Western MA State Legislators Deliver Funds for the 413
Springfield– Today several Western MA legislators delivered $200,000 from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) to support 413Cares.
Launched in 2019 by PHIWM, 413Cares is a digital resource that is tailored to help Western MA residents find low- and no-cost resources. It is also a tool that local service providers use to make referrals to services for their clients.
The partner organizations behind 413Cares continually help to update the information given that available resources and the community’s needs predictably evolve over time.
Thousands of people utilize 413Cares every year, with more than 133,000 searches, and more than 153,000 interactions with programs.
Representative Michael Finn, Senator Adam Gomez, and other state legislators from Western Massachusetts helped secure the state funding for 413Cares in the FY2025 within the MA Department of Public Health.
State Representative Michael Finn said, “I was proud to work with the Public Health Institute to file this budget amendment to support 413Cares—a vital resource connecting thousands of residents to critical services like housing, food, and health care. This funding will ensure that this free, user-friendly database continues to provide up-to-date, accessible information to residents across our communities. With demand for these services on the rise, 413Cares has proven to be an essential tool in connecting our neighbors with the resources they need to thrive. It’s about meeting people where they are and ensuring they have the support they deserve.”
"I am grateful to be here celebrating the work that the Public Health Institute is doing to connect people in western Massachusetts with the resources that they need to stay healthy, safe, and looking towards the future. Providing funding for organizations like this is a smart investment for our state as these groups on the ground are aware of the issues their constituency faces and are able to meet them where they are to satisfy their needs. I am proud to support this initiative in the budget each year, and I look forward to hearing more positive stories on the impact that 413Cares has on the lives of people in my district," commented State Senator Adam Gomez.
This year the funds are shared by PHIWM, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Community Action Pioneer Valley, Quaboag Hills Community Coalition, and United Way of Pioneer Valley.
Baystate Health provided start-up funding to launch 413Cares and has continued to support it.
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The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts was formed nearly 25 years ago with the goal of using data and its convening power to create collaborative partnerships in building a public health system through a health equity lens. The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts is building this through community engagement, collaborative partnerships, research and evaluation, and policy advocacy.