Brain Building in Progress campaign honors six local communities for supporting early childhood development

Donna Connelly of North Shore CFCE Network (second from left) is honored by Tom Weber, Commissioner, MA Department of Early Education and Care, State Senator Joan Lovely and Jeffery Hayward of United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

BOSTON – The Brain Building in Progress campaign today honored six community-based organizations for their efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of young children’s healthy development and learning. The Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) programs in Falmouth, Fitchburg, Framingham, Medford, Peabody and New Salem/Wendell received a “Brain Builder Award” at an event at the State House co-hosted by the Department of Early Education and Care and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, leaders of the state’s Brain Building in Progress campaign.  The event was co-sponsored by Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representative Alice Peisch.

The Brain Building in Progress campaign, which is based upon the latest science and research on early childhood development, aims to raise awareness of the critical importance of fostering the cognitive, social and emotional development of young children by emphasizing its future impact on the economic prosperity of everyone in Massachusetts. The six Coordinated Family and Community Engagement (CFCE) programs were honored today for their efforts to provide resources and supports to parents and caregivers that help support the healthy development of young children.

The organizations honored by EEC, United Way and state legislators were: Early Childhood Alliance in Framingham, Falmouth Public Schools CFCE, Montachusett Opportunity Council, Medford Family Network, New Salem/Wendell Community Network for Children and North Shore CFCE.

“The Brain Building in Progress campaign believes that everyone has a role to play in “Brain Building” and the CFCE’s have been essential in helping parents and families be “Brain Builders” that support their children’s healthy growth and development,” said Tom Weber, Commissioner of Early Education and Care.

“The power of this partnership is all of us coming together,” said Jeff Hayward, Chief of External Affairs for United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.  “Together, we can make sure parents have the resources they need to support the healthy development of their children.”