Opportunities for parents and agencies to work together on family engagement projects build power for parents and create a ripple effect of positive outcomes for children and communities. So, we’ve rebranded the Parent Leadership Program to be The Ripple Program, reflecting the ripple effect of positive change that results from parents and agencies effectively working…
First Place Winner & Audience Choice Award at Zaentz Innovation Challenge We are thrilled to share with you that on April 27th, 2023, at the Zaentz Innovation Challenge at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, our Ripple Program received 1st place in the Accelerate Track from the panel of judges and won the audience choice…
Israel Rivera – 40 Under Forty Class of 2023 In the spring, our Regional Manager – Western MA, Israel Rivera, was named one of the outstanding young professionals in 40 under Forty of 2023 by BusinessWest. Israel Rivera’s pursuit of a master’s degree in public administration from Westfield State University might not sound out of…
Collaborating with Hothouse Productions to Create “The Parenting Pathway” Video In recent years, Families First has adapted its programs to better meet parents’ needs. We are a trusted source for parenting education and support, as well as parent leadership and family engagement. We needed our messaging to reflect the entirety of this parenting pathway. Our…
Expanding Programming to Western MA The true sign of a strong program is the desire of others to bring that program into their own communities. Families First is excited to announce that we will be expanding our reach and launching our programs in the Springfield, MA area in 2022! Where Are We Heading? The Western…
Financial Mentoring with Brookline Bank Making informed decisions about your finances is often easier said than done. That’s why we partnered with Brookline Bank this summer to set up a Financial Mentoring program for our Leadership Fellows and Ambassadors. For eight weeks, employees from Brookline Bank paired together with nine parents who’d participated in both…
Families First launches Family Ambassador Program Families First is thrilled to announce the launch of our new pilot Family Ambassador Program in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). On Monday, August 16, the EEC Family Ambassador Program commenced as representatives from 24 agencies across Massachusetts—along with EEC Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy—convened…
Families First receives 2 years of funding from Cummings Foundation Chosen from a total of 590 applicants during a competitive review process, Families First will receive a $100,00 grant over the course of two years through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. With over 30 years of experience, Families First is Boston’s leading provider of…
There has not been one universal way that the pandemic has affected parents. But every single parent has been affected by the pandemic. Over the past year, parents rallied. They were resilient. They were the superheroes that we always knew them to be. But at the same time, the pandemic took an enormous toll on…