Community & Social Needs

Social Determinants of Health

Healthy children need more than medical care—they also need access to safe housing, nutritious food, reliable transportation, quality education, and supportive community resources. At Pediatric Associates of Fall River, we recognize that these social determinants of health can have a profound impact on a child's physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. Challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, financial stress, lack of transportation, limited access to childcare, and difficulty obtaining healthcare services can affect a child's ability to grow, learn, and thrive.


These factors may contribute to increased illness, missed medical appointments, difficulties in school, behavioral concerns, and stress within the family. Because a child's health is influenced by the environment in which they live, learn, and play, addressing social and community needs is an important part of providing comprehensive pediatric care.


Our team is committed to partnering with families to identify barriers that may affect their child's health and connecting them with community resources and support services whenever possible. By helping families access the tools and assistance they need, we can work together to promote healthier outcomes

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  • Housing
    Child peeking out of a cardboard box in a bright room with moving boxes and curtains

    Housing is a primary foundational platform for overall well-being. Housing concerns are evaluated across four primary dimensions: cost, stability, quality, and neighborhood conditions.


    EMERGENCY SERVICES


    • MA Emergency Family Shelter Line, 8a-5p T: 866-584-0653
    • Catholic Social Services Coordinated Entry Line - for Fall River T: 774-520-2555, for New Bedford T: 508-999-4757, all other Bristol County areas call 508-501-0900
    • First Step Inn (for individuals) T: 508-647-2788
    • Fall River Family Shelter T: 508-679-2109
    • Sisters of Charity Family Shelter (New Bedford) T: 508-997-7347
    • The Women's Center - Domestic Violence - (New Bedford) T: 508-999-6636

    RENTAL ASSISTANCE


    • Catholic Social Services - 1600 Bay Street, Fall River, MA 02724 T: 508-674-4681
    • PACE Housing Opportunity Center - T: 508-993-0033
    • Neighborworks Housing Solutions - RAFT T: 781-422-4204, Rental Voucher/Section 8 T: 781-422-4200
    • Fall River Housing Authority - MA Rental Voucher/Section 8 T: 508-675-3500

    HOUSEHOLD ITEMS


  • Food Insecurity
    Young child sitting at a table, holding a snack and looking thoughtfully at a plate of orange pieces.

    Food insecurity is defined as the disrupted or inconsistent access to enough nutritious food due to a lack of money and other resources.


    Click below for local food resources:


    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)


    YMCA Full Plate


    BCC Mobile Market


    Greater Fall River list of Food Pantry/Mobile Markets


    Fall River Farmer's Markets List (should be under the HIP/SNAP info - you can use HIP $ at these)


    Mass 2-1-1: Call 2-1-1 (ext. 21) to be connected with food banks, soup kitchens, and emergency food security resources across Massachusetts.


    Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline: Call (800) 645-8333 for confidential, expert assistance in finding local food resources, applying for SNAP, or locating free meals.


    Healthy Incentives Program Locator (HIP) to get dollar-for-dollar matches for purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farm stands and markets.


    Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry: Located at 235 Nashua St. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. No appointment is necessary; just bring proof of residency for Fall River or surrounding towns.


    Citizens for Citizens, Inc. (CFC): Located at 822 Eastern Ave. Open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. They provide monthly groceries and also run an evening pantry on the first Thursday of the month from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM


    The Salvation Army: Located at 290 Bedford St. Choice food pantry is available Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, and they host a soup kitchen on Mondays from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (appointments are required for the pantry).


    Pope Francis Outreach Center: Located at 1598 South Main St. Open Tuesday–Friday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering a food pantry and a community breakfast/lunch program.

    Summer Lunch Program
  • Financial Stress
    Hands counting cash beside a calculator and receipts on a desk

    Financial stressors represent the conditions in which people live, work, and age that impact their economic stability. These chronic money-related hardships—ranging from poverty to precarious employment—trigger the constant, toxic stress that physically and mentally degrades overall well-being.


    Financial strain does not just mean a lack of money; it acts as the primary "domino" that triggers a cascade of other health-harming insecurities.


    Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) is a Massachusetts cash assistance program for pregnant individuals and families with children who have little or no income. Administered by the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), it provides monthly cash payments, child care, and employment support



  • Transportation Concerns
    Child leaning out of a red vehicle, looking curiously at a blurred city street.

    Transportation acts as a critical “barrier multiplier” in public health. Inadequate mobility limits a person’s ability to reach medical care, buy healthy food, secure employment, and stay socially connected.


    TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE


    • SRTA Bus Lines - free fare extended through 6/30/26, includes all fixed-route buses in Dartmouth, Fairhaven, East Freetown, Mattapoisett, Acushnet, Somerset, New Bedford, Swansea, Fall River, and Westport. More info at: https://www.srtabus.com/
    • PT-1 Transportation Authorization through Masshealth - non emergency medical transportation. Your provider must submit a request in advance for each address. Once the authorization is approved, you will need to call GATRA at 1-800-431-1713 at least 3 business days before each appointment to schedule the transportation. Please call our referral line at x390 to request an authorization
    • Mass211 and LYFT Relief Rides - limited free rides when no other local resource is available. For non emergency medical appointments, employment opportunities, and food access. Must meet eligibility criteria. Call 877-211-6277 or 211 between 7:00am and 4:00pm Monday-Friday. 
    • Find Help - Find Help website to search for other resources by zip code https://findhelp.org
  • Utility Stressor
    Hand placing a red “PAST DUE” notice on a stack of papers

    Utility stressors—such as energy insecurity, the threat of service shut-offs, and unaffordable water or heating bills—are critical Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). They directly compromise physical and mental well-being, forcing households to make impossible choices between vital survival needs like food, medicine, and utilities


    UTILITIES ASSISTANCE



  • Educational Advocacy
    Puzzle pieces with a card reading “ADVOCATE, EDUCATE, LOVE, ACCEPT” on a light background.

    EDUCATIONAL ADVOCACY RESOURCES


    • Family Resource Center, 45 Rock Street, Fall River, MA 508-567-1735 www.frfsa.org
    • The ARC of Bristol County Education Empowerment Program, 162 North Main Street, Fall River MA 508-679-0001 www.arcnbc.org
    • Health Law Advocates 855-218-3965 https://www.healthlawadvocates.org
    • Massachusetts Advocates for Children 617-357-8431 x224 www.massadvocates.org
    • Special Needs Advocacy Network www.spanmass.org
    • The Federation for Children with Special Needs 800-331-0688 www.fcsn.org
    • Rhode Island Parent Information Network (RIPIN) 401-270-0101 https://ripin.org/special-education-programs
    • Program Quality Assurance at MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) - to report school violations of laws protecting students, or failure to implement a student's IEP 781-338-3700
    • MA Bureau of Special Education Appeals - for when the school team cannot reach a a consensus about eligibility, IEP development, placement or hearings surrounding evaluations 781-338-6400
    • Find Help website to search for other resources by zip code https://findhelp.org
  • Lack of Daycare/Child Care Support
    Toddler holding a colorful toy in a sunlit outdoor patio.

    A lack of daycare and childcare supports acts as a major Social Determinant of Health (SDOH), intersecting with economic stability, education, and access to care. It drives health inequities by forcing parents to compromise their own healthcare, limiting workforce participation, and negatively impacting early childhood development.


    Resources:

  • Diapers
    Toddler on a pink blanket, propped on hands and looking at the camera in a bright room

    DIAPER PANTRIES


  • Holiday Assistance
    Teddy bear in a red patterned chair beside wrapped gifts and a holiday tree

    HOLIDAY GIFT ASSISTANCE


    • Citizens for Citizens Operation Christmas - must reside in the Greater Fall River or Greater Taunton Area, for children under age 12. Apply at:   https://cfcinc.org/programs/operation-christmas/
    • My Brother's Keeper Christmas Assistance - serves families all over eastern Massachusetts including Boston and Cape Cod. Must call to request assistance, more info is here: https://www.mybrotherskeeper.org/christmas/
    • USPS Operation Santa - Children can write their wish list to send to Santa. Letters to must be postmarked no later than December 6th to Santa’s U.S. workshop at 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888. Anyone can write a letter, but please note that the program relies on the generosity of others and cannot guarantee a gift. More info here: https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/
    • Marine Toys for Tots Foundation - for children up to age 12. Go to the website and select 'request a toy' at the top right corner, then enter your state and county https://www.toysfortots.org/request-a-toy/
    • Find Help - website to search for other resources by zip code https://findhelp.org