s the impact:
If we sell 24+ items, we receive 30% of the profits to support our programs and families in our community.

Every purchase, big or small, helps us continue this important work. A little truly goes a long way.

🛍️ Check it out and grab your gear here:
https://peacetraintees.com/families_like_ours/shop/home

Thank you for always showing up and supporting our families—we couldn’t do this without you. 💙

03/27/2026

Dive Into Community: Swim Sessions for All Abilities.
Swim Sessions for All Abilities is happening every Friday throughout the year now from 12:00PM – 1:00 PM at Berkshire South Regional Community Center (15 Crissey Rd, Great Barrington).

This is a relaxed, open swim time for families raising children with all abilities — siblings and parents are welcome, too! No registration required; just bring your suits and come cool off with us.

To help us continue offering this program year-round, we are inviting families and friends to contribute through a “pay what you can” model or a donation. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us cover the costs of keeping this special space open for everyone. https://givebutter.com/COM0KK

03/26/2026

With deep respect for each child’s unique way of seeing and experiencing the world, these classes provide a supportive space for neurodivergent children to grow, connect, and express themselves through movement.

03/26/2026

TODAY @ 11 AM – Special Needs Support Group (Virtual)

Many guardians raising a child with special needs can feel overwhelmed and isolated. This group is a safe space to remind yourself that you are not alone. 💛

Join us to find validation, resources, and connection with other community members who truly understand the journey.

📧 Email: Rania@familieslikeoursinc.com
📱 Text/Call: (413) 854-3971
(We’ll send you the link to join!)

03/26/2026

🔑 What Happened: Maura Healey signed an Executive Order (3/23/2026) Focus: Improving support for adults with profound autism (age 22+)

Targets individuals who need 24-hour care, often with intellectual disabilities and limited/no language

🎯 Main Goals of the Executive Order
Improve coordination across state agencies
Promote innovation in services and care models
Enhance outcomes and quality of life for individuals and families
Address needs of a growing and vulnerable population

🧠 Key Strategy: Advisory Council
Led by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services Includes representatives from: Housing, Finance, Developmental Services, Mental Health, Medicaid, Legislature
Up to 10 additional members (families, clinicians, providers, advocates)

📊 What the Council Will Focus On: Understanding the population
Track prevalence of adults with profound autism in Massachusetts

🔗 Better system coordination: Align eligibility and services across agencies

🧍‍♂️ Person-centered care: Strengths-based, individualized support approaches

🏠 Access to essential services: Stable housing Health care
Community-based services, Meaningful daily activities

🏡 Innovative living models: New residential and service options that improve safety & stability

📈 Data & outcomes: Improve use of data to track needs, outcomes, and service effectiveness

👩‍⚕️ Workforce development: Build a trained, sustainable workforce to meet complex needs

💰 Future planning: Guide policy and budget decisions responsibly

💬 Why It Matters: Recognizes adults with profound autism as a priority population Moves Massachusetts toward a more coordinated, long-term system of care Emphasizes family voice, lived experience, and innovation

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03/26/2026

The Town of Great Barrington has established the Housatonic Water Works (HWW) Reimbursement Program to help eligible households offset costs related to ongoing water quality concerns. Funded through a state earmark awarded in 2024, the program can reimburse residents for three types of expenses:

03/25/2026

We are so excited for the 6th Annual Autism Awareness Walk & Resource Fair!

📅 April 18, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Monument Mountain High School Track, Great Barrington

This year is shaping up to be INCREDIBLE:
✨ 25+ Resource Vendors
🎟️ Giant Raffle
🌮 2 Food Trucks (+ 1 more possibly on the way!)
🍦 Ice Cream Truck
🎶 Music by DJ Champ
🎨 Face Painting by SBRSD Honor Society
👟 10 Walking Teams already formed!

Come celebrate community, inclusion, and support for individuals with special needs and their families. Bring your friends, your family, and your energy, we can’t wait to see you there! 💛

🛍️ Merchandise Fundraiser Alert! Shop and support, Families Like Ours receives a portion of every sale: peacetraintees.com/families_like_ours



Thank you to Our Sponsors. Community Access to the Arts

03/25/2026

03/25/2026

🌟 Autism Awareness & Resource Fair 🌟

We are incredibly grateful to recognize our generous sponsors who are helping make the Autism Awareness Walk & Resource Fair an amazing day! 💛

A heartfelt thank you to our Gold Sponsors, Greylock Federal Credit Union and Community Access to the Arts, for your continued commitment to strengthening our community and supporting meaningful, inclusive experiences.

We’d also like to thank our Bronze Sponsor, UCP of Western Massachusetts, for your support and dedication to empowering individuals and families.

This event would not be possible without partners like you!

✨ We are still accepting additional sponsors who would like to be part of this special day. If you’re interested in supporting a powerful, community-centered event, we’d love to connect with you. 🩷❤️🧡💛💚🩵💙💜🖤🩶🤍🤎

https://givebutter.com/AutismWalk

03/22/2026

MassHealth 101 with Sarah Jefferson, Coordinator for Mass Family Voices programs

Tuesday March 24, 6:00 - 7:30 PM, Zoom meeting

Join Family Empowerment, Hampshire County’s Family Support Center, and Sarah Jefferson of Mass Family Voices, for a discussion about MassHealth.

Webinar attendees will:
-Learn the basic types of MassHealth
-Identify specific MassHealth programs that may be useful to you
-Understand how to apply for MassHealth
-Understand how to get help with MassHealth questions
-Understand how recent changes to Medicaid Law will affect MassHealth

https://share.hsforms.com/1Mw1tw_22RMu_D6ma8nek3wr8sur