MA Dept of Early Education and Care

For #WorldAutismMonth, we want to uplift our expert colleagues within our Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (ECMH) partner organizations. Amy Benjamin, M. Ed. at Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs shares, "My most meaningful memory from this past year ... has definitely been working closely with early childhood staff members, a family child care program, and several families supporting child-focused referrals for children with suspected and/or diagnosed ASD. Specifically, I truly enjoyed coaching and mentoring staff members at a center in Boston and helping families there." To learn more about ECMH and other resources, register for the next info session with the EEC Behavioral Health team on 5/14 at 6 p.m. https://ow.ly/P5Bz50VA16h

Reminder: TONIGHT at 6 p.m., join the EEC Behavioral Health team to learn about resources and supports, including the Early Childhood Mental Health Grant, Pyramid Model Supports, upcoming training opportunities and more. Register here: https://ow.ly/WaKM50VrOPF (will be held in English, Spanish and Portuguese) Can't make it tonight? Sign up for the next session on May 14, using the same link!

April is #ChildAbusePreventionMonth, and today we joined the Children's Trust and our partners at the Massachusetts Department Of Transitional Assistance and the Department of Children and Families for the annual gathering at the State House Grand Staircase to emphasize the importance of prevention and how we can all play a critical role in strengthening families and keeping kids safe. Special thanks to Serenity for sharing her story of previously benefitting from home visits to pursuing more schooling and becoming a home visitor herself 🙌 Learn more about the Children's Trust and their mission at childrenstrustma.org

We had a wonderful visit this morning with the Medford Family Network Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) program to discuss the different ways they support community connection, parent education and joyful learning for children. What a pleasure to speak with the expert team and see the magic of a parent-child playgroup in action! There are over 80 CFCE programs across the state, and in total, the CFCE network provides services to 350 cities and towns in Massachusetts. Find a CFCE program near you: https://ow.ly/OtGE50VB5s2

For #WorldAutismMonth this April, we want to uplift our expert colleagues within our Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant (ECMH) partner organizations. Kelly Gratton, MA, LMHC, ECMH-E from Together for Kids says, “I see my favorite memory as the ability to witness the progress that occurs when a trusting and supportive relationship is at the core. To see a child begin to smile more in class, participate within a group, or lean on a teacher for comfort can all feel stupendous depending on where that child started … While there are so many reasons I enjoy what I do, being witness to the power of a nurturing relationship between a caregiver and vulnerable youth is in my opinion the greatest gift this career offers.” To learn more about ECMH and other resources, register for the next info session with the EEC Behavioral Health team this Thursday, 4/17: https://ow.ly/P5Bz50VA16h

The Early Childhood Educator Scholarship offers financial assistance towards a college degree for prospective and currently employed educators who work in family child care, center-based, after/out-of-school time, residential & placement program or an FCC system that is licensed or funded by EEC.  Applications open in early May. To join a virtual info session, please register here: https://ow.ly/FbtB50Vysws

Thanks to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Westfield for hosting the April meeting of the Board of the Department of Early Education and Care. We had a wonderful time touring the facility, meeting the dedicated educators and spending time with the children. We appreciate those who tuned in for another productive Board meeting sharing progress and updates. Special thanks to the Caterpillar, Chrysalis and Butterfly rooms for letting us visit to sing, draw and play with the kids 🤩🦋 View the Board meeting recording here: https://ow.ly/hCyE50VxSjz

The Board of the Department of Early Education and Care meets at 1 p.m. today Livestream: https://ow.ly/Lqnj50VvT6S Agenda and materials: https://ow.ly/l8p250Vx2Tc

For "Tasty Tuesday" during #WeekOfTheYoungChild, we are grateful in Massachusetts for the Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (FRESH) grants that support National School Lunch Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors to start or expand their capacity to grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system. "This grant program helps our youngest learners explore where their food comes from, how it is prepared, and what a nutritious meal looks like – contributing to rich and healthy relationships with food while building community with local farmers and the larger food system," said EEC Commissioner Amy Kershaw. Read the recent press release here: https://lnkd.in/gQYUwxxx (Photos from 2023)

A little rain didn't dim the energy for our visit this morning to Triumph, Inc., a Head Start program in Taunton, MA. We were happy to join Cheryl Hovey, president of the Massachusetts Association for the Education of Young Children (MAAEYC) to bring new books to classrooms and spend time reading and kicking off #WeekOfTheYoungChild 📚 Thanks to educators Julie, Chelsea and Alivia and for welcoming us to your classrooms! Learn more at massheadstart.org and maaeyc.org