Early education outreach gets boost from state CFCE grant

Date: 1/17/2024

Programs for the state’s littlest learners have been benefiting from a $15.5 million boost this year to Coordinated Family and Community Engagement organizations, including programs that serve Agawam, the Southwick region and West Springfield.

“The grant is a critical tool for expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care, addressing the youth mental health crisis, and providing educational and community-based opportunities for families in emergency shelters,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “The investment of state funds into programs like this will help make our state more affordable and equitable, connecting families with childhood development programs and engagement activities that support the wellbeing and needs of our young children and their families.”

Among the 81 programs that received grant funding in fiscal year 2024 was the CFCE effort based in Ludlow, which received $238,487 to be used in programs serving Agawam, East Longmeadow, Granville, Hampden, Longmeadow, Ludlow, Southwick, Tolland and Wilbraham. A separate program in West Springfield received $51,891.

“The funds are allocated to support all nine communities based on the grants’ guiding principles of the Strengthening Families Framework and Protective Factors,” said Erica Faginski-Stark, director of curriculum and instruction for Ludlow schools. “We provide opportunities that foster resilience, create social connection, enhance the knowledge of parents and caregivers about child development, promote social and emotional competency for children, and support families in times of need.”

The Pathways for Parents program is funded by the CFCE grants and overseen by Ludlow’s public schools. The program employs 20 parent-child group facilitators and trainers who provide educational child engagement programs in the nine towns, including Agawam, Southwick, Granville and Tolland.

“Pathways offers a robust menu of parent-child programs that are hosted at local libraries, town halls, religious and community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, and park and recreation facilities,” said Faginski-Stark. Pathways for Parents also continues to offer virtual opportunities to maximize access for families to the programs.

In Agawam, Pathways for Parents programs include playgroups and storytimes for infants and toddlers, grandparent-grandchild storytime, yoga and mindfulness for young children, and science programs for elementary-aged children, all hosted at the Agawam Public Library.

Playgroups, storytimes and yoga have also been offered in Southwick, also at the town’s public library.

“With an increase in FY24 funding, it has become apparent that with a small addition of funds, a sizable increase in programming can occur to better support the needs of children and families,” said Faginski-Stark.

Since 2019, Faginski-Stark and Ludlow’s CFCE grant coordinator, Kelly Castor, have worked to grow the program exponentially, not only monetarily, but also through building strong relationships, establishing community partnerships, and providing high-quality, accessible programming.

Angela Zorzi, the coordinator for the West Springfield, said the funding is boosting the local program called Community and Family Engagement.

“Here in West Springfield, it is known as CAFE. The town of West Springfield is our lead agency. The program supports parents as their child’s first teacher and has a focus on families with children 0-6 years of age,” said Zorzi.

Many of the recipient organizations of the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grants are families’ first point of contact with local public schools, and help connect them with local early education and special education programs, Head Start, and other child care programs.

“Families can receive resource and referral services, access early learning opportunities through literacy programs and playgroups, get information on child development as well as attend parent workshops and enrichment programs. Our mission is to prepare children for learning by supporting their caregivers as their first and most important teachers. We support families through the transition to kindergarten,” said Zorzi.

She also mentioned that CAFE hosts weekly playgroups and programs to keep children involved and social, including playgroups at the West Springfield Public Library and in warmer months at Mittineague Park.