Family Support

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When a parent is incarcerated, grandparents and relatives often step in to raise the children—providing love and stability during a difficult time. While this role is sometimes temporary, it often becomes permanent and can come with emotional stress, financial strain, legal hurdles, and other challenges. You don’t have to face it alone. To join a supportive group here at the H.O.P.E. Center, please reach out to info@hopecenterma.org. 

Other resources:

Kinship Navigator: https://www.mass.gov/kinship-navigator

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: https://www.massgrg.com/massgrg_2019/index.html

Parent/Professional Advocacy League:

https://ppal.net/

Wonderfund:

https://www.wonderfundma.org/

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction or move in and out of incarceration can feel isolating, painful, and confusing. As a family member, you may carry feelings of shame, guilt, or helplessness—but you are not alone. There is support out there, and you don’t have to navigate this on your own.

Here are some trusted groups where you can find understanding, connection, and tools to cope:

• Learn to Cope – Peer-led support for families dealing with a loved one’s addiction, offering education, resources, and naloxone training.
   
• The Sun Will Rise Foundation – A Massachusetts-based nonprofit offering grief support, prevention education, and community healing after loss related to substance use.
   
• Al-Anon – A worldwide fellowship for people affected by someone else’s drinking. Offers meetings in-person, online, and by phone.
   
• Families Anonymous – A 12-step program for families and friends of individuals with substance use or behavioral issues.

Victim Services support individuals who have been victims or witnesses of crime, following the guidelines set by Chapter 6 of the Massachusetts General Laws. The Victim Services Coordinator also acts as the Norfolk Sheriff's Office liaison to the Massachusetts Trial Courts and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. This role includes monitoring offenders with Victim Certifications filed through the Criminal History Systems Board and coordinating the work of victim advocates based in local courts.  

• Up to date information about your rights as a victim
• Important inmate information including notification regarding an inmate's release from custody
• Safety planning, crisis intervention
• Securing and updating restraining orders
• Referrals to community resources including safe housing information, financial, emotional and support resources

The NCSO Victim Services Unit provides information, support, and assistance to witnesses, victims of crime, and their family members at no cost. NCSO provides these services to all Norfolk County crime victims, witnesses, and survivors without discrimination. Our Civil Rights Grievance Policy is available here.  

MGL. c.10 s.66: Victims of drunk driving fund
MGL. c.12 s.11k: Crime Victims compensation Division
MGL. c.258 B : Rights of victims and witnesses of crime
MGL. c. 258 C: Victim Compensation
MGL. c. 263 A: Witness Protection

Sex Offender Registry Link
Massachusetts Victims Services
Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA)

For More Information on Victim Services at NCSO,  please contact  

Victim Services Coordinator Mary Gallagher at MGallagher@norfolksheriffma.org