Our Programs
Adult Family Care (AFC)
Offering services tailored to their needs, the CLASS AFC program supports caregivers, both family and nonbiological matches, who wish to provide for elders and adults with disabilities in their home setting.
Community Based Day Supports (CBDS)
CBDS supports adults with Autism and I/DD in programs guided by personal choice of recreation, community outings, education, job development and matching, and volunteering.
Day Habilitation
CLASS supports individuals while they tackle daily challenges, to advocate for themselves and feel empowered. Each day, group and community activities help your loved one develop the social and physical skills leading to their independence and personal growth.
TREE
The TREE program (Treatment, Responsibility, Empowerment, Employment) employs a person-centered, data-based treatment model to provide effective vocation training and employment opportunities for adults with developmental, cognitive and mental health challenges.
Employment Services
Our Career & Employment Services program provides assistance with job training and employment opportunities and placement and supervision for clients who work at job sites with area employers. Employment opportunities lead to independence.
Residential Programs
We maintain and operate 17, 24-hour residential homes in neighborhoods throughout the Greater Lowell area. Typically, 3 to 5 adults with developmental disabilities live in each home with continuous staff support.
Family Support Center
A referral and support program for people with developmental disabilities. Our service navigators provide and recommend the appropriate resources that will improve the quality of life and stability within the home and community.
Representative Payee Services
In its role of Representative Payee, LifeLinks offers support in managing finances for persons with developmental disabilities who cannot do so themselves or do not have anyone to assist them.
Shared Living Program
In the Shared Living model, an individual lives in a natural setting of a home provider family. Here, they can continue to be part of family life, while taking the next step towards independence in their own life!
Independent Living Program
The Independent Living Program provides supports for adults with developmental disabilities to live independently in the Greater Lowell area.
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Family Support & Training
Raising a child or supporting an adult with autism or an intellectual/developmental disability brings unique joys and challenges. Our Family Support & Training services offer practical guidance, emotional encouragement, and skills-building workshops for parents, siblings, and extended caregivers. We meet you where you are — in your home, at a community site, or virtually — to help you navigate school meetings, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), transition planning, and daily routines with confidence.
Workshops cover topics such as positive behavior supports, communication strategies, self-care for caregivers, and understanding guardianship alternatives. By strengthening the family system, we help your loved one stay connected to the people who know them best, while reducing isolation and burnout.
- One-on-one family coaching and goal setting
- Monthly support circles and peer-to-peer connection
- Assistance preparing for ISP, IEP, and transition meetings
Respite Services
Caregivers need time to rest, recharge, and attend to their own health, relationships, and responsibilities. Our Respite Services provide short-term, planned relief for families and primary caregivers of adults and children with autism and I/DD. Trained and background-checked respite providers step in with compassion, so you can take a break knowing your loved one is safe, engaged, and respected.
Respite can happen in your home, in a community setting, or through a brief stay with an approved respite family. Sessions range from a few hours to an overnight or a weekend, depending on your needs and funding. We work with you to match a provider who understands your loved one’s communication style, routines, and preferences.
Transition to Adulthood Services
The move from school to adult life is a major milestone, and it often feels overwhelming. Our Transition to Adulthood Services help young people with autism and I/DD, ages 14 to 22, and their families build a clear, step-by-step plan for life after high school. We focus on self-determination, practical skills, and community connections that align with each student’s goals and dreams.
Our transition team collaborates with schools, families, and state agencies to create a seamless bridge. We offer person-centered planning, job exploration, travel training, money management, and guidance on benefits and adult services. By starting early, we help young adults gain the confidence to direct their own futures — whether that means college, vocational training, employment, or active community involvement.
- Person-centered transition assessments and planning
- Pre-employment skills and worksite tours
- Travel training and community safety practice
- Support applying for adult services, housing, and benefits
Behavioral Health & Clinical Supports
Some individuals benefit from more intensive clinical guidance to manage anxiety, sensory differences, communication challenges, or behaviors that interfere with daily life. Our Behavioral Health & Clinical Supports team includes Board Certified Behavior Analysts, clinicians, and nurses who work alongside direct support staff, families, and the individual to develop positive, person-centered strategies. We believe every behavior communicates a need — and our job is to understand that need and teach new skills.
Services may include functional behavioral assessments, individualized behavior support plans, nursing oversight, medication education, and coordination with mental health providers. We emphasize proactive, least-restrictive approaches that promote dignity and self-direction. Through collaboration and data-informed planning, we help individuals build coping skills and reduce barriers so they can participate fully in home, work, and community life.