Navigating services and supports can be confusing. The following information answers some of the common questions families ask when seeking services.
For your convenience, we provide secure online application forms for many of our services and contacts can be found on each service page. Our TILL Services Request Form takes you through a list of questions so we can provide the information you need to make an informed choice.
Eligibility for public funding is determined by the responsible state agency. TILL contracts with public agencies including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Mass. Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), Mass. Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Department of Mental Health (DMH). TILL is a licensed MassHealth Provider.
Group Residences offer 24-hour staffing support, with medical and behavioral oversight, training/assistance with personal care and independent living skills as determined by the person’s Individual Support Plan. Services are typically funded through DDS or private arrangements.
Residential Supports under the ABI/MFP Waiver provides an opportunity for the person with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) to move from nursing facilities to a home in their community. Services are typically funded through DDS or private arrangements.
Shared Living offers support in a Shared Living Provider’s home, with oversight from TILL. The Provider may be a single person, a couple, or a family, carefully screened and matched to the person’s needs and interests. Services can be funded through private or public sources including DDS (MA) or BDS (NH).
Creative Living Options combines residential and individual support staff to provide the "invisible net of support" needed to develop and maintain independent living skills in areas including self-medication, unsupervised time at home and in the community, and self-advocacy. Services are often funded by individual support contracts and/or private arrangements.
Individualized Supports provides services needed to allow the person to remain in their own living arrangement or develop the skills necessary for the next step in areas of money management, personal organization, meal prep and self-advocacy. Services are often funded by individual support contracts and/or private arrangements.
TILL’s Emergency Stabilization and Respite Services provide support to individuals and their families. Referrals are made through the Metro Area DDS office.
TILL is a licensed provider of Residential and Individual Home Supports including Residential Services, ABI-MFP Residential Services, Placement Services, Respite Services, and Individual Home Supports through the Department of Developmental Services.
Day Habilitation Programs provide support to people with high medical needs as well as those who need assistance with activities of daily living in order to function as independently as possible. Funded through MassHealth, specialized services include Nursing, Communication, Occupational and Physical Therapies and Behavioral Specialists.
Community Based Day Supports provide opportunities for learning, self-direction and community involvement while benefiting from access to therapies through our day habilitation program and work skills through our vocational training programs. TILL Central, Autism Initiative, ETC Café and Gift Shop, and TILL Farms are CBDS options unique to TILL.
TILL provides customized Employment Services with training, job placement and coaching to ensure long-term success. Vocational referrals come from the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission and are dependent on eligibility and funding.
TILL offers unique training opportunities in our Essence of Thyme and Cravings (ETC) entrepreneurial café/catering businesses for people to obtain/strengthen their vocational skills through food service and retail training. Referrals come from DDS and MRC and are dependent on eligibility and funding.
TILL is a licensed provider of Employment and Day Supports including Community Based Day Supports and Employment Supports through the Department of Developmental Services. TILL’s Day Habilitation Services are accredited by CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services.
Executive Office of Health and Human Services is comprised of 12 state agencies, including the Dept .of Developmental Services, Dept. of Mental Health, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, Mass. Commission for the Blind, MassHealth, and more.
Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Department of Developmental Services (DDS) provides services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, acquired brain injury (ABI) and autism spectrum disorder.
MassHealth includes Medicaid for individuals, families and people with disabilities, seniors and people needing long term care, as well as the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation, Community Living including acquired brain injury, and eligibility determination for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefits programs.
Department of Mental Health (DMH) provides services to individuals and families in various stages of clinical treatment, rehabilitation, and recovery from serious and persistent mental illnesses.
Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) provides rehabilitation and social services for people who are legally blind and qualifying individuals who have low vision with a progressive visual impairment.
Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) is the principal agency serving people of all ages who are deaf and hard of hearing.
Department of Transitional Assistance assists and empowers low-income individuals and families through direct cash benefits and food assistance, as well as workforce training opportunities.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides subsidized housing to eligible low-income residents, the elderly and the disabled. (Section 8)