Through Every Child Ready to learn, grow, and succeed, a city-wide, system-level initiative (formerly Screen Every Child), supported by Boston Children’s Hospital, community organizations have collaborated to develop a developmental screening and referral system in Boston. Led by the Boston Opportunity Agenda, the initiative partners with United Way of Massachusetts Bay’s DRIVE initiative, the Boston Family Engagement Network, Family Nurturing Center, the Boston Office of Early Childhood, Shared Services, and Boston Public Schools' Boston PreK program.  

The Boston Family Engagement Network, a longtime DRIVE partner, hosts 17 parent screeners mentored by parent screener coaches.  Each of Boston’s nine neighborhoods—East Boston, South Boston, Charlestown, Dorchester, Brighton/Allston, Jamaica Plain, Hyde Park, Mattapan, and Roxbury—has a dedicated coach supporting screeners. United Way's DRIVE initiative provides training on ASQ best practices and ongoing technical assistance.  

Parent screener coaches serve as trusted allies, guiding families through the ASQ process, identifying developmental gaps, and connecting them to support systems—ultimately preparing children for school and beyond. Meghan Savicke, Family Engagement Coordinator at South Boston Neighborhood House also known as The Ollie, and Huong Vu, Family Engagement Specialist at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester -BGCD, are among those fostering trust and providing guidance. 

Playgroup at the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester

A key challenge is addressing parents' hesitations about screenings. Many fear negative implications, but Meghan and Huong use a relationship-based approach, introducing ASQs only after building trust. Their goal is to empower parents with knowledge, helping them make informed decisions about their children’s development. 

Thirteen years ago, Huong Vu arrived in the U.S. as a new immigrant mother, navigating an unfamiliar system while caring for her four-month-old daughter. Pregnant with her second child, she received support during a hospital visit from a community organization offering a welcome baby home visit. When she returned home, a visitor arrived with essentials—baby clothes, diapers, and community resources, including information about a parent-child playgroup at the BGCD. This discovery would change her life.  

Eager to connect, Huong attended the Boys & Girls Club’ playgroup with her children. She found a safe space for them to interact and a welcoming community of parents. Soon, she was asked to lead a Vietnamese book club, marking the start of her journey from participant to community leader.  

Over time, Huong transitioned from parent volunteer to parent partner, helping other families navigate available resources. Trained as a parent screener to use developmental screening tools as Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ), she supported parents in tracking their children’s developmental progress, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps. As a parent screener, Huong speaks the language of families in her community and shares similar cultural traditions and lived experiences. When she speaks to parents about the importance of developmental screenings, they relate to her personal experience. “Because of the trust we’ve built, 99% of parents say yes to screening,” Huong shared. “They know that the tool is here to help their child, not harm them.” 

From immigrant mother to Family Engagement Specialist, Huong Vu has built trust in her community, helping families navigate developmental screenings and resources with care and empathy.

Now, as a Family Engagement Specialist at the BGCD, Huong continues to support families through playgroups, developmental screenings, and parent education programs. She works to reduce stigma around developmental screenings, emphasizing that they are a first step in understanding a child's strengths and areas for support. "We don’t rush into screening," said Vu. " We wait until parents feel safe and comfortable. By the time we introduce the screening tool, they trust us and see it as something beneficial for their child." 

By building trust over time, they ensure that nearly all parents eventually opt in, recognizing the benefits of early intervention and personalized learning strategies. 

For Huong, the most rewarding part of her work is witnessing progress. 'I am proud to say I was one of the original parent screeners trained by United Way ten years ago,' Huong reflects. 'I've had the privilege of helping screen so many children in the Boston community, and it’s been incredible to see the impact.' This screening tool allows parents to see how their children are developing new skills, further reinforcing the importance of early support. 

Huong’s story highlights the power of community-led initiatives in early childhood education that empower parents and caregivers with knowledge and resources. From a mother seeking resources to a leader in family engagement, she exemplifies how lived experience, cultural competency, and trust-building transform communities.  

At the South Boston Neighborhood House, affectionately known as "The Ollie", Meghan Savicke has spent nine years evolving from an early educator at the Ollie's early education and care programs to a trusted community resource. As Family Engagement Coordinator, she ensures families with young children stay connected to essential services like playgroups, the Welcome Baby program, summer activities, and the Diaper Depot initiative. Meghan’s focus is on supporting families in public housing as the neighborhood undergoes gentrification, ensuring they remain connected to the resources they need.   

“We have three major housing developments in the area, and we want to make sure these families stay connected," she emphasizes. Her outreach efforts are extensive, involving frequent communication, from emails about playgroups to in-person conversations about child development. 

Meghan Savicke, Family Engagement Coordinator at the South Boston Neighborhood House, helps families access support and navigate developmental screenings to ensure every child is ready for kindergarten.

Meghan coordinates Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) screenings, a tool that helps identify developmental strengths and areas where children may need support. Her approach to screenings is rooted in trust-building. She fosters relationships with families through playgroups and community activities before introducing ASQ. “I try not to present it right away because I don’t want to overwhelm somebody,” she explains. “A lot of times, there are parents who have a little pushback when they hear the words ‘screening’ or ‘development,’ so we focus on gaining their trust first.” 

Many parents, initially unaware of potential developmental gaps, later express gratitude for the guidance and support they receive. "I've had parents tell me, ‘This is such a great tool. It helped me learn more about my child and what they need,’" Meghan shared. 

Meghan also trains and mentors “parent screeners”, some of whom were former program participants and have firsthand experience navigating early childhood resources, to expand the reach of screenings in the community. “Our goal is to ensure every child is ready for kindergarten while closing developmental gaps,” she says. “We want parents to know that we come from a place of no judgment. It’s about providing a resource for them.” 

While some parents are hesitant about screenings, Meghan reassures them by framing the ASQs as helpful tools, beneficial for all children, regardless of background, rather than assessments. "I went through something similar with my own daughter when she was little. I had a sense that something wasn’t quite right—nothing major, but enough to make me wonder. When I did an ASQ, it confirmed what I had been feeling, and I was grateful for that clarity," Meghan reflects. "It’s all about trusting your gut as a parent." 

Meghan finds deep satisfaction in seeing the positive impact of early intervention. "It’s so nice to know that we’ve helped a child and supported a parent in ways they may not have expected. Seeing families engage with their children and grow together is what makes this work so meaningful." 

Through her dedication, Meghan Savicke continues to be a bridge between families and the resources they need, ensuring that every child has the best start possible. “There’s often a disconnect when it comes to accessing services,” Meghan observes. “Our goal is to guide parents through the process, so they don’t feel alone.” 

Thanks to dedicated professionals like Meghan and Huong, the journey from early childhood to school readiness becomes a shared, community-driven effort—one that bridges gaps and paves the way for brighter futures.  

If you’re unsure whether your child is meeting developmental milestones, reach out to a pediatrician, community program, or playgroup. Take advantage of these screenings to advocate for your child and equip yourself with the knowledge to help them thrive.  

For more information on developmental screening, check out United Way's DRIVE initiative and if you are interested in completing a developmental screening for your child, contact your local CFCE.