One vital source of support for children, families, and early educators across Massachusetts is the state’s Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Network.
As the CFCE website explains, its programs “are locally-based,” and they provide “child development services and resources to families with young children.”
“There are over 80 CFCE programs across the state, and in total, the CFCE network provides services to 350 cities and towns in Massachusetts.”
Parents and guardians can find a CFCE program near them.
CFCE programs have many important goals. They provide early learning opportunities. They strengthen parents’ and caregivers’ relationships with children, and CFCEs promote the role of parents and caregivers as their child’s first teacher. CFCEs also round out the web of early childhood support in local communities. This diverse work includes:
• parent education and family engagement
• early literacy and child development
• collaboration between local early childhood partners
• transitions between early education and care settings, home and school, and
• high-quality programs and service delivery
CFCE grants are awarded to many different kinds of organizations. The benefit of this approach is that CFCEs are flexible and flexibly located, including this program which is in the North Shore Mall.
However, because CFCEs are so diverse, they can be harder to see, which can mean that they don’t get the recognition they deserve. So despite their value, CFCEs have been level-funded for years, which limits their impact. Parents and program leaders are advocating for a 10% increase to the relevant line item in the state budget. As CFCE coordinators explain, this increased investment is crucial to maintain staffing and ensure families’ access to programs and services.
To increase the visibility of CFCEs, we’re sharing this roundup of their stories. This is a two-part series. These quotes, in part one, focus on the work of supporting early childhood development and family engagement.
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CFCE at Community Teamwork Incorporated – Family Resource Network: serving Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsborough, and Wilmington
“Our playgroups are so much more than a weekly learning opportunity. The families we work with make us a staple in their children’s lives,” CFCE Supervisor Chris Cole says.
Last month, Cole adds, a family that was new in town with a two-year-old and an eight-month-old came to a playgroup and met other families with children of similar ages.
“The parent told me how tired they were and that their eight-month-old had started going through sleep regressions. Their two-year-old had also started regressing. They may not have been in crisis, but they needed support. They came to us looking for child care resources, child development information, but also validation for their experience.”
“The following week we saw a huge difference. The family had come up with a plan based on the resources we provided. They had implemented that plan consistently, and they had seen their efforts pay off. The parent whom I had reassured the previous week returned confidently the next, beaming and describing the difference they had seen in their children in only seven days.”
“The Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program may be small, but the impact it has on local families is tremendous. Making sure that programs like this can help prevent family isolation is going to continue to pay off for years and years.”
Lydia Currie, the CFCE playgroup facilitator, adds:
“Last summer, a grandmother and her granddaughter attended a group. Grandma is one of the child’s main caregivers. Mom had gone back to work full time and the young child was struggling with the separation. The child was very quiet and shy. She explored activities, but only with the help of her grandmother. When another child or adult would join them, the child would shut down and nestle into grandma’s body.”
The grandmother asked if bringing the girl to places where she could engage with other children was a good idea or if this would do more damage by forcing her into social situations. Currie said it would be ideal to introduce the girl to different social settings like the CFCE playgroups.
“Some tips I gave her were recognizing the child’s feelings of discomfort, modeling confident behavior, and teaching and practicing proper social skills at home and in public. It has been about five months of consistently coming to the playgroups, and the child has blossomed.”
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CFCE at Community Health Programs, Inc. | CHP Berkshires: covering West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, and Great Barrington
“Our CFCE is part of a powerful network of resources in south county in Western Massachusetts,” CFCE Education Programs Coordinator Kim Waterman says. “This rural community struggles with isolation, while simultaneously possessing a strong community of people intent on the success of the families in it. We offer daily programming, giving families the opportunity not only to socialize and form bonds with each other, but to educate themselves and their children in diverse ways. We have families that have participated in our programming for many years.”
A local parent adds, “Joining this group was one of the best decisions ever. It has helped both me and my child to grow, learn, and socialize in so many ways. The [program] leader treats the children with honor and respect, and values them highly.”
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CFCE Program at the Nantucket Community School
“The CFCE program on Nantucket is a lifeline for many families. Living in a seasonal community that has limited opportunities for young families, particularly in the off-season, makes the Early Childhood programs and drop-in playspace essential to the health and well-being of families,” Pauline Cronin says. She is the Early Childhood Education Coordinator of Nantucket Community School.
“Our programs provide opportunities for families to learn with their children, socialize, and access the support they need. We have a wide choice of programs, but we are limited by the funding we receive. To lose funding or to have funding decreased would be devastating for our Island Community families who are unable to travel to neighboring towns.”
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Milford Family and Community Network CFCE: serving Milford, Bellingham, and Hopedale
“We have approximately 75 active families with 90 children that attend our weekly playgroups, parent programs, and other STEAM and/or play workshops this session,” Program Coordinator Lisa Mandile says.
“We are constantly being told that our program has been a life saver for families. Many of them have shared how attending our programs have had a positive impact: teaching them to be better parents, to listen to their children, to understand social/emotional development, to feel like a part of the community. They have learned about resources and about their child’s development. They have built new relationships with fellow caregivers and they have prepared their children for school!”
Parent comments include:
“Love how this program prepares them for preschool. Teachers are amazing and my child is excited to come every week.”
“Our boys absolutely love and look forward to playgroup. They feel safe, encouraged, and seen when they are here. It lets them play with other children in a more structured environment than a typical playdate.”
“Great resource for the community!”
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Boston Family Engagement Network in Jamaica Plain / Tree of LifeÂ
Maria E. Menzi, citywide director of the Boston Family Engagement Network, describes her program by pointing to the powerful CFCE experiences that parents have. In their own words, these parents say:
“My communication with my child has improved thanks to the program that BFEN/Tree of life has provided.”
“My children love to attend the playgroups. I have learned a lot of activities to do at home, and my kids enjoy it.”
“I recommend the playgroup to all my friends in the shelter. Some kids are not in school yet, and I tell the moms all the benefits kids receive when they attend playgroup.”
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Worcester Family Partnership Worcester Public Schools
Coordinator Beth Vietze lets parents tell the stories of their experiences by sharing these comments from surveys:
“Through this program, my child has learned the importance of forming meaningful connections. Also Parentchild+ has given me the opportunity to [help him] develop his problem solving skills and communication skills.”
“They are an amazing and vital resource for families in Worcester! By far one of the best parts of living here The staff are amazing! Such a kind and welcoming group, they have very thoughtful lessons planned each day and tailor it to the ages of kiddos there.”
“Definitely recommend it for parents who are looking to get their kids into a preschool routine and let them explore by playing while socializing with other kids/parents.”
“It’s a life changing resource!”
[…] 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. […]