Massachusetts Coalition of Families and Advocates, Inc.

08/24/2026

DDS supports hearing officer in silencing us as advocates for family member of departmental client

08/12/2026

DDS hearing officer improperly restricts our right to advocate

We have submitted a complaint to the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) about what we consider to be “gross procedural irregularities and unconstitutional restrictions” imposed …

07/26/2026

Today, July 26, 2026 marks the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark civil rights law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability.

The ADA transformed lives by requiring that people with disabilities have equal opportunity in employment, public accommodations, government services, transportation, and telecommunications. The work still continues however.

At COFAR, we work everyday to help ensure people with disabilities and their families are treated with dignity. Your support is essential to helping COFAR continue delivering free, critical advocacy to families navigating DDS and the court system, while also expanding our legislative outreach to benefit families state-wide.

Please consider contributing to COFAR this ADA anniversary.

Donate now at www.cofar.org/donation or send a check to 12 North Street, Leominster, MA 01453.

07/23/2026

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Community Living (ACL) is currently seeking feedback on Protection and Advocacy (P&A) agencies through a public survey.

This is a unique opportunity to give input on the Massachusetts P&A, the Disability Law Center (DLC).

Responses are anonymous and due by August 7, 2026

Link to survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6t2K1VNQgEqEmbpNlEkQ34LB2O7mJ4FBkaoImxaHWx9UQzQ5R05SN0ZEUjMzRTBKWUhWUEMyMVNDVS4u

07/21/2026

State Senate agrees to delay warrentless arrests for assaulting workers in DDS-funded facilities

Anthony Remillard, an intellectually disabled man, fatally assaulted another resident at the former Templeton Developmental Center in 2013. Remillard spent seven years in prison after pleading guil…

07/14/2026

Please take just 2 minutes to complete the survey linked below about your experience with the DDS residential placement process, including the information you received about, and any requests you made for, placement at the Wrentham and Hogan Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) and state-operated group homes.

Link to survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdM0Ef1o-s8O9bsZIiqLotm5mw8vjByx_ITrmf5ydq1MMsrmg/viewform

Your responses will help inform COFAR's advocacy efforts to preserve and improve access to these essential residential options.

07/08/2026

Controversial U.S. Department of Justice memo offers support for Intermediate Care Facilities

A new legal memorandum from the U.S. Department of Justice signals a change in philosophy in the federal government toward supporting Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for individuals with intell…

06/18/2026

Mixed outcomes for families facing visitation restrictions and other problems in the DDS system

Two days after the father of an intellectually disabled man restrained him in a bear hug to prevent him from running across a busy street in April of this year, the father found himself facing an a…

06/05/2026

Advocacy continues following Senate budget decision on Wrentham and Hogan amendments

Our two budget amendments aimed at preserving the Wrentham and Hogan Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities ultimately did not move forward …

05/18/2026

FINAL PUSH: We need YOUR help contacting your state senators about co-sponsoring state budget amendments 411 and 555, which would preserve access to the Wrentham and Hogan Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs) for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in MA.

The Senate budget debate begins this week, and legislators need to co-sponsor these amendments now. This is our last chance to advance this language for FY 27. We are grateful for your outreach which has already helped us secure six senate co-sponsors across the two amendments! We look forward to keeping the momentum going together.

Both facilities are at risk due to a declining census - jeopardizing access to critical care for people with disabilities and the jobs of essential workers.

These amendments altogether will ensure families are informed of all residential options, affirm the right of eligible individuals to choose ICF care, and prevent involuntary discharges of current residents from ICFs.

Find your state senator here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator