Meeting Street

Meeting Street Massachusetts’ mission is to compassionately and innovatively empower children and their families to thrive by fostering the development of the whole child.  Meeting Street annually serves over 1,500 children and families across Greater New Bedford through its Early Childhood Programs - including Early Intervention, Parents as Teachers, Medically Complex Care Consultation (MC3), and Welcome Family - and The Schwartz School in Dartmouth.

The Schwartz School, certified by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) as a special education school, operates a year-round program for students ages 3 to 22 years old with multiple disabilities and complex medical needs.

The Schwartz School offers families a nurturing environment where their child is part of a community devoted to helping each student reach their full potential.

Early Childhood Programs in Massachusetts Meeting Street offers a continuum of programs for Southeastern Massachusetts' families that help children, teens and young parents to thrive, including: 

Early Intervention (Birth - 3 years)
It’s natural to worry if your child isn’t meeting milestones, but Meeting Street’s Early Intervention program is here to help. With no out-of-pocket costs and no doctor referral required, families can access a wide range of services, including behavioral health, nursing, lactation consultation, occupational and physical therapy, speech and language therapy, sensory and feeding support, and weekly parent groups. Serving communities across Greater New Bedford and Fall River, our certified program welcomes referrals from anyone and offers translation services to ensure inclusion for all families. As one of the pioneers in creating EI nationally, Meeting Street continues to lead with compassion and expertise, partnering with families to build customized plans that support every child’s unique needs.

Parents As Teachers (Prenatal - 5 years)

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free, voluntary, evidence-based program that supports expecting families and those with children prenatal to age 5 in the New Bedford area. Through twice-monthly home or virtual visits, PAT helps parents understand child development, connect with community resources and other families, and access education on topics of interest. The program promotes school readiness, strengthens families, and supports early detection of developmental or health concerns.

Welcome Family (Newborn)

Meeting Street's Welcome Family program offers a free nurse home visit and follow-up support calls to all mothers with newborns living in New Bedford, MA. Welcome Family assesses mother and newborn health and well-being and provides education, support, and referrals to services as needed.