Dotwell: for a healthy neighborhood

Featured Program - DFSI

The Dorchester FAMILY School Initiative (DFSI) is a school-based program with the goal of improving family well-being and family functioning in order to support children in successful learning. DFSI builds a school community by providing necessary family and parenting support; a nurturing school environment including high-quality before and after school care; tools for teachers and administrators to create a social and behavioral framework for optimal learning; and services to ensure that students are healthy and are engaging in proper nutrition and exercise. DFSI, working in the school, helps connect families to the community and to services to ensure that every child comes to school ready to learn.

Donate to DFSI.

DotWell is a community-based organization, specifically a formalized collaborative effort of its two founding organizations: the Codman Square Health Center (CSHC) and the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center (DHMSC). DotWell was previously known as the Health Services Partnership of Dorchester (HSP).

The mission of DotWell is to guarantee high-quality clinical and community services across both sites—addressing health disparities, meeting the complex needs of a changing Dorchester community, and building social capital in and across neighborhoods. DotWell generates trust and respect by providing the highest quality comprehensive clinical and community-based services; a well-maintained physical plant that meets the needs of the community; a team of staff that are both entrepreneurial and practical; state-of-the-art technology available for use by the staff and the community; and unparalleled involvement by a diverse group of stakeholders including staff, clients, board members, elected and appointed officials, and collaborators. DotWell is lauded as a model in the not-for-profit community for its ability to meet the complex needs of at-risk populations while realizing significant cost-savings.

Administration & Finance
Communications & Development
Information Technology

DotWell supports cross-site clinical innovation and excellence at both health centers:

Asthma Case Management
Breast Health Initiative
Diabetes Case Management
Public Health programs including the Communicable Disease Prevention Project
Quality Improvement

DotWell provides management to community-based services. The following high-quality community based programs benefit from linkages to clinical care:

A Civic Health Institute
Community technology programs
Family support services
Out-of-school time activities for youth ages 6-18
Recreational programs including a swimming team and lessons at a newly renovated pool

Pool Schedule
Adobe PDF format
Gym Schedule
Adobe PDF format

School-based programs

DotWell provides comprehensive services to the over 41,000 residents who use the services of CSHC and DHMSC each year.