Search

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) offers summer programs to Cambridge children and youth currently in Kindergarten through 8th grade. Activities include art, sports, swimming, field trips, and more. All DHSP summer camps and programs are filled through a lottery process. The deadline to apply to the 2025 DHSP Summer Lottery application is Monday, March 9.

Diversion allows a young person the opportunity to complete an individually-tailored program in lieu of prosecution and may include conditions such as educational programs, counseling, community service, working with housing, letters of apology, and restitution.

In ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainability and efficiency of our permitting process, the Department of Public Works have conducted a thorough review of our fee structure. As a result, certain construction permit fees have been revised.

During the 11th Participatory Budgeting cycle, Cambridge residents voted to fund Welcome Baby Boxes for new parents. This initiative, offered by the Center for Families, provides Baby Boxes to eligible Cambridge parents who have a child under one year old. Since outreach began in the Fall of 2025, more than 60 Cambridge households have signed up to receive a Baby Box. 

Many local sites are now open for appointment registration for younger children, with others ready to accept walk-ins beginning the second week of November. Health care systems and pediatricians’ offices have also received vaccine supplies and are reaching out to patients to schedule appointments.

This session will include representatives from both Civil Service and the CPD to discuss the exam, application and hiring process, required training, and career opportunities within the department. Any interested members of the community are encouraged to attend.

Under a Level 2 -- Significant Drought, overall water use should be minimized and any outdoor water use should be limited to hand-held hoses or watering cans to be used only after 5 p.m. or before 9 a.m.

The Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) is working to create a more equitable afterschool application and enrollment process while expanding access for Cambridge families. For the 2024-2025 school year, 1,486 students received an offer to a DHSP afterschool program, with 90% placed in their first choice, and a 7% increase in applicants from the income priority group. DHSP has also added 246 new seats across programs, launched an OST Expansion Study to support long-term growth, and continues to center caregiver perspectives through the Caregiver Council.

This will allow for the Headquarters Major Renovation Project to begin at 491 Broadway

Due to the abnormally low levels, the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) elevated the Northeast Region of Massachusetts, which includes Cambridge, from a Level 2 - Significant Drought to a Level 3 - Critical Drought on Friday, February 7.