Connect with other parents navigating special education. Get practical strategies, emotional support, and resources tailored to your family's needs. IEP/504 Caregiver Support Group Connect with other parents navigating special education. Get practical strategies, emotional support, and resources tailored to your family's needs. Register 6-Week Series Thursdays April 30 through June 4 Time 6:00–7:30 p.m. Location SAFE Coalition Franklin Who this group is for This group is for parents, grandparents, foster parents, and caregivers of children who have: An IEP (Individualized Education Program) A 504 plan Learning differences or developmental needs Or Health-related diagnoses affecting school Whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, or high school—and whether you're brand new to special education or years into the journey—you're welcome here! Benefits of Joining Connection with people who get it Meet other caregivers facing the same challenges—no need to explain what an IEP meeting feels like or why you're exhausted. Practical advocacy strategies Learn how to communicate effectively with schools, understand your rights, and prepare for meetings with confidence. Resources you can actually use Get curated tools for organizing documentation, tracking goals, and navigating school systems—not a generic brochure. A space to breathe Caregiving is hard. This is a judgment-free space to share what's working, what's not, and feel supported along the way. What to Expect Each week, we'll gather for 90 minutes of guided discussion, skill-building, and peer support. Topics are shaped by what the group needs most—you're not sitting through a lecture. This is a conversation. You can share as much or as little as you're comfortable with. Some weeks you might need to vent; other weeks you might just want to listen. Both are welcome. Karen has spent her career supporting children and families, including 11 years as a foster parent, work as a Family Liaison with MSPCC, and co-facilitating foster parent licensing training. She holds a master's in social work and has provided in-home therapy and behavioral health services to individuals and families. She brings warmth, lived experience, and deep expertise to every group she facilitates. Meet the Facilitator Karen Bean Registration Form Form not loading? Open in a new browser.

The SAFE Coalition is a judgement free community organization relentlessly committed to educating and supporting those affected by substance use disorder and mental health concerns across southeastern Massachusetts. Welcome! We're happy you're here. SAFE is a nonprofit dedicated to compassionate, judgment-free support for individuals impacted by substance use, mental health challenges, and related concerns. How can we help you? I need support for myself or a loved one I want to get involved to help others UPCOMING EVENTS Calendar of Programs & Events March 2026 Today Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun 23 24 25 26 27 28 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +1 more 11 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +3 more 12 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +1 more 13 8:30 AM SAFE Café 14 8:30 AM Compass Yoga 15 16 10:00 AM Postpartum Support Group - North Attleboro +2 more 17 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +2 more 18 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +4 more 19 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program 20 8:30 AM SAFE Café 21 8:30 AM Compass Yoga 22 23 10:00 AM Postpartum Support Group - North Attleboro +2 more 24 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +2 more 25 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +2 more 26 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +2 more 27 8:30 AM SAFE Café 28 8:30 AM Compass Yoga 29 30 10:00 AM Postpartum Support Group - North Attleboro +2 more 31 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +1 more 1 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +2 more 2 9:00 AM Up In Smoke: Substance Use Diversion Program +1 more 3 8:30 AM SAFE Café 4 8:30 AM Compass Yoga 5 Stay informed! Receive the latest news from SAFE. SIGN UP

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2026 SAFE Gala An Evening of Giving Secure your Seat SAFE is celebrating 10 years, and we’d love for you to join us at our 4th Annual Gala! And more: this year’s celebration will be held at the iconic Gillette Stadium ! Friday, April 17, 2026 5:30 p.m. Sponsorships now available! This year sponsors can choose from five different tiers, including our exclusive Presenting sponsorship, offering businesses and community partners a meaningful way to support SAFE’s mission while gaining high-profile visibility. Each sponsorship tier comes with unique benefits, ensuring that your commitment to SAFE is celebrated and remembered long after the gala concludes. Accepted Payment Methods: Debit/credit card, check/e-check, ACH transfer How to secure: purchase Champion, Advocate, and Ally sponsorships online , or contact Meg Peters, director of development, to secure any level sponsorship at mpeters@safecoalitionma.org Presenting - only 1 available! 1 table (12 tickets) Gillette South HD Board (4368 x 1584) logo/company name placement Highly visible company logo on lighthouse photo souvenir Premier recognition from stage, option for a brief welcome from a company representative Exclusive branding opportunity integrated into a signature element of the evening (e.g., napkins, dessert station, or signature mocktail) VIP experience including a private pre-event reception with SAFE leadership Exclusive logo placement and recognition on all event promotional materials and invitations Dedicated social media post with link to company site (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) Logo placement throughout cocktail hour and program. Photo opportunity with co-founders Jen and Jim with SAFE logo for your future use Featured in annual report Complimentary Gillette Lighthouse Tours for your 12 guests Custom jersey Contact us for more info Visionary 1 table (12 tickets) Highly visible company logo on seating chart screens Prominent logo placement and recognition on all event promotional materials Dedicated social media post with link to company site (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) Logo placement throughout cocktail hour and program Featured in annual report Complimentary Gillette Lighthouse Tours for your 12 guests Contact us for more info Champion 1 table (12 tickets) Gillette screen ribbon logo placement Prominent digital logo placement and recognition on all event promotional materials Dedicated social media post with link to company site (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) Logo placement throughout cocktail hour and program Featured in annual report Purchase Advocate 6 tickets Digital logo placement and recognition on all event promotional materials Social media post thanking sponsors (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) Logo placement throughout cocktail hour and program. Featured in Annual Report Purchase Ally 4 tickets Logo placement and recognition on all event promotional materials Social media post thanking sponsors (LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook) Featured in Annual Report Purchase

< Back James Derick Director of Family Recovery | Co-Founder jderick@safecoalitionma.org Jim Derick is a parent who knows about the devastating impact of Substance Use Disorder. His son Jack battled this illness for over 15 years and it was this struggle that led Jim to help form SAFE. On July 15, 2022 Jack died of an accidental overdose. Jim remains committed to helping families impacted by mental health and substance misuse challenges. Jim spent 22 years in the risk management field. In 2015 he co-founded SAFE and was elected as its' first president. Jim dedicates most of his time to family recovery and is furthering his education at Hartford Family Institute to become certified in body-centered psychotherapy. Jim is a facilitator for Road to Recovery, a 12-step support program for family members and Learn to Cope, a support group for families and loved ones impacted by Substance Use Disorder. Jim also serves on the Franklin Public Schools Substance Abuse Task Force.

< Back Amy Young-Sadler Harm Reduction Coordinator ayoung-sadler@safecoalitionma.org Bio coming soon!

< Back The Trickle Up Effect How to build inclusive environments to facilitate thriving students, clients, & colleagues through understanding gender identity & sexuality. Date: Per Request Time: Per Request Details: Email to book: info@safecoalitionma.org Price: Reach out for pricing. About the Program: How to Build Inclusive Environments to Facilitate Thriving Students, Clients, and Colleagues Through Understanding Gender Identity and Sexuality Meet the Instructor: Graduate Intern Oomiya Kawas okawas@safecoalitionma.org READ BIO

SAFE’s Family Recovery Center is proud to launch a new educational webinar series. This series is designed to deepen understanding of addiction, recovery, and the systems that support healing. Family Recovery Webinar Series SAFE’s Family Recovery Center is proud to launch a new educational webinar series designed to deepen understanding of addiction, recovery, and the systems that support healing. Up Next Family Support--Why it Matters: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 When one person in a family is impacted by substance misuse or mental health challenges, the whole family feels it. This webinar offers families the knowledge, language, and tools to navigate that experience with compassion and clarity. Jim Derick (Co-Founder and Director of Family Recovery at SAFE) will guide attendees through the key pillars of Family Recovery, including how to define it, why it matters, and how families can actively participate in the healing process. Attendees will learn: The importance of Family Recovery What codependency is and how to identify it How to set healthy boundaries How to support siblings impacted by a loved one's struggles Different styles of support and how to use them effectively Register Upcoming Topics Section 35/12 Thursday, April 30 6:30–7:30 p.m. Harm Reduction Thursday, May 28 6:30–7:30 p.m. Sober Living Thursday, June 25 6:30–7:30 p.m. Past Episodes “Managing the Holiday Season: Strategies for Self-Care," Karen Bean Does the holiday season feel heavy this year (or every year)? Do you worry about how you will manage all that needs to get done?This webinar covers tips on how to prioritize your needs while also accomplishing necessary tasks and strategies to manage stressors. “The Disease of Addiction: Why Science Matters," Kathryn Branca Gain a deeper understanding of addiction as a chronic, treatable brain disease, learn how science shows us recovery is possible, and discover practical ways to apply the science to support themselves or loved ones in their recovery journey.

SAFE offers two-tiered programming for municipalities on how to use Opioid Abatement Funds in Massachusetts. Opioid Abatement Programming for Municipalities SAFE offers two-tiered programming to support municipalities in their Opioid Abatement Funds spending. Tier 1: 90-day Community Engagement Assessment The 90-day Community Engagement Assessment offers a view of the current impacts of the opioid epidemic in your town and helps us to evaluate the readiness of residents and town leadership in implementing opioid abatement fund-related programming. This assessment includes Community survey: Our team will develop an online community survey that is specific to your town’s needs and concerns Stakeholder listening session: SAFE staff will engage all key stakeholders in your town, including police & fire chiefs, public health officials and town leadership to understand the needs of the residents. Community listening sessions: SAFE staff will facilitate up to three community listening sessions to gather direct feed back from residents about opioid funds utilization. Comprehensive Report with Data-Informed Recommendations: SAFE will provide a comprehensive report of survey & listening session results. We also provide recommendations for the town based on the results of the assessment. Tier 2: Comprehensive Opioid Use Prevention and Treatment Programming SAFE offers programming that aligns with all seven strategies established in the state’s Municipal Use of Abatement Funds. All of these services are provided at zero-cost to community members. Programming options include Opioid use disorder treatment Coordination of referrals and resources through existing partnerships with Wayside Youth & Family Support Network, Turning Point Recovery Support Center, Learn to Cope, Hockomock Area YMCA, and Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office Completion of intakes with individuals in crisis and referrals directly to the most appropriate agency. Support for people in treatment and recovery Grief counseling for families affected by opioid use disorder and 90-day support plan development to provide immediate support and care during times of crisis (e.g., overdose in the family, family member leaves for residential treatment, or family member engaged in Section 35 commitment) Connections to care Up in Smoke - A teen substance use suspension diversion program available to high school students Families Anonymous - A 12-step program for family members impacted by their loved one's substance use or mental health concerns. SAFE presence at community events Harm reduction Biannual medication take-back events, for which SAFE is independently licensed Monthly Narcan trainings and distribution in your community Restorative justice SAFE staff develops 90-day wraparound support plans for individuals referred to us, including those who are involved with or recently released from the criminal- justice system. Support for pregnant and parenting women and their families Postpartum Support Group is open to all pregnant and postpartum community members, including those with mental health and/or substance use concerns. Community diaper bank Preventative education of opioid misuse Partnership with Why Try, a 10-week evidence-based social-emotional education program for high school students, and can launch the program in your town. Peer-to-Peer program, which serves teens in recovery using WhyTry and WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan). Hidden in Plain Sight - an interactive display that educates parents on signs of drug use and/or mental health concerns in their children.

< Back Brittany Capozzi Yoga Instructor As a Certified Yoga Therapist, Brittany utilizes breath, movement, and guided rest to support those who are dealing with the effects of trauma. She has been teaching people tools to reintroduce their mind to their bodies through yoga for over ten years. She uses trauma-responsive language to help practitioners and clients rebuild resiliency in the nervous system. She believes everyone deserves to be able to express who they are without being stuck in trauma; there are choices for how we can move forward. When appropriate, she uses her Trust Fall Writing method and belly dance teaching tools—such as the hip scarf and/or veil—to teach individuals about sensory awareness. Her educational toolbox only keeps evolving: She is a certified Rest and Revitalization Sleep Meditation teacher, taught by iRest’s co-founder Anne Douglas; a certified Laughter Yoga Leader, taught by Master Trainers Bill and Linda Hamaker; and a Warriors at Ease Level 1 Certified Teacher. When she’s not teaching or writing, she’s breaking geodes open with her husband and enjoying their orange and black Halloween cats.

< Back Tiffany Spigarolo Chaplain info@safecoalitionma.org Bio Coming Soon!

< Back Kathryn Branca, LADC I SAFE Cafe Facilitator kbranca@safecoalitionma.org Kathryn is a licensed counselor with over a decade of experience in behavioral health, specializing in mental health, substance use, and trauma. Throughout her career so far, she has led suicide prevention initiatives, partnered with law enforcement by co-responding to mental health emergencies, provided support after traumatic incidents to first responders, schools, and workplaces; and managed inpatient and residential treatment programs, including collaborating with insurance companies to streamline client care. Kathryn has a unique blend of clinical expertise, operational leadership, and ability to develop and deliver interactive trainings, which she brings to her passion for building effective systems of care, utilizing holistic treatment options, and strengthening resiliency for individuals and communities. She is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, holds a Master's degree in forensic psychology, and a Bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology with a concentration in criminology. Outside of her professional life, Kathryn enjoys spending time in nature, cooking and baking, and cheering on all of Boston's sports teams.