Respect. Support. Resources.
Person-centered & trauma-informed response & support
The DCC Community Space is open: Monday- Friday 8:30am-4pm.
You can walk into the space to receive support from a Community Responder.
Our location is: 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 1st Floor, Northampton MA.
You can also reach us by Toll-Free text or Phone to have a mobile Community Responder come to you for support (services provided in Northampton only):
Text or Call 877-DCC-0413 (877-322-0413)
Our dedicated team of Community Responders provides immediate assistance and connects individuals with necessary resources, ensuring comprehensive care and support. The DCC offers a multi-pronged approach that includes prevention, harm reduction, safety planning, ongoing follow-up care, and care coordination.
By leveraging the extensive resources and expertise of the Northampton Department of Health and Human Services, the DCC ensures that our services are accessible, equitable, and effective. We are dedicated to maintaining a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and anti-racist approach in all our interactions and interventions.
The Division of Community Care (DCC) is committed to delivering person-centered and trauma-informed care. Our mission is to provide emotional support, advocacy, and resource connections for individuals experiencing homelessness, emotional distress, basic needs challenges, substance use issues, and conflict navigation within the City of Northampton. We strive to address racial and social inequities through our comprehensive services.
The Mission & Vision
Mission
The Division of Community Care (DCC) is dedicated to providing person-centered and trauma-informed care. We aim to support individuals experiencing homelessness, emotional distress, basic needs challenges, substance use issues, and conflict navigation within the City of Northampton. Our mission is to address racial and social inequities, connect people to essential resources, and offer continuous care through a comprehensive approach that includes harm reduction, prevention, intervention, outreach, and follow-up services.
Vision
The Division of Community Care (DCC) envisions a community where every individual has equitable access to the resources and support they need to thrive. We strive to foster trust and build long-term relationships within the community, ensuring that all members feel safe, supported, and empowered. By integrating public health principles and promoting inclusivity and cultural competence, we aim to transform the way our community addresses and responds to crises, ultimately enhancing overall health and well-being.
Services & What We Offer
The Division of Community Care (DCC) is dedicated to addressing the immediate and urgent needs of the Northampton community, ensuring that our responses are swift and effective. The DCC offers a comprehensive array of services tailored to meet the unique circumstances of each individual. Our personalized support plans, extensive case management, and connections to essential long-term resources such as housing, healthcare, and legal aid reflect our commitment to fostering well-being and stability within the community.
Our team collaborates across all six divisions within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), including the Division of Emergency Preparedness and Response, Division of Inspectional Services, Shared Services Collaborative, Division of Public Health Nursing, and Division of Substance Use Prevention, to ensure holistic care and a seamless continuum of support.
Additionally, we facilitate community education programs, outreach initiatives, and prevention strategies to address and mitigate the root causes of crises, ensuring a proactive approach to community well-being.
The DCC also operates a welcoming community space where individuals can access essential services, participate in workshops, and connect with others in a supportive environment.
Meet our Community Responders
Community Responders are multidisciplinary professionals trained to address emergency public health and safety needs within the community. They provide outreach, engagement, and education to individuals, including those who use injection drugs, in a judgment-free and compassionate manner. This support includes harm reduction, safety planning, prevention, counseling, providing supplies to promote safety, overdose prevention, naloxone distribution, testing and treatment for health issues, and referrals to addiction treatment and recovery support when requested.
Community Responders, often with lived experience, promote recovery and work with participants to remove barriers and obstacles to recovery, serving as personal guides and mentors for people seeking or already in recovery from addiction. They embrace a harm reduction philosophy, ensuring their approach is supportive and non-judgmental, and address high-risk substance use, overdose, and complex care needs.
Events
In efforts to get to know and engage with the community the DCC will be hosting and partaking in various events and discussions within the city.
Resources
The Division of Community Care (DCC) is committed to connecting individuals with a wide array of resources to support their well-being and stability. Our resource offerings include:
• Housing Assistance: Guidance and support in securing temporary and permanent housing, including help with applications for public housing and housing vouchers.
• Healthcare Access: Connections to medical services, mental health support, and substance use treatment, facilitated by our team of Public Health Nurses.
• Food Security: Access to food distribution programs and daily meals to ensure no one in our community goes hungry.
• Legal Aid: Referrals to legal services for issues related to housing, benefits, and more. Additionally, we are excited to announce the availability of a free Legal Kiosk at the DCC Community Space. This kiosk, provided in partnership with Western New England University School of Law’s Center for Social Justice, offers free access to legal information and assistance, court records, and Zoom. It aims to assist people in navigating the justice system and promoting digital equity. The kiosk is available on a first-come, first-served basis during regular hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Employment Support: Resources and referrals to job training programs and employment opportunities.
• Financial Assistance: Help with accessing benefits such as SNAP, MassHealth, and Social Security.
• Education and Training: Workshops and programs on various topics, including health education, conflict resolution, and harm reduction strategies.
• Basic Needs: Distribution of essential items like clothing, hygiene products, and other necessities.
The DCC is responding to calls and open for walk-in support Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4pm
Visit us: 1 Roundhouse Plaza, 1st Floor, Northampton MA
Call or Text Toll-Free: (877) DCC-0413
Email: dcc@northamptonma.gov