Amherst Family Resource Center

10/23/2025

As reported this week in BusinessWestst and Healthcare News, CSO and its Best Practices Committee will be honored tomorrow with an Association for Behavioral Healthcare Excellence in Outcomes Award.

READ MORE:
https://healthcarenews.com/clinical-support-options-earns-two-honors/

Send a message to learn more

10/17/2025

CSO has once again been recognized by the Springfield Regional Chamber’s Super 60 Awards in the Nonprofit category — an honor based solely on how much of each dollar goes directly toward programming.

This year, 𝟴𝟴.𝟲% of CSO’s entire budget was dedicated directly to our behavioral health programs — supporting individuals and families across with services, crisis response, substance use recovery, family supports, emergency shelter, and more.

𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗗𝗢𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥?
Because in , every budget dollar that goes to direct care is directly enhancing a person's life, helping to stabilize them and enabling them to be their best selves.

We’re proud to be recognized for our efficiency, but we're even more proud of what that efficiency is making possible: a stronger community.

10/15/2025

CSO’s Best Practices Committee will be honored with the Excellence in Outcomes Award at the Association for Behavioral Healthcare’s annual Salute to Excellence celebration Oct. 24.

The honor recognizes CSO’s commitment to ensuring its clients across and receive care based on the most effective, research-supported practices. The Best Practices Committee, made up of leaders from across the agency, meets regularly to review evidence-based models, guide and implement staff training, and evaluate outcomes to make sure services are both high-quality and client-centered.

10/14/2025

CSO leadership is back in after a joining thousands of advocates from around the country in Washington DC for "Hill Day" last week.

CSO President & CEO Karin Jeffers and her longtime colleagues from the Association for Behavioral Healthcare and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing called for Congressional support for reliable funding, consistent quality care, and workforce growth.

Seen here are National Council President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia and former .S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy, who each shared their experiences advocating for and substance use care.

10/10/2025

🌍💚 Today is World Mental Health Day 💚🌍

Millions of people are affected by challenges each year — but you are not alone.

1 in 5 adults in the U.S. experience a mental illness each year.

1 in 6 youth ages 6–17 experience a mental health disorder.

1 in 20 adults live with a serious mental illness.

At CSO, we believe behavioral health care should be accessible, holistic, and trauma-informed.

If you or someone you know needs help, CSO's crisis teams are available 24/7:

North Quabbin: 978.249.3141

North County: 978.488.8888

Franklin County: 413.774.5411

Hampshire County: 413.586.5555

Learn more at CSOinc.org.

10/06/2025

Welcome to CSO's 'The Bridge' Amherst Family Resource Center (FRC)!

'The Bridge' FRC in Amherst is here to support caregivers and families with children (0-18).

All our offerings are FREE:
✅ Family activities & playgroups
✅ Parent support & workshops
✅ Youth programs & community connections

📍 Located in Amherst, MA
💲 Always free of charge
🌟 Open to all families and caregivers

Each month, we share our calendar of events—check back often and join us!

10/03/2025

CSO needs ‘Family Partners’ with Lived Experience.

Have you parented or cared for a child who struggled through emotional or physical challenges?

You can help other caregivers beginning their journeys. This paid, FT role (28–40 hours) is team-based and provides mentorship and assistance to families.

Min. high school diploma or GED required.

APPLY ONLINE: https://csoemployment.e3applicants.com/careers/

10/02/2025

In honor of Week, CSO's clubhouse programs once again spares the community the burden of having to cook.

Their 11th Annual Spaghetti Dinner offered a take-out experience at Green River House in and Quabbin House in .

Special thanks to the smiling car-side helpers from the Greenfield, Mass Police Department.

09/19/2025

During , the Association for Behavioral Healthcare reminds us that the Behavioral Health Help Line is available to all Mass. residents 24/7, 365 days a year.

Call or text 833-773-2445 for urgent support and to get connected to substance use and mental health services:
https://www.mass.gov/.../behavioral-health-help-line-bhhl....

Explore these SAMHSA resources about asking for help:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope/how-to-ask-for-help

08/27/2025

🌟 Families in the are getting better connected to the behavioral health services and basic needs supports in their region! 🌟

Earlier this month, the CSO Family Resource Center hosted its annual Resource Fair, bringing together the region's community partners.

From tasty food and fun yard games to comfort animals 🐕 and even a few farmyard friends 🫏, the GB FRC made it fun to learn about local resources.

👉 Learn more about the GB FRC and upcoming events on our page: https://www.facebook.com/greatbarringtonFRC

08/27/2025

🎒✨ Our Back-2-School Bash! (AMHERST) event was a blast! ✨🎒

Families came together for a fun day filled with:
📚 Free books to take home
🖍️ School supplies for students
😃 Dental checks & fresh haircuts for caregivers and kids

It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces getting ready for the new school year.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who joined us and helped make this event such a success!

👉 Want more FREE family events? Check out our monthly calendar here:
https://www.facebook.com/amherstFRC/posts/pfbid035HCSeWvbfAGJLzJabTDUhhijYrbNTwpWyNKVdnPXkBN61oWzDp67HMgZwskDDUL9l

08/26/2025

Welcome to CSO's 'The Bridge' Amherst Family Resource Center (FRC)!

'The Bridge' FRC in Amherst is here to support caregivers and families with children (0-18).

All our offerings are FREE:
✅ Family activities & playgroups
✅ Parent support & workshops
✅ Youth programs & community connections

📍 Located in Amherst, MA
💲 Always free of charge
🌟 Open to all families and caregivers

Each month, we share our calendar of events—check back often and join us!

07/31/2025

There are SO MANY good things for families to do this week with The Bridge Family Resource Center.

They're all *FREE* to any family with children.

Check out the calendar to see what looks fun, informative, or supportive to you!

06/27/2025

Each month, "The Bridge" Family Resource Center offers free activities, groups, and activities for families with children.
Here's the calendar for July. Hope to see you soon!

06/27/2025

As Pride Month winds down, our CCS/Respite team in Greenfield snapped this photo yesterday outside our Federal St. location.

It served as a reminder to all that CSO's community-based emergency services program is proud to offer 24/7/365 mobile and walk-in access to crisis intervention services.

Hampshire County (Northampton): 413.586.5555

Franklin County (Greenfield): 413.774.5411

N. Quabbin (Athol): 978.249.3141

Northern Worcester County (Gardner): 978.488.8888

06/26/2025

The US Senate is expected to vote soon on a budget reconciliation bill that includes provisions affecting Medicaid and mental health services.

The Senate's reconciliation bill is expected to include more substantial cuts to Medicaid than the House-passed bill.

Tell your friends — especially those in "swing" states — to contact their Senators in opposition to the proposed Medicare changes.

The proposed cuts along with additional so-called "work requirements" would result in fewer Medicaid enrollments, increased disenrollments, fewer covered services, and reduce overall access to both physical/medical and behavioral health care.

All questions and comments regarding public policy issues, legislation, or requests for personal assistance should be directed to the senators from your state. Please be aware that as a matter of professional courtesy, many senators will acknowledge, but not respond to, a message from another senato...

06/25/2025

The US Senate is deciding whether to approve massive cuts to Medicaid as part of its budget reconciliation.

Call and email Senators today to ask them to consider the real-life impacts of limiting access and enrollment:

➡ 21% of the US population is currently enrolled in Medicaid.

➡ 1 in 3 adult Medicaid enrollees suffered a mental illness in 2024.

➡ 7.2% of Medicaid enrollees were diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) in 2024 alone.

➡ Medicaid is the largest payer of US behavioral health services.

Let your Senator know you value Medicaid coverage and access to medical and behavioral health care.

06/17/2025

We're celebrating summer at the Amherst FRC -- and you should, too! ☀️🐚🏊🌻🪁🕶️👕🌴🌞🏄🩴🩳🍦🍨🧢🌡️🌊🥥😎

Kick off the summer break with the End-of-School-Year Family Party! (AMHERST). Enjoy hot pizza and popcorn along with games, raffle prices, and a special surprise!

EVENT DETAILS:
https://www.facebook.com/events/679911128200976

06/11/2025

Reflecting on the wonderful time we had last week with all the friends and partners who have helped make our 10 years of service a success!

05/30/2025

Our June calendar of events!

All Family Resource Center activities are totally *FREE* to any family in the area with children (ages 0-18). No intakes or qualifiers or need for insurance.

Come visit us to find the family supports (or FUN!) you need.