
SEMCOA
Southeast Massachusetts Council on Advocacy

Family Centers Services
Southeast Family Centers (Fall River Family Center, Harbour House Family Center, and Taunton Family Center) SEMCOA provides emergency shelter and support services to families in Taunton, New Bedford and Fall River. Services provided help families by providing emergency shelter and support services, as well as assist them families in securing permanent housing. Southeast Family Services also operates scattered sites in Attleboro, Fall River, and Taunton, through a subcontract with Catholic Social Services.
In addition, Southeast Family Services SEMCOA operates the Family Preservation Program, a reunification program that provides permanent housing with supportive services for families in recovery with children. SFS SEMCOA also oversees/operates a domestic violence program (South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center/SSRAC) and two Healthy Families Massachusetts programs in Brockton and Taunton.
In July 2021, SFS (Southeast Family Services) and SEMCOA merged into SEMCOA expanding the reach of SEMCOA
Family Centers
Our three family centers provide emergency shelter and case management services to families experiencing homelessness. They include the Fall River Family Center, Harbour House Family Center in New Bedford, and Taunton Family Center. All are funded by the Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD).
Fall River and Taunton Family Centers house 7 families each, and Harbour House Family Center houses 16 families.
Situated in the heart of the historic downtown/lower Highlands neighborhood, Fall River Family Center is centrally located, convenient to the public library, bus terminal, and Charlton Memorial Hospital. Harbour House Family Center, which opened in 2001, is located in a residential section of New Bedford on the bus line and childcare services are available at the on-site child development center.. Taunton Family Center is also situated in a residential area, within walking distance of downtown Taunton, supermarkets, the Registry of Motor Vehicles, library, post office, and Morton Hospital.
Trauma-informed staff provides essential wraparound services at our family centers. Families are supported in all aspects of their journey towards self-sufficiency, with their primary goal being to rapidly re-house in sustainable permanent housing.
Residents receive a comprehensive assessment and participate in the development of short and long-term goals. Moreover, they are provided with assistance beyond the basic necessities to sustain activities associated with daily living.
Case managers work with families on issues based on a family’s particular needs: examples include addressing parenting issues, maintaining healthy nutrition, registering for GED or ESOL classes, applying for job training, and addressing domestic violence. Outside referrals are made for added support services, as needed. A foundation is established for families outside the shelter as well, so when they transition into permanent housing, they will be less likely to return to the shelter system because of an ignorance of community-based services. SFS subcontracts with Catholic Social Services to provide Specialized housing services are provided to residents, assisting them in their housing search, and following up with stabilization services for up to 18 months once families move into permanent housing.
Family Preservation Program (FPP)
FPP is a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) program funded by HUD and managed by the City of New Bedford Continuum of Care (COC). The program consists of sixteen 2 and 3-bedroom scattered site units located in New Bedford.
FPP provides housing and case management services to homeless families with children where the head of household has a substance use disorder. Additional available resources include the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, the Career Center, New Bedford Public Schools, Dept. of Transitional Services, and the Dept. of Children and Families. There is staff availability for emergencies 24-7 year-round, including holidays. The program shares many of the same goals as our family centers: Families are supported in all aspects of their journey towards self-sufficiency, the primary goals being stability and the ability to thrive independently.
Participants are offered workshops that address employment, health, and finances and are expected to meet with their case manager as scheduled. Together, clients and case managers develop an individual service plan with clearly stated goals and objectives. FPP provides a safe and supportive setting for families in recovery as they work towards economic independence.
Healthy Families of Massachusetts
Healthy Families Massachusetts (HFM) is a statewide, voluntary home-based family support and coaching program for first-time young parents funded by the Children’s Trust. The program helps to create a stable and nurturing environment for the child, providing support during pregnancy and the child’s first three years of life. Home visitors teach parents about infant care, promote nurturing and attachment, practice effective parenting skills, and ensure parents have a solid understanding of healthy child development. Group services are offered to promote social connectedness. The program also assists parents on achieving personal goals related to education, employment, and the health/wellness of the family. In addition, resources and referrals are provided as appropriate.
Fall River Family Center
Phone: 508-679-2109
Fax: 508-676-6694
257 Cherry Street
Fall River, MA 02720
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Harbour House Family Center
Phone: 508-992-6027
Fax: 508-992-5017
713 Shawmut Avenue
New Bedford, MA 02746
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Taunton Family Center
Phone: 508-738-5142
Fax: 508-738-5163
74 Winthrop Street
Taunton MA
MA 02780
Admission Policy: Families are referred by the Dept. of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Family Preservation Program: Office
Phone & Fax: 508-991-7487
80 Rivet Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Admission Policy: Participants must meet HUD homeless and disability criteria.
Referrals are only taken through New Bedford Area Central Intake: 508-999-4757
Healthy Families of Massachusetts
Southeast Family Services operates the Brockton and Taunton/Attleboro Healthy Families locations.
Brockton
20 Meadowbrook Road
Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: 508-326-1324
Admissions Policy: Brockton– must be first-time parents age 24 and younger that are pregnant or parenting their first child under a year old and residing in Brockton, Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, East Bridgewater, Easton, Holbrook, Stoughton, West Bridgewater, or Whitman.
Taunton
135 Washington Street, 2nd Floor
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 774-409-7231
Admissions Policy: Taunton/Attleboro– must be first-time parents age 23 and younger that are pregnant or parenting their first child under a year old and residing in Taunton, Attleboro, North Attleboro, Lakeville, Middleboro, Raynham, Seekonk, Norton, Mansfield, Berkley, Dighton, or Rehoboth.
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC)
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC) is a victim service, community-based program that has assisted survivors of domestic violence for 40 years. In addition to domestic violence services, staff provides services to family and loved ones impacted by impaired driving accidents (under the Road to Healing program), as well as those who have lost a loved one to homicide (under the SHARES program). Our focus is to create a confidential, welcoming environment where survivors can feel safe to make empowering choices. Services are free and confidential to all, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, identity, orientation, religious beliefs, gender, nation of origin, immigration status, income, and/or ability.
For more information, click here to visit the SSRAC website.
Domestic Violence Services
Emergency Services
- 24-hour, toll-free hotline support, 365 days.
- Emergency safe-homing for survivors and their children within our network of confidential safe homes and/or assistance with long-term placement
- Food and clothing donations for program participants as available.
Counseling & Support
- Individual counseling and support groups for survivors focusing on overcoming the effects of abuse.
- The older women’s program helps support women over age 55 with issues of neglect and abuse while working to preserve their dignity and independence.
- Individual, group, counseling for children and adolescents affected by domestic and/or teen dating violence
Advocacy Services
- SAFEPLAN court advocacy in Plymouth District, Plymouth Probate, Wareham District, and Hingham Courts, providing assistance with restraining orders, safety planning, information, resources, and referrals.
- Civilian advocacy within 18 police departments throughout Plymouth County, providing victim contact and support, risk assessment, safety planning, information, resources, and referrals.
- Advocacy within Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital’s Emergency Department, providing crisis intervention, support, information, resources, and referrals.
- Child Witness to Violence: counseling, support, and advocacy for children who witness or experience abuse/violence.
- Dating Violence Prevention and Intervention Program for adolescents who are in abusive or unhealthy relationships, Counseling and group support are offered at the center, in the community, or at the adolescent’s school.
- Referrals to community and government agencies, housing and other social service organizations.
- Grandparents raising grandchildren support group. Held weekly at the Plymouth Council on Aging. This outreach program is conducted in collaboration with the Plymouth Council on Aging. Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren receive information, education, and legal advice on available resources.
- SShAGLY: We support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth, adults, and their families and provide crisis counseling and advocacy services for LGBTQ youth who have experienced relationship violence, bullying, or harassment. We also offer a weekly support group for South Shore area youth called SShAGLY. Open to LGBTQ and allied youth age 14-18. We are a part of the GLBT Youth Group Network of Massachusetts. SShAGLY meets the 2nd and 4th Monday every month 7-9 PM at the First Parish Church, 842 Tremont Street, Duxbury.
Community Partners
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center works with our community partners to educate people about domestic violence, in addition to preventing its occurrence. Partners include local police departments, schools, Council on Aging centers, Department of Children & Families, Department of Transitional Assistance, Plymouth County DA’s Office, Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, Plymouth County Risk Assessment Team, the United Way of Greater Plymouth County, faith-based entities, and other interested groups.
SSRAC collaborates with the Intimate Partner Abuse Education Program, (IPAEP) an 80-hour Department of Public Health certified educational program for individuals engaging in emotional, mental, and/or physical abuse. The goal is to end the cycle of violence and increase victim/survivor safety.
South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC)
Phone: 508-746-2664
ssrac.org
24-hour Hotline: 888-746-2664
P.O. Box 6237
Plymouth, MA 02360

High Point Affiliates
SEMCOA
Southeast Massachusetts Council on Advocacy