• Family Leadership Series Application

    Southeast, Northeast, and Central Regions of Massachusetts

  • We appreciate your interest in the Family Leadership Series. Your responses will help us determine your eligibility for this potentially life-changing program. Please answer the questions to the best of your ability.

    Once your application is submitted, you will receive an email confirmation with further information.

    If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to the Family Leadership Program at info@familyleadershipma.org 

  • Please select your region below. Unsure which DDS region you live in?  Click Here To Find Your Region.

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Are you applying because you have a loved one(s) with a disability?*
  • Will your spouse, partner, other parent, friend or family member attending with you?*

  • The Family Leadership program encourages all caregivers to participate in the series. If you plan on attending with someone else, please make sure they fill out a separate application. 

    Please note that all applicants must be caregivers to a person with a disability. 

    Thank you for your cooperation.

  • About You

  • Are you an alumni of the Family Leadership Series?*
  • What is your age group?*
  • What is your ethnicity/race?*

  • Your Loved One

  • Is your loved one eligible or currently enrolled with DDS?*
  • What is your loved one's diagnosis? You can choose multiple options if you like.*
  • What is your relationship to the individual with a disability?*
  • Do you have another loved one with a disability in your family?*

  • Loved One #2

  • Is your loved one eligible or currently enrolled with DDS?*
  • What is your loved one's diagnosis? You can choose multiple options if you like.*
  • What is your relationship to the individual with a disability?*

  • Loved One #3

  • Is your loved one eligible or currently enrolled with DDS?*
  • What is your loved one's diagnosis? You can choose multiple options if you like.*
  • What is your relationship to the individual with a disability?*

  • Loved One #4

  • Is your loved one eligible or currently enrolled with DDS?*
  • What is your loved one's diagnosis? You can choose multiple options if you like.*
  • What is your relationship to the individual with a disability?*

  • Region

  • Central Region Family Leadership Series Commitment

    To be considered for the 2026–2027 Central Region Family Leadership Series, you must be able to attend all scheduled sessions. Because each session builds on the last, full participation is an important part of the learning experience and helps create a strong, supportive community for everyone.

    Before applying, please review the schedule below to ensure you can attend every session. Your commitment to full participation is an essential part of the application process and one of the key ingredients that makes the Family Leadership Series such a meaningful experience.

    Session Formats

    2-Day In-Person Sessions

    • Held at The Publick House, Sturbridge (Nov & Feb) /DoubleTree, Leominster, MA (April)
    • Friday: 8:30 a.m. – Saturday: 5:00 p.m.
    • Lodging, meals, and all training materials are provided at no cost.


    Virtual Session
    9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

    1-Day In-Person Sessions

    • Held at The Arc Center of Hope, Southbridge, MA
    • Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
    • Lunch will be provided.

     

    Month Day(s) Location
    October 24 Southbridge, MA
    November 20-21 Sturbridge, MA
    December by appointment Virtual
    January 23 Southbridge, MA
    February 5-6 Sturbridge, MA
    March  13 Southbridge, MA
    March 27 Virtual
    April 9-10 Leominster, MA

    *Family Graduation Date: Saturday, May 1 from 2-4pm @ Southbridge, MA 

  • Southeast Region Family Leadership Series Commitment

    To be considered for the 2026–2027 Southeast Region Family Leadership Series, you must be able to attend all scheduled sessions. Because each session builds on the last, full participation is an important part of the learning experience and helps create a strong, supportive community for everyone.

    Session Formats:

    2-Day In-Person Sessions

    • Held at Rosebrook Event Center in Wareham, or Waypoint Event Center in New Bedford, MA
    • Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – Sunday: 4:00 p.m.
    • Lodging, meals, and all training materials are provided at no cost

    1-Day In-Person Sessions

    • Massachusetts State House , Arc of Mass and Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council Legislatvie Recpetion 
    • Tuesday, March 9 (subject to change) , 2027 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
    • Lunch and Travel provided
    • Date is Tentative date and is subject to change

    Before applying, please review the session dates to ensure you can attend every session. Your commitment to full participation is an essential part of the application process and one of the key ingredients that makes the Family Leadership Series such a meaningful experience.

    Month Day(s) Location
    November 7-8 Wareham
    January 9-10 New Bedford
    February 20-21 Wareham
    March 9 (subject to change) Boston, State House
    April  3-4 New Bedford

     

  • Northeast Region Family Leadership Series 2027


    To be considered for the 2027 Northeast Region Family Leadership Series, applicants must be able to attend all scheduled sessions. Each session builds on the previous one, so full participation is essential to your learning experience and to creating a strong, supportive community among participants.

    Attendance Commitment
    Before applying, please carefully review the schedule below to make sure you can attend every session. Your commitment to full participation is an important part of the application process and one of the key ingredients that makes the Family Leadership Series such a meaningful and rewarding experience.

    Series Format


    Two-Day In-Person Sessions
    The in-person sessions are held from 9:00 a.m. Friday through 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the Four Points by Sheraton Wakefield/Boston Hotel & Conference Center in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

    There is no cost to participants. Lodging, meals, training materials, and conference expenses are all provided.

    Virtual Sessions
    The series includes two virtual sessions:

    • January 6 (6:30–8:30 p.m.) – Meet & Greet: Meet your fellow Northeast participants, preview the series, and learn what to expect.
    • March 27 (9am-Noon) – Joint Virtual Gathering: Connect with participants from the Central Region Family Leadership Series before our joint State House visit in April.
    Month Day(s) Location
    January 6 (6:30-8:30pm) Virtual
    January 15-16 Wakefield, MA
    February 5-6 Wakefield, MA
    March 19-20 Wakefield, MA
    March 27 (morning) Virtual
    April  9-10 Wakefield, MA

     

  • Can you confirm that you're available to attend all sessions?*

  • Your Why

    Click "Submit" when finished.

  •  

    Metro and West Region are not currently accepting applications for the Family Leadership Series. Please visit their webpage, Massfamilies.org, for upcoming workshops and advocacy news. Watch for Metro and West applications to go live in the fall/winter of 2026.

     

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