Hilltown CDC Social Services Programs 

The Hampshire County Hilltowns served by Hilltown CDC suffer from a lack of social service programs, especially for elders and families. Though Community development organizations often focus on economic development, maintaining affordable housing and community planning, Hilltown CDC includes Social Services as a priority area. Hilltown CDC is dedicated to filling the social services gap in the Hilltowns and remains acutely aware of area social needs and is committed to the intensive nature of ongoing fundraising for social programs in rural areas. 

Mass. Community Development Block Grants form the base, though not the total extent, of funding for Hilltown CDC social service programs, which require many supplementary funding sources in order to insure stability and provide continuity.

Families Together

Families Together, another program from Hilltown Health Centers, offers activities which focus on family issues such as parenting, family dynamics, family health education and family well-being, at no cost to participating families

“Families Together” offers family organizing, child development counseling, literacy, stress reduction, family CPR, plus referrals to complementary services for eligible families.  Recent workshops topics have included infant development, child discipline, family literacy, communication skills, music, skills for parents of twins and multiples and family legal advice.  Over the past year, Families Together provided services to 136 individuals in 42 Hilltown families, including 78 children, at no cost to the income eligible participants. 

Interview with Lee MacKinnon, Director, Families Together program