Partnerships and Community Collaborations

We believe in building partnerships that leverage the resources and expertise of many partners to bring critical support and services to families. In addition to our program partners, Families First acknowledges the following strategic partners and community collaborations:

Baby University (a public/private partnership modeled on the Harlem Children’s Zone Project in New York): Now in its fourth year, Cambridge's Baby University brings together many city agencies and private non-profits to implement a 16-week parenting program for parents of children ages birth-3.

Boston Children Thrive: Launched in 2010, Boston Children Thrive is Thrive in 5's on-the-ground effort to engage parents as their children's first teachers and as neighborhood-wide change agents for school readiness. In Allston/Brighton, East Boston, South End/Lower Roxbury, Dudley, and Fields Corner, Thrive in 5 and its partners have created networks of parents, community organizations, and neighborhood businesses that plan and carry out activities and provide opportunities that support young children's healthy growth, development, and school readiness. Families First has facilitated workshops at all five sites.

Boston's Higher Ground: To address the impact gap, Higher Ground seeks to unite various service providers to effect actual, measurable results in the Warren Garden section of Roxbury. The leaders of Higher Ground recognize that intergenerational poverty and structural inequality will only end with at least a generation of dedicated, results-oriented work. Families First facilitates the Parenting Circle, which meets three times per year for eight weeks. Topics like brain development, play, and discipline are covered during these sessions.

Boston Public Schools Parent University: The Parent University is a system-wide family engagement initiative where parents take courses along four learning strands: Parents as Learners, Parents as Leaders, Parents as Advocates, and Parents as Teachers. Families First provides parent workshops in the Parents as Teachers track at both the larger Parent University convenings as well as at individual school sites in Boston.

Brockton Parents' Academy: Parents' Academy was launched in 2006 by then-Superintendent of Schools Basan Nembirkow, with input from community agencies and members of his Community Advisory Board. The Parents' Academy offers workshops and programs on a monthly basis that strive to give parents the tools they need to assist their children as they learn and grow. Families First partners with Brockton Parents' Academy by providing workshops at their monthly convenings.

Countdown to Kindergarten: Countdown to Kindergarten engages families, educators, and the community in a citywide effort to enhance early learning opportunities and to support the transition into kindergarten. Families First and Countdown to Kindergarten have developed a 3-part parenting workshop series on Transitioning to Kindergarten. The series combines both the social/emotional aspects of transitioning as well as the nuts and bolts of the kindergarten experience in the Boston Public Schools.

East Boston Collaborative for Families: Families First is a founding member of this collaborative, which seeks to bring together schools and community-based agencies to address issues of concern raised by families in East Boston.

North Suburban Child and Family Resource Network: The mission of the newly formed NSCFRN is to offer education and support to early childhood educators, caregivers, and families with children from prenatal through entering kindergarten. Families First provides workshops to parents, grandparents, and providers throughout the year.

For more information on developing a partnership with Families First, please call 617.868.7687 ext. 14.