One vital source of support for children, families, and early educators across Massachusetts is the state’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Network.
In part one of this blog series on CFCEs, we explored how these programs promote and support early childhood development and family engagement. CFCEs also play a vital role in local communities, serving as hubs of information and connection.
Providing clear information in a systematic way is essential. Otherwise families end up relying on a patchwork of sources to learn about the early childhood services they need. CFCEs provide this system, filling gaps in services, helping families with connections, and rounding out the web of early childhood support in local communities. This work includes:
• offering referrals and connections for early childhood programs and services
• providing opportunities for parent leadership and professional development
• sharing community resources and information, and
• promoting family stability and well-being to help prevent child abuse and neglect
To increase the visibility of CFCEs, we’re sharing this roundup of their stories. These quotes focus on their role as vital hubs that bridge gaps and strengthen community connections:
Early Childhood Center at the Northampton Public Schools covering Northampton and Hadley
“Every community is covered by a CFCE. Whether it’s just for that city or town or for a region, there is a CFCE Council working for you,” Preschool & Partnership Coordinator Laura Frogameni says. Describing her work with colleagues, Frogameni adds, “We meet regularly, talk over our available resources, and confirm how best to refer a family to each other for help. We also share our resources. Just today, our local Early Intervention colleagues at REACH held their playgroup in a space available in our public school.
“I was able to refer one of the parents there to another Council member, Seven Hills, for a child care voucher. Another of the REACH families got to see the space they’d be in the next day for a special education evaluation. All were able to learn about the upcoming Family Fun Night at the Northampton Parents Center. By building relationships, sharing resources (space!) and working within our CFCE-funded Council; we knit together our agency and school supports. We increase the chances that anyone who can benefit from a service can access it.”
Family Foundations 5 CFCE, serving the towns of the Tantasqua Union 61 school district, which includes Brimfield, Brookfield, Holland, Sturbridge & Wales
“The CFCE grant is an essential resource for the families in our community,” Grant Coordinator Sarah Hawk says. “We serve children ages 0 to 5 with their caregivers to provide resources, support, developmental screenings (ASQ), and the opportunity to attend preschool-modeled literacy and development playgroups that families might not otherwise have access to.”
“I would, however, like to share a different perspective: We are also a robust resource and information hub for the partnering programs in our community, such as child care programs, Early Intervention, libraries, fuel assistance, WIC, and other social services.”
“We are an invaluable go-between for families and these services, providing referrals and connections that otherwise might have been missed. This not only makes us an incredible resource for the families and school systems and for promoting preschool/kindergarten enrollments, but also a key resource for the larger, community web of partner programs that are able to come together and join us in doing the best work for the families we serve.”
Norwood CFCE and Morrill Memorial Library
“The Norwood CFCE program has had a lasting impact on children and families by providing all children from birth to age 6 with access to high-quality early childhood experiences,” Program Coordinator Liz Hogrell says.
“Programs like our playgroups allow families to connect, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. Local agencies, including the Norwood Housing Authority and the Morrill Memorial Library, play a crucial role in supporting our CFCE. The Housing Authority offers a welcoming space for playgroups and programs at the Poirier Village Center, while the library provides collaborative resources and support. This partnership among local agencies helps create a strong network for families, ensuring every child in Norwood gets the best possible start in life.”
Union 28 Community Network for Children, serving towns of Erving, Leverett, New Salem, Shutesbury, and Wendell
“CFCE programs are a crucial hub of support and resources for families, especially in our small rural communities,” Program Coordinator Gillian Budine says. “With limited access to programs, many families with infants and toddlers at home rely on CFCE programs to provide enrichment, socialization and opportunities to reduce isolation through trusted relationships with CFCE program staff.”
Parents say:
“Our son wasn’t speaking much at the age of 2. We spoke to our CNC contact who had us fill out some assessment forms. Based on that, we were directed to REACH, [which] was able to provide services. In less than a year, our son now speaks above what is expected. This process would not have been as easy, or dealt with as quickly, had it not been for the CNC.”
“I moved to Franklin County from out of state with a brand new baby. The isolation I felt was compounded by the rural setting with which I had no experience, and the lack of a family support network. CNC (CFCE Program) provided someone to email and check in; a baby welcome basket; and access to programming for my young children as they grew. Without CNC, I would have certainly struggled with isolation and depression, and my children would not have had the advantages of powerful programming and playgroups,” things that children living in more urban settings have easy and frequent access to but which are all but denied to rural communities.”
“I have made lifetime friends and my daughter has already met some of her future classmates at the libraries and play groups. The support we have received from attending regularly has helped me recover from postpartum depression and social isolation. Our days are more structured because of these groups. Thank you so much for coordinating this wonderful program that makes us feel welcome, at home, and at peace!”
The CFCE serving Watertown and Belmont families
A bilingual mom, who had been attending this CFCE’s playgroups, saw her youngest child enter Kindergarten this fall. When the CFCE’s ParentChild+ program needed to hire a new home visitor, a staff member encouraged this mom to apply.
This mom’s journey “reflects the true power of CFCE empowering parents not only to see themselves as their child’s first and most important teacher, but also to recognize their ability to positively impact other families,” Kathleen Maney, the CFCE grant coordinator, says.
And the mom, herself, adds: “I finally landed the job that I have been dreaming of and this is all thanks to your recommendation and help. This job is a crucial turning point in my life and I will cherish this opportunity and work hard.”
Cambridge CFCE (Family Center)
“We are living in challenging times, and families are feeling the effects of that more now than ever,” Family Services Coordinator Cynthia Woodward explains. “CFCEs are about connections, relationships, resources, and more. We offer families a known and trusted place in our community where they can have access to community resources, meet other parents of young children, learn about parenting and child development, and build up their foundation in order to support their child’s experience with school. Whether it is a family who is in a serious crisis or a family who just needs to better understand their child’s development, we as a CFCE are here.”