About
Since 1843
History
Child & Family Services is one of the oldest non-profit organizations in Southeastern Massachusetts. We began as the New Bedford Orphans’ Home in 1843 to help children left homeless and without families during the whaling era.
Through the years the New Bedford Orphans’ Home evolved into Child & Family Services, Inc. (CFS) a full-service mental health agency. CFS provides specialized programs for youth, individuals, and families including 20 outreach programs that offer multiple services in home and community settings. We provide wraparound case management, individual and family therapy, supportive services, mentoring, specialized youth services, respite services, behavioral management, substance use support and adoption.
CFS has provided Children's Behavioral Health Initiative (CBHI) services since 2009, including a Community Service Agency (CSA), In - Home Therapy (IHT) and Therapeutic Mentoring (TM). In 2021 CFS began The Beyond House YAAC in New Bedford in partnership with the Department of Mental Health for young adults ages 16-26. In 2023, CFS became the local Community Behavioral Health Center (CBHC) provider for Fall River, New Bedford, and Plymouth and a Behavioral Health Urgent Care center for Hyannis. These services include core clinical, school-based counseling, mobile crisis, and community crisis stabilization.
CFS services clients in Greater New Bedford, Greater Fall River, Plymouth, Cape Cod and other sites across the Commonwealth. We launched mobile crisis vans in 2025 which serve Greater Fall River, Greater New Bedford and Plymouth. These vans provide access on scene of a mental health crisis to evaluate and stabilize anyone in need.