Community Engagement
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Community-based services that engage with young children and families
IN THIS SECTION
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Family Resource Center Staff, DCF Staff
Settings
Community Settings, Schools, Hospitals, Housing Projects
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Department of Children & Families, Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Family Resource Centers enhance the development of strong communities through support for parents and caregivers. They are family-focused, culturally responsive hubs that offer resources based on the needs and interests of families. Services provided at these centers include home visiting, developmental screening, parent skill training, child care and literacy support, job training, and more.
System Navigation Support: Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) Networks
CFCE networks are
local programs that offer child development services and referrals, such as administering
ASQ screeners and hosting play groups for young children. They also provide resources to parents/caregivers such as parent education, child development information, transitional assistance, parent leadership opportunities, and community resources to support parents as their child’s first teacher.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
81 across the Commonwealth
Professionals
CFCE Staff
Settings
Community Organizations, Local Agencies
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Department of Early Education & Care
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Adams, Aquinnah, Athol, Brewster, Cambridge, Chatham, Cheshire, Chilmark, Clarksburg, Eastham, Edgartown, Erving, Florida, Greenfield, Hancock, Harwich, Lanesboro, Medford, Monroe, New Ashford, New Salem, North Adams, Oak Bluffs, Orange, Orleans, Petersham, Phillipston, Provincetown, Royalston, Savoy, Tisbury, Truro, Warwick, Wellfleet, Wendell, West Tisbury, Williamstown
Professionals
Family Center Staff
Settings
Family Centers
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Children’s Trust
System Navigation Support: Children’s Trust Family Centers
Family Centers are community hubs that support parents with navigating parenting. Here they can get access to resources, learn new skills, meet other families, and participate in a variety of programming. There are currently 7 Family Centers in MA, including one SAFE Child Community Site, through the Children’s Trust.
Play Groups and Baby Classes
Both formal and informal groups provide children with socialization, play, learning opportunities, and more before they are old enough for school. Parents also benefit greatly from play groups and baby classes, where they can meet with peers and build networks of support.
EXAMPLES
Baby Gymnastics, Music Classes
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Licensed Staff and Volunteers
Settings
Playgrounds, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, Parks, Public Schools, Public Libraries
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Librarians, Library Staff, Volunteers
Settings
Libraries
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Local Municipalities
Public Libraries
Libraries offer educational opportunities for young children and caregivers. They also host community events such as caregiver support groups, baby classes, and more.
Museums
Museums, specifically children’s museums, offer interactive and multi-sensory activities for children that support their learning and development.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Museum Staff, Volunteers, Curators, Conservators, Education Directors
Settings
Museums, Children's Museums
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Community Staff, Teachers, and Coaches
Settings
Pools, Parks, Community Centers, Child Care Centers
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Local Municipalities
Community Recreation
Recreation and enrichment activities are essential to child development. Swimming lessons, art classes, dance lessons, and sports are fun for children and their families and support their healthy growth and development.
Public Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor activity at parks, pools, playgrounds, and more allows children to interact with others, use their bodies and engage in physical activity, engage in imaginative play, and get early exposure to nature.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Various Staff
Settings
Parks, Playgrounds, Zoos, Pools, Community Gardens, Walking Paths/Trails
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Local Municipalities
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Community Space Staff
Settings
Community Centers, Public Spaces
Oversight, Guidance, OR Regulation
Local Municipalities
Community Events
Children learn and absorb information everywhere they go. Activities within a child’s community can support them in their early learning about the world around them.
examples
Fairs, Park Events, Farmers Markets, Town and City Festivals
Community Organizations
YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs, and other neighborhood and community groups all offer support and resources to children and families, connecting them to their surrounding community.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Organization Staff, Volunteers, Community Members
Settings
Organizations’ Venues, Public Outdoor Spaces, Neighborhood Groups
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Ages
Birth - 5 years
Usage
Geography
Statewide
Professionals
Health Care Interpreters, Multilingual Care Staff
Settings
Health Care Providers, Schools, Care Centers, Religious Institutions, Community Centers, ESOL Classes
Language Services
Translation and Interpretation Services
Families who are multilingual or speak a language other than English may need translation and interpretation services when accessing health check-ups, attending parenting classes and groups, and interacting with other providers and entities. Translation services are generally used with written language, where as interpretation services are used with oral language.
Faith-based Organizations
Families may find comfort and community support while raising their child(ren) through their church, mosque, synagogue, houses of worship or other religious organization.
